Tired of your kitchen feeling cramped, or your cooking taking too long? Imagine a single appliance that could bake a cake, reheat leftovers in a flash, and even vent away cooking smells. That’s the magic of a convection microwave over range!
But let’s be real, picking the perfect one can feel like a maze. You’re probably wondering: which features actually matter? How much should you spend? And will it really make your life easier? These are the questions that keep many home cooks up at night. You want a powerful tool that fits your space and your budget, without the guesswork.
By reading on, you’ll discover the secrets to choosing a convection microwave over range that will transform your kitchen. We’ll break down what makes them great, what to look for, and how to avoid common mistakes. Get ready to unlock faster, more versatile cooking and reclaim valuable counter space!
Our Top 5 Convection Microwave Over Range Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Convection Microwave Over Range Detailed Reviews
1. Commercial Chef 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-The-Range Convection Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.3/10
The Commercial Chef CHMRC17GS is a powerful and versatile over-the-range microwave that can do it all. It’s a microwave, a convection oven, and an air fryer, all in one sleek stainless steel package. This appliance makes cooking faster and easier for busy households.
What We Like:
- It has a powerful 1000-watt microwave for quick cooking and reheating.
- The 1400-watt convection oven with air fryer lets you bake, roast, and crisp your favorite foods.
- Preset cooking options like popcorn, potato, and frozen dinners make meal prep simple.
- The 300 CFM three-speed hood fan effectively removes smoke and odors from your kitchen.
- User-friendly touch controls with an LED display and one-touch menu options are easy to use.
- It includes special “Kids meals” auto-cook options, perfect for quick family dinners.
What Could Be Improved:
- The description mentions a 1.1 cu. foot capacity for the microwave feature, but the product title states 1.7 cu. ft. This discrepancy might be confusing.
- While it has many features, the interior capacity for the convection and air frying functions might be smaller than a dedicated appliance.
Overall, this Commercial Chef microwave oven offers a lot of cooking power and convenience for your kitchen. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a multi-functional appliance that saves space.
2. Profile 1.7 Cu. Ft. Convection Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.2/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the Profile 1.7 Cu. Ft. Convection Over-the-Range Microwave Oven. This sleek stainless steel appliance is packed with features to make cooking easier and faster. It’s a great addition for busy families or anyone who loves to cook.
What We Like:
- Sensor Cooking Controls: These smart controls automatically adjust cooking time and power levels for perfect results every time. You just pick your food, and the microwave does the rest.
- Convection Cooking: This microwave isn’t just for reheating. It can actually bake, roast, and broil like a regular oven, giving you more cooking options.
- Stainless Steel Interior: The durable stainless steel interior is easy to clean. Spills and splatters wipe away without a fuss.
- Powerful Venting System: The three-speed, 300-CFM venting system effectively removes smoke and odors from your stovetop, keeping your kitchen smelling fresh.
What Could Be Improved:
- Size: While 1.7 cubic feet is a good size for most meals, very large dishes might not fit comfortably.
- Learning Curve: With all the advanced features, there might be a slight learning curve to master all the cooking options.
This Profile microwave oven offers a lot of cooking power and convenience. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their kitchen’s functionality and style.
3. Sharp R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
Rating: 9.4/10
The Sharp R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave is a versatile kitchen appliance that does more than just reheat leftovers. Its stainless steel design looks great in any kitchen, and it offers a lot of cooking options.
What We Like:
- This microwave is a true multitasker. It can brown, bake, broil, crisp, and roast your food, making it a great addition for anyone who loves to cook.
- The interactive display is easy to understand and use. Plus, the Smart and Easy sensor settings take the guesswork out of cooking many common foods.
- With 1.1 cubic feet of space, it’s big enough for most meals. The stainless steel interior is easy to clean, and the 13-inch turntable ensures your food heats up evenly.
- The built-in exhaust system is powerful. It has a bright hood light and a strong fan to clear smoke and odors from your stovetop.
- It comes with low and high racks, giving you more flexibility for different types of cooking.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it offers many features, some users might find the initial learning curve for all the convection settings a bit steep.
- The outer dimensions are quite standard, but it’s always wise to measure your existing space to ensure a perfect fit.
Overall, the Sharp R1874T is a powerful and flexible microwave that can handle a wide range of cooking tasks. It’s a solid choice for upgrading your kitchen’s functionality.
4. GE PVM9179SRSS Profile 1.7 Cu. Ft. Convection Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle with 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
Rating: 9.1/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the GE PVM9179SRSS Profile 1.7 Cu. Ft. Convection Over-the-Range Microwave Oven. This stainless steel beauty is more than just a microwave; it’s a versatile cooking companion. It offers convection cooking for baking and roasting, plus air frying for healthier crispy foods. With a spacious 1.7 cu. ft. capacity, it handles family-sized meals with ease. The “Fast Cook” feature helps you get dinner on the table even faster.
What We Like:
- Versatile cooking options: Convection and Air Fry modes expand your culinary possibilities.
- Generous capacity: The 1.7 cu. ft. interior fits large dishes and multiple items.
- Convenient bundle: It includes a recirculating charcoal filter kit and a fantastic 2-year extended service protection plan on top of the manufacturer’s warranty for peace of mind.
- Sleek stainless steel design: It looks great in any modern kitchen.
- Efficient cooking: “Fast Cook” and convection help save time.
What Could Be Improved:
- Specific dimensions are provided, but users might want to verify installation space carefully.
- While the bundle is great, some users might prefer to choose their own extended warranty.
This GE microwave bundle offers a lot of value and advanced features. It’s a smart investment for anyone looking to enhance their cooking experience and protect their appliance.
5. Furrion 2022007898 Over-The-Range Convection RV Microwave Oven – 1.5 cu. ft.
Rating: 8.6/10
The Furrion 2022007898 Over-The-Range Convection RV Microwave Oven is a fantastic addition to any RV kitchen. It’s more than just a microwave; it’s a versatile cooking appliance that can bake, brown, and reheat your food. The sleek stainless steel finish looks great in any RV.
What We Like:
- This oven offers convection cooking with 10 temperature settings. You can bake cookies or brown chicken.
- The LED display clearly shows the timer, clock, and other settings. It’s easy to read.
- You can choose how the oven vents. It can exhaust air outside your RV or recirculate it inside.
- It comes with 30-watt appliance bulbs. These light up your stovetop below.
- The oven is built tough. It’s durable and vibration resistant. This means it can handle the bumps and shakes of RV travel.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 1.5 cu. ft. capacity might be a bit small for larger families or extensive meal prep.
- While durable, the installation process might require some RV-specific knowledge.
Overall, the Furrion 2022007898 offers great functionality and durability for life on the road. It’s a solid choice for upgrading your RV’s cooking capabilities.
Your Kitchen’s New Best Friend: Choosing a Convection Microwave Over Range
So, you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen, and a convection microwave over range (often called an OTR microwave) has caught your eye. These handy appliances do more than just reheat leftovers! They bake, roast, and broil, all while saving you precious counter space. Let’s dive into what makes a great OTR convection microwave and how to pick the perfect one for your home.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping, keep these important features in mind:
- Convection Cooking: This is the star of the show! Look for models with a powerful convection fan. This fan circulates hot air, allowing your food to cook evenly and get nice and crispy, just like a regular oven.
- Microwave Wattage: Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most good OTR microwaves offer at least 900-1000 watts. This will help you zap your meals in no time.
- Capacity: Think about how much you cook. OTR microwaves come in various sizes, from compact to extra-large. A larger capacity is great for families or if you often cook big meals.
- Turntable vs. Sensor Cooking: Some microwaves have a rotating turntable to ensure even heating. Others use sensors to detect when food is cooked. Sensor cooking is super convenient!
- Ventilation System: Since it’s over your range, a good ventilation system is crucial. Look for multiple fan speeds and strong CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratings to effectively clear smoke and cooking odors.
- Pre-programmed Settings: Many OTR microwaves come with handy presets for popular foods like popcorn, potatoes, or pizza. These can make cooking a breeze.
- Interior Lighting and Visibility: A bright interior light lets you keep an eye on your food without opening the door. A see-through window is a must!
Important Materials
The materials used in an OTR microwave can affect its durability and how easy it is to clean.
- Interior: Stainless steel interiors are a popular choice. They are durable, resist staining, and can handle high temperatures well. Some models might have a ceramic enamel interior, which is also easy to wipe clean.
- Exterior: Stainless steel exteriors are common and give a sleek, modern look. However, they can show fingerprints easily. Other options include black stainless steel or white finishes.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make an OTR microwave great or not so great.
- Build Quality: A well-built microwave feels sturdy. Doors should open and close smoothly, and buttons should be responsive.
- Ease of Cleaning: Nobody likes scrubbing tough messes. A non-stick interior and a smooth exterior make cleaning much simpler.
- Noise Level: Some microwaves can be quite noisy when operating. Reading reviews can help you find a quieter model.
- Even Cooking: This is where convection really shines. If the convection feature isn’t powerful enough, your food might not cook evenly.
- Ventilation Power: A weak fan won’t do much to clear your kitchen air. Look for strong CFM ratings.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using an OTR convection microwave can totally change your cooking routine.
- Space Saver: The biggest win is freeing up counter space. It replaces both a microwave and potentially a toaster oven or a small countertop oven.
- Versatile Cooking: You can microwave meals, bake cookies, roast chicken, or broil vegetables. It’s like having a mini-oven tucked away.
- Quick Meals: Need to reheat last night’s dinner? The microwave function is perfect for that.
- Healthy Cooking: Convection cooking often requires less oil than traditional methods, making your meals healthier.
- Family Helper: Busy parents can appreciate how quickly they can get a meal ready for their kids.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between a regular microwave and a convection microwave over range?
A: A regular microwave uses microwaves to heat food. A convection microwave over range has a fan that circulates hot air, allowing it to bake, roast, and broil like a traditional oven, in addition to microwaving.
Q: Do I need to install a special vent for an OTR microwave?
A: Most OTR microwaves come with a built-in ventilation system that can be set up to vent air outside your home or recirculate it with a charcoal filter. You’ll need to decide which option works best for your kitchen during installation.
Q: How much counter space will I save with an OTR microwave?
A: You’ll save all the counter space that a countertop microwave would normally take up. It’s mounted directly over your stove.
Q: Are convection microwaves over range harder to clean?
A: Not necessarily. Many models have easy-to-clean interiors like stainless steel or ceramic enamel. The exterior cleaning depends on the finish, with stainless steel sometimes showing fingerprints more.
Q: Can I bake a whole cake in an OTR convection microwave?
A: While you can bake smaller items like cupcakes or cookies, a whole cake might be too large for most OTR microwave ovens. Their capacity is generally smaller than a full-sized oven.
Q: What is CFM and why is it important for an OTR microwave?
A: CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. It measures how much air the fan can move. A higher CFM rating means the fan is more powerful and better at removing smoke, steam, and odors from your kitchen.
Q: How long do OTR convection microwaves typically last?
A: With proper care and maintenance, an OTR convection microwave can last anywhere from 7 to 15 years, similar to other kitchen appliances.
Q: Can I use metal pans in a convection microwave over range?
A: Yes, you can use metal pans and baking sheets when using the convection cooking feature, just like you would in a regular oven. However, you cannot use metal inside when using the microwave-only function.
Q: What’s the best way to use the convection feature?
A: For best results with convection, you’ll typically set a temperature and time, just like a regular oven. The fan will then circulate the hot air. It’s great for browning and crisping foods.
Q: Are OTR convection microwaves energy efficient?
A: They can be quite energy efficient, especially when using the convection feature for smaller tasks instead of a full-sized oven. However, like all appliances, energy usage will vary by model and how often it’s used.
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.
Hi, I’m Scott Fischer, the voice behind SliceItRight. My passion for food started in my grandmother’s kitchen, where I learned the art of slicing, dicing, and creating delicious meals. Over the years, I’ve explored everything from the perfect kitchen gadgets to mastering culinary techniques, and I’m here to share all of it with you. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home chef, my goal is to make cooking easier, more enjoyable, and a lot more fun. So, let’s slice it right and cook up something amazing together!