I hope someone may be able to help. We are renovating our house, and our kitchen design will include a built in mw. The location will be under the coutertop in a dry center island.
We want to get a combination mw/convection with a drop down door. The one we like best is a GE Monogram ZSC1001KSS. This includes their advantium technology. The problem is that in their installation instructions they state:
CAUTION:
For personal safety this product cannot be
installed in cabinet arrangements such as an
island, a peninsula or below a countertop
I have looked at other similar mw ovens including those from JennAir and KitchenAid and neither has the same disclaimer. Interestingly, GE includes the above disclaimer on all of the mw/convection ovens.
Does anyone have any idea why they would do this? When I called GE, they said it was an Underwriters Lab issue. Is there any risk if I end up mounting this under the counter anyway?
Thanks
Replies
Unless it weighs a heck of a lot, I imagine their concern is that it could get too hot and catch the cabinets on fire. I have lights that warn not to mount them under a caninet or soffit for the same reason, but someone did. I just turn them on only when I'm in the room and don't leave them on long. I do not recommend your mounting this oven under any cabinets however.
I don't think it is a heat issue. Why would there be less of a problem if you mounted it in a wall cabinet. And why do know other brands of similar MW's have the same warning?
I don't have a good answer for you. Can you contact the UL people and see what they say? You might also try posting this at Breaktime (three to left of House Chat at the top of this page) and see what people there say. You'll get a lot more responses there than you are getting here. All the best!
It isn't the microwave that is the heat issue, it is the convection oven. As I understand it, convection ovens are like supercharged (or fanned as the case may be) ovens. They would produce heat just like any other oven. That being the case, certain ovens are made to be built in, and many are not. If this oven vents the heat into a specific direction and that direction is blocked, then you have a fire hazard on your hands.
This oven is meant to be built in. So maybe they are worrying about the counter getting hot but the same would apply for a wall cabinet. I think it is due to 'personal safety' which sounds like a cautious lawyer.
In that case, then your only problem may be your warranty, which will probably be voided by installation under the counter.