Loving My New Amana Over-the-Range Microwave {Review}

One appliance that at least I never gave much thought about was our microwave.  In our previous houses, we bought whatever was on sale and matched the rest of our appliances.  We never did research or even thought about what we wanted from a microwave.  Last year though I got the chance to check out an Amana refrigerator and ever since the Amana brand has been something in the back of my mind.  A few months ago our microwave blew in our current house.  Now the microwave was just a small countertop one that we bought to tide us over since our new house didn’t have one and three years later it dies.  We replaced it with a no-name brand one I bought for use in the basement until we had the chance to make a decision. Finally I got to actually look at microwaves and we decided to go from a countertop to an over-the-range one.  To say I love my new Amana microwave would be an understatement!

Before where we had our microwave:

We wanted to move it over our stove so we could free up space and fit a bigger microwave:

After installation (yes we also added a tile backsplash too):

Yes it makes a huge difference and I wish we would have done this sooner!  If you never heard of Amana, they are a brand that focuses on the simple things of life.  They don’t make appliances with an obscene amount of bells and whistles, but rather with features that the everyday consumer needs.  Amana is also part of the Whirlpool Corporation, they are just like a younger sibling.  They make reasonable priced appliances that the everyday consumer can afford with the high quality you expect from a Whirlpool family product.

When looking at a microwave, there are three things I was looking for:  Wattage, Size (cubic feet) and Style.  I then narrowed it down to Over-the-Range and Stainless Steel.  Amana only had one avialable which honestly was so nice because I was getting a headache browsing microwaves.  They really all do the same thing, right?  I mean I want a microwave to heat food and that’s it.  I don’t want an appliance that has a million buttons that I need a manual to work.  I want the basic power levels, a good size to fit my bigger glass bowls and a good exhaust fan on it for my stove.

 

Amana 1.5 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave

 

 

This over-the-range microwave does double duty in style. With the sleek silhouette created by a hidden vent, you almost forget it is a vent fan for your range, too. And the interior easily holds and heats large serving bowls and platters of food.

Some Features:

• 1.5 cu. ft. Cooking Capacity
• 1,000 Watts Cooking Power
• Contemporary Styling with a Hidden Vent
  
• Scrolling Word Prompt Display  
  
• Cooktop Surface Light with Timer Delay
• 10 Power Levels
• Touchmatic® Control System:  
  
• Digital Clock with Timer  
  
• 2 Program Cooking Stages
• Auto Defrost
  
• Auto Cook Options  
  
• Auto Reheat
  
• Lockout Feature
• Turntable
• Charcoal Odor Filter with Filter Change Indicator
  
• Window
• 2 Speed Fan
• Available in White, Black and Stainless Steel

Okay so like I said, Amana makes simple high quality products.  This microwave does exactly what I need it too and then some.  I’d say its not basic or top-of-the-line but really an affordable everyday microwave.  For my family of five, it is perfect and honestly it is a huge step up and for the suggested price of just over $200, it is well worth it.  I have seen similar microwaves for $400 and up, and I can’t figure out why.  The inside is huge, clean looking and lights up well.  The outside is sleek, modern, and has a great hidden vent on the top and light under neath.  We now often turn the microwave cooktop light on just to give our kitchen that soft light display.  It also helps with seeing better what I am doing while I’m cooking (and of course for taking pictures of recipes for my blog.)  The fan is nice and I notice that sometimes it turns itself on to help with fumes/smoke, it will display on the microwave that it is on Auto-Fan.  Amana recommends you replace the Charcoal Filter (what sucks in the fumes/smoke) every six months for better air circulation and odor removal, and those filters run about $8 each.

Simple buttons, nothing fancy but enough that it has what I need:

 

This is a 2.5 qt bowl and you can see there is still plenty of room in there!

As far as installation goes, my husband had this up in about an hour and we did not have a microwave there previously.  It was pretty basic and self explanatory to install.  Oh and I want to add that I did read some reviews where this microwave came damaged, and I want to add that I had absolutely no problems with delivery or damage.  It came packaged well and contained everything we needed.

Right out of the packaging:

  

Overall, we love our new Amana microwave and I wouldn’t change anything.  My husband really wanted a convection microwave but they were way out of our price range and I just didn’t feel we needed such a “fancy” microwave.  The Amana one is fancy enough, affordable, and self-explanatory to use (I don’t want to have to explain to guests or my husband how to work our microwave!)  While we have only owned this a few weeks now, I’m impressed with the design and quality and hopefully it gives us many years of use!

I’ll end my post with a fun Microwaveable Mug Dessert Recipe:

Two-Minute Mug Brownie

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch salt
• 2 Tbsp canola or other mild vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp milk, coffee or water
• In a heatproof mug or ramekin, stir together the dry ingredients until no lumps remain. Stir in the oil and milk until you have a thick paste.
• Microwave on high for a minute, checking it after 30 seconds (microwaves vary) – it will be done when it’s springy on top but still a bit gooey – like the very best brownie. Eat warm.

Microwave Cake Recipes from Huffington Post: http://huff.to/VWqN0K

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BUY IT:  The Amana 1.5 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave can be purchased for a suggested retail price of $259.99 for Stainless Steel (or $199.99 for black or white) at your local Sears, Home Depot, Menards and more – You can check the Amana website for Where to Buy.

Mom and More Disclosure: I was sent this product to review in exchange for my honest opinion. Please see my Disclosure Policy.