Microwave ovens are nowadays seen as essential in kitchens. It does not matter if you are a commercial chef or a home cook. You use it for so much more than just heating up microwave meals. These kitchen appliances can be used to cook tasty meals. But how can you choose?
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Countless microwave ovens are now available. They have varying wattage levels, power settings, styles and colors. It takes time to research the very best microwave oven for you. To help you out, we did the entire research for you. These are the best microwave ovens right now, those that you will love having in your kitchen.
AmazonBasics Microwave
Main Features:
- Very compact design for low kitchen footprint.
- Alexa technology included.
- Very easy to operate and set up.
This is a microwave oven that features smart technology, more specifically Alexa technology. It includes quick-cook presets to save time and all the essential functions that such an appliance should have.
What is particularly interesting is that you can use your voice to command the oven with Alexa and Echo. Also, the “Ask Alexa” button works just as any other Alexa-technology-based gadget when paired with Echo.
Daewoo KOR-7LREM Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
Key Features:
- 4 automatic cooking options.
- Elegant design.
- Long-lasting and durable.
- 2-way defrosting mode.
Daewoo is a highly-respected brand when it comes to home electronics and is respected for the quality it offers. You can easily see this in the microwave oven. It has a beautiful design, one that is quite classic. It runs on a power supply of 120V and allows very easy and quick cooking.
4 automatic cooking options are included. You can use them to speed up the entire process. The length of the power cable is 36 inches and the dual defrost mode is a standout feature.
Commercial Chef CHM660B Countertop Counter Top Microwave
Key Features:
- 6 power levels
- Very low electricity consumption
- Easy to grasp handle
- Long-lasting
- Very durable
This microwave oven is very easy to use that is perfect for reheating, defrosting, cooking, and more. There are 6 power levels and maintenance is quite simple thanks to the glass turntable, which can even be cleaned in your dishwashing machine.
The microwave oven is very easy to use with 2 basic dial controls. The appliance only works when the timer runs so it is impossible to lose electricity in the process, as with other microwave ovens.
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S
Key Features:
- Large cooking space.
- Features Panasonic Inverter tech.
- Short cooking times while guaranteeing evenly-cooked dishes.
- 14 automatic cooking options.
This microwave oven stands out because of the use of the manufacturer’s inverter technology. This guarantees low cooking time so that more nutrients can be retained, just like texture and color. The design is exceptional and you get a lot of cooking space.
The design of the microwave oven is beautiful with the stainless steel, offering elegance and class. The power is 1200 watts and cooking is always even.
Sharp R-21LCFS Medium-Duty Commercial Microwave Oven
Key Features:
- Stainless steel both on the outside and inside.
- Numerous recommendations to use when you want to cook something.
- Very spacious interior.
Sharp’s R-21LCFS is a wonderful choice if you want something to take care of a commercial task. It is also great for home cooks that want to do more with their appliance. The unit stands out as durable and elegant, being ideal for a cooking workload that is larger than what is usually the case with most homes.
Stainless steel is present on the outside and the inside so cleaning is a breaze. The dial timer is very easy to use and the LED indicator makes sure you do not make a mistake. Also, the unit consumes much less electricity than expected.
How To Choose A Microwave Oven That Is Perfect For You
All the microwave ovens mentioned above are great but you might want/need something else. With this in mind, here’s how to choose an oven that is perfect for you.
Size
Think about it in 2 ways. Firstly, think about external design, which practically means how much space is occupied on the countertop. Secondly, check out the inner space since cooking happens inside. When it comes to internal size, you want it to be really easy to put in what you will be cooking.
Wattage
This determines efficiency. If the wattage is high, the oven will be more productive and effective. Cooking will be more evenly distributed when you use higher wattage. Wattage on most ovens varies between 600 and 1,200 watts.
Heat Distribution
The microwave oven needs to be able to cook, boil, reheat, defrost, grill and transfer heat in an even way. The included glass turntable needs to be able to turnaround easily for even cooking.
Ease Of Use
The microwave oven has different controls, wheels, buttons, and/or touchpads. These should never pose a challenge. The oven that is well-designed needs to have very easy to understand descriptions for all the controls and use should be as comfortable as possible. Preferably, a user manual should be included.
Settings
Most of the ovens have 10 heat setting levels or less. This is connected with the wattage. As an example, if the microwave oven has 1,000 watts and 10 heat levels, you steam meat at around 800 watts so you set the heat level at 8.
Ease Of Cleaning
This is normally determined by what material is used. Glass and stainless steel are much easier to clean than metal and rubber. In addition, stainless steel prevents the appearance of possible scratches.
Smart Features
Nowadays, microwave ovens can include countless smart features. The oven can connect to the WiFi system in your home and you can sync with smart devices. You can look for things like voice recognition, Alexa technology or barcode scanners.
