Microwaves help you get hot food on the table in a hurry, so you can prepare fast, delicious and nutritious meals to satisfy your appetite or feed a hungry crowd. With a wide variety of available models and options, microwaves are designed to meet a diverse range of needs. Choose from basic models that make heating up a frozen meal quick and easy and high-end models that provide a wealth of convenient cooking options right at your fingertips. With solutions for everything from compact to spacious environments and classic looks to modern styling, there is a microwave that is perfect for your kitchen. Whether you are purchasing your first microwave or looking to upgrade your existing one, consider the following questions before buying:
- Which microwave style best fits in with your existing kitchen?
- Are you preparing small meals or large family feasts?
- Do you want to crisp and brown food in addition to microwaving?
- Will you use it to primarily warm and reheat food or prepare entire meals?
- What special features would you like to have available?
Cooking Options and Microwave Styles
The days of using a microwave simply to reheat coffee or warm up a TV dinner are over. Modern microwaves give you the ability to whip up nearly any recipe in your cookbook, and they help you do so quickly and efficiently. From softening butter and simmering sauces to defrosting a roast and cooking vegetables, these appliances have food ready to eat with the touch of a few buttons. Choose from three different styles, countertop, over-the-range and built-in. Each one offers a range of power and capacity, so it's even easier to narrow down the options and find an ideal fit.
Cooking Options: Standard microwaves enable you to defrost, reheat and cook a variety of foods. Some models make cooking easier by providing one-touch controls for items like popcorn, pizza or potatoes. Others allow you to store the settings for specific recipes so you can perfectly recreate your masterpieces time and again. In addition to standard units, convection microwaves are available, which combine microwave and convection heating in one convenient appliance. These units tend to be more expensive, but offer the added ability to crisp and brown foods as well as heat them more quickly.
The days of using a microwave simply to reheat coffee or warm up a TV dinner are over. Modern microwaves give you the ability to whip up nearly any recipe in your cookbook, and they help you do so quickly and efficiently. From softening butter and simmering sauces to defrosting a roast and cooking vegetables, these appliances have food ready to eat with the touch of a few buttons. Choose from three different styles, countertop, over-the-range and built-in. Each one offers a range of power and capacity, so it's even easier to narrow down the options and find an ideal fit.
Cooking Options: Standard microwaves enable you to defrost, reheat and cook a variety of foods. Some models make cooking easier by providing one-touch controls for items like popcorn, pizza or potatoes. Others allow you to store the settings for specific recipes so you can perfectly recreate your masterpieces time and again. In addition to standard units, convection microwaves are available, which combine microwave and convection heating in one convenient appliance. These units tend to be more expensive, but offer the added ability to crisp and brown foods as well as heat them more quickly.
- Capacity ranges from compact (0.5-0.8 cu. ft.), mid-sized (0.8-1.4 cu. ft.) and large (1.4 cu. ft. to over 2.0 cu. ft.) models
- Power varies from 600 to 1,300 watts with higher wattage units delivering faster heating
- Convection microwaves crisp and brown as well as quickly heat food
Countertop Microwaves: Countertop units rest on any open surface in your kitchen and can be easily moved. These freestanding microwaves are portable, allowing you to take the unit with you when moving to a new home or apartment. They are available in the widest selection of sizes and power capabilities and come in all price ranges, so you are sure to find one that suits your needs and budget. Some models even give you the choice to mount the unit underneath a cabinet to provide more placement options and free up valuable counter space.
- Sit on a countertop or table and are easy to move
- Come in the widest variety of capacity and power ranges
- Offer economical solutions for any budget
- Versatile features and capabilities for a perfect fit in any kitchen
Over-the-Range Microwaves: Over-the-range models install above your range or cooktop in place of a range hood. They function just like countertop microwaves, but provide the added benefit of eliminating smoke, steam or cooking odors from the kitchen with a built-in ventilation system. These microwaves feature a powerful fan whose efficiency is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFMs. Some models incorporate a hidden vent design, which offer a sleek, clean appearance. To draw airborne irritants away, some microwave ventilation systems recirculate the air through an internal filter while other models draw them away through an external vent. Over-the-range microwaves also include cooktop lights for greater visibility. Installation of an over-the-range unit can be tricky, so it may be necessary to consult a professional. Most models range from mid- to large-sized capacities, though they're not as deep as countertop microwaves and cost a little more.
- Combines the function of a range hood and microwave in one unit
- Installs over your range or cooktop for space-saving operation
- Built-in light brightens your cooking surface to give you a better view
- Capacity ranges from mid- to large-sized units (1.0 cu. ft. to 2.0 cu. ft. or more)
- Professional installation is recommended
Built-In Microwaves: If you're short on counter space and don't have room above your range, a built-in microwave may be just what you need. These models can be installed into a wall or cabinet for convenient operation that won't interfere with your cooking routines. The mid- to large-sized capacity and high-powered operation give your busy kitchen the extra edge you need to get great-tasting meals on the table night after night. This space-saving option comes with a slightly higher cost than countertop models and is an ideal solution for your sleek, modern kitchen. Advanced electrical knowledge is required for installation, so consult with a professional for help in getting your unit up and running.
- Installs directly into a wall or cabinet for space-saving convenienc
- Capacity ranges from mid- to large-sized (1.0 cu. ft. to 2.0 cu. ft. or more)
- Higher watts deliver more power to cook food quickly
- Requires a larger investment upfront than countertop units
- Professional installation is recommended
| Type | Capacity | Power | Installation and Usage |
| Countertop | 0.5 cu. ft. (compact) to over 2.0 cu. ft. (large) | 600-1,300 watts |
|
| Over-the-Range | 0.8-1.4 cu. ft. (mid-sized) to over 2.0 cu. ft. (large) | Usually exceeds 800 watts |
|
| Built-In | 0.8-1.4 cu. ft. (mid-sized) to over 2.0 cu. ft. (large) | Usually exceeds 800 watts |
|
Features
Automatic Defrost: Some models allow you to select the type of food and weight you wish to defrost. The microwave will automatically determine the optimum power level and cook time to ensure thorough defrosting, saving you from having to guess or continually check to see if food is ready.
Convection Cooking: Convection heating circulates air evenly around food and is used for crisping and browning or in combination with microwave heating for faster cooking. Convection cooking in a microwave allows you to prepare a wider range of foods, including meats such as roast chicken or browned hamburger.
Sensor Cooking: Models with this feature assess moisture levels in food as it cooks and automatically adjust power level and remaining cook time to ensure even heating. While you'll still need to check food to make sure it's done, sensor cooking removes a lot of the guesswork from microwaving.
Child Lock: By enabling you to lock the control keypad, models with a child lock system allow you to prevent accidental use, keeping the kitchen safer for your little helpers. This feature also prohibits activation when you're wiping down and cleaning the keypad.
Turntable/Movable Tray: Most models feature a turntable that rotates food to ensure even heating. In some microwaves, you can remove the table to create extra space for large or oddly shaped cookware. A few newer models offer a movable tray which serves the same purpose as the turntable but makes it easier to accommodate rectangular pans that won't fit on a round table.
Shortcut/Convenience Keys: These helpful pads allow you to prepare specific foods such as popcorn, pizza and beverages with the touch of a single button. Basic models give you a few options while high-end models are likely to provide a multitude of one-touch options, an especially useful feature for individuals and families that microwave frequently.
Time Cook: Some microwaves allow you to program two different cook times and power levels for a single dish, a feature that comes in handy when cooking foods such as rice that require different heat settings for different lengths of time. You can open the door, stir your food and resume cooking without having to reprogram your settings.
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