GE 1800XL Microwave is a very nice microwave

I recently purchased a stainless steel JVM 1870 GE microwave and have been very happy with it. This unit replaced a 15 year old GE space saver microwave and what an improvement the new one is.

Installation had a number of quirks. The first being that while the new microwave was 30 inches wide, it was unexpectedly bigger in height. The fact that the JVM 1870 is relatively square and the old GE product was sloped at the bottom and the extra height made the Microwave drop lower. This reduced the space between my cook top and the new microwave by several inches. Check you dimensions and make sure that the bottom of the microwave and cook top have a minimum distance that is required by code and the manufacturer. Mine did not by 1/2 inch.

Installation was easy. You cannot use the older GE brackets to mount the unit and must use the new GE mounting materials included with the package. The instructions were very clear. It is a two person job to hoist the microwave onto its bracket.

Operation of the microwave is very intuitive. It has all the amenities of a top of the line microwave. The carousel is quite nice. Included are two internal shelfs. They are pretty worthless as I have found the space between the shelves is to small to put anything. They can easily be removed. It cooks as programed and performs consistent with representations made surrounding its capabilities.

Operationally the unit is a little noisy. It draws a lot of current as my lights dim when the unit is on. It would best that this unit be on a 20 amp circuit if possible. It will work on a fifteen amp circuit however. The door latch is quite noisy in opening and shutting the door.

Finish of the stainless steel matches the other GE Profile appliances I own. Cleaning the stainless steel finish requires special cleaners. Do not do as my visiting mother did and take a Scotch brand pad with Ajax and water and try to clean the unit's exterior. It will ruin the surface. That said, the unit does not seem to accumulate the finger prints that the refrigerator and dishwasher accumulate due to the good handle on the unit that is comfortable and easy to grab and use. The interior is easily cleaned with mild soap and water.

This unit appears to have been manufactured in Korea. Fit and finish were top notch. The unit feels more flimsy than GE units I have had installed from the mid-1980's. It does not seem to be less sturdy than other over the counter microwaves currently on the market. Because the unit has a novel flat finish above the door, the panel moves open to exhaust the air. While this looks quite nice in appearance I keep thinking this is just another feature that can break and disable the microwave at some time. It has had no problems and only the test of time will attest to its build quality.