Even 60 years ago, only luxury restaurants could afford to have a microwave oven in the kitchen, which then was comparable in size to a refrigerator. Modern microwave ovens are compact household appliances that use microwaves to defrost and cook food.
Today, the hostess can get both a simple stove and a multifunctional assistant with a grill and convection. How to make a choice among a huge range, so you do not bite your elbows? We will show you!
The main characteristics of microwave ovens
In order not to become a victim of marketing campaigns, do not strive to buy a model with a frantic discount - it is better to determine these three parameters in advance and choose a furnace in accordance with them.
- From microwave volume it depends on whether you can cook dishes for the whole family in it: ovens up to 19 liters will hold only a small chicken, and baking a goose will require a volume of 25 liters. If you plan to use a microwave oven instead of an oven, then it is better to take a model with a capacity of 35l - such a microwave will give a head start to any oven!
- The presence of grill and / or convection. If you only need a microwave for defrosting and heating food, then you should not overpay for additional functions - feel free to buy the simplest model. If you want to cook grilled chicken with a magnificent ruddy crust or to bake pies to the joy of the whole family, then pay attention to the technique, in which there are functions of grill and convection.
- Control system: mechanical or sensory. Older people will be more accustomed to using stoves with buttons or round knobs. If you keep up with the times and appreciate high technology, then you will like touch control, digital display and the ability to program the cooking process on your own. In addition, the touch control is more hygienic: dirt that is difficult to remove accumulates between ordinary buttons, and the touch panel can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Additional features
Those wishing to purchase a functional microwave dedicated: additional "gadgets", which have the best modern models:
- The bioceramic coating inside the furnace surpasses both heat-resistant enamel and stainless steel: it is superstrong and durable, it is easy to clean with an ordinary sponge and is perfectly safe for health.
- Combination with a double boiler is a great alternative to two separate appliances for a family, in which they care not only about the taste of food and the speed of its preparation, but also about the preservation of all vitamins.
- Self-cleaning with steam can make any housewife's life easier: you no longer have to spend time and energy on rubbing dried fat drops off the walls of the oven — just press a button and go flipping the magazine.
- Removing odors is a useful feature for desperate housewives who are not enough to cook one dish a day. This option will remove the aroma of a meat, fish or vegetable dish before making a dessert - and your guests will not have to appreciate the admixture of the flavor of lamb in your cherry pie.
- Radiation protection. All modern models have similar protection. It is very easy to estimate the degree of its work: put a mobile phone inside the stove, close the stove door and call your number from another device. The ideal defense is when the call fails.
- Warming up mode to the desired temperature - very convenient for heating infant formula and cereals.
The most popular manufacturers of microwave ovens
The most popular and reliable, judging by the reviews on the Internet, are microwaves of the average price segment of the company Samsung. A large range of models will satisfy both the poor student and the owner of a respectable restaurant: the production line of this company includes both low-cost models with basic functionality and powerful professional devices, without which the chef cannot do.
People who prefer to save, suitable microwave ovens of brands such as SUPRA, Erisson, Mystery, Scarlett and BBK - their price range starts from 2000 rubles, while the quality of their products does not cause much criticism.
If you do not regret the funds for household appliances and appreciate quality materials, coupled with great design and functionality, you will find the right models among the products of firms Bosch, Gorenje, Panasonic, Sharp, Whirlpool.
Major errors hurried to the decision of buyers
Walking on the occasion of bright advertising posters and screaming signs, many people do not even suspect that sellers are trying to hand off outdated or low-quality models that can not only disappoint, but also harm your health! Here are three major mistakes that customers often make in a hurry.
- Still, we are dealing with food, so it’s worth checking the information several times before deciding to buy a microwave oven from an unknown manufacturer, albeit at a very low price. The price of normal microwave ovens should not be less than 3,000 rubles, since this is a high-tech device! Suspiciously low cost means low-quality materials that, when melted, can release toxic fumes that poison food.
- When buying a microwave oven with an inverter (the same as a convector, but it saves electricity) be prepared for its breakdown at the end of the warranty period. A typical reason is the failure of an inverter magnetron, the repair of which will cost half the cost of the furnace itself.
- Buying models with a mirror door, you doom yourself to eternal alarms about the readiness of food and opening the oven door in search of an answer (which does not add to your health, and the oven has an expiration date). Of course, the appearance of such a microwave oven is more beautiful than its analogs without a mirror shine, but from the point of view of convenience, this is not the best option.
So, when choosing a microwave oven, pay attention to its volume, the presence of grill and convection, and then determine the type of control system that is convenient for you. Additional features are nice bonuses that will increase the cost of the product, so it's up to you to decide which options you need the most. We wish you a good shopping!
