Comments on: Best Over The Range Microwave Review – Top 5 Hottest List

By: Teresa Gooding

Teresa Gooding — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 17:55:29 +0000

One of the things I don’t seem to find when looking at reviews for microwaves are there is little information on the cooktop lighting. Most cooks like to know if OTR microwaves have lighting, how many, type, i.e. halogen, led, location, i.e. toward front, back, on either side. It is why after 2 yrs of owning my current one, I am looking for a new one, because mine has inadequate lighting.

By: Groom+Style

Groom+Style — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 03:18:07 +0000

In reply to Susan Morgan Tibbetts.

Hi Susan,

Thanks for your comment.

From what we understand most over the range microwaves have automatic fans, which are triggered by an inbuilt thermostat i.e. the fan will come on when the microwave becomes too hot so that it protects the electronics (and helps the cooking area get rid of excess heat). The fan will only turn off again once the microwave cools down. The message “AUTO FAN ON for heat circulation” appears in the display.

Which brands/models have you found where you have control over the fan?

Kind Regards,
Lisa

By: Susan Morgan Tibbetts

Susan Morgan Tibbetts — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 19:09:00 +0000

Have been using the Whirlpool WMH31017 for couple weeks and am totally frustrated with the automatic fan that comes on anytime I use the cooktop. There is no way to turn it down or off and it is noisy. Even when done cooking the fan stays on and wastes energy. I did not know I would have no control over the vent fan or I would not have bought it. Whirlpool does not make another model with control options. Will look for another microwave – the continually running annoying fan takes the joy out of cooking.

By: Groom+Style

Groom+Style — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:41:55 +0000

In reply to Stephanie.

Hi Stephanie,

Officially none of GE’s over the range microwaves are approved for flush installation, and they suggest you follow the installation instructions as described. The key reason seems to be to provide access to the charcoal filters (which is needed when the microwave is front vented or recirculated) which, in most models, is through the “front” of the microwave -> see video below.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/sQQWDG7znBk?rel=0

We cannot officially provide advice that differs from this. However, if you are to think about it logically, if the microwave is vented out the back, then the front charcoal filter is not needed. It even mentions this in the instructions linked below, on page 2… “Filter Kit JX81H– Recirculating Charcoal Filter Kit To be used when the microwave oven cannot be vented to the outside.” So the opposite logic fits that if you vent outside you don’t need the charcoal filter and therefore will never need to replace it.
https://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=CVM9179SL_EL_C3_17.pdf

Hope this helps a bit.

Kind Regards,
Lisa

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 06:10:55 +0000

I would like to get a GE OTR microwave that I will vent to the outside. The cabinet to which it will mount under is 15” deep. GE installation instructions say that it should not be mounted to a cabinet more than 13” deep due to top venting grilles. (And a bump out mounting kit should be used if cabinet depth exceeds 13”). However I would like the microwave box to mount flush with 15” cabinet which means those top venting grilles will be covered by the cabinet above. Is it ok to cover the top vents since I will be venting to the outside or do those vents need to be exposed for another purpose?