GE JVM1440 Microwave Oven: Makes space, with style
Written: Jan 11 '05 (Updated Aug 22 '06)
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Pros: looks, convenience
Cons: some of the features require you to read the manual to work
The Bottom Line: I think this will more than fill most people's microwaving needs
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| some_guy5's Full Review: General Electric JVM1440 950 Watts Microwave Oven |
Prior to owning the GE Spacemaker XL microwave oven all I ever owned were inexpensive models that sat on the counter. I don't consider myself a huge user of the microwave so all I wanted was something that looked good, didn't take counter space, and would be reliable. After using it for a few weeks I was pleasantly surprised that I had gotten more than I wanted.
LOOKS
I opted for the stainless steel finish, as I have for all of my new kitchen appliances. The unit is stainless with black trim. The fume vent cover is black and the keypad and handle are both black. The window to see into the interior of the microwave and the keypad are both framed in stainless trim.
DIMENSIONS AND SPACE
The unit is designed to sit over the range and hang from a 30 inch wide cabinet. The exterior measurements are 15.25 inches deep by 16.4 inches high by 29.875 inches wide. The microwave weighs 61 pounds. There are no surprises here. The microwave fits under standard size cabinets easily. The interior cooking capacity is 1.4 cubic feet. This was a real luxury to me, having only used on the counter models prior to this.
FEATURES
This microwave does not offer the convection cook feature. The GE Spacemaker XL features a 950 Watt Circuwave cooking system. It has been great for everything I have used for with the exception of defrosting. I don't think any microwave is good for defrosting and I recently heard an explanation of why on the radio. Microwaves heat things by making the water molecules move very rapidly. When those molecules can't move, as in ice, it does a poor job of heating. Microwaves try to compensate by pulsing the energy, melting a little, and then stopping and so on. I always end up with meat frozen in the middle and cooked on the outside. Do yourself a favor and put the meat is some cold water. this microwave is no exception to the rule. The keypad offers a lot of convenience buttons including instant start for cooking 1 through 6 minutes, beverage, reheat, and popcorn. I hardly use anything other than instant start. I haven't set the timer since the first few days. 1 button gets it going. There is also a feature to add 30 seconds to whatever time is on the cooking clock in case you feel it is almost but not quite done. The microwave has a 12.5 inch glass turntable with a feature to disable the turning for very large food items. The GE Spacemaker XL also has a removable oven rack.
Those are all nice features but I imagine they are also fairly standard for microwaves at this price. What really thrilled me were the non-cooking features offered on the GE Spacemaker XL. The light is my favorite. The underside of the microwave lights your stove, and it has two intensity levels. The microwave also acts as an exhaust hood, sucking up the air from over your stove and running it through the filter before pushing it out at the top of the microwave and over your head, or outside if you were lucky enough to vent it properly. Finally, GE Spacemaker XL features a child lock. Now I imagine that the unit is intended to be mounted well out of a child's reach, but it there if you want it. Finally, you have a clock and a kitchen timer, pretty standard but you can never have too many kitchen timers.
SUMMARY
After more than a year my GE Spacemaker XL has held up fine and surpassed my expectations. I don't like to cook with a microwave but for reheating or single servings this works great. On a cautionary note, decide beforehand if you are going to vent it outside or inside. The filter is optional and there are a lot of benefits to buying it at the same time you buy the microwave. GE wants $15 for each filter and $45 to deliver them. Other parts places only want $50 or so for the filter. Overall I give this a glowing recommendation.
Please see my reviews on my other GE stainless large appliances at
Refrigerator
http://www.epinions.com/content_169205796484
Dishwasher
http://www.epinions.com/content_169089732228
Range
http://www.epinions.com/content_169340931716
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
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some_guy5
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