Basic functions of microwave ovens

Built-in microwave ovens

This is a functional and aesthetic option that is installed in kitchen furniture, creating a single composition. It’s nice that such equipment can replace an oven, if it has the necessary functions.

Control options for built-in microwave ovens:

• Push-button – control is carried out by buttons;
• Mechanical – can combine buttons and mode switches;
• Touch – is a touch panel with symbols.

Push-button and touch models are additionally equipped with automatic cooking programs: there are already built-in “recipes” that can be selected for a specific dish, and the microwave oven will cook it at the required temperature and the required time.

Equipment and range

Built-in microwave ovens, like other models, differ in size and configuration.

Accessories that may be included:

• Rack for plates;
• Fat tray;
• Plastic cover to protect the chamber from splashes while heating food.

Built-in microwaves are installed in a kitchen unit and size plays an important role here. So, for small kitchens, an oven volume of up to 10 liters is suitable; for spacious ones, you can choose an individual option, including replacing the oven.

If there are small children in the family, then it is better to choose models with an antibacterial coating of the inner chamber. On such surfaces, grease does not accumulate, unpleasant odors do not appear, and bacteria do not multiply.

Functions of simple microwave ovens

Defrosting

The defrost mode is present in all simple microwave ovens. When using the automatic mode, the processing of products is carried out under the control of the program embedded in the device.

Using the manual mode requires you to independently set the radiation power and process duration.

The power of a typical defrost is about 150 – 300 W. The accelerated process requires 400-500 W of power.

Warming up

The main function of a simple microwave oven is to heat cooked food. When using the automatic mode, you need to select the volume of the product to be heated and its type. All other calculations will be done automatically.

Manual mode, as in the case of defrosting, requires personal adjustment. Heating of dishes occurs at a power in the range of 550 - 700 W. Modes up to 700 W are suitable for cooking foods that require relatively low cooking temperatures.

Cooking

Cooking in a simple microwave oven is similar in procedure to reheating. If the owner uses the automatic mode, then the dish and weight are indicated.

If the manual mode is used, then independent control of the oven power and cooking time is required. Fast preparation and processing of products requiring high temperatures occurs at a radiation power of 800-900 W.

Freestanding Microwave Ovens

Pros of free-standing microwaves:

1. The main thing is that there is no need to adjust the kitchen set, no special openings are made. It is installed in the kitchen, on the surface.
2. Easy to move - if you rearrange the kitchen or buy other household appliances, and swap furniture and appliances - then with this option it’s easy to do.
3. Convenience during cleaning - just wipe it on all sides with a cloth.

Designers say that it is not necessary that a free-standing microwave oven, like any other appliance in the kitchen, match the interior. It is much more beautiful if an original design is created.

Functions

The difference between such models and other versions of microwave ovens concerns the functions: such equipment can be equipped with a grill and/or convection.

Microwave ovens with grill

A microwave oven with this function is almost as good as a standard oven. At the same time, the cooking speed here is higher than in the oven.

When choosing a microwave oven with grill, pay attention to the capacity of the chamber. This indicator directly indicates what size products can be cooked in it. So, some models allow you to cook large chicken. To do this, the volume of the oven must be at least 25 liters.

The most profitable grill option is quartz. It differs in that it heats food well, while occupying less usable space in the chamber, unlike other types of grill.

When purchasing, pay attention to the power of the grill. It directly affects the speed of cooking. For grilling, 1000 W is usually enough.

Varieties

Based on the type of design, microwave ovens are divided into:

• solo
  - only microwave radiation; without grill and convection.
• with grill
  - contains a built-in quartz or heating element grill.
• with convection
  - a special fan forces hot air into the chamber, thereby ensuring more uniform baking, similar to an oven.

Based on the type of control, microwave ovens are divided into:

• mechanical
  - mechanical time and power regulators are used.
• push-button
  - the control panel consists of a set of buttons.
• touch
  - touch-type buttons are used.

Microwave ovens with convection

Such models make it possible to cook dishes with a crispy crust. Built-in fan – distributes air flow evenly, so food is evenly cooked on all sides. If the convection function is combined with a grill, this provides additional cooking options.

Convection allows you to cook dishes without a rough crust or one side of the dish being burnt, which is common when cooking in a standard oven. This device makes cooking easier and makes the process much faster.

Additional functions of conventional microwave ovens include:

1. Maintaining the set temperature;
2. Defrost;
3. Automatic heating;
4. Quick cooking.

Among models with convection, there is such a function as steam cleaning - it makes it easier to keep the device clean and also to remove odors.

How to choose

The selection criteria are practically no different from the factors taken into account when purchasing a traditional inverter-free model. Need to evaluate:

• dimensions;
• power;
• capacity;
• control;
• functional;
• price.

You also need to consider the expected intensity of use. To heat up ready-made dishes, 0.6 kW is enough - you can buy a solo stove. With additional functions, the power reaches 1.5 kW.

The capacity of the chamber is 14-20 liters. Large volume is recommended for families of 4-5 people. Capacious microwaves are also useful for partygoers who cook for guests.

When choosing a suitable modification, you also need to pay attention to:

• Control. Typically, models with a large range of options use a touch or electronic option - it’s faster, more accurate and more efficient to configure.
• Protection. If there are kids in the family, take a model with a child lock feature.
• Grill. Its functions can be performed by a heating element or a quartz lamp. In the latter case, the dishes seemed to be cooked over a fire. Some models have a vertical or double grill.
• Internal coating. The best option is ceramics or bioceramics. This is an easy to clean material that does not form carbon deposits. Has high resistance to heat and mechanical stress.

Microwave ovens up to 17 liters

Microwave ovens up to 17 liters are in most cases small and suitable for one person or a small family. If you only need to heat up food, especially for one or two people, then there is no better option than a microwave oven up to 17 liters.

Their main advantages include:

• Compactness;
• Optimal internal volume;
• Ease of installation - in the kitchen such devices will not take up much space, which is important for small rooms;
• Low price - due to the small size of the devices and low power.

The power of such microwaves is about 700 W.

They differ, like other models:

• Type of management;
• Camera coating;
• Color;
• Display;
• Size.

Microwave ovens solo

A solo microwave oven is nothing more than a simple appliance for one person. We are not talking about any cooking, built-in programs, and so on. The only thing you can do in most of these models is heat up food.

Pros:

1. Low cost - due to the simplest device;
2. Only for heating food - no need to understand additional settings.

They differ from other types of microwave ovens in that they have different microwave powers and designs. The power of solo microwave ovens varies from 100 W to 1450 W. Their size is usually small, which is extremely convenient for a small kitchen.

As standard for solo models, an internal acrylic or enamel coating is used. Both are easy to keep clean. Some solo models also involve defrosting frozen semi-finished products.

Microwave Oven Features

The main advantage of a microwave is its speed. 1-2 minutes is enough to heat up the finished dish. The plate will remain cool, and if it warms up, it will only be due to the temperature of the food itself. In the microwave you can cook oatmeal, quickly bake vegetables, and prepare some other simple dishes. The porridge will be cooked in a deep bowl in 2-3 minutes, and the omelette will be baked in a plate in 5 minutes. Using a microwave reduces the time for cooking and heating food and, as a result, energy costs.

But this device also has a significant disadvantage. Cooking in a microwave oven occurs on the principle of internal heating and evaporation - this limits the possible range of dishes. In a budget microwave, the meat will not turn crispy, and you will also not be able to bake a pie.

More complex devices are designed for frying and baking - combination microwave ovens, equipped with additional functions.

Reference. The following manufacturers offer high-quality microwave ovens: Samsung, Gorenje, LG, Hotpoint-Ariston, Redmond, Daewoo, Supra, BBK.

Varieties

Based on the operating principle of microwave ovens, they can be divided into several groups:

1. Microwave, operating due to microwave radiation. Most often used for defrosting and heating ready meals. These models are the most popular and enjoy the most consistent consumer demand.
2. A microwave oven with grill is a combined device, additionally equipped with heat emitters (quartz lamps or tubular heating elements). Microwave with grill is aimed at a more complex menu. You can fry meat with a golden brown crust, fish, and French fries in it.
3. Convection microwaves . In such ovens, streams of hot air, pumped using special fans, are directed at the dish being prepared. Circulation of hot air promotes uniform baking of the product. If in a simple microwave the temperature does not rise above 100°C, then in an oven with convection mode it can reach up to 250°C. Such a microwave oven can replace an oven. Models with a convection function are much more expensive than a conventional microwave, their dimensions are larger, and their energy consumption is significantly higher.
4. Inverter microwave. Microwave of the latest generation. The peculiarity of this device is that the radiation from its magnetron is controlled electronically. In a conventional microwave, the magnetron operates with constant power; its periodic turning off and turning on leads to a harsh effect of the emitter on food and surges in electricity in the network. Inverter ovens are more economical, but what is more important is that in them microwaves have a gentler effect on the product being processed.
5. Multifunctional microwave ovens. The most expensive microwaves with grill and convection have various built-in programs, for example, defrosting followed by cooking, remember frequently used recipes, and can be programmed to prepare dishes according to their own “branded” recipes. The price of such stoves is from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles.

Advantages

Advantages of a microwave oven:

• high speed of cooking and heating food;
• the ability to cook without adding oil and fat, which is important for adherents of a healthy diet;
• preservation of vitamins and microelements, since food is heated quickly and is limited to 100°C;
• absence of food odors, which is important when using a microwave, for example, in the office;
• the ability to heat food directly in the plate, which is convenient and saves effort and time on washing dishes;
• compact size and nice design, the ability to be built into kitchen furniture or mounted on a bracket, which is important in small spaces.

Flaws

Microwave radiation. There is no objective data proving that microwaves are harmful to human health. However, an increasing number of people are refusing to purchase this device in favor of more environmentally friendly devices. And some people simply don’t like the taste of dishes cooked in a microwave oven; they consider it “artificial.”

When using a microwave, the following precautions should be taken:

1. Do not use metal utensils or utensils coated with metal.
2. When using plastic utensils, you should be guided by the “microwave” marking or the three-wave icon.
3. You cannot heat liquids in closed containers, boil eggs, and peeled vegetables and sausages must first be pierced.
4. It is forbidden to turn on an empty microwave.
5. You should heat the water with caution, because if it overheats, it can boil almost instantly even from careless movement.