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I recently moved into a newly constructed spec-house. My builder selected the appliances for the house, so I did not have any input into the decision making. The kitchen was heavily upgraded on this house, with a Moenstone sink, Whirlpool Gold appliances (Microwave Oven, Double Oven, Refrigerator), Granite countertops and Merillat Cabinets. I like Whirlpool products and trust the brand name having owned this brand in the past. Having all of the appliances match is an added bonus. The stainless finish adds a touch of class to the look of the kitchen.

The Microwave Oven is a Whirlpool MH1170XS. This microwave mounts to the bottom of the cabinets. Because the appliances were purchased with the house, I was not involved in the installation process. However, it does not appear that installation would have required any exceptional skills or tools. This microwave oven is equipped with an exhaust fan and is designed to be used in conjunction with a stove top. For that reason, my microwave oven is attached to the cabinets situated directly above my gas range.

I have read other opinions regarding this Microwave and there seems to be a consensus that the Microwave exhaust system is both noisy and anemic. In terms of removing steam, I have not experienced any issues with that up to this point. My kitchen is well ventilated and this unit is located several feet above the cooking surface. As a result of previous reviews, I have been keeping careful watch on the steaming process to ensure that it is not going to negatively affect my cabinets. It would be a shame to allow an inexpensive exhaust system ruin costly cabinets. If I had been in a position to select the microwave, I may have gone with a product that had a higher rating as an exhaust system. As of this writing, the exhaust has not been an issue. I have currently been using this combination for about a month and a half. In terms of noisiness, I would equate this microwave to any other exhaust fan I have ever owned. I have yet to find a quiet system. There are three settings on this exhaust fan. The lowest setting is actually pretty reasonable, with the higher settings providing the type of noise I normally associate with exhaust fans. In a nutshell, I agree that the exhaust on this microwave is noisy. Probably not any noisier than regular range hoods that I have owned previously.

My microwave has the stainless steel finish. They are also available in Black over black, white and biscuit finishes. The stainless version is listed at the Whirlpool website as $319.00. Epinions has the basic model number (the last digit identifies the finish…for the stainless it is an additional S on the model number). The other finishes are listed at Whirlpool with an MSRP of $269. Epinions’ partner websites are showing this microwave starting around $249. In terms of microwave ovens, this places it in a moderate to inexpensive price range. Especially considering the added feature of the exhaust system. This unit has a 1.7 Cubic Foot capacity with 1000 watts of cooking power. The approximate dimensions (30W X 16D X 17H) fit adequately in the space above my range. The LED lighting and cooking controls provide an attractive addition to the sharp stainless steel finish. In terms of appearances, this microwave is sharp. The stainless finish will show fingerprints, but cleans easily. The unit appears to be well constructed.

The MH1170XS has a cooking rack and turntable inside. The cooking rack appears to be metal, but it must be a non-reactive metal because you can use it inside the microwave while it is on. The turntable automatically spins when it is inside the microwave (which for me is always). However, if an item inside the microwave is too big to spin freely, the turntable will stop when it meets resistance. There is a window in the face of the microwave that allows you to examine your food while it is cooking. There is also a light installed below the microwave that allows you to illuminate the cooktop. This is convenient for casting additional light when you are using the range, even if you aren’t using the microwave. It basically provides the same functions you would get from a regular range hood. The microwave advertises that it has washable grease filters, which I imagine would accumulate when using this product as a range hood, however, I have not yet needed to wash the filters. It does not appear that removing and cleaning the filters would be too difficult a task.

The cooking cycles are fairly easy to understand. The control panel is located on the right side of the unit. I normally nuke everything on high, but you are able to adjust the power settings before you use the microwave. If you have an item that needs to cook at a slower rate, this can be of benefit. This microwave also has autocook, reheat and defrost functions. Other than normal cooking, the only other feature I have used is the defrost, which comes in handy during those times that you forget to take something out for dinner. I don’t like meat cooked in the microwave…it tends to take on a texture that is not pleasing. However, it seems if meat is defrosted in the microwave and then cooked normally that it doesn’t have the same effect on the meat. This microwave also has a warm hold cycle for keeping items warm while the rest of your meal is being prepared. I have not used that feature either. In basic terms, this microwave cooks effectively and for me, it has appeared to exhaust effectively.

The Whirlpool MH1170XS comes with a one year warranty on parts and labor. I have not owned a Whirlpool product that has had any problems during the first year. I would probably not purchase an extended warranty on an inexpensive microwave like this one because I do not believe it would be very cost effective. If it were my decision to do over again, I think I may have gone with a slightly more expensive model that didn’t have the reported exhaust issues that I have read about regarding this microwave. Once again, I have not experienced that problem personally, but will update this review if an issue crops up.

If I were in the market for a microwave oven with an exhaust feature, I would probably shop around a bit before deciding whether to purchase this microwave or not. There are only a couple of reviews here at Epinions so far, but they trend toward the negative. Having said that, my personal experience with this microwave has only been positive. I can only submit my rating based on my own experiences. This microwave is designed to cook and operate similar to a range hood. This microwave has done both effectively for me over the past month and a half of ownership. The cooking functions are easy to understand, the unit has a nice appearance and there are several cooking options to select from. Based on these factors, I would give the Whirlpool MH1170XS four stars out of a possible five. I am concerned about the reports about steam not venting effectively, which may have to do with the venting installed in the house as much as the microwave itself. I have not yet experienced an issue like this, but am concerned enough to monitor the situation over the next several months. If I do experience problems, I will certainly update this review and adjust my rating accordingly.

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