Microwave for home: how to choose the right one

Today, there is hardly a person who would not have heard of the benefits of using microwave ovens at home. Thanks to this kitchen appliance, it has become easier to reheat food, and sometimes even to prepare some dishes.

In this article we will tell you how to choose a microwave and what to look for when buying.

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Since the appearance of this invention in 1945, his models have improved so much that, from huge in weight, they (340 kg!) have become compact devices that can easily fit even in small student little rooms. In addition, their cost has also decreased significantly, and now kitchen appliances that could previously be affordable except that restaurants and large food chains have become indispensable devices in the kitchen of most housewives.

In the context of a large number of offers of various brands and models, the question often arises of which microwave is best suited for a household.

Which microwave to choose: conditions of use

It should be remembered that a good microwave is not necessarily the one with the highest power, the largest volume of the inner chamber, the most functions, or the highest price. If the kitchen device will be mainly used for heating food, then a small microwave oven without a variety of "bells and whistles" is ideal. You should not buy kitchen utensils that cannot be used at full capacity due to the high the price of electricity or the insufficient quality of the dishes cooked in it, compared to the kitchen slabs.

If the microwave oven is planned to be used for defrosting food, preparing specific dishes (and modern appliances are equipped with cooking functions for steam or grilling), then you should take care of purchasing a device with a large number of functional opportunities. You should be aware that such products will cost more.

You should also take into account the size and capabilities of the kitchen space - a too small room should not be cluttered with a variety of appliances just because of their status.

Choosing a microwave oven for your home: characteristics (inner coating, power)

The main characteristics of microwave ovens include:

• chamber volume of the device;
• power consumption;
• interior decoration material of the chamber;
• grill type;
• type of control.

The main indicator when choosing a microwave oven is the volume of the internal chamber of the device. As a rule, in small devices of 12-17 liters, the minimum number of functions is implemented, allowing you to reheat food, defrost food or prepare standard meals for one person.

But do not ask for too large devices if there are a large number of people in the family. Often housewives prefer to cook more often, but so that there is always fresh food on the table (for people who prepare food for 3-4 days in advance, this rule is exactly the opposite).

Microwaves for 17-20 liters may already include additional functions - grill and convection. Appliances with a volume of more than 30 liters allow you to cook large quantities of food or bulky dishes (like whole bird carcasses, etc.).

For a good microwave device used for heating food, a power consumption of 800-900 watts is sufficient. For devices equipped with a grill function, you should select the optimal power in the range from 1200 to 1500 W. It is considered that the minimum power for a convection oven is 1350 W. It is better if this figure is in the range from 1800 to 2000 watts.

Several types of coatings are used in modern microwave ovens for the home. Which one to choose? Advice:

• painted "under enamel": it is used in the most budgetary models, it is distinguished by its fragility and complexity of maintenance;
• heat-resistant enamel coating: also used in inexpensive models, but is easy to maintain - after each use, the device must be wiped with a damp cloth, and thoroughly once or twice a month flush out; not applicable in ovens with convection function, because it does not tolerate high temperatures;
• stainless steel coating: used in appliances with high temperatures, but requires careful maintenance due to the high adhesion of fat to the surface;
• bioceramic coating: heat-resistant and easy to clean, of the minuses - the high cost and the possible appearance of cracks with a strong impact.

The grill used in microwave ovens can be of two types: heating element or quartz. The latter takes up much less space, but is more expensive.

Models with mechanical control are equipped with knobs that allow you to select the time and power of work. The electric type of microwave ovens is equipped with buttons or a touch panel.

Basic and additional functions

A good microwave oven should have all the modes of operation with food required by the hostess. The following functions are implemented in modern models:

• Defrosting food. The function is presented in models with both manual and electric type of control.
• Warming up dishes. All types of microwave kitchen appliances are also equipped with this mode.
• Cooking meals. Cooking simple food can also be implemented in budget versions of a kitchen appliance, but more diverse possibilities are provided by expensive counterparts. In some of them, it is possible to prepare a particular dish by simply choosing a program.
• The grill function allows you to grill meat or vegetables.
• Some models are equipped with a bread maker function, which eliminates the need to purchase a specialized appliance.
• The presence of steam humidifiers in some versions of microwave ovens allows you to implement the "steamed" cooking program.
• Convection or additional hot air blowing makes it possible to cook food with a more uniform consistency. Modern expensive models of devices are equipped with a similar function.
• Self-cleaning steam mode eliminates the worry of removing food traces from the inside of the chamber, allowing you to do this with a simple push of a button.
• The odor removal function, which some models of ovens are equipped with, makes it possible to cook dishes one after another, without waiting for the kitchen appliance to ventilate from extraneous odors.

The right choice, taking into account the peculiarities of the interior 

Naturally, a good microwave oven should be in harmony with the color scheme of the kitchen space. For classic light kitchens, as a rule, light shades are chosen. If monotonous colors prevail in the kitchen space, it will be useful to diversify such a background with splashes of bright colors - red or bright green. Today's manufacturers provide a huge selection of colors for kitchen appliances.

Don't worry about the color of the device if it's placed in a kitchen cabinet. But here it is worth paying attention to how much the product weighs. In the wall cabinets of the kitchen room, you can place a device of minimum or medium size. So, a small microwave oven with a volume of internal space has a weight of about 12 kg, some models of 20 liters weigh a little more - up to 14 kg.

Larger models require placement on tables or in floor-standing cabinets (they are often placed in kitchen cabinets). The weight of devices with an internal volume of 30 liters, excluding products, is up to 20 kg.

What is the best microwave: check before buying

Many potential users of microwave ovens are concerned about harmful microwave radiation. And if the safety of products prepared in such a device has already been repeatedly proven by special studies, then the effect of rays on others still causes concern for many. To eliminate such thoughts, right before buying a device in a store, you can conduct a special test.

They put a mobile phone in the oven with a tightly closed door, after which they try to call the "locked" number. " A good device, made of quality material and without violations, should not transmit the signal of the device inside.

Today, the microwave has become almost as essential a kitchen utensil as a cookware or refrigerator. By choosing the right priorities and deciding on the real need to buy the right model, you can significantly facilitate the work of the hostess in the kitchen, freeing up time for other useful activities.