Product Review: The LG Over-the-Range Microwave
The Perfect companion for LG Electric Range
Oprah Winfrey’s ‘Favorite Things 2007’ put LG appliances in the spotlight, when she featured the LG HDTV Refrigerator on her annual holiday special. Most Americans associated LG with high end electronics and some may be as skeptical as I was about LG’s ability to produce quality kitchen appliances. This is not a new endeavor for LG, however. LG was originally established in 1958 under the name GoldStar.
If you’ve read my review on the new LG Side-by-Side Refrigerator or the LG Electric Range, then you already know; LG can produce quality appliances. The LG Over-the-Range Microwave is no different. The stainless steel LG Over-the-Range Microwave (Model: LMV1630ST) retails for $269.99 and mirrors the contemporary styling of the LG Electric Range.
Like most over-the-range microwaves, the LG has a kitchen timer, exhaust fan and a cooktop/night light. The exhaust fan did a pretty good job of diffusing the smoke from a grease splattered oven (more about that episode, in my LG Electric Range review), but the 30 watt cooktop/night light, does a better job as a nightlight than actually illuminating the cook top-typical of most over-the-range microwaves.
The beauty of this microwave is its versatility. It’s the most comprehensive microwave I have ever used. To maximize these capabilities; however, you really need to peruse the owner’s manual first. There is a little cheat sheet on the inside of the door, but it won’t make much sense unless you’ve looked through the manual first.
Quick and Easy
The EZ-ON button adds time in 30 second increments, while the Auto Touch has preprogrammed buttons that make it easy to reheat meals, pop popcorn, and heat water. The Kids Meal buttons are preprogrammed to heat hot dogs, soup, oat meal and baby food. With the cook time button and power level settings, you can adjust both to your requirements, but it is certainly worth checking out the owner’s manual before you start because the LG Over-the-Range Microwave has some fabulous features.
Neat Features
The LG Over-the-Range Microwave has a one touch Quick Defrost and a customizable Auto Defrost that adjusts for meat, poultry or fish. I personally love the Soften and Melt features. These preprogrammed buttons allow you to evenly soften cream cheese and ice cream without melting it, or melt chocolate and butter evenly without it splattering all over the microwave. I use these features a lot when cooking and baking because I know I can hit the preset button and turn my attention to something else.
According to the owner’s manual, the Hold Warm feature will keep pastry or a plate of food warm for up to 99 minutes and 99 seconds. Honestly, I haven’t really had a use for this yet. I’m sure it would come in handy if you wanted to keep a pie warm while serving dinner or perhaps puff pastries during a morning brunch.
Good Buy for the Money
Although, I wasn’t as impressed with the LG Over-the-Range Microwave as I was with the LG Electric Range, its functionality does surpass the other Over-the-Range Microwaves I’ve used. Really, what else can you expect a microwave to do-well, besides look good-which the LG does? When you buy it in combination with the new LG Electric Range, retailers will often give you a discount on both appliances. Ask a lot of questions when you’re shopping.
