microwave vent/hood

[Kjente2]

How about microwave vent hoods? How about microwave convection vent/hoods? I've read mixed reviews about the combination units. What I'd like is some good lighting, multipowered fan. Today, the new GE 1800 series is looking good to me in the plain microwave unit. Is the convectiion and the loss of microwave power worth it when you get the combination...particularily if you have a convection oven already?
You know how it is..you get into overdrive trying to find the right things to make a warm room...
Thank you for any input you may have to help me finalize the last of these crazy decisions!

[Beth]

I have had a microwave/vent hood in the past, and it was fine. I still have my microwave/convection oven. If you are going to have a convection oven, I probably wouldn't bother with it in the microwave. I use it mainly for combination cooking or small baking jobs when the large oven is in use or not worth heating up, ut like mostr people, my microwave is a reheating/melting/thawing tool -- not a primary baking tool. I guess it depends somewhat on how you would use it most.

One thing I will say is that you want to make sure you have plenty of clearance over your cooktop. I did not have a micro over the Dacor cooktop, and it was much easier to cook in large pots and on the back burner with the higher clearance. Also, you don't get steaming pots that threaten to burn your arms as you reach in and out of the micro if it is not over the cooktop. I would put the micro somewhere else if you can.

What I am wondering about are the new Advantium and similar ovens, but I don't think they will replace the microwave for most of us. Anyone know more about them?

[Kjente2]

thanks beth for the reply...i woke up and I wasn't in minnesota anymore...walked in the kitchen for coffee and I was sure of it, wasn't looking for cookie cutters, i was living in one. It wouldn't be my first choice to put this over the range, but space is an issue..
I looked at and read about the advantium. If you want to put in the extra circuit to run 240, it sounds like a litlte dream machine. At 110, its doesn't sound much different than the standard microconvection units. The "thathomesite" board has a lot of talk going on about it and comparing it with one thats used in resturants, both pricey models since its new technology. Basically, its microwave combined with halogen lights.

[Beth]

Originally posted by Kjente2
Basically, its microwave combined with halogen lights.

Funny, that's kind of what they sound like. I haven't really looked at them (other than seeing them at Expo), and I didn't realize they could be run 110 or 220.

I understand conserving space in CA. I had one house with a megakitchen I would still love to have, bbut the other was tiny. I'm sure you can make the micro/hood work. Just check the clearance against your largest pots. Since they tend to sit on back burners when simmering and not needing a lot of tending, its ususally okay.

Are you looking at the 4 or 5 burner? The 5 burner might give you more reach to the back, but you do get smaller grates.

[Kjente2]

Oh, i can't wait to hear this...I had an email from kitchenaid this morning telling me that a 170 cfm vent is the same or better than 300 cfm...somehow the numbers don't add up in my head.
anyway, we're looking at the 30" 4 burner preference.
my sister knows someone that she believes just got an advantium..she's going to check and let me know the details..I'll let you know.