best microwaves

There are so many microwave oven reviews out there that it often gets hard to sift through them all, let alone pick out which are going to be helpful.  Without knowing what to look for, it can sometimes make reading through microwave oven reviews feel like you’re reading a foreign language.

With wattage power, things like CPM and terms like halogen/quartz microwaves, if you don’t have a good guide to help you get through them, reviews for microwave ovens can become more distracting than helpful.

So that’s what this is: a microwave ovens reviews of top products or performers.  In essence, your guide to figuring out how to get exactly what you want and what you need in a microwave oven while avoiding extra features you don’t want and overcharging.  In the sea of the Internet, floating around without this type of life preserver can be a dangerous thing.

Figuring Out The Different Types of Microwave Ovens Reviews Are Talking About

The first thing you’ll want to know about is what the new terms are.  We’re fairly sure you’re familiar with standard microwaves that heat, re-heat and cook foods like popcorn and TV dinners so we’ll spare you the details on that.  The real problem comes when microwave oven reviews starting tossing around terms like conventional versus convection.

Conventional microwaves are exactly the ones you already know about, the fast, cheap microwaves that convert electricity into radio-waves which are used to heat food.

It is very efficient because only the food is heated, not the air in the unit. This is probably the type of microwave oven you grew up with or have in your house right now.  If this is what you want, now you know what it’s called.

But the second term, one that is similar to convention, is the convection microwave oven.

This is a newer type of microwave.  Taking its name from the convection oven (the standard oven under a stove range in any kitchen), convection microwaves utilize a heating source and a fan to heat and circulate the actual air around the food (much like an oven heats the entire oven, not just the food).

This gives you some unique abilities such as being able to brown, crisp, bake and broil food inside the microwave.  These types of microwaves are choice for busier kitchens as they essentially double as a second oven.

They are also good for those who want to cook larger meals, entertain guests or pop out more than one main type dish/casserole / meat at once (but who lack a double oven).

What Are Halogen / Quartz Microwaves?

Another term you’ll probably see in microwave oven reviews is the Halogen / Quartz microwave. This utilizes the heat generated from halogen /quartz lights in tandem with the heat from microwaves (the radio waves) to grill meats and bakes foods.

Essentially, this is just another really neat option to have, especially if you’d like to have more variety in the kitchen without having to spend more time there.

What Wattage Microwave Oven Do I Need?

With microwave ovens, reviews are very good about telling you the power (measured in Wattage) of the unit, but not very good in explaining what that means.  For instance, you might see “800W” or “1500W” and know by deduction that the latter is more powerful, but do you need all that power?

For starters, know that microwaves should never be purchased on Wattage alone, but rather on the size of your portions.  When cooking for larger families (or just larger portions), go for more Wattage.  If you’re only cooking for yourself or 1-2 people, you can get away with a lower Wattage microwave, saving on not only the cost of the unit but your electricity bill as well.

The reason for this is that higher Wattage microwave ovens are larger meaning they can cook more food (larger portions), but require more Wattage (power/electricity / money) to do so.  The upside to this is that higher Wattage microwaves also cook food faster.

What Settings Do I Need?

Obviously, only you can answer this question according to your needs, but when looking through microwave oven reviews, look for the basics such as defrost and reheat.  The more features you have, the more your microwave is going to cost so while very attractive and convenient, only go for features such as bake, roast, grill and toast if you are sure you’re going to use them.

Even then, shop around for other microwaves that offer the same features, perhaps just at different Wattages or in different styles to see if you can save money.

What Are Pre-programmed Settings?

Pre-programmed settings just feature with set buttons that are used to activate them.  Use these to defrost, change power levels, cook or reheat foods without having to estimate the time and power levels you need.

The microwave has these settings already saved for you, most of which have been determined by studies to be the most common cooking times and power settings used by people when using the microwave.

Do I Need Sensors?

Sensors are the latest in microwave technology and ensure that your food cooks evenly and never overcooks.  The sensors measure the steam rising from the food as it cooks and automatically adjusts heat and power levels as well as turns the unit off when the food is ready.

This means you won’t have to open the microwave during cooking to check and adjust cooking times or power levels, something that interrupts the cooking process.  Essentially, it ensures you get the perfect meal, each and every time.

So, do you really need them?  No.  Will you be extremely happy you get them?  Absolutely.  Especially if you’re the forgetful type, a “bad” cook, prone to burning things, appreciate perfectly cooked/heated food or just don’t like to keep checking on the microwave. 

Best microwave buying guide

This is an era of great food and great gadgets. A lot of people have become more hooked into studying better culinary techniques while applying the convenience that a well-designed kitchen appliance can bring into the picture. Because of the impressive innovations in kitchen technology, preparing and serving food has never been more sophisticated and exciting.

It’s all about getting the right techniques and using the correct tools. Microwaves are one of the most versatile appliances you can find on the kitchen and choosing the best microwaves can be tough if one doesn’t know these features:

1. Oven size

Before going shopping, determining the available space in the kitchen for the oven is imperative. Family size is important as well. Determining the usual type of cooking which the microwave is intended for can be helpful. If it’s going to be used for a lot of family cooking, that oven must be 1.2 cubic feet or more. The size of the oven shows the range for the possible wattage of the appliance. The usual ovens range from 600 to 1000 watts. For bigger units, higher wattages are expected.

2. Variable settings

Cooking of various dishes with different properties will require a microwave unit that has variable settings. This will allow the cook to easily adjust the power settings, temperature, cooking time, and other factors in order to achieve their desired end product.

3. Ease of use

The microwave oven to be used does not have to be too complex for it to work efficiently. In fact, the simpler it is, the more convenient it is to use. Choosing a programmable microwave oven is very practical. This allows the user to save different cooking settings to be used for various dishes. A microwave with a turntable would be advantageous as well. The automatic turntable makes it easier to cook the dish evenly without the hassle of turning it while cooking. The controls must be easy to operate.

4. Efficiency

The market is shifting towards home technology that uses the least energy possible. That is the reason why there is a hype for energy-efficient appliances these days. This is a win-win for both the manufacturers and the consumers. In terms of cooking methods, a lot of people choose cooking with a microwave than using a stove. Apparently, the latter consumes less energy and can save them more money. Smaller and compact microwaves prove to be more efficient than bigger ones.

5. Special features

There are various innovations which have been made to make microwaves using a lot easier.  The child lockout feature is very helpful for keeping the kids safe while using the microwave. More expensive microwaves have convection features and built-in toaster or coffee maker. Reading the microwave reviews will provide a hint of the most practical models to buy for an affordable price.

6. Ease of cleaning

Since microwave ovens are used for preparing and cooking food, it is important for it to be cleaned easily and constantly as much as possible. Choose the microwave models which can be cleaned easily. The turntable must be detached easily for it to be cleaned and washed.