GEProfile PEM31SFSS Countertop Microwave

This microwave was recommended to me by my kitchen designer because the measurements suited the space in which it was to be inserted. I didn’t have high expectations, as GE hasn’t always received the highest ratings in recent decades as other brands have risen in popularity.But to my surprise, it has outperformed my previous high-end built-in microwave in every way—ease of use, quick and even heating, design. I couldn’t be happier with this product.

My dad's been using this microwave as a hanging microwave for well over 5 years now, and it still works like new!

We purchased this microwave as a replacement for another GE Profile model that finally wore out after 10 yr. Our original model was no longer made & GE said this was its replacement. The appearance is different from the old but that is OK. Old model had a curved frame & glass shape (arched). This is very rectangular & looks more sleek & modern. The old had a nice, small, discreet GE logo decal on the door. This one has a big raised metal round GE logo stuck on the bottom part of the door about the size of a half-dollar coin. I find that unattractive.This model doesn't seem to cook food as good as the other. It takes longer. Both had auto cook buttons & the new doesn't cook food "done" when using those special keys. Potatoes are the worst. I have to cook them twice. The older model had easy, 1-step cooking....Push "potato" & it cooked a potato completely. If I cooked 1, 2, 3, or 4 potatoes it compensated for that & cooked any quantity correctly. This one takes at least 2 cycles or else the potatoes are hard & not completely done..... Old model, Vegetables - push one button & keep pushing once, twice, thrice, for "fresh" "canned" or "frozen"...this new model, push vegetable button & look at chart in door & then press another number key for 1 - fresh, 2 - canned, or 3 - frozen..... Old model push "reheat" & it cooked the food done, hot & ready, no matter a single item, or plate or liquid......This one you push "reheat" & then 1 for pizza, 2 for plate, 3 soup, 4 pasta, etc...tedious & you have to look at the chart sticker inside the door b/c you can't remember all the choices. For that reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I was comparing it to the original model we had...This may function like a lot of similar microwaves but my old GE Profile model had easy 1-button commands that cooked the food as it should be cooked.A big complaint we have is there is one very WEAK (dim) light in the interior so you can't see inside the oven while cooking. If something is bubbling over, good luck b/c you will have a hard time seeing it.We purchased this & the other for a specific reason. I wanted a built in microwave oven. Due to double convection wall ovens there was no cabinet space in a standard oven cabinet. I needed a smaller size. This is a counter top model with a trim kit (purchased separately - approx. $18. Not available on Amazon). Original purchase for old model incl trim kit was from Lowe's Home Improvement. The Amazon price for this microwave is the same price as Lowe's & delivers fast. Lowe's was 2-week delivery & had to do store pick up. This came a day earlier than promised, on Easter Sunday no less, but was promised 3-day delivery & it was here in 2 days, front door delivery, yay, Amazon!As mentioned, this is a counter top model with a trim kit available to give the appearance of a built in microwave. It is very attractive in that sense. It will fit in a 12" overhead cabinet. Instead of just having a cabinet box hole or shelf to set a microwave on, you can put this one in the hole & use the trim kits that is similar to a picture frame & surrounds the oven with a nice frame making it "built-in".....If I can take a photo with my phone & come back to this review I will add a picture. I'm typing the review from my laptop.

This microwave has had problems from the start. Upon arrival it made a terrible noise when the turntable was on. I contacted the seller and after some back and forth they sent a small part to replace in the center. That did nothing and they would not take a return. When I sent videos they still did not seem to comprehend the problem and thought the noise was tolerable. It’s not. It continues to make a terrible sound every time it turns. Most recently, I noticed a strong smell of something burning while warming up food. It had only been on 30 seconds and I turned it off quickly due to the heavy smell. It appears there is a short somewhere on the microwave. It hasn’t even lasted 18 months and is already broken. Save your money and purchase another product and from another seller.

I needed to replace my GE PEM31SM3SS microwave that is about a 1/8 less than 24" wide. This model says it is 24" wide and my cabinet width is exactly 24" wide. There are no vents on the sides and a vent on the rear side that is indented an inch from the back so you need to provide a path for the air to exhaust. GE "recommends" an air gap on the sides but recommends is different than requires in my book. I took a chance that this would fit because I have no other options. Fortunately it did! This model is no longer being manufactured but It seems to get better reviews than the replacement which looks the same. The hanging screws from the original microwave work. The left support holes are the same but the right side are different. You need to drill a new hole in the metal strap and drill some new holes in the cabinet for the right side undermount screws.