Ever feel like your kitchen is a smoky, greasy mess after cooking? That lingering smell of last night’s dinner might be a sign that your kitchen ventilation needs an upgrade. Many homes have a microwave that sits right over the stove, and these handy appliances often come with built-in ventilation. But choosing the right one can feel like a puzzle. You want something that actually works, looks good, and doesn’t break the bank. It’s a common kitchen dilemma!
This is where understanding Over The Range Microwave Ventilation becomes super important. We’ll explore what makes these units effective and what you should look for. By the end of this post, you’ll feel much more confident about picking the best ventilation for your kitchen. Get ready to say goodbye to cooking fumes and hello to a fresher, cleaner cooking space!
Our Top 5 Over The Range Microwave Ventilation Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Over The Range Microwave Ventilation Detailed Reviews
1. Midea MOR17BSA-SS 1.7 Cu.ft. Over The Range Microwave Oven with Smart Touch Panel
Rating: 8.5/10
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 reheating food simple and fast. This microwave offers many features that help you prepare meals with ease.
What We Like:
- The One-Touch-Cook feature with 18 Auto Menus takes the guesswork out of cooking. You can easily make popcorn, pizza, or even cook a potato. It makes preparing delicious meals quick and easy.
- Its generous 1.7 cu.ft. capacity and 12.5-inch turntable easily fit large items like a whole rotisserie chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- With 10-level power settings, including a powerful 1000W output, you can adjust the heating for all your needs.
- The 300 CFM ventilation system with adjustable fan speeds powerfully removes cooking smells and smoke from your kitchen.
- A bright cooktop light illuminates your stovetop, providing a clear view while you cook.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the auto-cook menus are convenient, some users might prefer more customizable manual control options for advanced cooking techniques.
- The stainless steel finish, while stylish, can show fingerprints and may require frequent wiping to maintain its shine.
This Midea microwave oven is a great choice for busy households. It efficiently handles everyday cooking tasks and keeps your kitchen smelling fresh.
2. FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30″ Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave with 1.8 cu. ft. Capacity
Rating: 8.9/10
The FRIGIDAIRE FFMV1846VS 30″ Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave is a great addition to any kitchen. It offers a spacious 1.8 cu. ft. capacity, making it easy to fit even your largest dishes. With 1000 cooking watts, it heats food quickly and efficiently. Plus, features like the child lock keep little hands safe. The bright LED lighting illuminates your cooktop, making meal prep a breeze.
What We Like:
- The LED lighting under the microwave provides excellent visibility for your cooktop, making it safer and easier to cook.
- The interior LED light stays on while your food cooks, so you can easily check on it.
- The extra-large 1.8 cu. ft. capacity fits big dishes, even a 13″ x 9″ baking pan.
- One-touch cooking buttons make preparing common items like baked potatoes and popcorn super simple.
- The zero-clearance door opens flat against the wall, so it won’t bump into cabinets.
- The two-speed ventilation system works well as a hood, clearing smoke and smells from your kitchen.
- The extra-large 12-1/2″ glass turntable rotates food for even cooking.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might find the 300 CFM ventilation a bit less powerful than higher-end models for very heavy cooking.
This Frigidaire microwave is a solid choice for busy households that need a reliable and spacious appliance. It combines practical features with user-friendly design for everyday cooking.
3. 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 sleek stainless steel appliance is designed to make cooking and meal prep a breeze, offering powerful performance and smart features for busy households.
What We Like:
- Spacious Interior: The 1.7 cubic feet capacity and 12.4-inch turntable easily fit large dishes, making it perfect for families or entertaining.
- Versatile Cooking Options: With 10 power levels and 6 one-touch auto cook menus (Popcorn, Beverage, Melt/Soften, Reheat, Defrost), cooking is simple and efficient.
- Quick Cooking Features: Use the 1-3 minute power cook options for speedy meals when you’re in a rush.
- Smart Multi-stage Cooking: Program your microwave to switch between power levels automatically, saving you time and ensuring perfectly cooked food.
- Powerful Ventilation: The 300 CFM vent fan with two speeds effectively removes smoke and odors from your kitchen, while the built-in light illuminates your stovetop.
- Sleek Design: The stainless steel finish looks great in any kitchen.
What Could Be Improved:
- The vent fan, while powerful, might be a bit loud for some users.
- The control panel can feel a little busy with all the options.
This BLACK+DECKER microwave is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It offers a great balance of size, power, and convenient features for everyday cooking.
4. GE JVM3160DFWW 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven White Bundle with Premium 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
Rating: 8.6/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the GE JVM3160DFWW 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven in classic white. This microwave is a great addition to any home chef’s toolkit, making cooking and reheating a breeze.
What We Like:
- Peace of Mind Included: This bundle comes with a GE USA AUTHORIZED 2 Year Extended Protection Plan, on top of the full manufacturer’s warranty. That’s extra protection for your investment!
- Spacious and Powerful: With a 1.6 cu. ft. capacity and 1000 watts of cooking power, it handles family-sized meals with ease.
- Clean Air, Happy Kitchen: The two-speed, 300-CFM venting system effectively clears smoke, steam, and odors, keeping your kitchen smelling fresh.
- Convenient Cooking Features: Enjoy the easy-to-use convenience cooking controls, auto and time defrost options, and the ability to turn the turntable on or off.
- Easy Maintenance: Replacing the charcoal filter is simple, thanks to its behind-the-door grille placement.
What Could Be Improved:
- Venting Power: While good, the 300-CFM venting might be a bit weak for very heavy cooking that produces a lot of smoke.
- Limited Color Options: This bundle is only available in white, which might not match every kitchen’s decor.
This GE microwave offers a great combination of capacity, power, and convenience, all backed by an excellent extended warranty. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their kitchen’s functionality.
5. SAMSUNG 1.1 Cu Ft Smart SLIM Over the Range Microwave Oven w/ 550 CFM Hood Vent
Rating: 8.7/10
The SAMSUNG 1.1 Cu Ft Smart SLIM Over the Range Microwave Oven is a powerful and smart addition to any kitchen. It offers a slim design without sacrificing performance, making it ideal for modern living spaces. This microwave is packed with features to make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
What We Like:
- The 550 CFM hood ventilation is the strongest available in over-the-range microwaves, quickly clearing away cooking smells and steam.
- You can control the microwave, ventilation, and lighting using your voice through popular assistants like Bixby, Alexa, or Google Assistant, or from anywhere using the SmartThings App.
- The wide LED lighting bar shines brightly and evenly over your entire cooktop, making it easier to see while you cook.
- Sensor Cook takes the guesswork out of cooking by automatically setting the right time for your food.
- Its fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish stays looking great, and the 1.1 cu. ft. capacity is big enough for larger meals.
- Seamless Auto Connectivity links your Samsung microwave, hood, and cooktop, so the fan and light turn on and off automatically with your cooktop.
- The 1100W power cooks food quickly and thoroughly, saving you time.
- A large dual wide grease filter traps more oil and grease, improving the hood’s performance.
- SmartThings Cooking helps you find recipes, plan meals, and even add ingredients to your shopping list.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful, the slim design might mean it doesn’t fit as much as a larger microwave.
- Some advanced smart features might require a learning curve for users new to smart home technology.
This Samsung microwave is a fantastic choice for those seeking smart technology and strong performance in a sleek package. It’s designed to simplify your cooking experience and keep your kitchen looking its best.
Your Kitchen Hero: The Over-the-Range Microwave Ventilation Buying Guide
Are you looking to upgrade your kitchen? An over-the-range microwave with ventilation is a super handy appliance. It cooks your food and also helps clear smoke and smells from your kitchen. Let’s explore what makes a good one!
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping, keep these important features in mind:
- Ventilation Power (CFM): This tells you how much air the fan can move. More CFM means it can clear the air faster. Look for at least 300 CFM for most kitchens.
- Fan Speeds: Having different fan speeds lets you choose how much power you need. A low speed is good for light cooking, while a high speed tackles smoky meals.
- Cooktop Lighting: A light under the microwave helps you see what you’re cooking on the stovetop. Some have bright LED lights.
- Filter Type: Microwaves have filters to catch grease. Look for easy-to-clean filters, like mesh or charcoal. Some are dishwasher safe!
- Microwave Wattage: This is how powerful the microwave is for cooking. Higher wattage means faster cooking. Aim for 1000 watts or more.
- Sensor Cooking: This is a smart feature. It senses how much moisture is in your food and adjusts cooking time. It helps prevent overcooking.
- Turntable Size: A larger turntable fits bigger dishes. Make sure it’s big enough for your favorite plates.
Important Materials
The materials used can affect how long your microwave lasts and how it looks.
- Stainless Steel: This is a popular choice. It looks sleek and is strong. It resists fingerprints well on some models.
- Plastic: Some parts, like the control panel, are made of plastic. Look for sturdy, good-quality plastic.
- Glass: The door is usually glass, and the turntable inside is glass too. This makes them easy to wipe clean.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make a microwave ventilation system better or worse.
- Good Quality Fan Motor: A strong, quiet fan motor is a big plus. It will last longer and do a better job of clearing smoke.
- Solid Construction: When you push on the microwave, it shouldn’t feel flimsy. A well-built unit is more durable.
- Easy-to-Clean Surfaces: Smooth surfaces and removable filters make cleaning simple. This is important for keeping your kitchen fresh.
- Loud Fan Noise: A very loud fan can be annoying. Check reviews to see how noisy the fan is.
- Weak Ventilation: If the fan doesn’t move enough air, smoke and smells will stay in your kitchen. This is a major quality issue.
- Flimsy Door or Controls: Parts that feel cheap can break easily.
User Experience and Use Cases
These microwaves are designed to make your cooking life easier.
- Cooking and Heating: You can reheat leftovers, cook popcorn, and prepare meals quickly.
- Ventilating Your Kitchen: This is key! When you’re frying or sautéing, the fan sucks up grease and steam. It keeps your kitchen smelling fresh.
- Adding Light: The under-microwave light is great for cooking. You can see your stovetop clearly.
- Saving Space: By mounting it over the range, you save counter space. This is perfect for smaller kitchens.
- Busy Families: For families that cook a lot, a good ventilation system is a lifesaver. It handles all kinds of cooking smells.
- Apartment Living: In apartments, good ventilation is crucial. It helps keep the air clean for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does CFM stand for?
A: CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. It measures how much air the fan can move.
Q: How do I know if I need strong ventilation?
A: If you cook a lot of fried or grilled foods, you will benefit from strong ventilation.
Q: Are over-the-range microwaves hard to install?
A: Installation can be tricky. Many people hire a professional to install them safely.
Q: How often should I clean the filters?
A: You should clean the filters regularly, usually once a month, depending on how much you cook.
Q: Can I use any type of pot or pan under the microwave?
A: Yes, you can use any standard cookware on your stovetop.
Q: How long do these microwaves typically last?
A: With good care, an over-the-range microwave can last 7 to 10 years.
Q: Are there quiet models available?
A: Yes, some models are designed to be quieter than others. Look for reviews that mention noise levels.
Q: What is sensor cooking?
A: Sensor cooking uses sensors to detect steam and humidity. It then automatically adjusts cooking time and power for perfect results.
Q: Do I need to vent the microwave outside?
A: Some models vent outside, while others recirculate air through filters. Check the product description.
Q: What is the difference between a microwave and a convection oven?
A: A microwave heats food with waves, while a convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air for baking and roasting.
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!