The Hotpoint RVM1535 is an affordable over-the-range microwave oven with a 1.5-cubic-foot capacity. It is designed for wall mounting under a cabinet. It provides 950 watts of power and has a two-speed, 200-CFM (cubic per feet per minute) venting system, which can be installed either to vent to the outside or to recirculate air within the kitchen.

Available in bisque, white or black, this unit has a sleek appearance and a wonderful oversize touchpad control panel with easy-to-read buttons. There is a standard keypad with numbers 0 through 9, as well Quick-Touch buttons for Auto Defrost, Time Defrost, Reheat, Time Cook, Beverage and Popcorn. We especially liked the convenience of the instant start keys (numbers 1-6 on the keypad), which activate the oven for their respective number of minutes. If you need a time in between full-minute increments (say 2.5 minutes), you can hit the 2 button, followed by the Add 30 Sec button to obtain the desired time. If you need a precise time, you can hit the Time Cook key and then enter the desired number of minutes and seconds.

This unit comes with a 12.5-inch glass turntable, which seemed rather small given the rather large interior. The turntable sits in a recessed cavity and accommodates plates and casserole dishes up to 12.5 inches. The turntable rotates foods during every operation for more consistent results; however, there is no mechanism to turn off the automatic rotation if, for instance, you wanted to use a large, rectangular dish.

We liked the oversize door window, which, combined with a bright interior light, provides a full view inside the oven while the unit is operating. The tinted black door contrasts with a faux metallic silver frame for a striking appearance. There is also an oven light underneath the microwave, which projects onto the stove.

We found that the microwave worked well for basic tasks, such as reheating leftovers, making popcorn and cooking prepackaged frozen dinners. The beverage button is designed to heat liquids in 4-, 8-, 12-ounce quantities and it does a good job, heating liquids to a 160-170 degree Fahrenheit temperature. If you have an amount in between (a 10-ounce mug of coffee, for instance), you are better off using the instant touch keypad to choose a time.

The Auto and Timed Defrost options were a bit weak, taking longer than expected to defrost frozen foods. The Auto Defrost setting for 1 pound of beef was 8 minutes. When using the Auto Defrost feature, the unit will beep at one or more points within the cycle to alert you to turn the food. The turntable rotates both clockwise and counterclockwise -- a feature that was interesting but seemed not to significantly affect the results.

There is also an option for multi-stage cooking, which lets you start cooking at one power level and finish at another; a digital clock/count-down timer; a delay start feature, which lets you preset a cooking cycle to begin later; and a child lock out feature.


Pros: Oversize touchpad controls, six one-touch instant cook buttons, One-touch Popcorn, Beverage and Defrost buttons
Cons: No sensor cook options

Warranty
1 year limited, parts and labor