How to Choose the Best Microwave for Your Needs

Your Guide to buying the best Microwave

Overview

A microwave is a common kitchen appliance that can be used to quickly heat and prepare food. With so many features and models on the market, selecting the right microwave for your home can be a daunting task. With this guide, you can learn about the different types of microwaves, features to look for, and how to determine the best value for your money. By the end of this guide, you will have all the information you need to find the best microwave for your home.

Key features

  1. Size and capacity: Microwaves come in a variety of sizes and capacities, so start by considering how much counter or wall space you have and how large of a microwave you need.
  2. Wattage: The wattage of your microwave will determine how quickly it cooks your food. Lower wattage microwaves will take longer to cook than higher wattage microwaves.
  3. Design: Do you want a sleek, stainless-steel exterior, or are you simply looking for a basic microwave? Consider the overall design of the microwave that best fits your needs and home décor.
  4. One-touch cooking options: Many microwaves come with preset one-touch cooking options, such as for popcorn or frozen meals. Consider what type of food you'll be cooking most often.
  5. Additional features: Some microwaves come with additional features such as convection cooking, humidity sensors, or a defrost option. Consider which of these features you may need or want.
  6. Price: Finally, consider your budget. Prices can range from around $50 to up to $400 or more, so decide how much you can spend on a microwave.

See the most popular Microwave on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Convenience: Microwaves allow users to quickly and conveniently heat food.
  • Versatility: Microwaves can be used to cook, warm, and defrost various types of food.
  • Safety: Microwaves are safe to use, as they do not require open flames or hot surfaces.
  • Cost: Microwaves are relatively inexpensive and can be found in a range of prices.
  • Space-saving: Microwaves are generally small and compact, making them ideal for small kitchens.
  • Time-saving: Microwaves can cook food much faster than conventional ovens.

Cons

  • High Energy Usage - Microwaves consume a lot of energy due to their fast cooking times.
  • Limited Capacity - Microwaves have limited space and are not suitable for large meals.
  • Lack of Control - Microwaves lack flexibility in terms of cooking times and power levels.
  • Safety Risks - Microwaves should not be used to cook extremely fatty items which can lead to a fire.
  • Cost - While microwaves are relatively inexpensive, they can still be fairly expensive.

Best alternatives

  1. Convection Ovens - An oven that uses a fan to circulate hot air, producing even heat to cook food quickly and evenly.
  2. Air Fryer - A healthier alternative to deep-frying food, using very little or no oil.
  3. Toaster Oven - A smaller oven that can broil, bake, toast, and warm food.
  4. Steam Oven - An oven that uses steam as the main method of cooking, resulting in food that is more tender and juicy.
  5. Induction Cooktop - An energy-efficient electric cooking surface that uses inductive heat to cook food.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Kitchen Timer - an essential tool to keep track of cooking times in the microwave.
  • Microwave-Safe Dishware - dishware made of plastic, glass, ceramic, or paper specifically designed to safely be used in a microwave oven.
  • Oven Mitts - an essential safety tool to protect hands and arms from hot dishes.
  • Trivet - a metal or wooden stand to place hot dishes on after they have been cooked in the microwave.
  • Splatter Guard - a device used to keep the microwave clean while cooking.
  • Popcorn Poppers - an accessory designed to make popcorn in a microwave.
  • Stirring Tools - a spoon or other tool used to stir food being cooked in a microwave to ensure even heating.
  • Defrost Trays - a tray designed to defrost frozen food quickly and evenly in a microwave.

Common questions

  1. What are the power ratings for Microwave? Microwaves typically range from 600 watts to 1,200 watts in power, but some commercial models can go up to 2,000 watts.
  2. How many microwave watts do I need? The higher the wattage, the faster the cook time. Smaller microwaves typically have lower wattage and will take longer to cook. Therefore, it is important to consider how much time you have to prepare food when selecting a microwave.
  3. Do microwaves come with turntables? Yes, most microwaves come with a turntable that rotates the food while it is being cooked.
  4. What is the best size microwave for my kitchen? A microwave's size is determined by the cubic feet it takes up. Generally, the larger the microwave, the more food it can cook at once. Therefore, it is important to consider the size of your kitchen when choosing a microwave.
  5. What types of microwave features should I look for? Some features that are common in microwaves are pre-programmed settings, delayed start, defrost, power levels, and auto reheat. Depending on your needs, you may want to look for a microwave with more advanced features.
  6. How much should I expect to pay for a microwave? The price of a microwave can range from $40 to several hundred dollars depending on the size, features, and brand.

Trivia

A popular urban legend about microwaves is that they cause cancer or other hazardous health effects. This is not the case. In fact, studies have shown that microwaves are safe to use and don't emit any radiation that could be linked to cancer or other health problems. According to the American Cancer Society, "There is no convincing scientific evidence that the small amounts of non-ionizing radiation [from microwaves] produce health effects in humans."Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.