Among the types of microwaves, I'd pick a countertop model for the lowest budget, since it needs no installation. An over-the-range model suits a kitchen short on counter space with a stove that needs a fan. A built-in or a drawer makes sense when the kitchen is being redone anyway. At Merit, prices ran from a $99.99 countertop model to built-in units at $3,799.99, before applicable taxes.
Microwaves sort two ways: where the oven goes, and how it heats. By placement there are four: countertop, over the range, built-in with a trim kit, and drawer. By heating, a microwave is standard, inverter, or convection, a combination unit that also bakes and air fries. A wall oven with a microwave stacked on top is a fifth, larger option. A microwave oven is a metal cooking box with a magnetron, a tube that turns household power into microwave energy that heats the water in food.
Our microwave collection at Merit Home Furniture held 132 microwaves on November 1, 2026, when those prices were taken. I work the floor in Duncan, and Merit's appliance range, microwaves included, comes through our Campbell River and Port Alberni stores on Vancouver Island, or as special orders. The sections below put Merit prices and numbers on each type.
What are the types of microwaves, and what does each cost?
The types of microwaves by placement differ in where they sit, whether they vent the stove, and how much cabinet work they need. A countertop unit needs nothing but an outlet. An over-the-range unit replaces the hood fan. Built-in and drawer units go into cabinetry and cost the most. Here's how our listings spread on November 1, 2026.
| Type | Where it goes | Our listings |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop | Counter, shelf or cart | 35 listings, $99.99 to $1,099.00 |
| Over the range | Above a 30 in. or 24 in. range, venting it | 76 listings, $299.99 to $1,749.00 |
| Built-in | A cabinet or wall opening, framed by a trim kit | 16 listings, $699.00 to $3,799.99 |
| Drawer | Under a counter or in an island | 5 listings, $1,499.00 to $2,999.00 |
| Wall oven combination | A tall wall cabinet, microwave above the oven | In our stores from $3,699.00, more as special orders |
Of those, 38 of the 76 over-the-range listings and 19 of the 35 countertop listings are carried at Campbell River, Port Alberni or both. All five drawer models and 15 of the 16 built-ins are special orders, and their product pages say "Call to order (250) 746-5527". The full microwave collection can be sorted by type and price.
Countertop microwaves: sizes, wattage and prices
A countertop microwave is a freestanding unit that plugs into a regular outlet. That makes it the easiest type to buy, move and replace, and the cheapest. Our countertop listings run from 0.7 to 2.2 cu. ft. inside, and from 700 W to 1,200 W of cooking output.
The Danby 0.7 cu. ft. at 700 W is $99.99 at our Campbell River store. One size up, the Danby 1.1 cu. ft. at 900 W is $139.99 and carried at both Campbell River and Port Alberni. For dinner plates, I'd check the turntable size on the listing before settling on a 0.7.
Capacity figures can flatter. Sharp Canada's spec sheet for its 1.4 cu. ft. model says the number comes from the cavity's maximum width, depth and height. Then it adds, "Actual capacity for holding food is less." The turntable diameter tells you more about what fits.
Where not to place a microwave
Whirlpool's use and care guide for its countertop models sets out the spots to avoid. Keep the microwave away from water, such as right beside the kitchen sink or in a wet basement. Leave a few inches at the back and sides, where the vents are. Blocked vents can damage the oven and give poor cooking results, and a thermal cut-out may switch it off.
The same guide says the oven should sit at a temperature above 50°F (10°C) to run properly. On the Island, that makes an unheated garage, workshop or seasonal cabin a poor spot through the winter. Over a range is a job for an over-the-range model, which carries its own fan and cooktop light.
Over the range vs countertop microwave: which suits your kitchen?
An over-the-range microwave, often shortened to OTR, mounts above the stove and doubles as the hood fan. It frees the counter and replaces a range hood in one piece. A countertop microwave costs less and installs itself, but it takes counter space and doesn't vent anything. Most OTR models on our listings are 30 in. wide to match a 30 in. range, and our listings include 24 in. models for narrow ones. If the range is changing too, how slide-in and freestanding ranges differ matters for the controls and the counter.
Over the range: the microwave that vents the stove
It hangs from the wall and the cabinet above, and it vents outdoors or recirculates through a charcoal filter. Either way it has a grease filter, so cleaning an OTR microwave means washing that filter as well as the cavity, as a regular job. The Amana 1.6 cu. ft. with a 300 CFM fan is $349.99, carried at Campbell River and Port Alberni. Installing one is a bigger job than plugging in a box, and in BC the wiring side may need a permit.
Countertop: the microwave that plugs in anywhere
It plugs in and works the same day, and it moves house with you. Prices start at $99.99, and it can go on a counter, a shelf or a cart. It doesn't vent the stove, so the kitchen still needs a range hood or fan. Replacing one never involves a trade.
Where a full-height OTR would crowd the cooktop, a low profile model is the middle path. The Whirlpool low profile at 10.3 in. tall has a 400 CFM fan and 900 W of cooking power, at $529.99 from Campbell River or Port Alberni.
On venting, the OTR fans on our listings are rated 300 to 600 CFM (cubic feet per minute). I'd pick a dedicated range hood when venting matters more than counter space.
How high above the stove should a microwave be installed?
Whirlpool's dimension guide for its 30 in. over-the-range models puts the top of the cabinet opening at least 66 in. (167.6 cm) above the floor. On a standard 36 in. counter, that leaves 30 in. from the cooking surface to the top of the opening, and the microwave hangs inside that space. The guide calls for a 120 V supply fused at 15 A or 20 A, and recommends a time-delay fuse or a dedicated circuit.
In BC, Technical Safety BC lists connecting an over-range microwave oven among the jobs a homeowner electrical permit can cover. That permit only applies in a single detached house you own and live in. Otherwise, a licensed electrical contractor does the work and pulls the permit.
Built-in vs countertop microwaves, and what a trim kit does
A built-in microwave sits in a cabinet or wall opening with a trim kit around it. The kit is a metal frame that closes the gap around the oven and lets it breathe from the front. Some built-ins are countertop models designed to take a frame. Others only work framed.
The Frigidaire Professional 2.2 cu. ft. built-in is $699.00 at our Port Alberni store. Its listing says building it in takes the PMTK3080AF 30 in. trim kit, also $699.00 and also at Port Alberni. So the framed version costs double the microwave on its own.
The cheaper route to a built-in look is a countertop model with an optional kit. The Whirlpool MTK1530PZ trim kit, $94.99 at Campbell River, frames a 1.5 cu. ft. countertop convection microwave. The Sharp 1.4 cu. ft. SMC1464KSC is $449.00, carried at Campbell River and Port Alberni. Sharp's spec sheet lists a 24 in. trim kit for it, the SKM146424LS, as an optional accessory.
A framed microwave breathes through the front, much like a built-in wine cooler. We cover front venting on built-in wine coolers in a separate guide. The other 15 built-ins on our listings are special orders, from $699.00 to $3,799.99.
Microwave drawers and wall oven and microwave combinations
A microwave drawer is a built-in microwave that slides out from under a counter or an island. Food goes in from above, so nothing hot gets lifted down from eye level. All five on our listings are special orders. The Frigidaire Professional 24 in. 1.2 cu. ft. drawer is $1,499.00. The Bosch 800 Series 1.2 cu. ft. drawer is $2,899.00. Its listing says it opens at the push of a button and fits a 13 x 9 in. baking pan.
Special orders at Merit take a 24% deposit. How deposits on special orders work is explained on its own page.
A wall oven and microwave combination stacks a microwave above a wall oven in one tall unit. The Frigidaire Gallery GCWM3067AF puts a 1.7 cu. ft. convection microwave over a 5.3 cu. ft. oven. It's $3,699.00 to $3,799.00 at our Port Alberni store, and its listing calls for a 240 V, 40 A minimum circuit. The KitchenAid smart wall oven and microwave combo at Campbell River is $5,799.99 to $5,999.99. The rest are among our wall oven listings.
Convection and combination microwaves: one box that also bakes and air fries
A convection microwave adds a heating element and a fan, so the same box can brown, bake, roast and, on many newer models, air fry. Nine microwaves on Merit's listings name convection or air fry in the title. Running as a plain microwave, it heats like any other; the element is what crisps.
| Convection microwave | Microwave and element | Price and store |
|---|---|---|
| Sharp 0.9 cu. ft. countertop | 900 W microwave, 1450 W convection | $399.00, Campbell River |
| Danby 1.3 cu. ft. countertop | 1000 W, four modes including air fry | $309.99, Port Alberni |
| Frigidaire Gallery 1.9 cu. ft. OTR | 900 W microwave, 1350 W element | $699.00, Campbell River and Port Alberni |
| KitchenAid 1.5 cu. ft. countertop | 1,000 W, convection, air fry and grill | $1,099.00, Campbell River |
For a suite, a cabin or a small kitchen with no room for a second oven, a convection microwave can stand in for one. The KitchenAid can also be built in, since its listing offers a 27 in. or 30 in. trim kit.
Inverter vs standard microwaves
An inverter microwave holds a steady low power where a standard one pulses full power on and off. Midea Canada's explainer puts it plainly: many non-inverter models make lower power by switching full power on and off in cycles. An inverter keeps that lower setting steadier, which helps with defrosting, melting and reheating delicate food. Midea also says the gain may feel small if you mostly heat at full power.
Health Canada's microwave food safety page suggests cooking larger pieces of meat at 50% power for a longer time. A half-power setting like that is where an inverter earns its price.
Six countertop microwaves on Merit's listings name inverter technology in the title. The LG 1.5 cu. ft. Smart Inverter, rated 1,200 W, is $219.99 to $239.99 at Campbell River. The Sharp 1.4 cu. ft. from the trim kit section is an inverter model too, at 1100 W.
Microwave wattage: what the number means for cooking time
Microwave wattage is the oven's cooking output, and it decides how fast food heats. Health Canada's food safety page says to adjust cooking times to the power of your microwave. It adds that "Food will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature in a lower-powered microwave". Recipes and package directions assume a certain oven, so the number on yours matters.
| Microwave | Output | Price and store |
|---|---|---|
| Danby 0.7 cu. ft. countertop | 700 W | $99.99, Campbell River |
| Danby 1.1 cu. ft. countertop | 900 W | $139.99, both stores |
| Midea 1.2 cu. ft. slim OTR | 1000 W | $399.99, both stores |
| Sharp 1.4 cu. ft. inverter | 1100 W | $449.00, both stores |
| LG 1.5 cu. ft. Smart Inverter | 1,200 W | $219.99 to $239.99, Campbell River |
Over-the-range models aren't always the strongest. The Samsung 2.1 cu. ft. OTR with dual ventilation is $799.99 at Campbell River and rated 950 W. Its listing quotes Samsung's own figure of "up to 82% capture rate" for the fan.
Microwave features worth paying for: sensors, steam and smart controls
Microwave features matter less than the type, but a few change daily use. Sensor cooking is the one I'd pay for first. Sharp's listing for its 1.4 cu. ft. model says a humidity sensor sets the time for popular foods and reheating, so you aren't guessing at minutes.
Steam is rarer. The Whirlpool steam over-the-range model, 2.1 cu. ft., is $1,049.00 at our Port Alberni store. Smart controls are showing up on OTR models too. The Samsung 2.1 cu. ft. listing mentions Wi-Fi and SmartThings, and the Whirlpool smart low profile in black stainless is $799.99 at Campbell River. Fingerprint-resistant stainless and glass touch controls are finish choices more than cooking ones.
On size, I'd think about the household. For one or two people warming leftovers, 0.7 to 1.1 cu. ft. is usually plenty. For family dinners and casserole dishes, I'd look at 1.5 cu. ft. or more.
How a microwave oven heats food, and where it came from
A microwave oven heats food by making its water molecules spin. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) explains that the movement causes friction between the molecules, and the friction raises the temperature fast. The energy comes from the magnetron and travels into the oven box through a waveguide. Metal in that box is where makers part ways, and whether foil is safe in a microwave depends on the manual.
What is the frequency range of microwaves in a kitchen oven?
CCOHS gives 2450 MHz as the frequency for most conventional ovens. The type of microwave changes the fit, the venting and the controls far more than the cooking energy itself.
When was the first microwave invented?
Percy Spencer, an engineer at Raytheon, filed for a patent on October 8, 1945, according to the Lemelson-MIT Program's profile of him. The first commercial model, the Radarange, was marketed in 1947. Lemelson-MIT says it cost $3,000, weighed about 750 pounds and stood 6 feet tall. A microwave sized for home kitchens took about 20 more years.
If you're replacing an over-the-range microwave, the space decides more than the features do. I'd measure from the cooktop to the underside of the cabinet above, and the width of the opening, before looking at a single listing. Depth and venting finish the list of over-the-range dimensions to check. Then call Campbell River or Port Alberni with those two numbers.
Where each type of microwave falls short
Every type of microwave gives something up. These are the trade-offs I'd weigh before choosing one from Merit or anywhere else:
- A countertop microwave takes counter space, needs a few inches of air at the back and sides, and does nothing for cooking smoke.
- An over-the-range microwave puts hot dishes and the controls above the cooktop, which is awkward for shorter cooks and children. Its fan is a compromise against a dedicated range hood.
- A built-in can need a trim kit that costs as much as the microwave, and a replacement later has to suit the same opening.
- A drawer microwave starts at $1,499.00 on our listings, and every one is a special order with a 24% deposit.
- A convection microwave is far smaller than a range oven, so it won't take a large roast or two trays at once.
- An inverter adds little if nearly everything you heat runs at full power, as Midea's own explainer allows.
Sources for this microwave guide
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Microwave ovens and their hazards, checked November 2026.
- Lemelson-MIT Program, Percy Spencer, checked November 2026.
- Health Canada, Food safety tips for microwaves, checked November 2026.
- Midea Canada, What is an inverter microwave?, checked November 2026.
- Sharp Electronics of Canada, SMC1464KSC specification sheet, checked November 2026.
- Whirlpool, Microwave oven use and care guide W11510172, checked November 2026.
- Whirlpool, Over-the-range microwave dimension guide for WMMS3130R and KMMS130RP models, checked November 2026.
- Technical Safety BC, Home modifications, checked November 2026.
- Merit Home Furniture's live microwave and wall oven listings, prices and store availability, read November 1, 2026.
Seeing these microwaves at Campbell River or Port Alberni
I write from Duncan, so for microwaves I point people to our two stores that carry appliances. It's worth calling ahead to ask which models are set up, and bringing the measurements of the space.
- Campbell River: 1300 A Homewood Rd, (250) 286-0868, with countertop, OTR and convection models listed
- Port Alberni: 2935 Third Ave, (250) 724-6644, which also lists the built-in and the combination wall oven
For a drawer, a built-in or another special order, the number on the product page is (250) 746-5527. Delivery and installation terms for appliances aren't set out here yet, so ask the store when you call.
Call Campbell River about a microwave, (250) 286-0868, or call Port Alberni, (250) 724-6644
The ranges and fridges to go with a new microwave are listed together. Campbell River and Port Alberni both appear in a store-by-store look at all four Merit locations. The kitchen appliance buying guides beyond microwaves sit together on one hub.