Lifestyle

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Microwave

Few appliances have taken the world by storm the way microwaves have. Since widespread usage began in the late 1970s, they have taken their place both commercially and on kitchen countertops as the utility appliance that you can’t do without. Easy to use, these handy gadgets can cook like an oven, without taking up the amount of space or energy cost. Renowned the world over for their ability to cook complete meals, reheat the leftovers or warm up a cup of coffee, microwaves have revolutionised cooking. Here are five things to contemplate when buying a microwave today. 

1. Size Matters

Depending on how much space you have, a bigger model can do more for you. Just as a small microwave oven can be perfect for a small setting, like a camper van or a tiny house, a bigger model can accommodate more of your needs, if you have the room. An oft-repeated complaint is that the cooking area in microwaves is too small to facilitate a full-sized plate or some other type of cookware, or a substantial item of food, like a whole chicken. The bigger model can eliminate this problem, and more. Bigger microwaves have more wattage, and this means more power and a faster cooking process. Indeed, a 700-watt model can probably handle big jobs like defrosting, but with a 900 or 1000-watt model, it gets done faster. If you’ve got the money and the need, a 1200-watt microwave is the latest ideal for power and speed. So, consider the sizes beforehand. 

2. Convection Microwaves Make Sense

The cooking revolution didn’t stop at the creation of the microwave. These days, convection microwaves stand apart as a pretty perfect appliance. Good appliance stores will carry these state-of-the-art devices. Besides providing the basic cooking features of a microwave, convection ovens can also bake and grill food, too. You could effectively replace a cumbersome oven with a much smaller appliance that does everything from broil to steam and loads more in between. 

3. Buying Used is Okay

There are likely as many used microwaves for sale as there are new ones. Often, people will trade up if they are doing a kitchen renovation, and an otherwise productive appliance might be replaced. The biggest draw is paying a lower price for a machine that has had the shine of newness taken off of it. A potential drawback is that it might not have programming options, or make too much noise for your taste. If you go used, pick a brand you trust, try to obtain a warranty and give it a shot. 

4. Utilising Programmable Microwaves Is Effective

Microwaves are programmable, and this can come in mighty handy. Though older models didn’t have programming options, over the years, they have become a part of the appliance’s DNA. Besides setting the clock, you should be able to choose between different settings to apply the proper heat to different things. Many come with shortcuts that you can programme in and one-touch auto settings. For instance, you might want to boil a mug of water for your tea, so you could press the number 1 button, which will heat the water to your specifications. Ideal, too, for longer applications, such as defrosting different items by weight.  

5. Consider Brands and Reviews

You’ve shopped before, so apply the same principles when investigating microwaves. What brands do you trust? Which have worked well for you in the past? Experience is the great equaliser here, so if you liked the way your old Sharp microwave worked, you might look for a newer model from the same company. Chances are, it’ll be as effective but with more bells and whistles. Lastly, investigate reviews so that you can process other people’s information and fold it into your needs. Often, you’ll read something that jump starts a concern that you might have overlooked. 

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