Kenmore 1.7 Cu Ft Over-the-Range Microwave Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Kenmore 1.7 cu ft over-the-range microwave pairs a 300 CFM two-speed fan with three venting options and carbon filters. It weighs about 49 pounds and sits in the premium tier of this guide, so compare it with the GE and Frigidaire units before you pay for the extra features.
On this page (14 sections)
- The Kenmore over the range microwave at a glance
- Who the Kenmore over the range microwave suits
- Is the Kenmore over the range microwave any good?
- Kenmore over the range microwave specs
- Size and weight for a 30-inch opening
- Venting on the Kenmore over the range microwave
- Lighting and presets on this Kenmore
- Cleaning and upkeep on this Kenmore
- Is installing this Kenmore a pro job?
- Where this Kenmore wins and loses
- Who should skip the Kenmore over the range microwave
- Before you order: a short checklist
- Questions to ask Kenmore before you buy
- Our verdict on the Kenmore over the range microwave
The Kenmore 1.7 cu ft over-the-range microwave pairs a 300 CFM two-speed fan with three venting options and carbon filters. It's a flexible unit for a kitchen that may vent outside or recirculate, since the venting options give an installer more ways to match the setup.
It weighs about 49 pounds and sits in the premium tier of this guide. Compare it with the GE and Frigidaire units before you pay for the extra features.
Buy it if you want flexible venting, carbon filters and six preset cooking options in a 30-inch unit. Skip it if you want the lightest option or the largest cavity in the set.
The Kenmore over the range microwave at a glance
Kenmore 1.7 cu ft Stainless Over-the-Range Microwave
- 1.7 cu ft capacity
- 1000 watts
- 300 CFM, two fan speeds
- Three venting options
- Carbon air and grease filters
- Six preset cooking options
A 1.7 cu ft stainless Kenmore with a 300 CFM fan, three venting options and carbon filters. At 49 pounds it sits between the GE and the 1.8 cubic foot Frigidaire.
Pros
- Three venting options for different kitchen setups
- Carbon air and grease filters
- LED interior and cooktop lighting
- Six preset cooking options and a child lock
Cons
- It sits in the premium tier of this guide
- At 16.5 inches deep, it's deeper than the GE and the Frigidaire units we compared
- The 1.7 cubic foot cavity is smaller than the 1.8 Frigidaire
This is a stainless 30-inch over-the-range unit with 1.7 cubic feet of cooking space and 1000 watts of power. The fan runs at 300 CFM on two speeds, and the unit has three venting options.
The panel uses touch controls with an LED display. Six preset cooking options and a child lock help with daily use.
Who the Kenmore over the range microwave suits
It suits a household that wants one unit that can vent outside or recirculate, depending on the kitchen. The three venting options give an installer more room to match the setup, which helps where the duct path is hard to reach.
It also suits people who want carbon filters built into the design. The 1.7 cubic foot cavity is enough for dinner plates, bowls and most everyday dishes.
A shared kitchen with several cooks benefits from the child lock and the control panel lock, which keep settings from changing by accident. The six presets also give every cook a quick way to run the same common jobs.
Is the Kenmore over the range microwave venting worth the premium?
It can be, if your kitchen needs a setup the GE or the Midea doesn't cover well. If your kitchen already has a standard duct, the extra options may never get used.
Check the duct and the wall before you pay for the flexibility. A qualified installer can tell you which venting option fits your setup.
Is the Kenmore over the range microwave any good?
It's a good fit for a 30-inch opening that needs flexible venting and has room for a 16.5-inch depth. It's not the lightest or the cheapest way to get a 300 CFM fan over the cooktop.
On power and fan rating it matches the GE and the Midea, at 1000 watts and 300 CFM. What the premium tier buys is the three venting options, the carbon filters and the interior and cooktop lighting.
If you don't need those extras, the GE or the Midea covers the same basics with less depth. If your duct path is awkward, the venting options can be the reason to pay more.
Kenmore over the range microwave specs
The table lists the numbers that matter most for a 30-inch unit. Each row can be compared with the other models in this guide.
| Spec | Kenmore 1.7 cu ft |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 cu ft |
| Power | 1000 watts |
| Ventilation | 300 CFM, two fan speeds |
| Venting | Three venting options |
| Filters | Carbon air and grease filters |
| Lighting | LED interior and cooktop light |
| Size (W x D x H) | 29.9 x 16.5 x 15.8 in |
| Weight | 49 lb |
| Presets | Six preset cooking options |
| Safety | Child safety lock and control panel lock |
| Model | 2287063 |
The glass turntable is 12.4 inches across, which suits dinner plates and most everyday dishes. The panel also has a defrost function and an auto cook setting for general use.
Size and weight for a 30-inch opening
The unit measures about 29.9 inches wide, 16.5 inches deep and 15.8 inches tall. The depth is the number to check first, since it's deeper than the GE and the Frigidaire units we compared.
At 49 pounds, it's heavier than the GE and lighter than the 1.8 cubic foot Frigidaire. Plan for two people on delivery day, and leave the overhead lift and the mount to the installer.
Measure from the cabinet front to the wall before you order. A deeper unit can sit forward of the cabinet face, which changes how it looks and how it clears the cooktop.
Venting on the Kenmore over the range microwave
The 300 CFM fan runs on two speeds, which gives you a low setting for everyday steam and a high setting for smoke and grease. Kenmore says the three venting options work with several kitchen setups.
Pick the venting option that matches your duct or your recirculating filter, and have a qualified installer confirm it. The venting options guide explains the two main setups in plain terms.
Lighting and presets on this Kenmore
The LED interior light and the cooktop light both help when you're cooking. In a dim kitchen, the cooktop light makes the pan on the range easier to see while you work.
The six preset cooking options cover defrost, reheat and a few common tasks. The child lock and the control panel lock keep the buttons from being pressed by accident.
Cleaning and upkeep on this Kenmore
Wipe the cavity after cooking, and take the turntable out to wash it. Check the manual for the cleaning method before you use any cleaner on the interior.
The carbon filters need replacing on the schedule the manual gives, so write the date down when you change one. Keep the grease filter clean as well, since a clogged filter slows the fan.
Mark the filter change date on the calendar so it doesn't slip.
Is installing this Kenmore a pro job?
Yes, the install should go to a licensed electrician and a qualified installer. The unit mounts to the wall and cabinet above the cooktop, and it plugs into an outlet that should be checked before the unit goes up.
With three venting options, the vent choice matters more on this model. Have the installer confirm the setup before anything is mounted.
Where this Kenmore wins and loses
This unit wins on venting flexibility, carbon filters and preset options. It loses on depth, price tier and cavity size compared with the larger unit.
- Wins: three venting options, carbon air and grease filters, and six preset cooking options.
- Loses: a deeper footprint than the GE or Midea, and a smaller cavity than the 1.8 cubic foot Frigidaire.
- Watch: the premium tier, so compare the features you'll use before you buy.
Who should skip the Kenmore over the range microwave
Skip it if you want the lightest option. The GE JVM3160RFSS review weighs 40 pounds, which is easier to lift and mount.
Skip it if your cabinet is shallow. The Midea 1.7 cubic foot review covers a unit that is only 13.5 inches deep.
Skip it if you want the cabinet built around the microwave. A built-in microwave fits a different kind of kitchen, and a convection model suits people who bake and crisp.
Before you order: a short checklist
Measure the opening, then write down the width, the height from the cooktop and the depth from the cabinet front to the wall. Set those numbers next to the model number, 2287063.
Confirm the venting option that matches your kitchen, and check the filter part numbers before you buy. Ask a qualified installer to confirm the setup before the unit is delivered.
Questions to ask Kenmore before you buy
The manual answers most basic questions, but a few are worth checking with Kenmore before delivery day. Write the answers down next to the model number, 2287063.
- Which venting option does Kenmore recommend for a kitchen with a standard outside duct?
- What clearance does Kenmore want above the cooktop and at the sides?
- Which carbon filter part numbers fit this model, and how often should they be replaced?
Our verdict on the Kenmore over the range microwave
The Kenmore 1.7 cu ft is a good pick for a 30-inch kitchen that needs venting flexibility and carbon filters. Choose it when the venting options matter and the premium tier is worth the extra features.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. For this model, the venting options and the filter set carried the score, while the depth and the price tier held it back.
If you're weighing it against other 1.7 and 1.8 cubic foot units, the GE vs Frigidaire comparison shows how the choices stack up, and the complete buying guide covers the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kenmore 1.7 cu ft over-the-range microwave a 30-inch unit?
Yes, it measures about 29.9 inches wide, so it's built for a standard 30-inch opening. Check the depth, about 16.5 inches, against your cabinet and wall before you order.
What venting options does the Kenmore microwave have?
Kenmore describes three venting options with a 300 CFM fan on two speeds. Choose the setup that matches your kitchen, and confirm the choice with a qualified installer before the unit is mounted.
Does the Kenmore 1.7 cu ft microwave need a special filter?
It uses carbon air and grease filters, which help capture odors and airborne grease. Check which filters your setup needs, and keep the part numbers on hand for replacements.
