Ever feel like your kitchen is missing a trusty sidekick? If you’re looking for a way to heat up leftovers fast or make popcorn in a snap, an Over The Counter Microwave Oven might be just what you need. But with so many brands and features out there, choosing the perfect one can feel like a puzzle.
We know the frustration. You want a microwave that fits your counter space, cooks evenly, and doesn’t break the bank. It’s tough to know where to start when faced with different wattages, sizes, and fancy buttons. You might worry about buying one that’s too big, too small, or just doesn’t work as well as you hoped.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide! We’ll help you understand what to look for. You’ll learn about the important features, how to compare models, and what makes one microwave better than another for your specific needs. By the end, you’ll feel confident picking out an Over The Counter Microwave Oven that will make your kitchen life much easier.
Our Top 5 Over The Counter Microwave Oven Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Over The Counter Microwave Oven Detailed Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 Over The Range Microwave Oven with One Touch
Rating: 8.5/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the BLACK+DECKER EM044KB19 Over The Range Microwave Oven. This powerful 1000-watt microwave boasts a spacious 1.9 cu.ft. capacity, making it ideal for families or anyone who loves to cook. Its sleek design fits perfectly over your stove, saving valuable counter space. With Auto Cooking features and one-touch controls, meal preparation becomes a breeze.
What We Like:
- It has pre-programmed auto menus for all your favorite foods like popcorn, pizza, and even frozen dinners.
- The 1000-watt power and ten different power settings give you lots of control over your cooking.
- The bright LED cooktop lighting shines down on your stove, making it easy to see what you’re cooking.
- A powerful two-speed, 400-CFM venting fan system effectively clears smoke and smells from your kitchen.
- The Turntable On/Off function is great for cooking larger dishes that might not fit on the rotating plate.
- It includes a clock, kitchen timer, and a 30-second express cooking option for quick reheating.
- A child lock feature keeps little hands safe.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the auto menus are convenient, some users may prefer more manual control over specific cooking times and temperatures for complex recipes.
This BLACK+DECKER microwave is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering both convenience and power. It makes cooking and reheating meals simple and efficient.
2. Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.0/10
The Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven in stainless steel is a fantastic addition to any busy kitchen. With its 1.7 cubic feet of space and powerful 1000-watt cooking, it handles everything from quick snacks to family-sized meals with ease. Its smart features make cooking and reheating simple, while the over-the-range design maximizes your counter space.
What We Like:
- High-power cooking: 1000 watts heats food fast and evenly.
- Spacious interior: The 1.7 cu. ft. capacity fits large dishes.
- Multi-functional cooking: It has settings for veggies, snacks, and potatoes.
- Advanced defrosting: Time and weight defrost makes thawing simple.
- Rapid cooking features: The +30 seconds button is super handy.
- Melt/soften options: Perfect for butter or ice cream.
- Child safety lock: Keeps little hands out.
- User-friendly additions: An LED timer, vent fan, and light are included.
- Volume control: You can adjust the alert sounds.
- Optimized design: It saves space by mounting over your stove.
What Could Be Improved:
- The vent fan could be more powerful for heavy cooking.
- Some users might prefer more advanced cooking presets.
This Farberware microwave oven offers a great blend of power, space, and useful features. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen with a reliable and efficient appliance.
3. GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven Stainless Steel Bundle with 2 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
Rating: 9.3/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the GE JVM3160RFSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven. This sleek stainless steel microwave offers a generous 1.6 cubic feet of space, perfect for heating up leftovers, cooking meals, and reheating snacks. It’s designed for convenience and fits right over your stove, saving valuable counter space. Plus, this bundle comes with a special charcoal filter, ensuring a cleaner cooking environment.
What We Like:
- The spacious 1.6 cu. ft. capacity handles family-sized meals.
- Convenience cooking features make meal prep simple.
- It includes a charcoal filter replacement, which is a great bonus.
- The bundle comes with a 2-year extended protection plan for peace of mind.
- GE USA authorized means you’re getting a reliable product.
- The stainless steel finish looks modern and stylish in any kitchen.
What Could Be Improved:
- The dimensions (13″D x 16″W x 9″H) might be a bit large for very compact kitchens.
- The controls, while convenient, might take a moment to learn for some users.
This GE microwave bundle is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering both functionality and added protection. It’s a smart choice for those looking for a dependable and well-equipped over-the-range microwave.
4. Midea MOR17BSA-SS 1.7 Cu.ft. Over The Range Microwave Oven with Smart Touch Panel
Rating: 9.0/10
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 oven is designed to handle all your kitchen needs, from heating leftovers to cooking full meals.
What We Like:
- It has 18 Auto Menus, so you can cook things like popcorn, pizza, and even defrost food with just one touch.
- The large 1.7 cu.ft. capacity and 12.5-inch turntable fit big items like a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza easily.
- With 10 power levels, including a strong 1000W output, you can cook food perfectly every time.
- The 300 CFM ventilation with adjustable fan speeds powerfully removes cooking smells and smoke from your kitchen.
- A bright light under the microwave helps you see clearly while you’re cooking on the stovetop below.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the auto menus are helpful, some users might want more customization options for specific dishes.
- The stainless steel finish, while stylish, can show fingerprints and may require frequent wiping to keep it looking spotless.
This Midea microwave oven is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and user-friendly appliance. It simplifies cooking and keeps your kitchen fresh and clean.
5. GE JVM3160DFWW 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.1/10
The GE JVM3160DFWW 1.6 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave Oven is a great addition to any kitchen. It offers a good amount of space and helpful features to make cooking easier.
What We Like:
- Auto and Time Defrost: This microwave helps you defrost food perfectly. You can let it figure out the best time, or you can set it yourself. It makes sure your frozen food is ready to cook.
- Easy Controls: The electronic and convenience cooking controls are simple to use. You can quickly select cooking times and power levels. This makes operating the microwave a breeze.
- Cooktop Lighting: It has a light that shines down on your stovetop. This helps you see what you’re cooking. There’s even an option for a nightlight, which is handy.
- Good Capacity: With 1.6 cubic feet of space, it can hold most dishes and meals.
What Could Be Improved:
- No Specific Con Mentioned: Based on the provided features, there aren’t any clear downsides to point out.
This GE microwave is a solid choice for busy kitchens. It simplifies cooking with its smart defrost and user-friendly controls.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Over-the-Counter Microwave Oven
Are you looking for a new microwave oven to sit on your kitchen counter? This guide will help you find the perfect one. We’ll look at what makes a microwave great and answer your questions.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a microwave, check these important things:
- Wattage: This tells you how powerful the microwave is. Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most microwaves are between 700 and 1200 watts. For everyday use, 900-1000 watts is usually good.
- Capacity (Cubic Feet): This is how much food can fit inside. Small microwaves are around 0.7 cubic feet. Medium ones are about 1.0 to 1.5 cubic feet. Large ones are 2.0 cubic feet or more. Think about how much food you usually heat up.
- Turntable: Most microwaves have a glass plate that spins. This helps food cook evenly. Some microwaves let you turn this off if you have a rectangular dish.
- Pre-set Cooking Options: Many microwaves have buttons for popcorn, pizza, or defrosted food. These can make cooking easier.
- Control Panel: Some have simple dial controls. Others have digital touchpads. Touchpads are often easier to clean.
- Sensor Cooking: This feature senses the moisture in your food. It then adjusts the cooking time and power for you. This helps prevent overcooking or undercooking.
- Child Lock: This is a safety feature that stops kids from turning the microwave on by accident.
Important Materials
Microwaves are made of a few key parts:
- Outer Casing: This is usually made of painted steel. It needs to be sturdy and easy to wipe clean.
- Interior Cavity: The inside is often coated with a special enamel or a non-stick material. This makes cleaning spills much easier. Stainless steel interiors are also available and look nice, but they can be harder to keep clean.
- Door: The door has a glass window so you can see your food. The glass has a metal mesh inside. This mesh blocks the microwaves from escaping while letting you see inside. The door handle is usually made of plastic.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
A few things make a microwave better or worse:
- Build Quality: A microwave that feels solid and well-built will last longer. Wobbly parts or cheap-feeling buttons can be a sign of lower quality.
- Ease of Cleaning: A smooth interior with no hard-to-reach spots makes cleaning simple. Non-stick coatings are a big help.
- Cooking Evenness: A good microwave cooks food evenly. If your food is always hot in some spots and cold in others, the microwave might not be working well. The turntable helps with this.
- Noise Level: Some microwaves can be quite loud when they run. If you prefer a quieter kitchen, look for reviews that mention noise.
- Durability: Higher-quality materials and good construction mean the microwave will last longer.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using a microwave should be simple and helpful.
- Everyday Heating: Most people use microwaves to reheat leftovers, warm up drinks, or cook quick meals. A simple-to-use microwave is best for this.
- Cooking and Defrosting: If you plan to cook more complex things or defrost frozen meat, look for a microwave with good wattage and defrost settings. Sensor cooking can be very useful here.
- Family Use: If you have a family, a larger capacity microwave might be needed. Features like a child lock are also important.
- Small Kitchens: Compact microwaves are great for small kitchens or dorm rooms. They take up less counter space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most important feature to look for?
A: Wattage is very important. Higher wattage means faster and more even cooking.
Q: Do I need a turntable?
A: Yes, a turntable helps your food cook evenly. Most microwaves have one.
Q: What does cubic feet mean?
A: Cubic feet tells you how big the inside of the microwave is. Bigger numbers mean more space for food.
Q: Are microwaves with sensor cooking worth the extra cost?
A: Sensor cooking can be very helpful. It stops your food from getting overcooked or dry. It’s a good feature if you cook often.
Q: How do I clean the inside of my microwave?
A: You can clean it with a damp cloth and mild soap. For tough spots, heat a bowl of water with lemon juice inside for a few minutes. The steam will loosen the mess.
Q: Can I put metal in the microwave?
A: No, you should never put metal in a microwave. It can cause sparks and damage the microwave.
Q: What is the difference between countertop and over-the-counter microwaves?
A: They are the same thing. “Over-the-counter” just means it sits on your counter, not built into the wall.
Q: How long do microwaves usually last?
A: Most microwaves last between 7 to 10 years with good care.
Q: Should I buy a microwave with a convection feature?
A: Convection microwaves can bake and roast like a regular oven. They are more expensive but offer more cooking options.
Q: What wattage is best for defrosting?
A: Lower wattages are often better for defrosting. This helps the food thaw without cooking the edges.
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 Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!