- Joined
- Jul 27, 2019
- Messages
- 13,016
- Location
- Midlothian, VA
- RV Year
- 2017
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- Ventana 4037
- RV Length
- 40' 10"
- Chassis
- Freightliner XCR
- Engine
- Cummins 400 HP
- TOW/TOAD
- 2017 Chevy Colorado
- Fulltimer
- No
My 2017 Newmar Ventana came with a whirlpool microwave which I was content with but it was definitely under powered. Food always needed extending cook times such as frozen dinners, etc. I never used the convection oven features of it. In my online RV community readings the GE Advantium seemed to be highly praised and it's a high line option for Newmar's diesel pusher lineup so I figured I'd give it a try even though I'm not a fan of GE appliances. With the "My Lowes Card" being a veteran I was able to get 10% off. No matter where you buy be sure to get the protection plan as we recently had someone that got one from Home Depot and it died after first use and Home Depot has an insane 48 hour window for problems before it kicks off to GE to handle via service.
I was going to have Newmar install this during a visit last December for a windshield replacement but the GE Advantium's can be hard to come by at times. Long story short mine didn't arrive in time so I asked the Newmar techs how to install it and I'm glad I did. Newmar's cabinet design requires screws to be installed at the front top and the screws go up and into the cabinetry above. This is not the normal way to install an over the range oven which normally has top down bolts. I had also learned that the GE Advantium was not as deep and you had to install a backer board to bump out the GE Advantium to ensure clearance when the microwave door was opened. Also of note before I forget is Newmar installed a drawer latch mechanism under the Whirlpool door to latch it closed as it's a bigger and heavier door and this latch is not required on the GE Advantium. By the way Newmar has a horrendous markup on this microwave at about $1900 with $200 or so estimated labor to install. You can get the microwave on your own for around 1100-1200 prior to discounts.
To remove your existing microwave you'll need to remove the vent cover on the front side at the top of your microwave which will reveal the screws Newmar used to secure the microwave. When the front is released you can lower it and then lift the back of the microwave off of the bracket it's just resting in, of course unplug it first. Very easy to remove the microwave.
When receiving your GE Advantium you'll remove the mounting bracket off the back and also change the orientation of the blower whether you're venting indoors or outdoors. It comes in the external/outdoors venting configuration. Install the backer board, I suggest 3/4 inch plywood. Next is alignment. I had problems with this and did mine several times before I got it right then when @Buly and I installed his I emphasized the alignment and we came up with a good plan. I set two small ottomans on the kitchen counter on top of a cloth/towel/comforter whatever you choose to protect your counter so that we could rest the microwave on something to keep it near the install location. You want the microwave to be level when the coach is level. Beware that Newmar has an odd cabinet design that slants down toward the front on the bottom. You want the microwave centered in the 30 inch space as well so do your measurements and determine where the mounting plate in the back needs to be. We measured from the front top down, then marked the back plate of the same to determine where to install the back bracket. Be careful measuring bottom up as again the bottom of the cabinets are not level, then slope down as they come towards the front of the cabinets.
With your mounting plate (back) installed you can feed the power cable through the hole to your outlet upper right and then rest the microwave in the back bracket. Get your left/right orientation, i.e. center it, then raise up the front and carefully install the screws, I recommend a 45 degree angle towards the back and about 5-6 screws. We drilled holes in the top of the microwave first as to where the screws would be installed prior to placing the microwave for final mounting. I preferred T-20 screws so you don't deal with stripping phillips head screws. Drill slowly so as not to crack the cabinetry and don't overtighten.
Overall it's quite simple and doing this yourself you'll save $1k and if you finance your motorhome the cost over X years is even more so some things like this are better done aftermarket if you can and are willing.
In my opinion the GE Advantium microwaves significantly better than the Whirlpool. As to all of the other cooking features I leave it to the chefs around here. I have cooked pizzas, sweet potatos, and a must test - cinnamon buns
I was going to have Newmar install this during a visit last December for a windshield replacement but the GE Advantium's can be hard to come by at times. Long story short mine didn't arrive in time so I asked the Newmar techs how to install it and I'm glad I did. Newmar's cabinet design requires screws to be installed at the front top and the screws go up and into the cabinetry above. This is not the normal way to install an over the range oven which normally has top down bolts. I had also learned that the GE Advantium was not as deep and you had to install a backer board to bump out the GE Advantium to ensure clearance when the microwave door was opened. Also of note before I forget is Newmar installed a drawer latch mechanism under the Whirlpool door to latch it closed as it's a bigger and heavier door and this latch is not required on the GE Advantium. By the way Newmar has a horrendous markup on this microwave at about $1900 with $200 or so estimated labor to install. You can get the microwave on your own for around 1100-1200 prior to discounts.
To remove your existing microwave you'll need to remove the vent cover on the front side at the top of your microwave which will reveal the screws Newmar used to secure the microwave. When the front is released you can lower it and then lift the back of the microwave off of the bracket it's just resting in, of course unplug it first. Very easy to remove the microwave.
When receiving your GE Advantium you'll remove the mounting bracket off the back and also change the orientation of the blower whether you're venting indoors or outdoors. It comes in the external/outdoors venting configuration. Install the backer board, I suggest 3/4 inch plywood. Next is alignment. I had problems with this and did mine several times before I got it right then when @Buly and I installed his I emphasized the alignment and we came up with a good plan. I set two small ottomans on the kitchen counter on top of a cloth/towel/comforter whatever you choose to protect your counter so that we could rest the microwave on something to keep it near the install location. You want the microwave to be level when the coach is level. Beware that Newmar has an odd cabinet design that slants down toward the front on the bottom. You want the microwave centered in the 30 inch space as well so do your measurements and determine where the mounting plate in the back needs to be. We measured from the front top down, then marked the back plate of the same to determine where to install the back bracket. Be careful measuring bottom up as again the bottom of the cabinets are not level, then slope down as they come towards the front of the cabinets.
With your mounting plate (back) installed you can feed the power cable through the hole to your outlet upper right and then rest the microwave in the back bracket. Get your left/right orientation, i.e. center it, then raise up the front and carefully install the screws, I recommend a 45 degree angle towards the back and about 5-6 screws. We drilled holes in the top of the microwave first as to where the screws would be installed prior to placing the microwave for final mounting. I preferred T-20 screws so you don't deal with stripping phillips head screws. Drill slowly so as not to crack the cabinetry and don't overtighten.
Overall it's quite simple and doing this yourself you'll save $1k and if you finance your motorhome the cost over X years is even more so some things like this are better done aftermarket if you can and are willing.
In my opinion the GE Advantium microwaves significantly better than the Whirlpool. As to all of the other cooking features I leave it to the chefs around here. I have cooked pizzas, sweet potatos, and a must test - cinnamon buns
