General Electric Microwave Ovens: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

If you're in the market for a new microwave oven, General Electric (GE) is definitely a brand worth considering. GE microwave ovens are known for their reliability and versatility.

GE offers a wide range of microwave ovens, from compact countertop models to built-in over-the-range ovens. They also come in various sizes, from 0.5 to 2.2 cubic feet.

One of the key features of GE microwave ovens is their sensor cooking technology, which automatically adjusts cooking time and power level for optimal results. This feature is especially useful for cooking frozen meals and reheating leftovers.

GE microwave ovens also come with various cooking modes, including defrost, reheat, and cook, making it easy to prepare a variety of dishes.

Suggestion: Ge Combination Oven Microwave

We've been evaluating over-the-range microwaves since 2020, and for this guide, we've done extensive research.

We've interviewed a variety of industry experts, pored over customer reviews, and read expert reviews from other publications to get a well-rounded understanding of the market.

We've also searched import records to find the original suppliers for these microwaves, which has helped us identify potential differences in quality and reliability among brands.

Our research has shown that while cheap countertop microwaves are often made by a few manufacturers overseas, there's more diversity among OTR microwaves, which could mean real differences in reliability and longevity among brands.

The GE JVM6175 has all of the convenient controls that most people seem to want in a microwave.

It heats more evenly than other over-the-range models we’ve tested, making it perfect for reheating big trays or dinner plates of leftovers.

The JVM6175 has express keys for 1-minute through 5-minute cook times and an Add 30 Seconds button, all of which are standard on most microwaves.

It also has a Mute option, which lets you reheat your midnight snacks without waking up the rest of the house.

The undermount light on the JVM6175 is versatile, with a warm color temperature and half-power setting suitable for a night-light.

See what others are reading: Light Bulbs for Microwave Ovens

It has enough brightness on its full-power setting to clearly light up your stovetop.

In our tests, the JVM6175 did the best job of evenly heating the entire turntable, with minimal hot and cold spots.

The JVM6175 also has some sensor-based reheat, defrost, and cook modes that some people find useful.

Most people will leave installation up to a professional, but if you’re going to attempt to install the microwave yourself, the JVM6175 is a little bit more forgiving than the other OTR models we tested.

The mounting template is easy to follow, requiring one less screw to stay secure than others.

Like many GE appliances, the JVM6175 comes in a half-dozen finishes, so you should be able to find something that blends in pretty well with your kitchen design.

We've been doing our due diligence in researching over-the-range microwaves since 2020. We've interviewed industry experts to get their insights and opinions on the best models available.

We've also pored over customer reviews and expert reviews from other publications to get a well-rounded view of each microwave's performance. This helped us identify the pros and cons of each model.

We've searched import records to find the original suppliers for these microwaves, which gave us a better understanding of their manufacturing process. This is especially important when it comes to quality and reliability.

We've compared more than a dozen models side by side, and tested six machines at our office in Long Island City, New York. This hands-on approach allowed us to see how each microwave performed in real-world conditions.

Here are the key steps we took in our research:

Whirlpool Corp. makes microwaves under several labels, including Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, and KitchenAid, which are similar to the Whirlpool WMH31017.

These microwaves are expected to have similar performance, so if you find one of the other models on sale or prefer the look or certain options, you'll still be getting a good microwave.

Suggestion: Whirlpool Built in Fridge Freezer

Whirlpool's higher-end model, the WML55011, is a low-profile OTR microwave that's a few inches shorter than other models, fitting into spaces with lower-mounted cabinets.

It's an expensive microwave, but it solves a unique problem by being tall enough to fit a cup roughly the size of a pint glass.

GE's JVM3160 is a solid alternative to the Whirlpool WMH31017, with more express controls but less-even heating.

Insignia, Best Buy's store brand, has OTR models made by other manufacturers, but we didn't test any, so we can't confirm their quality.

GE also makes a slightly larger and more expensive model, the JVM7195, which is otherwise similar to the JVM6175.

Most of the brands we've covered have higher-end models that we didn't test, but they're likely to have similar performance to the lower-end models.

Here's an interesting read: Why Are Dutch Ovens so Expensive

If your GE microwave runs but doesn't heat, it could be a blown fuse, especially if its functions usually work. Check the fuse block on top of the control panel for burn marks or melted filaments.

If you're troubleshooting a GE microwave, be aware of the following fault codes: F1 (thermal sensor open), F2 (shorted thermal sensor), F3 (shorted touch pad panel), F4 (open humidity sensor), F5 (shorted humidity sensor), F6 (shorted temperature probe), F10 (shorted touch screen), and others.

You can try resetting the microwave by turning off the power for 30 seconds, but if the issue persists, you may need to seek service. Some common issues with GE microwaves include a louder fan and weaker heating performance, which may be due to individual unit variations or mis-installation.

Additional reading: What Is Sensor Cooking on a Microwave Oven

If your appliance heats poorly, it could be due to a faulty magnetron. This part is responsible for heating up your microwave, and if it's not working right, you might not get the results you want.

A blown fuse is a common issue that can cause heating problems. To check if the fuse is blown, look for burn marks or a melted filament.

You might need to use a continuity tester or ohmmeter to check the fuse, especially if it's made of ceramic. If the fuse is good, the readings should show zero, and if it's blown, they should show an infinite number.

Some signs that the magnetron is broken include heating not working, unusual burning odor, and snapping and arcing sounds.

If you're not comfortable with DIY repairs, it's best to leave it to a professional. Appliance Doctor Inc. recommends against do-it-yourself repairs on microwave ovens for safety reasons.

Fault codes can be a bit mysterious, but they're actually just a way for your microwave to tell you what's going on. If you see F1 on your display, it means the thermal sensor is open because the microwave cavity is making too much heat.

Some fault codes are pretty straightforward. For example, F3 means the shorted touch pad panel is the culprit. This can happen if there's a problem with the touch panel, but it's usually an easy fix.

But what about F4? That's a code for an open humidity sensor. If you see this, it's likely that the sensor is not working properly. You might need to replace it or have it serviced.

Here are some common fault codes to watch out for:

If you see a code like 888 or PF, it's likely just a temporary issue. Try turning off the power to the microwave for 30 seconds and see if it clears up. If not, you might need to have it serviced.

If your microwave keeps tripping the circuit breaker, try plugging it into different outlets, especially those with more electricity like your garage or workshop.

Sometimes, the issue is not with the microwave itself, but rather with the outlet it's plugged into.

If plugging it into a different outlet doesn't solve the problem, try connecting it to a separate circuit.

This can be a simple fix that resolves the issue without needing to replace the microwave.

If your microwave's touchpads stop responding, unplug the microwave to access the membrane switch and remove the cabinet.

The membrane switch is a crucial component that can be faulty and cause keypad issues. Unplugging the microwave is necessary to safely access it.

To troubleshoot keypad issues, you'll need to take off the whole cabinet to get to the membrane switch. This requires some technical know-how and caution.

By following these steps, you can identify and potentially fix the problem with your microwave's keypad.

The JVM6175 GE microwave is a great example of a product with some flaws, but not dealbreakers. The fan on this model is a bit louder than others, despite having the same advertised air movement.

In our tests, the JVM6175 was a bit weak, failing to heat soup or potatoes to the same temperatures as other models. This could be due to a defective unit or a 10-15% slower performance compared to competitors.

Most people won't notice a significant difference in performance, and can simply adjust their cook times. In fact, the overall user rating for this model is still very high, with 4.4 out of 5 stars on Home Depot based on over 10,000 reviews.

Some owners have reported an unexpectedly short lifespan, but this is often due to mis-installation or defective units.

General Electric microwaves are designed with smart features to make food preparation stress-free. These features include convection and air fry modes.

Sensor cooking technology ensures that your food is cooked to perfection, while the "Fast Cook" setting lets you cook your food quickly and efficiently.

Our microwaves come in a range of styles, including countertop, over-the-range, and built-in models, all with excellent cooking and reheating options.

Scan-to-Cook Technology is a game-changer for anyone who's ever struggled to cook frozen foods to perfection. It takes the guesswork out of microwaving by allowing you to scan a barcode and prepare your favorite foods exactly as the manufacturer intended.

This technology is a key feature of smart countertop microwaves, which use advanced sensors and algorithms to ensure that your food is cooked to the right temperature and texture. With Scan-to-Cook Technology, you can say goodbye to overcooked or undercooked meals.

One of the benefits of Scan-to-Cook Technology is that it's incredibly easy to use. Simply scan the barcode on your frozen food, and the microwave will automatically adjust the cooking settings for you. This means you can cook a wide range of frozen foods with confidence, knowing that they'll be cooked to perfection every time.

Convection Ovens are a game-changer for cooking, especially when it comes to achieving even browning.

They use a fan to circulate warm air around foods, ensuring consistent results.

This technology is also found in Convection Microwave Ovens, which combine a microwave heating element with a fan for convection cooking.

This results in golden-brown foods, every time.

Convection Ovens are a great option for cooking a variety of dishes, from roasted vegetables to perfectly cooked meats.

By circulating warm air, they help to lock in moisture and flavors, making food taste even better.

This technology is perfect for home cooks who want to achieve professional-grade results without the hassle.