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Buying Guide For Microwave Oven in 2018

Home microwave ovens are sold in several sizes and styles. The four major types of microwave are:

  • Countertop Models
  • Above-Range Units
  • Microwave Drawers
  • Combination Microwave Ovens
  • Countertop Microwave Ovens

A microwave oven (also commonly referred to as a microwave) is an electric appliance that heats and cooks’ food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range. Food is more evenly heated throughout than generally in other cooking techniques. Microwave oven was accidentally discovered in 1945, by Percy Spencer, an American self-taught engineer from Howland, Maine.

Microwave ovens are a common kitchen appliance and are popular for reheating previously cooked foods and cooking a variety of foods. They are also useful for rapid heating of slowly prepared foodstuffs, which can easily burn or turn lumpy when cooked in conventional pans, such as hot butter, fats, chocolate or porridge. Microwaves combine speed with versatility and technology to create a smart kitchen appliance, in an array of styles and colours.

An expert, unbiased guide to buying a new microwave oven, including types and styles, sizing a microwave and features.

A conventional microwave oven emits microwaves (electromagnetic rays) that pass-through glass and plastic containers to cook food. A convection microwave oven combines basic microwave technology with radiant heat and circulating hot air to let you roast, brown, and grill foods. Convection microwaves have a heating element as well as a fan to circulate the heated air. This results in a more efficient cooking.

Bajaj Solo Microwave Oven

Styles of Microwave Ovens

 

Home microwave ovens are sold in several sizes and styles. The four major types of microwave are:

  • Countertop Models
  • Above-Range Units
  • Microwave Drawers
  • Combination Microwave Ovens
  • Countertop Microwave Ovens

 

1. Countertop Models

They are also called compact or portable microwaves, are the smallest type and the most popular choice among consumers for reheating foods, thawing frozen food, making popcorn, and similar incidental cooking tasks. Countertop microwaves are portable—you can take them with you when you move. And they are affordable

2. Above-Range Microwave Ovens

Above-range (also called over-the-range) microwaves are designed to be installed above the kitchen range. They have exhaust fans for venting steam and filtering smoke from a stove’s top burners. Most models have multispeed fans that recirculate air using replaceable charcoal filters. These units do not need to be vented outside. Some exhaust fans also switch on automatically if a stove top becomes too hot, protecting the microwave oven. Because above-range models require space over your stove, you may have to remove a cabinet before installation.

3. Microwave Oven Drawers

Microwave drawers are relatively new to the marketplace, favoured because they don’t consume valuable counter space, but offer all of the convenience of microwave ovens. Though installing one isn’t as easy as setting a microwave oven on top of a counter.

 

4. Combination Microwave-Conventional Ovens

These are the most luxurious option, offering a built-in conventional oven and microwave in the same space. The microwave typically is on top of the larger conventional oven. These dual ovens have drop-down doors and a sleek stainless design.

Microwave Oven Size & Power

 

Cooking full meals for an entire family requires a large model and high power. If you want to do more than cook popcorn or bake a potato, buy a mid- or full-size oven. Higher wattage heats food more quickly. More power is better for cooking entire meals. Compact microwaves—the smallest ovens—work well in dorm rooms, offices, and apartments. The compact unit should be able to hold one dinner plate. The lower the power, the longer it takes to cook a meal.

Microwave toaster ovens are a “do-it-all” version of the compact microwave: They warm meals for one, heat water for tea and cocoa, and toast bread and bagels. Fancier models may offer up to 24 toaster settings and 10 automatic cooking settings.

Today’s microwaves offer innovative features, such as convection, grilling and steam, to quickly make delicious meals. With the ability to evenly heat and brown, you can create gourmet food in almost no time. And since there are a variety of microwave sizes and designs available, you’re sure to find the ideal model for your needs.

Some Tips When Buying a Microwave Oven

Which Features You Want in Microwave Oven?

 

Before you choose a microwave oven, it is important to know what features you want in it. Many microwave ovens have different features such as convection, grilling, browning, and baking. Apart from this, nowadays there are additional features like child-lock, auto-cook, defrost, preheat, timer and many more. Some of the features you must have in your oven are –

  • Auto-Cook – If you are busy most of the time, then you must look out for this feature in your microwave oven. You don’t have to do much apart from cutting vegetables, just press the button of the particular dish name and your meal is ready.
  • Defrost – When it comes to heat the food kept in refrigerator then let’s say defrost option is your saviour; where you can heat the food and enjoy while eating.
  • Preheat – Usually this function is important. If you want to cook some dish which requires the oven to be at certain temperature then, preheating is required. If you buy microwave oven, look out for this option.
  • Timer – This particular option allows you to set time for cooking.  You can specify the timing for cooking according to the requirement.
  • Panel Types- There are three types of panel present- Mechanical, Tact dial Type, Feather touch type. Usually for rough use mechanical and tact dial type are preferred. They come in low-end models whereas feather touch comes in high-end models. Feather touch panel adds to the design in your microwave oven which can sense your fingers, just like touch-screen.
  • Power Consumption If you usually cook in microwave and have a big family then look out for such microwave which will be efficient in power consumption. If the voltage is higher, microwave oven is more efficient and quicker.
  • Grilling and convection – This particular feature is very important if you are looking for weekends with grilled chicken and baked food.        

 

What to Look in Microwave Oven While Buying ?

 

  • Sensors – This is an important feature present in microwave oven because it adjusts your cooking and avoid overcooking or undercooking. Without monitoring the progress you can preset to cook or defrost or reheat the food.
  • Size If it comes to size look out for a microwave which can adjust in your kitchen space. Usually for medium size family thirty litre  microwave oven is preferred whereas for one to two people twenty litre is a right choice.
  • Safety and Care Generally microwave ovens are safe and easy to use, but you must look out for the manual instruction to how to take care of your appliance. Safety is a must before you buy any electronic appliance.
  • Warranty When you buy any electronic appliance it is important to look out for warranty period. Usually warranty period for every microwave oven is one year and make sure you have one.
  • Design & Extra Feature Some microwave ovens have additional features like trays, turntables, moisture sensors which are  an added advantage for you. Nowadays, in microwave who can easily view your food while cooking. Such window design feature is famous in market.

 

If you are looking to buy microwave oven then go through these points and make a fair decision according to your requirements and suitability. In market there are lots of option to go through and make a choice. Many different brands with some peculiar functionality and features are present. But the best choice is made when you know what you really want. Here is the list of some of the best microwave ovens available in India with best choices.

Popular Selling Microwave Accessories

Accessories help you to make your cooking more easier and delicious as well as time saving. Here are 4 basic accessories which be a lot of helpful with Microwave Ovens.

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