Tired of juggling appliances or waiting for the oven to preheat for a quick snack? Many of us know the frustration of a cramped kitchen or the desire for a speedy meal solution. Countertop microwaves are a kitchen staple, and when it comes to reliable performance and smart features, GE often comes to mind. But with so many GE countertop microwave models out there, how do you pick the one that’s just right for your needs?
Choosing a GE countertop microwave can feel overwhelming. You want something that heats food evenly, fits your space, and maybe even looks good on your counter. But sifting through wattage, capacity, and fancy presets can quickly become a chore. We get it! That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you.
In this post, we’re diving deep into the world of GE countertop microwaves. We’ll break down what makes a GE microwave a great choice and help you understand the key features to look for. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of which GE model will be your new kitchen best friend, making meal prep a breeze. Let’s find your perfect match!
Our Top 5 Ge Countertop Microwave Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
GE GCST09N1WSS Microwave Oven | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
 |
GE GCST16S1WTS Microwave Oven | 8.6/10 | Check Price |
 |
GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
 |
GE GCST11X1WSS Microwave Oven | 9.3/10 | Check Price |
 |
GE GCST07N1WSS Microwave Oven | 9.2/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Ge Countertop Microwave Detailed Reviews
1. GE GCST09N1WSS Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.2/10
The GE GCST09N1WSS Microwave Oven is a great addition to any kitchen, dorm room, or apartment. It’s a compact appliance with a powerful 900-watt motor and 0.9 cubic feet of space. This microwave makes heating up leftovers, cooking quick meals, and defrosting food a breeze. Its sleek stainless steel design looks good on any countertop.
What We Like:
- The two-step child lock is a smart safety feature for families.
- It has a space-saving exterior but a spacious interior for cooking.
- Setup is easy; it’s freestanding and fits anywhere.
- The one-touch controls are simple and convenient to use.
- You can easily defrost food automatically or manually.
- Its solid, sleek design with a stainless steel finish looks modern.
- The glass turntable ensures food cooks evenly.
- It offers 7 auto cooking settings for different foods.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 3.9-foot power cord might be a bit short for some kitchen layouts.
- While it has auto settings, some users might want more advanced cooking options.
This GE microwave is a reliable and user-friendly appliance. It’s a practical choice for anyone needing a dependable countertop microwave.
2. GE GCST16S1WTS Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.8/10
The GE GCST16S1WTS Microwave Oven in Black Stainless is a powerful and convenient addition to any kitchen, dorm room, or apartment. It boasts 1,150 watts of power and a generous 1.6 cubic feet of interior space, making it perfect for heating up leftovers, cooking quick meals, or defrosting food. Its sleek design fits easily on countertops, and its user-friendly features make cooking a breeze.
What We Like:
- Powerful Performance: With 1,150 watts, this microwave heats and cooks food quickly and efficiently.
- Smart Cooking Options: Sensor cooking automatically adjusts time and power for perfect results, and the weight and time defrost options take the guesswork out of thawing food.
- Child-Lock Safety: The two-step child lock feature provides peace of mind by preventing accidental use.
- Convenient Controls: Instant On express cooking and multiple cooking modes make operation simple, while the kitchen timer and cooking complete alarms add extra convenience.
- Even Cooking: The glass turntable rotates food, ensuring it cooks evenly every time.
- Space-Saving Design: Its freestanding nature allows it to fit easily on countertops or shelves, making it ideal for smaller spaces.
What Could Be Improved:
- Limited Auto Cook Settings: While it has 8 auto cooking settings, more specialized options could enhance its versatility.
- Exterior Fingerprints: The black stainless steel finish, while stylish, may show fingerprints more readily than other materials.
Overall, the GE GCST16S1WTS is a reliable and user-friendly microwave that offers great value. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful and convenient cooking appliance for everyday use.
3. GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.9/10
The GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is a super versatile kitchen helper. It’s not just a microwave; it also air fries, broils, and uses convection heat! This stainless steel appliance is compact, fitting nicely on countertops or in dorm rooms. It’s powered by 1,050 watts and has a 1.0 cubic foot capacity. Plus, it has a handy child lock to keep little ones safe.
What We Like:
- AIR FRY MODE: You can make your favorite foods crispy and healthier using the built-in air fryer. It cooks food faster too!
- CONVECTION MODE: This mode gives you perfectly golden-brown results. The special rack lets air flow around food for even cooking.
- BROIL MODE: Achieve that grilled or seared effect right in your microwave. It radiates heat to caramelize food perfectly.
- PRESET CONTROLS: Simple presets like “Fries” and “Nuggets” make cooking quick and easy. You get perfectly cooked food every time.
- COMPACT YET POWERFUL: It’s small enough for dorm rooms or small kitchens but has 1,050 watts of power for efficient cooking.
- TWO-STEP CHILD LOCK: This safety feature stops accidental use by children. You can turn it off if you don’t need it.
- GLASS TURNTABLE: Food rotates during cooking, ensuring everything is heated evenly.
What Could Be Improved:
- The owner’s manual could be clearer about how to best utilize all four functions for optimal results.
- While compact, some users might wish for a slightly larger capacity for family-sized meals.
This GE microwave oven is a fantastic all-in-one appliance. It’s a smart addition to any kitchen, dorm, or office needing a multi-functional cooking solution.
4. GE GCST11X1WSS Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.5/10
Meet the GE GCST11X1WSS Microwave Oven, a sleek stainless steel appliance that’s a fantastic addition to any kitchen, dorm room, or apartment. Its 950 watts of power and 1.1 cubic feet of space make cooking and reheating a breeze, all without hogging your precious counter space. With helpful features like auto-cooking settings and a reliable child lock, this microwave is designed for ease and safety.
What We Like:
- Powerful 950-watt performance for efficient cooking.
- Generous 1.1 cu. ft. interior with a rotating glass turntable for even heating.
- Two-step child lock provides extra safety for families.
- Convenient one-touch operation and useful auto-cooking settings.
- Weight and Time Defrost options make meal prep simpler.
- Space-saving exterior design fits easily on countertops.
- Easy setup and a 39-inch power cord for flexible placement.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it has 6 auto-cooking settings, more advanced programming options might be desired by some users.
This GE microwave oven offers a great balance of power, convenience, and safety. It’s a practical and stylish choice for anyone needing a reliable countertop appliance.
5. GE GCST07N1WSS Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.3/10
The GE GCST07N1WSS Microwave Oven is a great addition to any kitchen, dorm room, or apartment. It’s compact but still powerful enough for everyday use. This microwave is designed to be easy to use and safe for families.
What We Like:
- The child-lock feature keeps little ones safe. You can turn it off if you don’t need it.
- It’s super easy to use with one-touch buttons. You can start cooking right away with “Instant On.”
- It has helpful features like a kitchen timer and alarms that let you know when your food is ready.
- This microwave is small, so it won’t take up much space on your counter.
- It cooks food well with 700 watts of power.
- Setting it up is simple. Just plug it in and place it where you want it.
- It looks really nice with its stainless steel finish and black glass door.
- It has 6 different auto-cooking settings for different foods.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 0.7 cubic foot size might be too small for cooking large meals or multiple items at once.
- While it’s powerful for its size, 700 watts might be slower than higher-wattage microwaves for some cooking tasks.
Overall, the GE GCST07N1WSS Microwave Oven is a solid choice for anyone needing a dependable and safe microwave. It offers convenience and style in a compact package.
Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect GE Countertop Microwave
GE makes many great countertop microwaves. They are useful for heating up leftovers, making popcorn, and even cooking simple meals. But with so many options, how do you pick the best one for your kitchen? This guide will help you find a GE countertop microwave that fits your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a GE countertop microwave, keep these important features in mind:
- Wattage: This tells you how powerful the microwave is. Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most GE microwaves range from 700 to 1200 watts. For everyday use, 900-1000 watts is usually a good choice.
- Capacity: This is how much food you can fit inside. Microwaves are measured in cubic feet. Smaller ones are around 0.7 cubic feet, while larger ones can be 2.0 cubic feet or more. Think about the size of the plates you use and how much food you usually heat.
- Turntable: Most microwaves have a glass turntable that spins your food. This helps it cook evenly. Some microwaves have a larger or more stable turntable.
- Pre-set Cooking Options: Many GE microwaves come with buttons for common foods like popcorn, pizza, or potatoes. These can make cooking easier.
- Sensor Cooking: This is a smart feature. The microwave senses the moisture from your food and adjusts the cooking time and power automatically. This helps prevent overcooking or undercooking.
- Child Lock: This is a safety feature that stops the microwave from being turned on by accident.
- Interior Light: A light inside helps you see your food as it cooks.
Important Materials
GE countertop microwaves are typically made with these materials:
- Exterior: Most are made of durable stainless steel or painted metal. Stainless steel looks sleek and is easy to clean.
- Interior: The inside is usually made of painted metal or a ceramic enamel coating. Ceramic enamel is known for being scratch-resistant and easy to wipe clean.
- Door: The door is made of glass and plastic. The glass lets you see inside, and the plastic frame is strong.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a GE countertop microwave work better and last longer:
- Build Quality: A well-built microwave will feel sturdy. The door should open and close smoothly. The buttons should be responsive. Microwaves with thicker metal and better hinges tend to be higher quality.
- Even Cooking: A good microwave cooks food evenly. If your food always has cold spots, the microwave might not be distributing the heat well.
- Ease of Cleaning: A microwave with a smooth interior, especially ceramic enamel, is much easier to clean. Spills and splatters are common, so easy cleaning is a big plus.
- Noise Level: Some microwaves are louder than others. If you are sensitive to noise, look for models that are known to be quieter.
- Durability: Higher-quality materials and construction generally mean the microwave will last longer.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using a GE countertop microwave is usually straightforward. You place your food inside, close the door, select your cooking time and power, and press start.
- Quick Meals: They are perfect for reheating leftovers or making quick snacks like popcorn.
- Simple Cooking: You can cook things like baked potatoes, steam vegetables, or even melt butter.
- Busy Households: For families or people with busy schedules, a countertop microwave saves time and effort.
- Small Kitchens: They don’t take up much counter space, making them ideal for apartments or smaller kitchens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the best wattage for a GE countertop microwave?
A: For most people, a GE countertop microwave with 900-1000 watts is a good balance of speed and efficiency.
Q: How do I choose the right size microwave?
A: Think about what you will cook and the size of your plates. If you mostly reheat single servings, a smaller microwave will work. For larger meals or family-sized portions, choose a bigger one.
Q: Is a turntable important?
A: Yes, a turntable helps your food cook more evenly by rotating it. Most GE microwaves have one.
Q: What does “sensor cooking” do?
A: Sensor cooking uses sensors to detect moisture and automatically set the right cooking time and power level for your food.
Q: Are GE microwaves easy to clean?
A: Many GE microwaves have interiors with ceramic enamel, which is very easy to clean. Stainless steel exteriors are also simple to wipe down.
Q: Can I cook a whole chicken in a countertop microwave?
A: While some larger countertop microwaves can fit smaller chickens, it’s generally best to use them for reheating or cooking smaller dishes. For whole chickens, a larger oven or a microwave with a convection feature might be better.
Q: How long do GE countertop microwaves usually last?
A: With proper care and use, a GE countertop microwave can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years.
Q: What is a “child lock” feature?
A: A child lock is a safety setting that prevents the microwave from being turned on accidentally by children.
Q: Do I need a special type of container for my GE microwave?
A: Yes, you should only use microwave-safe containers. These are usually made of glass, ceramic, or certain plastics. Avoid metal or containers with metal trim.
Q: Where is the best place to buy a GE countertop microwave?
A: You can buy GE countertop microwaves at major appliance stores, department stores, and online retailers.
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!