How to choose a microwave oven (touch or mechanical) for home: the main functions of a microwave oven

The microwave oven is considered not so old type of kitchen equipment. Her age does not even reach seventy years. An inventor named Percy Spencer received a patent for these products back in 1945.

Initially, microwave ovens were used in large organizations and restaurants, since the cost of the device was simply enormous. In addition, the weight of this equipment reached 360 kg.

Now the microwave is a compact appliance equipped with a large number of functions. This is a completely familiar device that almost all families have.

Is microwave dangerous

There are many rumors about the threat posed by microwaves. The main one is radiation harmful to the body. But modern equipment is absolutely safe. Microwave safety is ensured by a special protective mesh and a magnetic trap that prevents harmful rays from spreading.

To make sure in the safety of the microwave

, you can do one interesting test. When buying, put your mobile phone in the device you like, close the door and call the device. If the network is not available, then this is proof of the absolute safety of microwave equipment.

Which microwave oven is better to buy

A microwave oven not only saves time and conveniently cooks food, but also provides good protection for the body. When cooking with microwave ovens, vitamins and other useful microelements are retained in food, which cannot be said about food that is cooked on a traditional gas stove.

Before choosing a microwave oven, you should decide on its purpose. In the event that you will use the device exclusively for heating food, it is better not to stop your choice on the most expensive and "sophisticated" options. A fairly cheap model with minimal functionality.

The most useful options for a microwave oven are heating food, defrosting food, having a grill and the ability to steam food.

You need to choose such a microwave so that it fully corresponds to your financial situation. The cost of this technique today varies from 2,900 to 10,000 rubles or more.

Of course, you can buy a microwave and it is much more profitable - from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles, but such products will be of questionable quality, and the food will take a very long time to warm up due to the insignificant power.

Main characteristics

After choosing the main functionality, you should study in detail the characteristics of microwave ovens. These include the following:

1. Volume. This parameter should be decisive when choosing, since it can be used to understand how much food can be heated in one go. There is nothing difficult here. If the equipment is purchased for one user, then a volume of 12 liters will be sufficient. For two, you should already get a device for 18-22 liters. For a large family, you should select the most spacious options.
2. Power indicators. The speed of cooking or heating products depends on them. The minimum power of modern microwave ovens is 450 watts. In expensive microwave ovens, it can reach 1800 watts.
3. The material from which the inside of the device is made. The cleanliness of the chamber and the service life of the product depend on this coating. At the moment, there are three types of coatings: enamel, stainless steel and bioceramics.

Enamel is considered a very wear-resistant and heat-resistant material. Carbon deposits are removed from it easily and quickly. In addition, the enamel is highly resistant to temperature changes. However, high temperatures are very harmful for her, because microwave ovens with such a coating, as a rule, last no more than 6-7 years. The main disadvantage of the enamel coating is the ability to easily scratch the surface, which adversely affects the service life of the equipment.

Stainless steel is a very tough material. A microwave from it is not afraid of temperature drops and strong heating. In addition, it is almost impossible to scratch or damage such a surface. but stainless coating also has disadvantagesassociated with the complexity of care and rapid pollution. Traces of carbon deposits and drops of fat cannot be removed as quickly and easily as from enamel. It will take a lot of effort here.

The bioceramic surface is an innovative development that combines the advantages of stainless steel and enamel. Scratch resistance, easy maintenance and high resistance to temperature fluctuations - these advantages make this material the best choice. Microwave ovens made of such material are much more expensive than their counterparts, but in this situation, the goal fully justifies the investment.

Control types

There are two types of microwave controls:

1. Mechanical. These devices have a pair of handles. One controls the power indicators, the other determines the duration of work.
2. Electronic. These microwave ovens are equipped with touch or push-button switches. Experts believe that push-button switches are of better quality and more reliable, however, the modernity and convenience of the sensors are very attractive to consumers.

Which microwave is better, sensory or mechanical, hard to say. It all depends on tastes and financial capabilities.

Main functions

It has already been said above that the following functionality of the microwave oven plays an important role:

1. Defrosting. Automatic or manual mode can be applied. The latter assumes independent adjustment of the speed and time of defrosting. The automated mode is guided by the volume of products.
2. Warming up. There are also two modes. In the case of automation, the product to be processed must be selected on the control panel.
3. Cooking. This feature, experts say, is for lazy people. It allows you to cook both dinner and lunch without much effort. You just need to place the product in the camera, select its name on the control panel and press the start button.

Additional features

In addition to the necessary ones, modern models also have additional functions:

• Grill. This option allows you to roast and bake meats and prepare delicious vegetable dishes.
• The bread maker allows you to make aromatic homemade buns and flour desserts.
• Double boiler. Steam humidifiers, which are built into some models of microwave ovens, allow you to steam dishes.
• Steam cleaning. It is used in more expensive models. It will be very pleasant for housewives who do not like to clean the microwave. You just need to run this option, and the microwave will clean itself.
• Removal of unpleasant odors. This function allows you not to wait for the device to ventilate after cooking, but to cook food one by one, without worrying about foreign aromas in the dishes.

Microwave utensils

An important point when choosing a microwave oven is the right cookware. These are usually glass, ceramics or porcelain.

In addition, special plastic containers are on sale today. You can distinguish them from ordinary ones by a special icon. One way or another, when purchasing a microwave oven, you should pay special attention to the pallets and containers that come with the package. Thanks to them, you can significantly expand the functionality of this kitchen equipment.