A microwave oven can be a simple device with basic functions such as power control and a timer, or it can replace several other kitchen appliances, including an oven. When choosing a microwave oven, the key is to determine what exactly you need it for. This is exactly what we will proceed from in our unusual collection of tips.
Purpose: to reheat and defrost prepared food
And also cooking oatmeal, melting cheese on a sandwich and making popcorn in a bag — all this is available on any microwave oven, because almost all microwave ovens have these functions. If you don’t need anything more than this and don’t want to overpay for unnecessary functions, the choice remains with the design of the device. In the budget segment, classic white models, bright options and retro-style stoves are available, and in size they will correspond to a volume of 20 to 23 liters — you won’t need more.
The internal coating does not play a big role — you won’t get it dirty much, but usually in such a budget segment of devices enamel is used, which is quite acceptable: modern enamels are easy to clean.
In the simplest microwave you can always find pleasant additions, such as a grill and Grill and Microwave + Grill modes, which allow you to create an appetizing crust on a dish or lightly fry cheese on hot sandwiches or semi-finished products, for example, pizza. It is always possible to adjust the power to heat different foods or defrost at different levels.
There are two types of control for such simple microwave ovens: with rotary controls (power, timer, sometimes modes) or with buttons. The first option is easier to use, the second is more convenient thanks to the presence of buttons like “+30 seconds” (which allows you to quickly set the warm-up time), as well as Pause and Cancel buttons.
Even in such simple microwave ovens, contrary to popular belief, you can cook a variety of dishes: poached eggs in a mold, steamed dishes in a plastic steamer, portioned omelettes directly in the molds, dietary casseroles, potatoes and other vegetables (eggplant, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots) in a bag, a biscuit directly in the mold where the dough was mixed (for example, “cupcake in a mug in the microwave”), poached fish and much more. A budget microwave does not necessarily mean low quality.
Purpose: not only to reheat and defrost, but also to cook, as in the oven
If you choose a microwave oven with convection, inside of which heating elements and a fan are installed for uniform baking, it is important to note that the convection mode can work either independently or in combination with microwaves, which significantly speeds up the cooking process. In addition, convection promotes uniform defrosting of food. Convection microwave ovens can completely replace a conventional oven in a small kitchen for a family of two or three people.
In such devices you can bake pies, bake meat, fish and vegetables, cook stewed dishes and much more. Additional functions of microwave ovens that mimic the operation of an oven include grilling and rotisserie. However, the latter mode is rare due to the limited size of the microwave chamber. At the same time, thanks to convection and the presence of a cooking grate, you can get even frying with a golden brown crust in a microwave oven.
The grill in microwave ovens is usually represented by either a top heating element (the most common option) or an infrared lamp (quartz grill). The infrared lamp makes the model more efficient by heating up quickly and saving space in the chamber. However, this option requires careful cleaning due to the nature of its operation.
Microwave ovens come with a regular magnetron or an inverter-controlled magnetron. In conventional microwave models, food may heat unevenly due to the magnetron cycling on and off during the cooking process. To ensure uniform exposure to microwave waves, such ovens use rotating tables. In inverter microwaves, the magnetron operates at low power, but constantly, which ensures smooth and even heating of food. This eliminates drying out, uneven cooking and allows you to use the usable oven volume as efficiently as possible, for example, for cooking on rectangular tins and baking sheets without the need for a turntable.
An inverter oven always costs more, but for using the Convection, Grill (sometimes with a spit) modes, the type of oven (inverter or traditional magnetron) does not matter much. Inverter control is more relevant for microwave mode and their combinations.
Goal: to prepare simple dishes according to the principle “press the button - you get the result”
In this case, you should pay attention to a microwave with automatic cooking programs. Each program is preset for a specific product weight, which must be specified when selecting a program: for example, Pizza, 400 grams or Chicken, 700 grams. In addition, the auto programs set the optimal time and power, as well as a combination of modes, such as Microwave, Microwave+Grill, Microwave+Convection, Convection and others. Most modern microwave ovens in the mid-range and premium segments have automatic programs, but sometimes they require adjustments, for example, reducing the weight of the product to better suit the intended cooking time.
Inverter-controlled microwave ovens cook more evenly, making auto programs that use microwaves more efficient. Therefore, if you plan to use a microwave for quick cooking without unnecessary hassle, it is recommended to choose a device with auto programs and inverter control.
It is important to consider that auto programs are often designed for small portions of food, especially if the oven power is low or its internal volume is small.
Built-in or free-standing?
As with the oven, the microwave oven of the middle and premium segments can be built in, which seems to be a very convenient solution. On the one hand, this allows you to integrate it harmoniously into the kitchen set, but on the other hand, the choice of models may be limited based on the size and parameters of the existing niche. A free-standing appliance also has its advantages: it can be used in the garden or temporarily removed if not needed, freeing up space in the kitchen.
Planning for installing a microwave oven is best done at the kitchen design stage. If the set is already ready, there is no point in undertaking a complex installation of a built-in model. When choosing a built-in microwave oven, it is important to pay attention not only to functionality, but also to parameters such as the quality of the door glazing. The ideal option would be a microwave with a triple-glazed door, where the glass can be easily removed for easy cleaning.
Which microwave is easier to clean?
If you are considering a model with convection and grill, then when choosing the internal coating of the microwave oven you will have to make a choice between ceramics, bioceramics and stainless steel. The first two options are usually easier to maintain, while stainless steel requires more maintenance but is durable. To clean stainless steel, you will need special products, while bioceramics can be easily wiped by steaming off dirt with a microfiber cloth.
In general, any coating will benefit from steaming off contaminants. Some models have a special steam cleaning program, for example, the Aqua Clean function in Gorenje microwave ovens. However, you can use a simple method: place a container with 500 ml of water with lemon juice on a turntable, heat the oven for 5 minutes at maximum power, then let it cool, open the door and wipe the chamber — this works in any microwave oven.
If the microwave is equipped with touch controls and the buttons are integrated into the control panel without gaps where dirt could get stuck, then it is much easier to care for such a panel.
Management: which is more convenient?
The simplest control — electromechanical with rotary switches or a basic push-button control — is present in models with a minimum set of programs and functions. Both options are quite convenient, but rotary switches are easier to learn, while push-button switches take some time to get used to; however, they always have so-called quick buttons, for example to increase the power or add 30 seconds to the cooking time — which is very convenient for reheating. In some models you can find a combination of “buttons + rotary controls”, which may be more difficult for an inexperienced user.
When choosing a microwave oven, you should never focus on the type of control — mechanical, push-button or touch with a display. The specific choice depends on the class and functionality of the device. If a model has a large number of programs, cooking modes and functions, then control inevitably becomes more complex. Therefore, the main focus should be on functionality and suitability for your purpose of using the microwave oven.
Remote control: necessary or not?
Some microwave ovens can be controlled via a smartphone using a special application. Some users consider this an unnecessary function and a marketing ploy, but remote control is really convenient, especially if the device has a lot of auto programs and recipes, and the control panel is small and inconvenient. In addition, the application can serve as a source of proven recipes, specially adapted for a specific microwave model, which significantly expands your cooking capabilities.
Cooking with steam: necessary or not?
Premium models sometimes offer a similar function (most often in built-in ovens with microwave and steam functions). However, as mentioned earlier, steaming can be done in any microwave oven, even the simplest one. To do this, you just need to purchase a container-steamer for a microwave oven — and you don’t need to worry about cleaning the device from scale, which is inevitable when using water and steam in a special built-in container.
Does the door open forward or sideways?
Opening the microwave door towards you, like an oven, is usually presented as an advantage. In this case, the control panel is most often located on top, which is convenient and provides good visibility. However, opening the door itself does not have significant advantages — it is a matter of user preference. The argument that the hinged door can be used as a rack for a baking sheet that is removed from the oven has its limitations: this mode of use can lead to rapid wear of the door. It is recommended to prepare the surface and rack in advance to safely remove hot food from the oven.
Is power important?
It may be surprising that such an important aspect is discussed at the end of the article, but the power of a microwave oven is usually equal to its capacity and is sufficient in most cases. Often, the technical characteristics of the device do not provide separate power for different modes, such as microwaves, convection, grill and others, which can confuse the average user. For example, a standard microwave with a capacity of 20-23 liters usually has a power of around 700-800 W, which is quite enough for basic cooking tasks.
Choosing a microwave oven is not difficult if you understand for what purpose it will be used. Our review will not touch on all the technical details and “disassembly down to the smallest screw” of microwave ovens, but will help you understand the types of devices, control methods, as well as which functions can be useful and which are unnecessary.