Most microwaves work well for reheating leftovers and making popcorn. The main advances have been in the areas of convenience and design. Rotating turntables and touch controls, plus one-button defrosting and reheating, have become standard features. Most mid- and full-sized models also have delay timers, child locks and sensor technology, which helps determine when food is done by measuring vapors. You can now find microwaves in a large variety of finishes, such as stainless steel, to match popular refrigerator and range designs. Inverter technology, which lowers the power, is a new feature you'll see in some models.

Despite the similarity of features, experts agree that there are specific features you should shoot for when buying a microwave oven:

  • Models with a sensor are worth the extra $10 or $20. Experts say that cooking sensors really do work, preventing overcooking when reheating. They raise the overall price by a couple of dollars, but reviews say that's money well spent.
  • Get a turntable. Microwaves are not inherently good at heating foods evenly. That's because the heating waves only penetrate a certain depth beyond the surface of the food. A turntable rotates the food to allow an even exposure to heat so that a meatloaf, for example, gets hot all the way through.
  • More wattage generally means faster cooking, but 100 to 200 watts more or less doesn't make much of a difference. Most frozen prepared foods have instructions based on a 1,100-watt microwave.

Aside from issues of individual features and overall quality, experts agree that the biggest decision consumers have to make when shopping for a microwave oven is what size is appropriate for their needs. The choices break down roughly like this:

  • Compact microwaves have a capacity of about 0.8 cubic feet or less. They're appropriate for single people or college students who don't have much room to spare and tend to prepare simple meals or reheat leftovers. Most measure about 18 inches by 14 inches by 11 inches or so.
  • Mid-sized microwaves have a capacity of roughly 0.8 to 1.2 cubic feet. These models take more shelf space, but they can accommodate enough food for a medium-sized family, which is why they are sometimes classified as "family-size." Most measure about 22 inches by 18 inches by 12 inches.
  • Full-sized microwaves have a capacity of 1.5 cubic feet or more. They're best for folks who spend lots of time in the kitchen, have counter space to spare and regularly prepare food for several people. Microwaves with inverters usually offer a bit more interior space for the size. Typical dimensions are around 23 inches by 17 inches by 15 inches.
Sponsored Links

Back to top