Microwave ovens have become so popular it's hard to remember what a kitchen was like without one. Typical microwave ovens use a power transformer to increase household voltage so that a magnetron can create microwaves powerful enough to cook food. Manufacturers are constantly improving microwave ovens with new technology to make them faster and smarter. Ovens offering 1,100 watts are common, but new inverter technology delivers 1,300 watts for quicker, more accurate cooking. Some models may include convection: a heating element and fan that distributes heat to speed up cooking. Convection cooking, sensor technology, and Web access are some of the latest features you can find now. Very soon, microwave ovens will be able to download favorite recipes from the Internet, follow the cooking instructions, and save them to memory.
Offered in a range of designs, there's sure to be one that works in any kitchen. Over-the-range models save space, but they must provide adequate ventilation for themselves and for the range as well. They include underside lighting and require a dedicated electrical outlet in the cabinet. Countertop models offer the greatest selection of sizes and finishes. Built-in models are integrated into a wall cabinet and fit beautifully with wall ovens and warming drawers.
Thinking about a microwave oven? Here are some things to consider:
- Compact ovens with less than 0.8 cu. ft. capacity are considered too small for average family use. Models offering more than 1.5 cu. ft. capacity are considered full-sized.
- 1,000 to 1,100 watts of power is standard on most over-the-range models.
- Look for features like a rotating turntable for even cooking, automatic touchpad settings for reheating, defrosting, or cooking specific foods, sensor technology that determines cooking time, automatic weight defrost that determines cooking time and power, interactive controls, and on-screen tips
- Over-the-range models range from $350.00 to $1,250.00
- Countertop models start at about $100.00
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