The microwave oven is the most commonly used appliance in many kitchens. It is designed to perform a range of tasks such as cooking, defrosting, reheating. Importantly, microwaves are relatively safe and are often the first cooking appliance parents allow their older children to use. The built-in microwave oven does not take up much space, which means that this model is the most preferable in the modern kitchen.
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Microwaves use electromagnetic waves to directly heat food. Heat energy is directed directly to the target – the food inside the microwave. A conventional oven heats up the entire inner chamber of the oven. A waveguide on the sidewalls of a microwave oven directs an energy wave to the food. The turntable promotes even heating.
Built-in microwave models free up table space, and select models can contribute to an elegant, streamlined kitchen. But there are things to consider when installing, such as device size, type of built-in, ventilation, and special installation requirements.
There are a few things to keep in mind when buying a built-in microwave oven.
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- To find out the overall dimensions of most microwave ovens, you need to read the manufacturer’s documentation. This is necessary to determine how well the microwave will fit into the kitchen interior.
- The power of a microwave oven is directly related to its size. The power range is from 600 to 1200 watts. The higher the power, the faster it cooks.
- A microwave oven mounted above the stove creates a compact cooking area without taking up space on the countertop.
- Typically, the microwave is installed under a short wall cabinet. A grounded electrical outlet for your microwave oven must be in the cabinet, so installation may require power to the cabinet. The product will contain a mounting bracket and templates for attaching the unit to the wall and to the underside of the cabinet.
- Most building codes require some kind of mechanical ventilation over the hob, and microwave ovens must be able to provide this ventilation.
- The installation requirements for microwave oven drawers are the same as for other cabinet-built devices.
