I don’t know about you, but here at That’s It we really depend on our microwave on a daily basis, which is why we find it so important to choose the right one. Here we’ve outlined how to choose a microwave oven for all your needs.
In order to pick the microwave that best suits your budget, what you want to use it for and how much space you have available in your kitchen, it is important to understand the difference between the types of microwave ovens, as well as what they can do.
Your microwave needs to be in a convenient space so that it’s easily accessible. In addition to the width and height of the microwave, you will need to decide on its capacity. Microwaves that take up a lot of space do not necessarily have the most inside cubic space. If you are looking for a microwave that can fit certain sized plates or containers, you’ll need to make sure that they will fit. For example, microwaves with two shelves are very practical, allowing you to use space efficiently.
The inside of the microwave will either have a turntable-like plate or a glass tray for placing your food onto. Rotating is an important part of microwave cooking, but the type of rotation varies from model to model. There are even some models that come with removable cooking racks for browning foods.
Countertop microwaves are most popular as they are the most accessible and reasonably priced, but they can take up the most counter space. There are also wall microwaves and microwave drawers, which can help free up counter space.
Built-in models are placed inside cabinets or worked into the construction of counters.
A microwave in the 900 – to 1000 – watt range would ensure that you have enough power to heat and defrost anything in your freezer efficiently and thoroughly. Most recipes specify that the microwave should produce at least 800 watts to ensure that the food is cooked or baked thoroughly and evenly. You don’t want to bite into a sandwich that is hot on the outside and still frozen on the inside, do you?
Convection models are more advanced than traditional microwaves. They are faster and able to bake and roast foods. These microwaves can cook a chicken, bake a cake, roast veggies, and heat up frozen soup. These types of microwaves are great for baking and roasting, with a guaranteed moist and appealing end result. Another feature is a grill function, which uses a heating element to brown and crisp food.
Certain microwaves have features that help to ensure meals are cooked to perfection. Programmable/built-in menu settings make it easy to select the correct option for various foods, such as cooking time and percentage power. A humidity sensor can also detect moisture levels and adjust cooking time and power accordingly. Defrost settings are also very useful to thaw out food rapidly without drying it out.
Some touch pads are easier to use than others. Larger buttons might be easier to read and some microwaves have special buttons for things like popcorn, frozen pizza, or just to add 30 seconds to the cook time. If there are certain buttons you use all the time on your current machine, make sure they’re on the new one you’re looking at.
Microwaves that have sensors cook just as long as necessary, so you don’t have to run it for four minutes if the job was done in two, or get up to check it every 30 seconds. This can also keep meals from exploding in the microwave, which will keep cleaning it much easier.
The power rating, or wattage, of the microwave determines how much energy the device uses. Larger ovens tend to have more wattage than smaller ovens.
The noisiness of microwaves can be determined by examining the “sones” rating. If the oven has a low sones rating, it is quieter.
The average microwave lasts 10 years — and some can function well for years beyond that so choosing the right one is important not only for its functionality but also because you’ll be using it for a long time. So, choosing wisely.