The Built-In Microwave Oven Resource

The built-in microwave oven is a ubiquitous part of the average American kitchen. Probably you own one yourself. The reason for the success of this appliance is simple: it allows one to heat water and prepare food much faster than is possible with a standard stove or oven.

Built-in Microwave: how does it work?

A microwave has a number of complex parts. It has a cooking chamber and a wave guide. The microwaves are emitted by a magnetron, while the electricity and the control circuit for the magnetron are provided by a high voltage transformer. Unlike a standard oven, a microwave oven produces heat by bombarding the item to be cooked with a type of electromagnetic wave – microwaves. The microwaves are absorbed by fats, sugars and water and results in high speed vibration of the molecules. Ceramics, glass and most plastics do not absorb microwaves, and metal containers deflect them, so utensils have to be microwave-friendly for accidents to be avoided.

The space issue

Most of us would like to be the proud owner of a spacious kitchen, but this is not always possible. In the average small inner-city apartment, space is always at a premium, unlike in, say, a farmhouse. Plus, the microwave is typically the largest appliance on a kitchen worktop, and the microwave itself is not likely to be very small. When buying a microwave for your home, keep in that mind you can save space on your worktop by opting for a built-in microwave oven. A built-in microwave allows one to bypass any concerns about worktop clutter or finding space around the oven for cooking on the electric stove.

Safety measures

And it’s not just the amount of space that you need to think about. Kitchen counter tops tend to be constructed at heights that make the work of chopping vegetables, etc., most comfortable. The installment of a microwave oven is not factored into the design, so it may be physically uncomfortable for you to reach lower down into the microwave to operate it. You might have to stoop to retrieve heated food from the microwave, which may even be dangerous. A built-in microwave may be designed to stand at a level more appropriate and convenient for your individual stature.

The second option is to have wall brackets made for a stand-alone microwave. If this is not done by a professional carpenter, it is even more dangerous as microwaves are quite heavy and require a lot of support. On top of that, wall space in a kitchen is likely to be occupied with cupboards already. Nobody wants a microwave sticking out of the way: it creates an obstruction in a space you especially need as open as possible.

Microwave Quality

A built-in microwave will automatically be more expensive than a stand-alone microwave, but you may find that the built-in microwave is of better quality than a cheaper stand-alone. True, it is an additional investment; in the end, as with most appliances, you will need to consider the various benefits of choosing a built-in microwave oven, and reach an independent decision.