How to choose a Microwave Oven?

Microwave Oven has become a "must have" appliance for every kitchen from a simple job of

It is very important to know basic things about the Microwave Ovens before you jump for buying a new one, as it could save you lot of money by choosing right type of Oven depending on your need.

warming frozen food, reheat packed food, bake cakes to even cook complicated dishes.

Microwave ovens are not just capable of warming or defrosting your frozen food items but it is more than that. Microwaves can cook the foods much quicker than a Gas stove or regular ovens and prepare your meals in a healthy way without loosing the nutrients.

Range of Microwaves:

They save your money by consuming less electricity, consume less time and prepare your food in a healthy way. Before buying a new Microwave Oven you should know what size suits you. Compact ovens are usually 500-800 watts powered while mid sized ovens 800-1000 watts. Full sized microwaves are powered by more than 1000 watts and can cook much faster.

Type of Microwave Ovens:

Microwave ovens are categorized into three types based on the cooking technology they use.

• Solo
• Grill
• Convection

Solo:

These microwave ovens are called basic Microwave ovens as they can perform some basic

Solo Microwave

functions such as warming your food, defreeze the frozen items or even prepare the popcorn. These ovens can't cook whole meals. Only Plastic, glass and non metallic utensils are allowed to be used with this type of ovens. These ovens cost lower compared to other types of Microwave ovens.

Grill:

These microwave ovens have grill coils besides the microwave to cook the food, thus adding the grilling function to your microwave oven. The grilling function creates the roasting process thus helps in browning of the food. You can easily cook the chicken, make toasts etc in this type of ovens.

Grill Microwave

Convection:

These Microwave combine the cooking functions of micro waves, grills and a blower which blows hot air evenly inside the microwave oven. This type of Microwave oven is a complete cooking solution and can perform complex and multi-stage cooking.

You can bake things, make biscuits, cook full meals etc.

Convection Microwave

Based on Usage:

Home (Singles or Couple): A single home user or a couple needs a small sized Microwave with 20 litres capacity. It should perform some basic functions like reheating the pizza for dinner, cook instant noodles, make pop corn. Thus a Solo Microwave oven fulfills all these needs.

Mid-Sized Family: For a mid-sized family of 4-5 members a 25-30 litre grill or convection fulfill all the cooking needs. It can cook breakfast, reheat the already cooked food, instant cooking or prepare some delicious recipes.

Big Family or Small Bakery Shop: The convection microwave ovens bigger than 30 litres with flexible power level settings can perform the complex functions like baking, make patties, prepare biscuits and cakes which fulfill the needs of a small bakery shop or a huge family.