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  • Design and Usability

  • Performance

  • A Tough Sell

  • Cooking Performance

  • Sound and Features

  • Heating and Defrosting

  • Design and Usability
  • Performance
  • A Tough Sell
  • Cooking Performance
  • Sound and Features
  • Heating and Defrosting

Design and Usability

Attractive exterior

The FGMV175QF features a sleek, transitional look designed to compliment existing Frigidaire ranges and cooktops. We think this series will look at home in your kitchen, regardless of whether you prefer a modern or traditional aesthetic.

The FGMV175QF is coated in Frigidaire's Smudge-Proof stainless steel, and—true to its name—it does indeed resist fingerprints more effectively than regular stainless.

Just be aware that, as a result, it's a little darker than most trims. Unless you've already got matching Frigidaire products, it might not blend in perfectly with your other appliances.

Performance

All over the place

We'll cut right to the chase: This Frigidaire did not perform well. We expect a certain amount of uneven heating with most microwaves, especially less expensive models. Even so, all of the FGMV175QF's waves seemed to focus in on the very center of our test food. The result? A boiling center surrounded by lukewarm unpleasantness, regardless of what we tested. Specialty options, like Popcorn and Defrost, achieved only mediocre results.

The Frigidaire FGMV175QF over-the-range microwave.

The Frigidaire FGMV175QF over-the-range microwave.

The only bright spark in this otherwise dim performer was its sensor setting. While one section of our test baked potato was about 10°F colder than the rest, our remaining five sensors picked up heating levels that were surprisingly consistent given the otherwise poor performance.

A Tough Sell

Love is a compromise

We don't want to dismiss the Frigidaire FGMV175QF outright, especially given its better-than-average sensor mode. Also, it's current sale price of $329 makes it one of the more affordable over-the-ranges on the market. Just be aware that it's the sort of appliance that will work with you more than it will work for you, necessitating your attention to avoid burnt food and other culinary mishaps.

The FGMV175QF may still be an option if you're looking to match an existing Frigidaire range. That said, its spotty performance means we'd have to recommend the larger Frigidaire FFMV164LS over this one.

Cooking Performance

The Frigidaire FGMV175QF's popcorn setting was acceptable. Once the cycle was complete only 17 unpopped kernels out of a possible 300 remained behind, and only 12 were burnt. We don't like to see any burnt kernels at all, but this isn't a terrible result.

The FGMV175QF's sensor cooking mode was impressive. While it did overcook our food slightly, we measured a mere 6°F variance between the different sections of our test potato.

Sound and Features

The FGMV175QF is one of the quieter over-the-range microwaves available. We recorded a sound level of 46.7 dB during normal operation, and 61.0 dB when using the exhaust vent.

Heating and Defrosting

We expect the microwaves we test to at least heat water without trouble, but the FGMV175QF even had difficulty in this area. After four minutes, our test cup of water was still three degrees shy of our 212°F target.

We reheated a portion of macaroni and cheese using the FGMV175QF's default power levels. The resulting food exhibited seemingly even temperatures, with one notable exception. The center of the food was absolutely scalding at 192°F, while the surround edges where only 132°-136°.

Similarly, the defrost setting was decidedly uneven. At the completion of the four minute cycle, a number of frozen clumps were left behind, while other portions of our test food were overcooked.

Meet the tester

James Aitchison

James Aitchison

Editor

@revieweddotcom

Aside from covering all things sleep, James moonlights as an educational theatre practitioner, amateur home chef, and weekend hiker.

See all of James Aitchison's reviews

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