While over-the-range microwaves have been stylish for years, the trend is on the way out in 2018.
One of the biggest benefits of an over-the-range microwave is that it also doubles as a vent, essentially functioning as two appliances in one. This is the perfect solution for the average home cook, but for people who do professional cooking in their home kitchens, an over-the-range microwave might not cut it.
Microwaves will be obsolete by 2027.
For most of us, a microwave is still a necessary piece of kitchen gear. We may not be cooking as much in it or zapping frozen meals anymore, but it's just hard to match the speed and convenience a microwave offers for reheating a plate of food or boiling a quick cup of water.
Well, can you microwave next to the stove? The short answer is Yes. You can put a microwave next to the stove.
Microwave ovens are a common kitchen appliance and are popular for reheating previously cooked foods and cooking a variety of foods. They rapidly heat foods which can easily burn or turn lumpy if cooked in conventional pans, such as hot butter, fats, chocolate or porridge.
Can you put a microwave above a gas range? Yes. In fact, you can put a microwave over a gas range or electric range. Microwaves are also commonly placed on countertops, stored inside cabinets, or on shelves.
Today, more than 90 percent of U.S. households own a microwave oven.
Microwave radiation can heat body tissue the same way it heats food. Exposure to high levels of microwaves can cause a painful burn. Two areas of the body, the eyes and the testes, are particularly vulnerable to RF heating because there is relatively little blood flow in them to carry away excess heat.
Toaster Ovens – Not only are toaster ovens a great microwave alternative, they're also a great alternative to full-size ovens due to their versatility and multipurpose cooking abilities. Toaster ovens use a similar heating technique to microwaves but are more efficient and often require less space.
You will simply improve the air quality of your home by venting fumes outdoors. ProTip Takeaway: A vented to the outside range hood provides better air filtration to keep the air in your home fresh and odor-free. "A hood is the absolute best way to go.
Over-the-Stove Ovens
Over-the-stove microwave ovens are mounted onto the wall above your stovetop. They are favored because they get the microwave off the countertop or island, giving you more counter space to work with and reducing the appearance of clutter in the kitchen.
A traditional countertop microwave is a freestanding unit that is usually placed directly on the kitchen counter. However, microwave ovens also come in a built-in, over-the-range style that is mounted above a cooktop or range and offers venting and overhead lighting.
The microwave is somewhat controversial in part because some people believe the waves can be harmful to the person consuming the food or strip the food of nutrients. However, a microwave oven will not make your food radioactive, according to the World Health Organization.
Serve Food Faster
Speed is the main reason many restaurants use microwaves. Fortunately, many of the dishes that restaurants need the quickest do incredibly well in the microwave. Because they're mostly water, soups are among the easiest and most reliable foods to reheat in a microwave.
The crock-pot will work its magic. Sure, the magic may take slightly longer than a microwave but it is certainly a better and more efficient way to reheat food. The great thing about crock-pots is also that they do not cost as much money and are also a much safer appliance to use than an oven or microwave.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that the bottom of the microwave should be no higher than 54 inches above the floor, which would allow for 18 inches of clearance between the microwave and the typical cooktop height of 36 inches.
According to GE Appliances, an over-the-range microwave height should be a minimum of 66 inches mounting height from the floor to the top of the microwave. This 66-inch difference from the floor allows approximately 13 inches to 16 inches between the cooktop and the bottom front of the microwave.
Aim for a location that's convenient to the countertop, stove top and fridge. It's really common to pop something straight from the fridge into the microwave, so you want the two to be close together – while ensuring there's bench space nearby.
Built-in microwaves can be installed into a wall or cabinet for convenient operation. With a similar capacity to other microwave styles, the built-in design has the advantages of saving counter space and being able to be installed away from the range, allowing multiple people more space to cook together.
A microwave oven, designed exclusively for a kitchen countertop, has vents that are built into the back of microwave. If installed into a cabinet, these vents will be blocked and unable to release steam from the microwave,.