Are you grappling with a cramped kitchen, yearning for more counter space, or simply tired of a bulky microwave dominating your cooking area? The traditional over-the-range microwave, while functional, often leaves little room above your stovetop and can feel visually heavy. Enter the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo—a sleek, innovative solution designed to address these very challenges. This review dives deep into its design, performance, and features to help you decide if this unique appliance is the perfect upgrade for your modern kitchen.
What is the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo?
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| 1 | COMFEE' Retro Small Microwave Oven With Compact Size, 9 Preset Menus, Position-Memory Turntable, Mute Function, Countertop Perfect For Spaces, 0.7 Cu Ft/700W, Cream, AM720C2RA-A |
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| 2 | COMFEE' Retro Small Microwave Oven With Compact Size, 9 Preset Menus, Position-Memory Turntable, Mute Function, Countertop Microwave For Small Spaces, 0.7 Cu Ft/700W, Green, AM720C2RA-G |
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| 7 | COMFEE' EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven with Sound On/Off, ECO Mode and Easy One-Touch Buttons, 0.7cu.ft, 700W, Black |
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| 9 | BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft |
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| 10 | COMFEE' Retro Small Microwave Oven With Compact Size, 9 Preset Menus, Position-Memory Turntable, Mute Function, Countertop, Perfect For Small Spaces, 0.7 Cu Ft/700W, Red, AM720C2RA-R |
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The Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo is a revolutionary two-in-one appliance that ingeniously combines the functionality of a Microwave Oven with an over-the-range ventilation hood. Its defining characteristic is its significantly reduced height compared to standard over-the-range microwaves, allowing it to fit seamlessly into the same space typically occupied by a traditional undercabinet hood. This innovative design aims to provide more headroom above your cooktop and free up valuable counter space, all while delivering powerful cooking and ventilation capabilities.
Design and Aesthetics: Form Meets Function
One of the most compelling aspects of the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo is its thoughtful design, where form undeniably meets function.
Low Profile Design: Maximizing Your Kitchen Space
The standout feature is its slim profile, typically around 10 to 10.5 inches in height, which is notably less than the 16-18 inches of conventional over-the-range microwaves. This reduction in height creates a visually lighter presence in your kitchen, offering more clearance above your range and making it easier to see and access your cooktop. For kitchens with lower overhead cabinetry, this design is a game-changer, eliminating the need for custom modifications or sacrificing head space. By moving the microwave off the countertop, it also helps reclaim precious prep areas, making even the smallest kitchens feel more spacious and organized.
A sleek Whirlpool low profile microwave installed, maximizing kitchen counter space and headroom above stove.
Modern Appearance: A Sleek Kitchen Upgrade
Whirlpool has crafted these units with a contemporary aesthetic in mind, featuring clean lines and a streamlined look that complements modern kitchen décors. Available in popular finishes like stainless steel, black stainless steel, and white, they can easily integrate with your existing appliances. The minimalist design often includes a hidden or concealed control panel, contributing to its sleek, uncluttered façade.
Control Panel and Lighting: User Experience in Focus
Depending on the model, you might find either exterior electronic touch controls or a hidden control panel that becomes visible only when the door is open. Models with a “Push-to-Open” or “Tap-to-Open” door offer an especially seamless look, allowing you to access the microwave with just a gentle touch of a wrist or elbow—a boon when your hands are full. Many units also feature bright LED cooktop lighting, illuminating your cooking surface effectively, and some even offer a nightlight setting, adding to the kitchen’s ambiance.
Performance: Cooking and Ventilation Capabilities
Beyond its good looks, the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo is engineered for robust performance in both its primary functions.
Microwave Power and Capacity: Efficient Everyday Cooking
Despite its compact exterior, this microwave boasts a purposeful capacity of 1.1 cubic feet, designed to accommodate essential dishes like tall glasses, wide dinner plates, and large bowls. With 1000 watts of cooking power and 10 power levels, it handles everyday tasks—from reheating leftovers and defrosting ingredients to cooking quick meals—with impressive efficiency and evenness.
Smart Convenience Features for Everyday Life
Whirlpool integrates a variety of user-friendly features to simplify your cooking experience. The “Add 30 Seconds” option allows for quick adjustments to cooking time with a single touch. Specific microwave presets for popular items like popcorn, beverages, and potatoes take the guesswork out of cooking, automatically applying the optimal time and power settings. Many users also appreciate the quiet chime that signals the end of a cooking cycle, a welcome change from the often jarring beeps of older microwaves.
Ventilation System: Keeping Your Kitchen Fresh
The integrated ventilation system is a crucial component, featuring a 2-speed fan with a 360 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) motor class, and even 400 CFM on some premium models like the WML75011HV. This system is designed to effectively remove smoke, steam, and cooking odors from your kitchen, maintaining a fresh environment. Most models offer versatile venting options, allowing for either external venting (ducted outside your home) or recirculating (filtered and released back into the kitchen). While it performs well for general cooking, heavy-duty cooks might find that a dedicated, high-CFM professional range hood offers superior performance for intense sautéing or frying due to the inherent design constraints of an integrated unit.
Whirlpool low profile microwave with effective ventilation, removing steam and odors above a simmering pot.
Noise Level: A Point of Consideration
User feedback often highlights that while the ventilation fan is effective, it can be quite noisy, particularly on its higher settings. Even on the lowest setting, some users report a noticeable sound. This is a common trade-off for powerful ventilation in a compact appliance, but it’s an important factor to consider if a quiet kitchen environment is a top priority for you.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
Whirlpool has also focused on making this microwave combo easy to live with day-to-day.
Intuitive User Interface
The electronic touch controls, whether visible or concealed, are generally intuitive, allowing for straightforward navigation through cooking modes and options. The clear LED display provides essential information at a glance. For models with concealed controls, a slight learning curve might be present as users adapt to setting cooking times or power levels before closing the door, but this quickly becomes second nature.
Effortless Cleaning
Maintaining a clean microwave is often a chore, but Whirlpool has incorporated features to simplify this. The turntable plate is dishwasher-safe, allowing for easy cleanup of spills and splatters. Select models, such as the WML75011HV, boast a CleanRelease® Non-Stick Interior, which allows most messes to be wiped away with just a damp cloth, reducing scrubbing time significantly.
Simple Installation
Designed as a direct replacement for traditional over-the-range microwaves or undercabinet hoods, many Whirlpool Low Profile models come with an easy-install wall plate. This feature aims to streamline the installation process, making it a viable option for both new kitchen renovations and appliance upgrades.
Pros and Cons: A Balanced Perspective
Like any appliance, the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo comes with its own set of advantages and considerations.
Pros:
- Maximizes Kitchen Space: The most significant benefit is its ability to free up valuable counter space and provide more headroom above the range.
- Sleek, Modern Aesthetic: Its slim design and contemporary finishes enhance kitchen décor.
- Efficient Microwave Performance: 1000 watts and purposeful capacity handle most cooking and reheating tasks effectively.
- Effective Ventilation: The 360/400 CFM motor class efficiently removes smoke, steam, and odors for everyday cooking.
- Convenient Features: “Add 30 Seconds,” presets, and quiet operation enhance the user experience.
- Easy to Clean: Dishwasher-safe turntable and non-stick interiors (on select models) simplify maintenance.
- Versatile Venting Options: Can be configured for external or recirculating ventilation.
Cons:
- Fan Noise: The ventilation fan can be quite loud, especially on higher settings.
- Ventilation for Heavy Cooking: While effective, it might not match the raw power of a dedicated, high-CFM professional range hood for very intense cooking scenarios.
- Fingerprint Visibility: Stainless steel finishes may show fingerprints readily, requiring frequent cleaning, unless a fingerprint-resistant option is chosen.
- Control Panel Quirks: Hidden controls may take some getting used to, and some users have noted minor issues like the absence of a 24-hour clock display or premature wear on plastic overlays.
- Turntable Functionality: In some models, the turntable cannot be turned off, which can be an inconvenience for certain dishes.
- Durability Concerns: While generally reliable, isolated user reports suggest potential issues arising shortly after the warranty period.
- Price Point: These innovative units often come with a higher price tag compared to standard over-the-range microwaves.
Is the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Right for You?
Choosing the right appliance depends on your specific needs and priorities. The Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo is an excellent fit for:
- Space-Conscious Homeowners: If freeing up counter space and gaining more headroom above your cooktop is a priority.
- Modern Kitchen Aesthetics: If you value a sleek, integrated look that complements contemporary design.
- Everyday Cooks: For individuals or families who primarily use their microwave for reheating, defrosting, and light to moderate cooking.
- Renovators with Low Cabinetry: It’s an ideal solution for kitchens where traditional, bulkier over-the-range microwaves simply won’t fit without extensive modifications.
However, if you are a fervent home chef who frequently engages in heavy-duty frying, searing, or wok cooking, and demand the absolute highest in ventilation power and quiet operation, you might consider a separate, high-performance range hood paired with a built-in or countertop microwave.
Conclusion: Elevating Your Kitchen Experience
The Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo stands out as a smart, stylish, and highly functional appliance. It successfully blends the utility of a microwave with the necessity of a range hood into a single, space-efficient unit. Its innovative design not Sandeep declutters your kitchen but also introduces a modern aesthetic that can significantly elevate the overall look and feel of your cooking space. While there are minor trade-offs, primarily concerning fan noise and peak ventilation power for extreme cooking, its myriad benefits—from thoughtful design and efficient performance to ease of use and maintenance—make it a strong contender.
Ultimately, for those prioritizing a clean, spacious, and contemporary kitchen, the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo offers a compelling and practical solution. It’s more than just an appliance; it’s a strategic design choice that enhances both the functionality and beauty of your home. Are you ready to reclaim your kitchen and embrace a sleeker way to cook?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “low profile” mean for a microwave?
“Low profile” refers to the microwave’s significantly reduced height, typically around 10 to 10.5 inches, compared to standard over-the-range microwaves which are usually 16-18 inches tall. This compact design allows it to fit into tighter spaces, providing more headroom above your cooktop and creating a less obtrusive look in your kitchen.
How does the Whirlpool low profile microwave compare to a traditional over-the-range microwave?
The primary difference is size: low profile models are much shorter, offering more space above the range. While traditional OTR microwaves might offer slightly larger capacity (e.g., 1.7-2.0 cu. ft.), the 1.1 cu. ft. purposeful capacity of the low profile models is designed to fit most essential dishes. Both combine microwave and ventilation functions, but the low profile prioritizes aesthetics and space-saving.
Is the ventilation system effective for heavy cooking?
The ventilation system, typically featuring a 2-speed fan with a 360 or 400 CFM motor class, is effective for everyday cooking, efficiently removing smoke, steam, and odors. However, for very heavy or intense cooking (like deep-frying or high-heat searing), it might not match the sheer power and dedicated performance of a standalone, high-CFM professional range hood.
Can I turn off the turntable in this microwave?
For some Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo models, the turntable cannot be turned off. This can be a minor inconvenience if you occasionally need to heat irregularly shaped dishes that might get caught while rotating. It’s advisable to check the specific model’s specifications if this feature is crucial to you.
What are the common complaints about the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo?
Common complaints include the fan being noisy, especially on higher settings, and stainless steel models showing fingerprints easily. Some users also report a slight learning curve with hidden control panels or isolated issues like plastic overlays on controls showing wear over time. Occasionally, concerns about long-term durability past the warranty period have been raised.
