The only thing the Thermador didn't have was a convection fan. It was self clean, broil, timed bake, bake, micro, broil/micro, bake/micro with a low, medium or high setting for the microwave. I personally rarely used the microwave only setting since I had a stand alone microwave. From what I understand that is why it went out of favor with consumers - it was a poor micro-only oven. Now as to the design flaws of the built-in Jenn-Air convection/microwave, I'm going to be adding to this so I don't make any mistakes and misrepresent it. I rarely use the Jenn-Air convection/microwave any more. My biggest complaint is that it turns itself off. I'll preheat it, hear the bell that it reached temperature and when I'm finished prepping find the oven has turned off. It will only preheat for a certain amount of time and after that time has been reached, it will exhaust the heat from the oven. A second complaint is the temperature fluctuation - more frequently lower than higher. The temperature is displayed on the digital readout. Heaven forbid that you open the door to check on your food, it takes forever to re-reach the set temperature. The oven was half programmed correctly. The oven does permit one to set the convection/roast/microwave to any combination one would desire. It's the convection/bake/microwave that can't be set other than the reprogrammed settings. So the capability is there - just incomplete. There is one thing that we do use the oven for regularly and that is reheating pizza, pancakes and waffles on the crisper pan. If you are into convenience foods then this oven is for you. There are just two of us and we both cook so normally we would use the smaller convection/microwave oven more - we don't because of our frustration with the product. As I had said we did use the GE convection/microwave more than our full-sized oven. I will be adding to this post. There are more complaints. I just want to document them correctly.

It's pulling hot food out of the microwave on top that will be unsafe, unless you & your family are really tall. You should be apprehensive; it's not a good idea. Microwave ovens should be positioned near the R/F, since that's the source of most food that goes into a MW. Positioning either a countertop or built-in MW on or under the countertop is far preferable for safety & ease of use, especially since you use a MW a lot. Another option is to get a range, which will provide you with one oven, and stack the MW over a single electric convection oven. Our 36" DCS range oven is huge & can handle full size baking sheets. If you have kids, they can learn at an early age to safely use the MW & start being independent, but only if they can reach it without climbing on something. Otherwise you will be doing what they could be doing far longer than any of you will like.

The GE online store has prices about 10-15% higher than you will find at most retailers. There's your "discount" right there. No one pays "suggested retail price". Different stores discount a different amount off of that price, but no one sells at that price---except the GE store. And, the rebates they offer require that 4-5 (I can't remember which, it's on the tearoff pad at work) appliances be purchased in order to qualify for the top tier award. If you just buy 2 appliances, it's either $50 or $100. We (and every other appliance retailer) have the same rebate going, and our prices are about 15% lower than GE online. So, I think you can do better than the "friends and family" discount if you shop around. And, don't let the rebate factor into your decision. By the time you pay the upcharge for the Profile over the regular GE with similar features, you've paid more than they're giving you back by far. Yes, you do get more features with Profile, and more yet again with Monogram, as well as more "styling". But, you pay for the priviledge of the branding too. Assess the features you will actually USE in your appliances, and "up buy" only to the model that offers those. Most people don't use ANY of the complex functions of either their fridges or MWs. As far as the reliability/features of GE vs any other competitor, I'd definately buy both the fridges or MWs. They are good products in their price range, with few issues other than the "standard" issue of the ice maker being the most repair prone element. Their new french door fridges from their brand new Chinese factory have dual evaporators (Like SubZero) and truly separate fridge and freezer compartments due to this, so you get no odor transfer and more accurate cooling for both. They've had remarkably few problems for being from a brand new factory and a brand new design to the company. Before the Chinese factory, they sold rebadged LGs as their French door units, like "Kenmore" does. Their MWs are roomy and have good power specs. The most often used feature is the "sensor cook" which works in tandem with their "instant action" keys to keep your food from overheating. It works similarly to how the old temperature sensor probes worked, but without the probe. Most of the other features above the level where that is introduced in the line get rarely used and really aren't worth paying more money for. Their OTR convection MW is overpriced for what it is, and really doesn't offer that much of a second oven experience to justify the price. A small countertop version from a cheaper maker for around $100 will fit the same amount of food in it and not cost so much. Of course, it isn't an OTR, but then again, it's not an OTR. :) OTRs are a PIA and safety hazard for any but the smallest kitchen that HAS to have them. If you can go with an actual vent and separate MW, you'll be miles ahead in both $$ and functionality.

I just finished a new home build and also installed a Sharp drawer convection microwave SMD2499FS. I noticed that anything I heated in there never became very hot. Fast forward to trying to make my grandkids hamburgers. Didn’t want to wait for the charcoal grill to heat up so I tried the convection grill function on my Sharp. Followed the directions in the book exactly. Preheat the ceramic cook/drip tray, cook etc. while the burgers came out pretty good, upon cleaning the cook tray I noticed two diagonal cracks in the ceramic. I thought perhaps it was crazing but when I turned it over the cracks went straight through to the other side. The pan did not come apart, but it was concerning to me that this cracked during cooking. I called the customer service number and was told that although my microwave is under warranty for parts and labor,this tray is not considered a part. No one seems to know where I can order a new one, including the high-end appliance store, where I purchased my appliances for my new home. There’s no information on Sharps website for replacement pieces or accessories. I asked to speak with a supervisor when I was on the phone with CS and of course the supervisor was busy, I really wish I read the reviews before I ordered this. I really feel like I made a very expensive mistake. That being said, for those of you who use the convection portion of this microwave, can you use metal pans? I’m trying to think of what else I can use for convection cooking. Stoneware? Pyrex? I saw metal pans on a video. I also read that there’s a lot of sparking and potential fires in this, so I am concerned about using any metal in the microwave other than those racks that come with it. I’m feeling taken advantage of here. This company has the worst customer service.