LG - 2.1 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Smart Microwave with Sensor Cooking and ExtendaVent 2.0 - Stainless Steel

My family was faced with a child related, "I wonder what happens when I put this in the microwave?", failure of our old microwave. Due to the sudden loss of a microwave that doesn't make food taste like plastic and burnt electronics we decided to pick up this LG mainly due to the great experiences with our other similarly branded appliances. Nothing in particular was good/bad about the install and if you've ever put in a microhood yourself you'll understand: it's not hard, not easy, but also not particularly fun. This LG was nearly the same as any other so nothing good or bad to apply here. If you're getting it installed, awesome. If you're installing it yourself and have done them before, well, no surprises here at least. If you're installing it yourself and this is your first, be careful it's heavy, bring a second set of hands, DO use the templet, and measure twice drill once. Like I said, it's heavy... To be perfectly honest I was not expecting the world. I was grateful just to be able to go and physically pick up the unit and install it on a weekend. After getting it hung and plugged in I started with the most routine stuff like setting the time, test heating a pyrex bowl with water in it, and just generally pushing all the buttons. Then, I discovered the best thing to be brought into the world of microhoods: finally it's a REALLY good hood! I've always liked the idea of having a microwave built in to a cabinet and a real exhaust hood over my stove. Unfortunately myself and others do not have the kitchen space/size to realistically have this kind of setup so the microwave as a hood option is our best bet. Every microwave hood I have used really seems more like it's for show than anything else. Keeping the steam from boiling pots out of your face, smoke, smells, etc. it didn't matter none of them would do enough to make any real noticeable difference. This microhood is different... Just press in on the bottom edge gently and the front will "ExtendaVent 2.0" out and the intake vents in the back will drop down 20-30 degrees. Even with the fan on it's lowest setting the steam from a pot boiling on the front of my stove will be drawn toward the back and into the hood air intakes. Nothing going up the front and making the microwave door wet and nothing even close to me. I can imagine if you wear glasses this probably sounds amazing, but even if you don't, it still is. Finally a microhood that doesn't just heat your food, it actually does what a real hood does! Side note: The exhaust fans do still work well enough to be very good even if you run them without "ExtendaVent 2.0"ing the hood. It's just that the difference is pretty substantial and now, personally, I don't use the exhaust without extending it. As for the microwave it's self it's a very good looking appliance once installed. Personally I didn't have any expectations but was pleasantly surprised after it was in how much nicer it's made the kitchen look all by its self. The functions offered are pretty standard for these now with options for automatic/sensor softening, heating, and cooking with a convenient list (small) on the lower inner edge behind the door. I have tried a few and have had the best results of any other sensor assist microwave setting before it. Softening butter actually works without leaving a puddle, or my personal favorite the liquid in the middle hard as a rock on the ends butter. Credit where credit is due: if the butter setting works as well as the other sensor settings... can it pop a bag of pocorn by its self without burning it? Yes... yes it can! -Not the most expensive microhood but not the cheapest. -A lot of functionality for the money, and the ExtendaVent option makes it worth more in my opinion. Price out a good (GOOD) hood and a mid-range microwave separate and see which is cheaper. -Looks sharp and the ExtendaVent blends in well without catching the eye or looking out of place. -WiFi for those who want it, and settings/functions are easy to find and navigate or use without having to go dig out the manual or look it up on your phone each time. -Lots of interior space. There's enough room inside, along with a clever recess on the inside of the door (look at the turn table, it sticks out when the door is open) that allows us to put square dinner plates in and the corners do not hit! A win in its self if, like me, you were shopping for new plates because of this and now don't have to! Or, you know, buy them anyway and forget you read any of this because not working in the microwave is a great excuse that I use all, the, time. By the way, it microwaves like its an Olympic sport: keep this in mind and adjust your cooking times until you get used to it. Great microwave with lots of features and options that will make you feel as though you truly got your money's worth even after coming to grips with how much these things cost thanks to inflation!

Be sure your cabinets are deep enough. I have 12" deep cabinets and this sticks out a little further than the one that came with my house. It wouldn't be too bad but the sides aren't flat, so it looks bad in my opinion. I'm going to make a trim to cover it as I really want the extended vent system but don't want to replace my cabinets LOL The good: super quiet, looks great, nice lighting, HUGE turntable, cool chime, has an off timer for the fan. The bad: touch panel shows finger prints real bad. Side panel isn't flat so it looks bad if your cabinets aren't deep enough to cover the sides. This DOES NOT have Alexa / Google connectivity. It does connect to ThinQ but there are no exposed funtions to Alexa. Best Buy please fix that in your features. LG - if you are reading, add some custom chimes in ThinQ, maybe even a user custom upload. Add the fan control to alexa. "Alexa, turn off microwave fan" and "Alexa, cancel alarm"(to stop the "done" reminder beep), "alexa, reheat soup" are some examples.

I am very satisfied with this microwave oven. It is my second purchase and I will not hesitate to buy another. An improvement has been made from my first one : the light is more powerful and the noise of the fans is reduced. What I appreciate most is the fan stretching out. When I first tried it, I thought the fans weren’t working properly because they didn't aspire much, but in fact they did and that’s particularly noticeable during cooking. In general, it is an excellent purchase and I recommend it without hesitation. I give it a 4 star rating, because I only used it a few times.