How to buy a microwave oven

Types of microwaves

There are three types of microwave oven.

• Standard microwave ovens can cook, defrost and reheat.

• Microwaves with a grill are more versatile. You can cook meals such as mac ‘n’ cheese and potato bake in these microwave ovens.

• Convection microwave ovens (also called combination microwaves) can bake and grill.

Should you buy a convection microwave oven?
A convection microwave oven may suit where there is limited kitchen space, such as in a studio apartment or a caravan. It can also be useful in a full kitchen if you often use more than one oven at a time. A convection microwave oven is more versatile than a benchtop oven because a benchtop oven cannot microwave.

Built-in or benchtop microwave oven?
Most microwave ovens sit on your bench, but some can be built into your kitchen. And some can be used either way.

Built-in microwave ovens save on bench space. They can be integrated to fit in with other appliances and usually sit flush with cupboards. These models need a ‘trim kit’. This kit often needs to be bought separately.

An electrician should install any built-in microwave.

Benchtop microwave ovens must be freestanding – they cannot be placed in a cabinet. They also should not be placed where heat and steam are produced (for example, right next to a conventional oven).

What to consider before you buy a microwave oven

What will you use your microwave for?
Generally, the more features and functions a microwave oven has, the more it will cost. Think about what you’ll use your microwave for. If you’re only going to reheat cups of forgotten coffee or last night’s leftovers, you won’t need a microwave oven with a grill and lots of automatic programmes.

What size microwave oven should you buy?
If you know where you want your microwave to sit, make sure it will fit that space.

• Check the external dimensions of the microwave oven, including the power cord at the back. You’ll need to allow at least 10mm (preferably 50mm) at the sides and back where the heat vents are usually located (for ventilation).

• Convection microwave ovens get hotter than standard microwaves in convection and combination modes. Check the installation instructions for your choice to make sure all minimum recommended clearances are followed.

Microwave ovens vary in size from about 18L to 35L. For a family, look for at least 30L. This size microwave will have a larger turntable and more interior height.

Check the usable space in your microwave oven – the actual capacity can be less than what manufacturers claim. Also make sure your microwave cookware will fit.

Should you buy a flatbed microwave oven?
Flatbed microwaves don’t have a turntable. This means they have extra cooking space, you can use any shaped dish, and they’re easier to clean. Read our article about the pros and cons of buying a flatbed microwave.

Should you buy an inverter microwave oven?
Inverter microwave ovens deliver continuous heating at reduced power. For example, if you select 50% power, the microwave delivers a true 50% power, not a ‘pulsed’ delivery of full power half the time (like most microwaves do).

Manufacturers claim inverter microwave ovens cook more evenly. We found this claim doesn’t stack up in our testing. If you have a Bluetooth connection, there’s also a risk your inverter microwave will interfere with it.

How easy is it to clean your microwave oven?

• Check inside your microwave oven for vents and cracks, where grease and grime can accumulate.

• Easily removable racks and turntables make cleaning less hassle.

• Sealed controls are easier to wipe clean.

• A stainless-steel exterior looks stylish on a microwave oven. But it needs more elbow grease to keep clean compared with a plastic exterior.

Other features to consider in a microwave oven

• Controls: Should be easy to use and read.

• Viewing window: If you like to see what’s cooking, or to catch unintended spills. Make sure the window is large and gives a clear view.

• Oven light: Check it lights up the turntable well.

• Child lock: Lets you deactivate the microwave so children can’t use it.

• Stand-alone timer: Lets you time other tasks without operating the microwave. This is useful for jobs, like boiling an egg on your conventional stove top.

• Door: It should be easy to open and stay open in position without swinging or slamming shut.

• Microwave functions: Most people don’t get the most out of their microwave oven and only use a few functions. Reading your manual, and some trial and error, will give you a new perspective on what your microwave can do.

• Automatic programmes: Make defrosting, cooking and heating more convenient. Automatic defrost usually prompts you to enter the weight and type of food you want to defrost. It then calculates the defrosting time. Common automatic programmes are for microwaving potatoes, fresh vegetables, rice, drinks, meat, soups and frozen dinners.

• Sensor programmes: Measure vapours emitted while the microwave is cooking. They help control cooking time. Plus, they mean you don’t have to estimate cooking times and food quantities.

• Quick/boost start: Starts the microwave oven, usually by pressing one button. With most microwaves, the cooking times increases in 30-second or 1-minute increments. This is handy for reheating.

• Multi-stage cooking: The microwave performs a sequence of functions, such as defrost then cook.

• Adjust time during cooking: Lets you increase or decrease the cooking time without stopping the microwave.

We give our People's Choice endorsement for microwaves to Fisher & Paykel. This brand rates above average for customer satisfaction in our latest annual survey.

We ask thousands of Consumer members about their products to find out which brands are most reliable and satisfying to own. The results are available to members and Digital Pass holders.

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