Does your kitchen feel a little cramped? Maybe you’re looking to free up precious counter space, or perhaps your old microwave just isn’t cutting it anymore. Whatever your reason, the over-the-stove microwave, also known as a microwave range hood, is a popular solution for many kitchens. But navigating the world of these appliances can be a little tricky.
Choosing the right one means looking at more than just how well it heats your leftovers. You need to think about ventilation power, cooking features, and how it will fit into your kitchen’s style. It can feel overwhelming when you’re faced with so many choices, and the fear of picking the wrong one can make the decision even harder. We understand that frustration!
That’s why this guide is here to help. We’ll break down what you really need to know to find an over-the-stove microwave that works perfectly for your cooking needs and your kitchen space. By the end, you’ll feel confident in making a smart choice. Let’s dive in and explore the best options out there!
Our Top 5 Over The Stove Microwave Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Over The Stove Microwave Detailed Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking
Rating: 9.1/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the BLACK+DECKER 1.7 cu. ft. Over the Range Microwave Oven. This stainless steel microwave is a powerful and versatile addition, perfect for busy households. It boasts a large capacity and a 1000-watt cooking power, making meal preparation a breeze. Its sleek design fits perfectly over your stove, and the built-in vent fan helps keep your kitchen fresh.
What We Like:
- Spacious Interior: The 1.7 cubic feet capacity and a 12.4-inch turntable easily fit large dishes and multiple servings.
- Convenient Auto Cooking: Six quick menus for popcorn, beverages, melting, softening, reheating, and defrosting simplify everyday cooking.
- Speedy Cooking Options: Use the 100% power level for 1 to 3 minutes with a simple press of a button.
- Multi-stage Cooking: Save time by programming two different power levels and cooking times for one meal.
- Effective Venting and Lighting: The 2-speed, 300 CFM vent fan tackles fumes and odors, while the integrated light illuminates your stovetop.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful, some users might find the 10 cooking levels and 6 quick menus to be a bit basic for advanced culinary needs.
- The stainless steel finish, while stylish, can show fingerprints and requires regular cleaning to maintain its shine.
This BLACK+DECKER microwave oven offers a great balance of capacity, power, and convenience for most kitchens. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their cooking experience.
2. GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle with 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
Rating: 8.8/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle. This smart package gives you a sleek, stainless steel microwave that fits perfectly over your stove. It’s designed for easy cooking and includes a special protection plan for your peace of mind.
What We Like:
- This microwave offers a generous 1.6 cubic feet of space, perfect for heating up family-sized meals.
- It comes with a 2-year extended protection plan, adding extra security on top of the standard warranty.
- The bundle includes a charcoal filter replacement, keeping your kitchen air fresh.
- Convenience cooking features make it simple to prepare a variety of foods with just a few button presses.
- The stainless steel finish looks modern and is easy to wipe clean.
- It’s a GE USA authorized product, ensuring quality and support.
What Could Be Improved:
- The product dimensions are listed as 13″D x 16″W x 9″H. It’s important to measure your space carefully to ensure a proper fit.
This GE microwave bundle is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable appliance with added protection. It combines useful features with a stylish design, making it a great addition to any kitchen.
3. Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
The Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. This stainless steel appliance offers a generous 1.7 cubic feet of space and a powerful 1000 watts of cooking power. It’s designed to make your cooking easier and more efficient, fitting perfectly above your stove to save valuable counter space.
What We Like:
- The 1000W cooking power heats food quickly and evenly.
- It has a large 1.7 cu. ft. interior, so you can fit bigger dishes.
- You get many cooking options like vegetables, snacks, and a special potato program.
- Defrosting is simple with time and weight settings.
- The Quick +30 seconds button is handy for fast reheating.
- The Melt/Soften feature is great for butter or chocolate.
- A Child Safety Lock keeps little hands out.
- The LED display and vent fan with stovetop light add convenience.
- You can adjust the volume of the alerts.
- Its over-the-range design saves counter space and looks good.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might find the vent fan noise a bit loud.
- The user manual could be clearer on some advanced features.
This Farberware microwave is a solid choice for busy households that need a reliable and feature-rich appliance. It balances power, capacity, and smart design for a great cooking experience.
4. Midea MOR17BSA-SS 1.7 Cu.ft. Over The Range Microwave Oven with Smart Touch Panel
Rating: 9.4/10
The Midea MOR17BSA-SS 1.7 Cu.ft. Over The Range Microwave Oven in Stainless Steel is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It makes cooking and meal prep a breeze with its smart features and powerful performance. This microwave is designed to be both stylish and highly functional, fitting perfectly above your stove to save counter space.
What We Like:
- It has 18 Auto Menus for easy cooking. You can make popcorn, pizza, defrost food, soften cream cheese, cook rice, potatoes, and more with just one touch. This saves you time and effort in the kitchen.
- The 1.7 cu.ft. capacity is quite large. It can easily fit big items like a rotisserie chicken or a 12-inch pizza. The 12.5-inch turntable ensures even cooking for these larger dishes.
- With 1000W of power and 10-level power settings, you have great control over how your food is heated. This means you can cook or reheat things just the way you like them.
- The 300 CFM ventilation system is strong. It effectively removes cooking smells and smoke from your kitchen. You can also adjust the fan speeds to match your needs.
- A bright light shines on your cooktop. This makes it easier to see what you’re cooking or preparing on the stove below.
- The Smart Touch Panel is easy to use and looks modern.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the auto menus are helpful, some users might prefer more customization options for advanced cooking techniques.
- The installation process might require some basic DIY skills or professional help.
Overall, the Midea MOR17BSA-SS microwave is a powerful and convenient appliance. It offers a great combination of features to simplify your cooking experience.
5. GE JVM7195SKSS 1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle with Premium 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
Rating: 9.5/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the GE JVM7195SKSS, a spacious 1.9 cu. ft. over-the-range microwave that makes cooking a breeze. This stainless steel beauty comes bundled with a premium 2-year CPS Enhanced Protection Pack, giving you extra peace of mind. It’s designed to simplify your cooking, from melting butter to cleaning up afterward.
What We Like:
- Generous 1.9 cu. ft. capacity handles large dishes.
- Special melt feature makes it easy to melt butter, chocolate, and more without burning.
- Steam clean interior makes cleaning up spills quick and simple.
- Comes with a recirculating charcoal filter kit for better ventilation.
- Includes a full manufacturer’s warranty PLUS a 2-year extended protection plan for added security.
- The sleek stainless steel finish looks great in any kitchen.
What Could Be Improved:
- The dimensions might require careful measurement before installation.
- While the steam clean is helpful, some baked-on messes might still need scrubbing.
This GE microwave offers great convenience and a valuable extended warranty. It’s a solid addition to any home chef’s kitchen.
Your Guide to Over-the-Stove Microwaves
An over-the-stove microwave, also known as a microwave range hood, is a popular choice for many kitchens. It saves counter space and offers a dual function. This guide will help you pick the best one for your home.
Key Features to Look For
1. Size and Capacity
Microwaves come in different sizes. Measure the space above your stove. You’ll also want to consider how much food you usually cook. A larger capacity is good for families. A smaller one might be fine for singles or couples.
2. Ventilation Power
This is super important. The microwave needs to vent smoke and steam from your stove. Look at the CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating. Higher CFM means it can clear the air faster. Some have fans that vent outside, while others recycle air with charcoal filters.
3. Wattage
Wattage tells you how powerful the microwave is. Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most over-the-stove microwaves are between 900 and 1100 watts. More watts cook food more evenly and quickly.
4. Cooking Presets and Features
Many microwaves have special buttons for common foods like popcorn or baked potatoes. Sensor cooking adjusts time and power automatically. Turntables help food cook evenly. Some have convection cooking, which adds a baking element.
5. Lighting
Good lighting under the microwave helps you see what you’re cooking on the stove. Look for bright LED lights. Some have adjustable brightness or night light options.
6. Noise Level
Microwaves can be noisy. Check reviews for comments on fan and cooking noise. Some models are quieter than others.
Important Materials
Most over-the-stove microwaves are made of stainless steel. This material is strong and looks good in most kitchens. It’s also easy to clean. Some parts might be plastic, like the control panel or interior. Stainless steel is generally a sign of better quality.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Improving Quality:
- Strong Ventilation: A high CFM fan with good ducting is key.
- Even Cooking: A good turntable and consistent wattage help.
- Durable Build: Sturdy construction and quality materials last longer.
- Easy Controls: Simple buttons and clear displays make it user-friendly.
Reducing Quality:
- Weak Ventilation: If the fan isn’t strong enough, your kitchen will fill with smoke.
- Uneven Cooking: Hot spots and cold spots in food are frustrating.
- Flimsy Construction: Parts that feel cheap might break easily.
- Confusing Controls: Too many buttons or a complicated interface can be annoying.
User Experience and Use Cases
An over-the-stove microwave is perfect for small kitchens. It frees up counter space for food prep. Families use it for quick meals and reheating leftovers. Busy people appreciate its speed and convenience. It’s also great for defrosting meats and steaming vegetables. The built-in hood also helps keep your cooking area clean.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between a microwave range hood and a regular microwave?
A: A microwave range hood is installed above your stove and includes a ventilation fan and light. A regular microwave sits on a counter or shelf and doesn’t have these features.
Q: How do I know what size microwave I need?
A: Measure the width of your stove and the space above it. Most over-the-stove microwaves are 30 inches wide, but check your specific measurements.
Q: What does CFM mean?
A: CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. It measures how much air the fan can move. A higher CFM means better ventilation.
Q: Do I need an outside vent or can I use a recirculating one?
A: If you can vent outside, it’s best for removing smoke and odors. Recirculating vents use charcoal filters to clean the air, but they aren’t as effective.
Q: How many watts should my microwave have?
A: 900 to 1100 watts is standard. More watts mean faster cooking.
Q: Can I use my over-the-stove microwave for baking?
A: Some models have a convection feature that allows for baking and roasting. Check the product specifications.
Q: How do I clean the filters?
A: Grease filters are usually metal and can be washed with warm, soapy water. Charcoal filters are disposable and need to be replaced.
Q: Are over-the-stove microwaves difficult to install?
A: Installation can be tricky. It’s often best to have a professional install it, especially if you need to install ductwork for venting.
Q: What is sensor cooking?
A: Sensor cooking uses sensors to detect the moisture released from food. It then adjusts the cooking time and power for optimal results.
Q: Are stainless steel microwaves worth the extra cost?
A: Yes, stainless steel is more durable and easier to clean than plastic. It also gives your kitchen a more modern look.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.