Ever feel like your kitchen is missing that perfect touch of clean, bright style? For many homeowners, the over-the-range microwave is more than just an appliance; it’s a centerpiece that can either elevate or clutter your culinary space. But when it comes to finding that ideal white model, the choices can feel overwhelming. You want it to look good, cook well, and fit your budget, but where do you even begin?
Choosing a white over-the-range microwave can be a real headache. You might worry about it looking bulky, not having enough power, or even how to install it properly. Plus, with so many brands and features out there, it’s easy to get lost and end up with something that doesn’t quite meet your needs. We get it! That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the world of white over-the-range microwaves.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll feel confident about what to look for. We’ll break down the essential features, explain common terms, and offer tips to help you find a microwave that not only looks fantastic above your stove but also makes your cooking life easier. Let’s dive in and discover the perfect white over-the-range microwave for your kitchen!
Our Top 5 White Over The Range Microwave Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 White Over The Range Microwave Detailed Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven with Vent and One-Touch Auto Cooking
Rating: 8.9/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the BLACK+DECKER Over the Range Microwave Oven. This 1.7 cu. ft. microwave is a white powerhouse with 1000 watts of cooking energy. It fits perfectly over your stove, making it a convenient addition to any home. The EM044K6CF-WH model is designed to make cooking easier and faster.
What We Like:
- The large 1.7 cubic feet capacity holds plenty of food, and the 12.4-inch turntable fits big plates.
- It has 10 different power levels, giving you lots of control over your cooking.
- Six one-touch auto-cook menus are super handy for common tasks like popcorn and reheating.
- Speedy cooking lets you blast food at full power for 1 to 3 minutes with just one button press.
- Multi-stage cooking allows you to set up different power levels and times for one cooking cycle.
- The 300 CFM vent fan is strong and helps clear out cooking smells and smoke.
- An overhead light shines down on your stovetop, making it easy to see what you’re doing.
What Could Be Improved:
- The vent fan, while strong, might be noisy for some users.
- The exterior is white, which can show smudges and might not match all kitchen decors.
This BLACK+DECKER microwave is a versatile and powerful appliance that streamlines your cooking. It’s a solid choice for busy households looking for convenience and performance.
2. Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
Upgrade your kitchen with the Farberware Over-the-Range Microwave Oven. This powerful 1.7 cu. ft. microwave boasts 1000W of cooking power, making it a fantastic addition to any busy home. Its sleek white design mounts conveniently above your stove, saving valuable counter space. With a variety of smart cooking features, this microwave simplifies meal prep and ensures delicious results every time.
What We Like:
- Powerful & Efficient: The 1000W output cooks food quickly and evenly, perfect for fast meals.
- Large Capacity: The 1.7 cu. ft. interior holds a lot, from dinner plates to larger dishes.
- Versatile Cooking Options: It has special settings for veggies, snacks, and even a dedicated potato program.
- Smart Defrosting: You can defrost by time or weight for accurate thawing.
- Quick Cooking Features: The +30 seconds button is handy, and Melt/Soften is great for butter and chocolate.
- Child Safety Lock: This feature keeps little ones safe by preventing accidental starts.
- Convenient Kitchen Additions: It includes a bright LED timer, a useful vent fan, and a stovetop light.
- Adjustable Volume Control: You can set the alert sounds to your preference.
- Space-Saving Design: Mounting it over the range frees up your countertops.
What Could Be Improved:
- The instruction manual could be clearer for some users.
- The vent fan, while functional, might not be powerful enough for very smoky cooking.
This Farberware microwave is a solid choice for anyone looking for a feature-rich and space-saving appliance. It makes cooking and reheating a breeze for busy households.
3. ThermoMate 30″ Over-the-Range Microwave Oven with 1.7 Cu. Ft. Capacity
Rating: 9.4/10
The ThermoMate 30″ Over-the-Range Microwave Oven in crisp white is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It’s designed to make your cooking easier and your kitchen cleaner. With a generous 1.7 cu. ft. of space, it can handle a lot of food. Plus, its powerful ventilation system keeps your kitchen air fresh.
What We Like:
- Large Capacity: The 1.7 cu. ft. size fits plenty of food. It measures 29.92×15×16.42 inches, so check your space.
- Smart Cooking: Four auto-cook programs for reheat, popcorn, baked potato, and beverage take the guesswork out of cooking.
- Powerful and Even Heating: 1000 watts of cooking power with 10 different power levels means you can cook or reheat food perfectly. The 360° rotating glass turntable ensures even heat distribution.
- Convenient One-Touch Buttons: Easily cook your favorite meals with simple buttons. Add 30 seconds with the quick cook feature.
- Safety First: A safety lock prevents little hands from accidentally turning it on.
- Effective Ventilation: The two-speed 300 CFM ventilation system powerfully removes smoke, steam, and odors.
- Bright LED Lighting: The built-in LED light shines brightly over your stove, helping you see better while cooking.
- Easy Cleanup: The microwave is scratch-resistant and simple to wipe clean, saving you time.
What Could Be Improved:
- Installation: Over-the-range microwaves can be heavy and may require professional installation or an extra pair of hands.
- Specific Auto-Cook Times: While auto-cook programs are helpful, some users might prefer more control over exact cooking times for very specific recipes.
This ThermoMate microwave is a solid choice for busy households. It offers a great balance of convenience, power, and helpful features.
4. ThermoMate 30″ White Over the Range Microwave with 1.9 Cu. Ft. Capacity
Rating: 9.2/10
The ThermoMate 30″ White Over the Range Microwave is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It offers a generous 1.9 cubic feet of space, making it ideal for families. With 1000 watts of power and 11 adjustable levels, you can cook just about anything. This microwave also features smart sensor cooking and convenient one-touch options for your favorite foods.
What We Like:
- Powerful 1000-watt cooking with 11 adjustable power levels for precise control.
- Easy-to-use one-touch cooking buttons and 9 auto-cook programs, including popcorn and potato.
- Large 1.9 cu. ft. capacity can handle meals for the whole family.
- A removable rack lets you cook multiple items at once.
- Strong 400 CFM, 2-speed ventilation system effectively removes smoke and odors.
- Bright LED lighting illuminates your stovetop for better visibility.
- The turntable rotates dishes for even heating.
What Could Be Improved:
- The internal dimensions are slightly different from the external dimensions; it’s good to double-check installation space.
This microwave combines power, convenience, and smart features to make cooking a breeze. It’s a solid choice for busy kitchens looking for efficiency and ease.
5. RCA RMW1630-WHITE RMW1630 1.6 Cu Ft White Over-The-Range Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.3/10
The RCA RMW1630-WHITE RMW1630 1.6 Cu Ft White Over-The-Range Microwave Oven is a stylish and convenient addition to any kitchen. It makes cooking and reheating food simple with its user-friendly controls and helpful features.
What We Like:
- It has 10 power levels and 10 one-touch cooking menus for easy meal prep.
- The two-speed, 300-CFM venting system effectively removes smoke, steam, and odors from your kitchen.
- A hidden vent and vent delay off feature add to its sleek design and smart functionality.
- The interior light lets you check on your food without opening the door.
- A child lock feature keeps little ones safe by preventing accidental operation.
- The digital display and soft-touch electronic control panel are easy to read and use.
- It includes a digital clock and a kitchen timer for added convenience.
What Could Be Improved:
- The specific unit dimensions (width, depth, height) are not provided, making it hard to gauge exact fit.
- The unit weight is listed as 0, which is likely an error and needs clarification for installation planning.
This RCA over-the-range microwave offers a great blend of functionality and style for your kitchen. It’s a solid choice for making everyday cooking tasks easier.
Your Guide to a Sparkling White Over-the-Range Microwave
A white over-the-range microwave is a kitchen workhorse. It cooks food fast. It also acts as a vent hood. This guide helps you pick the best one for your home.
What to Look For: Key Features
Cooking Power (Wattage)
Microwaves use wattage to cook. Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most microwaves are between 900 and 1200 watts. A higher number is usually better. Look for at least 1000 watts for good performance.
Capacity (Cubic Feet)
This is how much food can fit inside. Small microwaves are about 1.0 cubic feet. Large ones can be 2.0 cubic feet or more. Think about what you usually cook. Do you heat up large dishes? A bigger capacity might be best. For a family, a larger size is often helpful.
Ventilation System
Over-the-range microwaves have a fan. This fan pulls smoke and smells away from your stove. It’s important for a clean kitchen. Look for CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). Higher CFM means stronger ventilation. Some have multiple fan speeds. This lets you adjust the power.
Turntable
A turntable spins your food. This helps it cook evenly. Most microwaves have one. Some have a large turntable, which is good for bigger plates.
Preset Cooking Options
Many microwaves have buttons for common foods. These might be for popcorn, baked potatoes, or pizza. They set the time and power for you. This makes cooking simple.
Lighting
There’s usually a light under the microwave. This lights up your stovetop. Look for a bright light. Some have two levels of brightness.
Materials That Matter
The outside of most microwaves is plastic or stainless steel. White microwaves are usually made of strong plastic. Some have stainless steel accents. The inside is typically a non-stick coating. This makes cleaning easier.
What Makes a Microwave Great (or Not So Great)
Quality Boosters
- Quiet Operation: A good microwave doesn’t make too much noise. This is especially true for the fan.
- Easy Controls: The buttons should be clear and simple to understand.
- Durable Build: The microwave should feel solid and well-made.
- Effective Ventilation: A strong fan that really clears the air is a big plus.
Quality Reducers
- Weak Fan: If the vent doesn’t pull out smoke well, your kitchen will get smoky.
- Flimsy Feel: A microwave that feels cheap might not last long.
- Confusing Buttons: Difficult controls make using the microwave frustrating.
- Uneven Cooking: If your food doesn’t cook evenly, it’s a sign of a lower-quality microwave.
Your Kitchen Experience: Use Cases
An over-the-range microwave is a real space saver. It frees up counter space. You can use it to:
- Quickly heat up leftovers.
- Pop popcorn for movie night.
- Cook frozen meals in a hurry.
- Melt butter or chocolate.
- Steam vegetables.
- Use it as a vent hood while you cook on the stove.
It’s perfect for busy families. It’s also great for small kitchens where space is tight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I choose the right size microwave?
A: Think about how much food you cook. For one or two people, a smaller one might be fine. For a family, look for a larger capacity.
Q: Is a higher wattage always better?
A: Yes, generally. Higher wattage means your food cooks faster and more evenly.
Q: What should I look for in a vent hood?
A: Check the CFM. Higher CFM means it pulls more air. Also, see if it has multiple fan speeds.
Q: How do I clean my white microwave?
A: Most interiors wipe clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. The outside can be cleaned with a damp cloth too. Avoid harsh chemicals.
Q: Can I install a white over-the-range microwave myself?
A: Installation can be tricky. It involves electrical work and mounting. Many people hire a professional to ensure it’s done safely.
Q: Are white microwaves easy to keep clean?
A: White shows smudges and grease more easily than darker colors. Regular wiping helps keep it looking its best.
Q: What are the benefits of a turntable?
A: A turntable spins your food. This helps it cook evenly on all sides.
Q: Do I need a recirculating or vented microwave?
A: Vented microwaves push air outside your home. Recirculating ones filter the air and send it back into the kitchen. Vented is usually more effective.
Q: How long do white over-the-range microwaves usually last?
A: With good care, they can last 7-10 years or even longer.
Q: What’s the average price for a good white over-the-range microwave?
A: Prices vary, but you can find a good quality white over-the-range microwave for around $200 to $500.
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.