Today, the microwave oven is one of the most important kitchen appliances and a necessity for most people. Microwaves are excellent kitchen companions and stay with you for approximately 10 years or more if handled with love and care, as they have a life of 10 to 15 years depending upon brand and quality.
So, when making a decision to buy your kitchen mate, you deserve to take your time choosing it and getting familiar with it.
To select the best microwave oven, you should quickly and concisely consider the following factors: your primary reason for purchasing, your specific needs, the number of people the oven will serve, the oven’s size and the available space in your kitchen, your budget, the oven’s wattage, and the brand’s reputation.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a brief buyer’s guide and information about microwaves so that you can conveniently choose a microwave oven for you.
Categories of Microwaves
Microwave ovens lie in three main categories according to the features and functions they perform. We list these three main types below.
- Solo microwave ovens are the most basic and simple type of microwave oven available. These are used for simple cooking tasks such as preparing coffee and tea, rice, defrosting drinks and food, and heating and reheating meals. You cannot use these ovens for complex cooking procedures, grilling, or baking. You can only use microwave-safe plastic or glass dishes in these ovens, but the benefit is that your food won’t burn easily.
- Grill Microwave Ovens: These microwaves are one step ahead of solo microwaves, and as the name shows, they are designed for grilling purposes besides all other functions performed by solo microwaves like defrosting, heating, and simple cooking. The grilling assembly and apparatus allow you to grill and roast meat and vegetables, but not bake.
- Convection microwave ovens: These are the most advanced microwave oven models, offering a variety of features that improve convenience and comfort in your daily life. These microwaves serve you a lot, from simple tasks to making complex dishes. You can bake everything from small cupcakes, cookies, and brownies to large breads, cakes, and pizzas. They include apparatus for grilling and roasting. We refer to these as convection microwaves because they evenly distribute heat from all directions, using a heating material and a fan to ensure uniform heating of the food and cooking of every particle.
Designs of Microwaves
Microwave ovens come in three different designs. These designs and models are highly stylish and can enhance the beauty of your kitchen, provided you choose them based on the available space. Some of these are described below.
- Countertop microwaves: Designed to fit on your countertop, these microwaves are the most convenient and straightforward model to own. They are highly portable, allowing you to easily move them from one place to another, and they are simple to assemble, requiring no special installation. You just have to plug them in, and they’ll start!
- Over-the-Range Microwaves: Located above the cooking range, these microwaves live up to their name. Unlike other microwaves, they are completely installed and fitted within your cabinets, complete with a built-in ventilation system and bottom lights to illuminate the cooking range area. This design of microwaves not only adorns your kitchen but also frees up space on the countertop, resulting in a more spacious and wide-looking countertop.
- People who prefer spacious kitchens tend to prefer built-in microwaves, which integrate seamlessly into the kitchen walls. Cabinets, either built into the walls or located underneath the cooking range, typically integrate with built-in over-the-range microwaves.
Factors to Invigilate When Buying a Microwave
When considering buying a microwave, you must look at the following features, including your requirements, your family size, the space of the kitchen available to you, and how much area is available in your kitchen to reserve for the microwave oven.
Capacity and Size of Microwave
When purchasing a microwave, it’s crucial to consider its size or capacity to ensure it meets your family’s needs. If you have a family of 5-6 members, an oven with a capacity of 15 to 20 liters will not meet your needs, and if you have a smaller family, a larger oven may be unnecessary and take up more space.
For example, a larger oven is suitable for roasting, grilling, and baking, while a smaller oven is sufficient for simple daily tasks. As a result, the microwave’s purpose also determines its size.
The Kitchen
The design, architecture, and layout of your kitchen greatly influence the design and type of microwave oven it can accommodate. Therefore, you should choose the best microwave and its design based on the theme and layout of your kitchen, whether it’s built-in, over-the-range, or countertop, to ensure a seamless integration with your kitchen.
For remodeling your kitchen or setting up your just-built kitchen, you can install an over-the-range oven or built-in oven. During a remodeling project, installing an over-the-range or built-in oven can significantly enhance your kitchen. You must save countertop space to place your oven on it otherwise.
Reliability and brands
Another factor to consider when buying a microwave is its reliability. You should buy an oven from reputable brands or manufacturers to ensure its longevity and for your own safety. Reading reviews on specific websites can help you learn about reliable brands and manufacturers.
The oven’s power is another important factor. The higher-wattage microwave would work nicely, produce higher temperatures, and aid in faster cooking than the low-wattage ovens.
Safety Features
You should examine the safety features of the microwave oven and prioritize those equipped with child safety locks. To prevent harm, we must instill caution in the children. Another risk is catching fires or food burns. Additionally, when using over-the-range microwaves, it’s crucial to position the oven far away and at a decent height from the cooking area.
Another criterion for choosing ovens is preprogrammed settings, such as preheat or defrost options and time regulators. It’s up to the individual whether they feel comfortable with these settings or not.
A brief wrap-up!
Choosing a microwave oven is not difficult, but you must be fully aware of your requirements, needs, preferences, work area, and budget.
Now that you are aware of the above factors and types of microwave ovens, we hope that you won’t be confused about which microwave to buy and can make the right decision promptly.