Whirlpool - 1.1 Cu. Ft. Low Profile Over-the-Range Microwave Hood Combination - Stainless steel

Throw the installation instructions away. The quick install instructions on the template ( which is also the hanging bracket) don't really help either and combined with the written instructions will do nothing but shorten your life. Absolute total confusion. Thank god for you tube videos! I learned properly how to install this well thought out install process in all of 3 minutes. Firstly, the unit IS set up initially for recirculation, it took me forever to figure this out. Secondly, don't bend the top 2 tabs with the holes in them til after you've used the template( in this instance) to mark your power cord hole ( through the bottom of the overhead cabinet, not into the wall as the instructions may lead you to believe) , and marked the 2 holes ( through the 2 holes in the 2 tabs) that will allow you to secure the unit with provided screws to the bottom of the cabinet. Atfter that is done your template now becomes the hanging bracket when you bend the tabs to the square holes. Thirdly, forget the toggle bolts. Just find 2 studs to use the lag screws on. If the wholes in the hanging bracket ( formerly template) don't match the stud locations then just bore your own. Great product for us. We only had 12 inches from bottom of over range cabinet to the bottom of the cabinets either side of it. Couldn't raise the center cabinet. Powerful recirc fan , plenty more space than you think. Would recommend. Not exactly smudge proof stainless.

This could and should be a great product. It isn't (yet). The notable problems were first that the installation instructions contain some blatant errors regarding the size of the unit. In some places diagrams show it as 17" tall instead of 11" tall. The instructions also contain a large number of grammatical errors - they weren't edited by a native English speaker. The installation template may have an error that mispositions the top mounting screws by about 3/8". It was difficult to be certain about this. When mounting the device, one of the mounting nuts inside the chassis broke off and made completing the installation impossible. I returned the appliance. Please also be aware that the microwave juts out from the wall about 3" further than most other "over the range" models. It looked very odd sticking out from the cabinets by about 6" or more. I would suggest not buying this model until they've improved the installation materials (manual, template); if you do buy it, make sure those top mounting holes are lined up perfectly before trying the bolts. (A 2x4 cut to 1/4" less than the height of the bottom of the machine down to the top of the stove can be super helpful during installation, by the way. And cover your range top while you work - I used a packing blanket and a 2' x 2' piece of plywood.)

Just had to have one the first time I saw it. Had to get the 5 series because the 7 did not come in plain Stainless Steel. Would have preferred the 7 series because of the LED lighting and advanced functions. But the 5 performs perfectly as a microwave and range hood. The fragile comment is because it took 4 microwaves before we got one that was not damaged in shipping. It only takes one drop to distort the case. Even the one shipped UPS was in great packaging and no oblivious damage only to open it up to find the right side dented. Another one snapped off the installation nut inside the top of the unit. Yep... #4 from the distribution center was fine! Best Buy was awesome!!! They never batted an eye when I returned unit after unit after unit! The did their best to make me happy with a undamaged unit.

If the space you have can't accommodate a larger microwave, your options are very limited. This unit fit the bill for us. The microwave works well enough, and fits in a tight space, which is great. It lacks some of the features of the larger units, but that's a concession to the small form factor. That said, the installation instructions are poor at best, and in some cases, they're flat out wrong. The instructions refer to installation templates, but none were included in the box. At one point in the installation process, the instructions indicate that the bottom of the mounting plate should be 17 1/4" from the bottom of the cabinet, but the microwave is only 10.5" tall. So if you follow the instructions, your mounting plate will be too low by a hilarious margin. So, the microwave is fine, but if you're planning on installing it yourself, prepare to be frustrated.

First of all I’m not a fan of Best Buy and there prices and I thought I was paying a premium for this microwave because it could fit in a small foot print. Not so, it has useful features not found on full size under cabinet microwaves. I have only had it installed for a week so I can’t speak for longevity but it seems like a very well made unit. The installation was easy as long as you put down the instructions and instead watch a the utube video which explains that the back plate is also the top mounting hole template. The feature are great right down to the pleasing tones it uses. The local venting also works better than expected. Cook power is good and it has room for 99% of what you use a microwave for. Definitely recommended for people with limit cabinetry height and even for those who have the height for a normal microwave and don’t mind paying a premium.

Two years go we started replacing the kitchen appliances. First was the fridge and the dishwasher. Then we tried to replace the microwave with no luck. We even bought a nice Samsung unit that I installed my self. The problem is that the range and microwave are in a corner so when I tried to open the microwave door the edge of the door hit the wall. Boomer. Finally we found this Whirlpool microwave which fits perfectly and I can open the door with no problems. Now talking about the microwave features it’s a microwave. Heats my food like any other. The only con I think could be for some is that is tall enough to fit a 16 Oz coffee tumbler but not a turkey.

I recently installed this microwave in my kitchen and it has been great and functions really well. My kitchen did not have an over-the-oven microwave or oven previously and we were limited with the amount of space above the stove. this solved that problem as it's only about 10" tall. We don't use microwaves for general cooking but we do use one a lot for reheating or things like popcorn. There is a tin template that comes with the unit that one can use as a guide on where to put screws and holes and it functions as the bracket that the microwave mounts to as well - very smart on Whirlpools part and makes doing it yourself very easy. The fan does well in removing smoke and smells and is not any louder than others that I've had in the past. the microwave can recirculate the air or vent into the room or outside the house. My only dig on the product is the price but since it probably doesn't sell as many units.

Would give 5 stars, but the fan is really loud, even on low, and super loud on high. It is set to circulate and blows out the top front. I wish it was quieter. Besides that, I was so excited to find a low profile that fit in my condo above the stove. Everyone said I’d never be able to get one to fit without ripping out the cabinets. It’s sleek and easy to use and powerful. Push a button and the door pops open really nicely. One other small downfall which took some getting used to is that the depth (front to back) seemed a bit big. It sticks out a bit far past my cabinets, seemingly further than a regular sized microwave would (I replaced and old fashioned hood so I’m not sure... but I’m thinking it does). So check the depth and not just the height if you plan to purchase. I have gotten used to it. And I’m happy it fits above my stove!!