Now we're cookin' with gas--no, make that microwaves

Introduction
The GE JVM2070 1100 Watts Microwave Oven has more features than past generations of under-cabinet microwaves, competing with Maytag and other higher end manufacturers. Microwaves are here to stay, part of the standard kitchen along with a conventional oven and range. As such, the under-cabinet microwave is really a convenience and does kitchen tasks that a range and oven can't do. While I prefer to cook with conventional energy (like gas), I use the microwave for melting, defrosting and reheating. I never cook anything totally in a microwave except for microwave popcorn.

The Features
10 power settings
2 wire oven racks, settable in two positions
Sensor cook settings for foods including
Potato,
Egg
Fish
Fruit
Meat,
Popcorn
Bacon
Beverage
Rice
kitchen timer and clock
Night/stove halogen lights
3 speed exhaust fan
On/Off Turntable


Colors:
White
Bisque (beige or almond)
Stainless Steel
Black

The GE site lists the following interesting facts:
2.0 cu. ft. capacity — 1100 Watts
Dual-distribution cooking system — Circulates microwaves from the top and side of the oven for even heating and defrosting of food
° EasyGuide™ menu system — Automatically leads you through each step of the cooking process
Two-Line Bilingual Scrolling Display — Provides helpful cooking tips and oven-use instructions in easy-to-read English or Spanish
Defrost Select Features — Allows user to select time, weight or food options for perfect defrosting
Soften Feature — Perfectly for heavy foods like butter and cream cheese, as well as frozen ice cream
Melt Feature — A quick, easy way to melt foods like butter, caramel, chocolate and cheese


There are some nice extras:
Add 30 Seconds--easy to keep on cooking, child lock, the beeping cooking reminder and an adjustment of the sound level, a demo mode, a help pad.

Warranty
Limited Nine-Year Magnetron Warranty (10yrs Total) The magnetron is the device that generates the microwaves. Ultimately, it's the part likely to fail. I had one GE that had early failures of the magnetron and when ours failed, they came and replaced it in full. A limited warranty generally means that as the part ages, the amount allowed for replacing it if it goes before the time limit (here, 10 years) is pro-rated. So in the ninth year, they would probably not be replacing the magnetron at the full value. Check on this with your dealer. The rest of the warranty is one year on the other parts.

Function
This is a fine microwave. I did not do the "even cooking test" which you do by placing bread on the rack or the base of the microwave as kind of "tiles." Then you cook the bread and look for hot spots. This is a difficult test to do on a turntable model and I am not sure the rack heats bread evenly due to the metal bars. I suppose I could turn off the table and take out the glass plate, and put a microwave safe tray with the bread on it. But I think with the turntable, hot spots are kind of a moot point. Most microwaves heat unevenly due to the waves bashing around the box and if you notice, even cheap $50 models have turntables these days.

Appearance
The white is clean looking with nice lines. I prefer the black, but my kitchen is all white. (Not my choice, came that way.) Steel is available for those who are doing the modern look and almond (bisque) for the kitchens in off-white. The front is very space-age.

Things I like
Melt and soften are great--probably something I use more than any other feature. The defrost is great, when I come home and nothing is ready from the freezer, I can thaw a steak or chicken breast and cook it with no fear of ruining the meat. The potato feature is a must; even though microwaved potatoes are "steamed" and not really roasted, they are a good quick side for a fast dinner and not to be despised. I reheat take out with the reheat feature. And I always use the nightlight. The timer is the other feature I like to use frequently.

Things I don't like
I don't like meat cooked in the microwave no matter what, I don't cook rice in a microwave. It takes too long. I don't like cleaning the interior! But it does clean up easily.

Summary
This is a full-featured under-cabinet microwave with most of the features you will need in any kitchen. It's fast at 1100 watts and reasonably priced.