How To Buy A Microwave

Learn all you need in this Microwave Buying Guide

Are you searching for a microwave for your kitchen, office, or dorm, but you’re not sure where to start? Microwaves do more than just reheat food; they can pop popcorn without burning a single kernel, defrost frozen food, and even cook whole meals in a fraction of the time of conventional ovens. There are numerous models available in varying sizes and capabilities, so which should you choose? HowToBuyA will give you the information you need to purchase the right microwave for you. We’ll also share some links to microwaves that may suit your needs. Want to skip the How-To and get straight to the links? Click here for some HowToBuyA – Microwave Suggestions.

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What to Look for When Buying a Microwave

There are a few main points you should consider when buying a microwave: placement type, external size, internal size, wattage, available features, and price.

PLACEMENT TYPE

There are four types of microwaves according to where you want to place them: Countertop, Over-the-range, Built-In, and Drawer.

Countertop: As expected, countertop microwaves are normally placed on a kitchen countertop but may be placed on any stable surface that has enough space and can support the microwave’s weight, like a shelf or a table.

Over-the-range: Installed over the cooking range, in place of the range hood, over-the-range microwaves have a ventilation system capable of venting the steam and vapor coming from the range, as a range hood would do. Over the Range Microwave

Built-In: Built-In microwaves are designed to fit seamlessly in kitchen cabinets or walls, matching the interior design of the kitchen. They lack the above-mentioned ventilation capability of over-the-range microwaves. Many built-in microwaves come with trim kits that have vents to provide air circulation around the microwave while helping the microwave stylishly blend into the surrounding space.

Drawer: Drawer microwaves are installed under the counter and are opened by pulling them out, like a drawer. They provide easier accessibility for people who have trouble reaching high places, but that also makes them more accessible to children. Dishes to be microwaved are placed in from the top, which can make it easier to access the food to check the temperature or to stir.

Which is best for the kitchen? Countertop microwaves are usually less expensive than the other types. They don’t need to be installed and can be placed anywhere you have space. Countertop space, however, is a valuable commodity when you have multiple dishes to prepare at the same time or a large batch of cookies to bake for the bake sale. For these occasions, over-the-range, built-in, and drawer microwaves are preferable. These three alternatives to countertops all need to be installed and require a certain amount of altering the physical space (cabinets & walls) of your kitchen. Unless you are a DIY-er, you will have to hire someone to install your microwave, adding to the overall cost.

Electrical Considerations: Remember that over-the-range, built-in, and drawer microwaves will all require an electrical outlet in reach of the cord behind the microwave. For all microwaves of 1000 watts and above, including countertop models, it is recommended to use an outlet on a dedicated 20amp circuit to avoid tripping the breaker. In other words, the outlet should have its own line to the breaker box and no other outlets, appliances, or electrical devices should use this line. You should consult with an electrician for questions and assistance regarding your microwave’s outlet.

EXTERNAL SIZE

Once you figure out where you want to put your microwave, you will need to measure the space to make sure you choose one that fits. You will need to consider not only the width and the height but also the depth, both with the door closed and the door open.

Over-the-range microwaves must fit into a space that is fairly standard across the industry, so they usually measure approximately 30” wide, 17” high and 15” to 18” deep with the door closed. Over-the-range microwaves also come in a 10-inch-height low-profile design, offering a slimmer space without giving up too much capacity.

Built-In and Drawer microwaves must fit into the dimensions allowed by your cabinets or walls, and must include space for the cord and for proper ventilation of the microwave itself. These ventilation requirements will vary by manufacturer and model. Remember to account for the trim kit, if necessary, when calculating your size needs.

Built-In Microwave

Countertop microwaves offer the most variety to meet your space requirements. The smallest microwaves measure approximately 15” wide, 10” high, and 12” deep. The largest microwaves can be as much as 25” wide, 15” high, and 20” deep. Countertop microwaves normally vent from the back, so you will want to leave an inch or so gap between the back and the wall. Some microwaves are labeled both countertop and built-in and are able to be placed either on the countertop or built-in to the wall/cabinet with an optional trim kit.

INTERNAL SIZE

The internal size of a microwave, also known as its capacity, is measured in cubic feet. The capacity for microwaves ranges from 0.5 cubic foot for the smallest microwaves to approximately 2.2 cubic feet for the largest. When comparing microwaves, a simple method is to look for the size of the turntable. That diameter will give you an idea of what size dish or dishes will fit. The height from the top of the turntable to the inner-roof of the microwave will tell you how tall your dish can be.

Small: Most compact microwaves are between 0.7 and 0.9 cubic feet. Their turntables are approximately 10 inches in diameter, which can fit dishware the size of an average dinner plate or smaller. They can heat frozen dinners, reheat leftovers, pop popcorn, and heat liquids. They are great for students in their dorm rooms, singles in small apartments, and for lightly used office break rooms.

Medium to Large: Mid-size to large microwaves are between 1.0 and 2.0 cubic feet. Their turntables are from approximately 11 inches to 15 inches in diameter. They have the height to fit a whole chicken, and the width for a normal size casserole dish. Some have racks inside, allowing you to heat two dishes of food at the same time, one above the other. They are suitable for most families.

Extra Large: Extra-large microwaves are greater than 2.0 cubic feet and have turntables greater than 15 inches in diameter. These microwaves are large enough to microwave three or four dishes at a time. They can cook full meals and can save time doing so. They might be suitable for larger families, but they take up a lot of counter space and are probably overkill if you only heat one dish at a time.

WATTAGE

The wattage of a microwave determines how powerful the microwave is. Microwaves range from approximately 600 watts to 1250 watts. The higher the wattage, the more quickly the microwave will heat your food. If you just want to reheat leftovers, a lower-wattage microwave will do just fine. Otherwise, aim for 900 watts or more for faster and more even cooking.

FEATURES

There is a wide choice of features available in microwaves today. Here are some of them.

Microwave Keypad Keypad: Some very basic microwaves only offer dials to set the cooking time and power level. Keypads allow a much greater range of features, as you will see below.

Rack: Having a rack in the microwave allows for multiple dishes to be heated at the same time.

Automatic Defrost: Using the keypad, enter the type of food and its weight, and the microwave will determine the proper power level and amount of time needed to defrost.

Child Lock: Lock the microwave from accidental use by activating the child lock key on the keypad, for example, by using a long press of the key.

Menu Cook: Activate specific cooking times and power levels based on the type of food selected. Some examples include popcorn, frozen dinner, entrée, potato, vegetable, and beverage.

Sensor cooking: Depending on the sensor technology, the microwave is able to detect the weight of the food, the temperature of the food, or the steam level in the microwave, allowing the microwave to determine a suitable power level and cooking time and, as needed, to adjust those levels and times while cooking. Microwave with a Rack

Convection Mode: Using a heating element and a fan, the microwave is able to bake food (cookies, cake, bread, etc.) like an oven. Usually, both the microwave and the convection mode can be used at the same time with a combination or “combi” mode, speeding up the cooking process and resulting in a better end product. For example, using the combi mode when cooking chicken breasts will help prevent the rubbery texture that often occurs when microwaving chicken.

Grill Mode: Using a heating element on the inside roof of the microwave, this mode allows for toasting, browning, and broiling of food. Some microwaves with grill mode include a fan to provide convection cooking. Again, both the microwave and the grill mode can usually be used at the same time.

Inverter technology: All microwaves come with power levels, usually 1-10. But many microwaves cannot actually decrease the heating level inside the microwave. Instead, the microwave turns off the microwave radiation that heats the food for a short time and then back on. This all-or-nothing approach often results in unevenly heated foods. With inverter technology, the microwave can produce continuous heating at reduced levels, resulting in food that is heated evenly throughout.

PRICE

Microwave prices can run anywhere from $50 at the bare minimum to over $1000. Countertop microwaves are normally the least expensive, generally ranging from approximately $50 to $200. For over-the-range, built-in, and drawer microwaves, prices generally range from $150 to $500. As you can imagine, as the size, wattage, and number of features rise, so does the price.