Microwaves (in everyday life - microwave ovens) are now in almost every family. The price range for them covers the capabilities of any wallet. But how do you choose a microwave to provide the functionality you need at an affordable price? The right choice will be discussed in this article.
Type and functionality
Before purchasing a microwave oven, it is advisable to determine the functions with which it should be endowed. Of course, it all depends on your culinary interests and, accordingly, your wallet.
Warming up food or cooking simple dishes (boiled foods, cereals, etc.) can be easily handled by ordinary “solo” models that work exclusively in microwave mode. These ovens are quite compact and inexpensive. For those who do not like to waste precious time on cooking, as well as who eat convenience foods bought in the store, this oven will be the best choice.
Microwave ovens equipped with a grill function have a heating element that allows you to roast the product. The heater in such furnaces can be made of ten or quartz. Teng is a spiral hidden in a metal tube (like in an electric kettle), located below and above. The quartz heater does not take up space inside the cooking chamber, roasts faster and uses less energy, and is also easier to clean. If you decide to choose an oven with a non-convection grill, then pay attention to the presence of a spit. By rotating, it allows the product to be fried more evenly from all sides.
Ovens with a grill and convection additionally have a fan that evenly distributes the temperature throughout the chamber. They allow you to cook in several ways, combining microwaves, ten and a convection fan. Grill and convection ovens perfectly cope with any culinary fantasies.
Chamber volume
A model with a volume of up to 20 liters will satisfy one or two people. Do you have family or friends who like to indulge in your culinary delights sometimes? Then you need to take a closer look at models with a chamber volume of more than 25 liters. A large family will need a "microwave" with a volume of more than 30 liters. The size of the tray determines the size of the plates and portions that can be placed in the chamber.
The latest technology in the design of microwave ovens is the replacement of the rotating table with a microwave emitter with additional antennas, which itself rotates around the product being prepared. The absence of a circle makes it easier to maintain the furnace, and the reliability of the structure increases due to the absence of fragile mechanical elements. And, importantly, the volume of the chamber increases.
Microwaves with a large chamber volume are usually combined. They can be used to cook a whole chicken or warm up soup for the whole family in a large saucepan.
Power consumption
In the passport data of microwave ovens, the power of the microwave waves, the heating element for the grill, as well as the maximum electric power are given. The performance of the furnace depends on these indicators. A regulator located on the front wall allows you to select the desired mode for a particular dish.
The power of the microwave and grill is always directly proportional to the volume of the chamber. Any "microwave" consumes a lot of electricity. If you are targeting a combined option with an impressive camera volume, check if your network can withstand such a load. The maximum consumption mode should be taken into account, when the microwaves and the convection grill are turned on at the same time.
Internal coating
The cheapest and simplest coating is enamel. Stainless steel is more durable because withstands any temperature.This is the best coating option for a microwave oven, but stainless steel requires careful maintenance. Be especially careful when using abrasive cleaners and sponges to avoid scratching the surface.
The best today are antibacterial and bioceramic coatings. They are more resistant to high temperatures, mechanical stress, and also better keep heat and retain nutrients. However, their price is also appropriate.
 Management and security
To use your microwave oven conveniently, select the control system you want. The simplest and cheapest is electromechanical. Electronic control allows you to create a whole list of recipes pre-programmed in the device's memory, which subsequently simplifies the cooking process.
Microwave ovens use two methods of protection against the effects of microwaves on the skin of a person's hands: de-energizing the magnetron when the door is opened and locking the door lock after turning on the oven. The oven itself is equipped with a special screen that prevents waves from penetrating outside. When the chamber overheats, the magnetron emitter is instantly turned off.
Everything written in this article provides basic information about the types and capabilities of microwave ovens. Time moves forward, and progress does not stand still. Don't be surprised if you see a sound-controlled oven in the store. But these really exist.
Decide what kind of microwave you want and what price you are willing to pay for the various bells and whistles. Happy shopping!
Strelnikov Alexander Vladimirovich
Microwave recipes
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