A unique kitchen planning solution, Sharp's Insight Pro Cooktop+Microwave Drawer KB-5121KS makes a perfect companion to a wall oven. Combining a 31.5-inch cooktop and a microwave oven into one appliance, this novel product makes efficient, if expensive use of space in the kitchen.

On the surface of this unusual hybrid you'll find a fairly typical electric cooktop. Made of glass-ceramic, this top offers four electric elements. Two are 6 inches, one is 8 inches and the fourth is a dual element that can be adjusted to 6 or 9 inches, depending upon pan size. In addition, this cooktop features a handy warming zone for completed dishes.

Below the cooktop is where this model really gets interesting. A pullout drawer holds a highly featured Sharp microwave oven. Foods can be gently lowered into the drawer for cooking, reheating and defrosting. You'll find it's easy to get foods in the drawer, but that it can be a bit trickier to lift hot, moist foods back out.

True to Sharp form, this microwave oven offers some of the most sophisticated features you can find on a microwave. Recipes and 36 categories of foods can be programmed for easy preparation with Sharp's flawless sensor. Automated reheating and defrosting cycles are provided as well. The spacious and convenient drawer offers automated opening and closing at the touch of a button -- pulling on this drawer can be a big mistake and can jam it.

Compared with microwave-only models, the KB-5121KS has a moderately sized 1.0-cubic-foot capacity and a fairly typical microwave power of 1,000 watts. Eleven power levels and a 30-minute keep warm cycle make this unit very versatile. Opting for this 2-in-1 product doesn't require giving up any features for neither the cooktop nor the microwave oven, although it will probably cost you more than the purchase of the two appliances separately. All in all, it's a unique space-saving alternative with a clever design. For this reason we have to give the Sharp KB-5121KS a resounding thumbs up.


Pros: Unique combination unit with excellently featured drawer microwave oven, great for space saving installations
Cons: More costly than two separate appliances, average cooktop design

Warranty
1 year