A Review of the GE Profile PEM31 Oven: What You Need to Know

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With so many microwaves on the market, how can you be sure you are buying a dependable oven that will meet your needs? Many buyers have turned to the GE Profile PEM31 Oven as a dependable microwave solution. We decided to launch a review of the GE oven to see if it was all it is cracked up to be.

After looking closely at the GE’s price and other features, we looked at three competitors to help get a better understanding how the products compare to each other.

All About the GE Profile PEM31 Oven

The GE Profile PEM31 Oven is a 1.1 cubic feet microwave oven that can be installed under your cabinets to save space. It comes with a trim kit for aesthetics.

You can choose between multiple colors, including white, black, silver, and tan, so the GE oven matches a number of kitchen color combinations.

The oven features sensor cooking controls as well as a weight mode and timed defrost. The turntable promotes even cooking of foods, but the turning feature can be disabled. The oven is only 13 inches in depth, so it is good for users with limited space but not for those looking to cook large quantities of food.

Product Specs

GE’s microwave oven is an 800-watt microwave considered mid-size in the microwave market. The oven stands 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. The unit weighs just under 29 pounds.

A button opens the door and reveals a 10.5-inch turntable. The turntable can be activated or deactivated based on the user’s preference. The ADA-compliant unit comes with programmed settings for reheating, beverages, popcorn, vegetables, auto cook, weight defrost, and time defrost.

The features are controlled by a touch pad that also includes options for a timer and clock. Users can choose between 10 power levels. The oven is rated at 11.5 amps and has a maximum power consumption of 1300 watts.

Pricing

We found the GE Profile PEM31 Oven priced at around $360 during our review. Interestingly, the GE oven was more expensive than the competitors we looked at. Its three counterparts ranged in price from about $140 to near $275. We wanted to see if the GE microwave was really more valuable than the others, or if it would be wiser to consider purchasing a competitor from Toshiba, MIDEA, or BLACK+DECKER. Keep reading to find out.

How It Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare:

  • Toshiba EM245A5C-BS Microwave Oven

  • MIDEA 1025F1A Commercial Microwave

  • BLACK+DECKER EM036AB14 Digital Microwave Oven

GE Profile PEM31 Oven

Price [$$$]

Ease of Use [****]

The GE oven is operated by a touchpad that allows users to choose between cooking times. A simple touch also enables preset programs for reheating leftovers, warming coffee or other beverages, popping popcorn, defrosting by weight or time, and other features.

Design Quality [***]

While considered a mid-range oven, this GE product is compact. It can hang under a cupboard as a space saver, but its dimensions when left on the counter are a mere 12 x 24 x 13 inches. With touchpad controls, a turntable, and a button to open the door, the GE microwave has a small and simple design.

Warranty [***]

The GE microwave comes with a limited one-year warranty.

Where to buy GE Profile PEM31

Pros

  • Touchpad operation
  • Can be installed under cupboards
  • Pre-programmed cooking options

Cons

  • Installation and trim can be tricky

Toshiba EM245A5C-BS Microwave Oven

The Toshiba EM245A5C-BS Microwave Oven offers 1.6 cubic feet of cooking space powered by 1,200 watts. Complete with an inverter, the oven features modern cooking technology for even heating without overcooking.

One touch access lets you choose from six popular food items pre-programmed in the machine. Users can also choose between 10 power levels up to the maximum 1,200 watts.

A large readout makes it easy to see the display from across a large kitchen. You can also display a countdown timer, clock, and cooking time. You may save three common cooking times that you repeatedly use based on your own cooking habits. A large door handle is easy to grip for opening and closing the oven.

Price [$]

Ease of Use [****]

The Toshiba EM245A5C-BS Microwave Oven lets you choose from six common food favorites, such as pizza and baked potatoes. You can also choose between 10 power levels with common sense labels such as keep warm, defrost, reheat, and boil. You can also program three of your most common cooking times for repeated future use.

Design Quality [****]

Designed for cooking control with the touch of a button, the Toshiba EM245A5C-BS Microwave Oven comes with a large digital readout and a large handle that is easy to grip for opening and closing the door.

The oven’s inverter technology automatically adjusts its power to match the heating duration needed and avoid unnecessary energy consumption. It also helps cook food evenly without overcooking.

Warranty [***]

The Toshiba EM245A5C-BS Microwave comes with a one-year warranty.

Pros

  • Six programmed common foods
  • Choose from 10 power levels up to 1,250 watts
  • Inverter technology avoids waste and cooks evenly

Cons

  • The unit is light enough to slide on your countertop

Midea Commercial Microwave Oven

The Midea Commercial Microwave Oven is a light duty commercial oven with touchpad usage that includes braille. The oven cooks up to 60 minutes per session, and users can program up to 1000 automatic items.

Midea Commercial Microwave Oven comes with five power levels up to 1000 watts thanks to a magnetron with a rotating antenna. The oven also has three cooking stages.

An LED display helps you manipulate the oven with a cooking area of 25 liters or just under one cubic foot. The durable door opens beyond 90 degrees for easy entry and access while featuring an EZ Grab and Go handle. The interior light can be activated without opening the door to check on your food.

Price [$$]

Ease of Use [****]

One-touch controls make it easy to manipulate this microwave oven, and the oven cavity light can be activated without opening the door to check the progress of your food. Along with the touch pad dial and braille navigation, the ADA compliant device has an electronic dial timer.

The EZ Grab and Go handle is reliable and has no moving parts.

Design Quality [***]

This light-duty oven is designed with five power levels reaching 1,000 watts of power. Though light duty, the oven meets the demands of the commercial industry and is a favorite among home owners as well.

Warranty [****]

The warranty on this product includes three years on the magnetron and one year on parts and labor.

Where to buy Midea Commercial Microwave Oven

Pros

  • One touch usage
  • EZ Grab and Go handle
  • Door opens beyond 90 degrees

Cons

  • The fan runs loudly

Black+Decker Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door

The Black+Decker Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door is a professional-style microwave with 1.4 cubic feet of cooking space and 10 power levels maxing out at 1,000 cooking watts. The oven’s glass turntable is removable to make the cooking area even more spacious.

The Black+Decker Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door uses advanced technology to heat food evenly and defrost more efficiently without overcooking. The oven comes programmed to cook six common food items with the touch of a button, including popcorn and pizza. A large LED display has a digital clock readout and can display a timer or cooking time.

Price [$$]

Ease of Use [***]

Users can easily use pre-programmed buttons to cook popcorn, baked potatoes, pizza, frozen vegetables, warm drinks, or leftover dinner plates. The push-button door allows for easy access, and the touch pad controls are user friendly.

Design Quality [***]

A large digital display is easy to read, and the interior light is useful to monitor your food as it cooks. Parents appreciate the oven’s child safety lock.

The Express Cook option can be used for one to six minutes at full power by touching the corresponding number. The stop button will cancel cooking at any time during the process.

The turntable, at just over 12 inches in diameter, rotates to promote even cooking and avoid hot spots. The glass item is easily cleaned and dishwasher safe.

Warranty [***]

This product comes with a limited one-year warranty.

Where to buy Black+Decker Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door

Pros

  • Heats food evenly
  • Spacious cooking area
  • Programmed to cook six common food items

Cons

  • Sometimes opening the door or pushing buttons causes the microwave to move on the counter

Conclusion

At the conclusion of our GE Profile PEM31 review, we gave the GE microwave three stars. We love the option of hanging the oven under the cabinets to conserve space, and the trim kit is a great perk to keep your kitchen looking attractive. Even if you do not hang the microwave, it is compact enough to leave space on most kitchen counters.

In the end, we looked at four very good microwave ovens. Only you know your individual needs and preferences. We just hope our review helped you narrow down the microwave that may be best for you.

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