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Any luck finding noise ratings for OTR microwaves?

14 years ago

Hi all,

So I'm shopping to replace our dead microwave, and having a heck of a time at the dealers checking how noisy the range exhaust fans are. The one place that actually has microwaves plugged in to test doesn't sell the model I'm interested in.

Has anyone found noise ratings for OTR microwaves online? Consumer reports does 'cooking' noise, but nothing on exhaust fan noise.

Thanks for any help.

Really looking for a nice quiet exhaust fan in an OTR microwave. We'd install a real range hood if we had room to put the microwave elsewhere, but we don't

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Comments (3)

shannonplus2
14 years ago
All OTR microwaves are super noisy. There is no point comparing noise ratings for them, which is why you are not finding any comparisons. I am sorry to say that they will all sound like jet engines in your kitchen. They just are not designed to be quiet. They are designed to be microwaves that have an extra feature of an exhaust. The exhaust area is very narrow, which increases noise. You would do best to choose your OTR MW for other features, and capacity, appearance and price. Almost all MW's are made by Panasonic and Sharp, with many brands just being rebadges of those two. So don't buy e.g. a Viking or Dacor OTR MW thinking you'll have a better machine--they'll cost double what the Sharp would cost which is the same machine.

Most OTR MW's have 300 cfms. The Panasonics are more attractive, if that matters. However, I learned on this forum that Samsung has a new line of OTR MW's that have 400 cfms. I don't anything about them, but it may be worth checking out as there are no other OTR MW's I know of that have 400 cfms. However, I'd expect the 400 cfms to be even noisier than the standard 300 cfms.
iceqween13
14 years ago
We purchased an OTR Panasonic Inverter. It has 400 cfms. I really like it. Firstly no big handle sticking out. Push button.

I don't find it any louder than others and don't actually notice the noise. Doesn't sound like a jet engine. The fan starts as soon as you turn it on and shuts off when done. Bought it from Sears and have had it 3 months. So far so good.

Good luck!
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Mark Singh
2 years ago
I think the noise reference was for the hood fan, not the general use. I find the hood fans very noisy, and avoid using it above 'low' setting unless absolutely required.

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