We all know how frustrating it can be to wait for our food to cook. Especially when we're hungry. That's why a microwave is such a lifesaver. It cooks food much faster than a conventional oven, so you can have your meal in no time. And with today's technology, you don't have to worry about uneven cooking or hot spots. Microwaves have come a long way since they were first introduced in the 1970s. Now, there are all sorts of fantastic features to choose from. Here's a look at some of the things you'll want to keep in mind when shopping for a microwave:
1. Wattage: This is a measure of the microwave's power and has a big impact on cooking time. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. Most microwaves have between 600 and 1,200 watts.
2. Turntable: This feature helps ensure that your food cooks evenly by rotating it as it cooks. Not all microwaves have turntables, so if even cooking is important to you, make sure to check for this feature.
3. Flat deck: Some newer models have flat decks instead of turntables. They work by using recirculating waves to cook food evenly from all sides. This is a great feature if you don't want to worry about rotating your food during cooking.
Inverter: This is a newer technology that allows for more precise cooking at lower power levels. So, if you want to gently reheat something or cook something slowly, an inverter microwave will do a better job than one without this feature.
4. Capacity: Microwave capacity is measured in Litres. If you're only going to use your microwave for small tasks like reheating coffee or defrosting meat, then a smaller capacity will suffice. But if you plan on using your microwave for larger tasks like cooking frozen meals or popcorn, then you'll need a larger model. Most countertop microwaves have capacities between 20-32 Litres.
5. Brand: Panasonic has dominated the New Zealand market for a long time along Sharp as a number two. However, competition is fierce with other brands entering the market like LG, Breville, and Samsung. All brands are worth considering to find a microwave oven that fits your specific needs.
And finally, there are some great combination microwaves on the market today that also grill, steam, or are also convection. A little more expensive but definitely worth a look. Now that you know what to look for in a microwave, it's time to start shopping! There are lots of great models on the market today, so you're sure to find one that fits your needs perfectly.
