A microwave oven is your utilitarian solution when you're always in a rush to prepare food, or if you're looking for a healthy way to reheat food without dealing with additional oils.
While the most common processes a microwave can carry out involve heating and grilling, it can also do some basic baking tasks and scrumptious recipes. You can also defrost using this highly functional kitchen appliance. If you're a fan of cooking just like us, it's time to invest in a good microwave oven and level up your kitchen experience.
We'll walk you through a quick microwave oven Singapore buying guide to help you find the right unit for your kitchen.
Types of Microwave Ovens
It can be daunting to choose a type that can benefit your whole household while helping you save money when buying a microwave oven. There is no one-size-fits-all model when it comes to microwave ovens, so choosing the right one requires a thorough consideration of function, capacity, and price. Here are the basic microwave oven varieties available on the market.
By Function
Solo Microwave Ovens
The solo microwave oven is the most basic entry-level variety, which works best for reheating, defrosting, and basic cooking. This solo microwave is a cheaper variety, ideal for solo or two-person homes that don't require more complex microwave functions. Solo microwave ovens are not suitable for grilling or baking.
Grill Microwave Oven
Grill microwave ovens come with additional accessories for grilling. These ovens are great for cooking meat and vegetables. They are also efficient for cooking simple meals, heating, and defrosting.
Convection Microwave Oven
If you're looking for an appliance that provides uniform cooking, a convection oven is a great choice. This oven circulates hot air for fast and uniform cooking. A convection microwave oven is a great choice for electricity saving as it cooks food faster than other oven varieties.
Inverter Microwave Oven
An inverter microwave oven has the closest features, in terms of function, as a solo microwave oven. The difference is that while a solo microwave oven operates with a transformer that works with full power when turned on and no power until the cycle finishes, an inverter microwave oven provides more options to choose the consistent power you want while operating the oven. If you want your inverter oven to work at 50% instead of its full power, it can work that way.
By Location
Countertop Oven
This oven is a traditional and commonly used oven used by homeowners. This oven is relatively more affordable than other varieties, but it may not offer the best location to place your oven. When designing your kitchen with a countertop oven, make sure to place your appliance on a spot that you don't always use to prevent distractions and traffic restrictions.
Above the Range Oven
Unlike a countertop oven, an above the range oven does not take significant counter space but is installed on a less utilised area above the range or the cooker. This oven typically has its own ventilation system to eliminate cooking odours that come in contact with the appliance.
Built-in Microwave Oven
Another good way to free up counter space is using a built-in microwave oven. Instead of placing this appliance on top of your kitchen counter, this oven can be installed into your kitchen cabinet or can be attached to a wall.
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What to Look for When Buying Microwave Ovens?
Aside from the heating, defrosting, grilling, and cooking features of a microwave oven, there are several additional features that you should look for when choosing a unit for your kitchen. Many modern units offer quick defrosting and cooking options, a delay timer to keep food warm after cooking, or a pre-program menu for specific recipes for easy cooking. Here are other features to look for when choosing microwave ovens.
Auto Cook Function
High-end microwave ovens feature auto cook functions that make the whole process of cooking easier.
Defrost Function
One of the most basic functions of a microwave oven is the defrost function. It can be a hassle to wait for frozen food to defrost by itself before you start the main cooking process. Thanks to a microwave oven, defrosting food is now easy.
Preheat Function
Certain microwave recipes require preheating such basic baking processes. This is where this function comes in handy.
Timer
This function is important during busy days where you have to cook more meals or do other things while reheating your food. A timer function makes a microwave oven a safe option to heat food without the risk of overcooking food.
Trays and Turntables
Efficient microwave ovens come with a turntable or a circular glass plate that revolves inside the unit while the oven is working to ensure even cooking. Other units that do not have a turntable come with a tray that you can easily pull out and bring back to your oven for easy cleaning.
Microwave Racks
Some microwaves, especially the large capacity ovens, come with metal racks for batch cooking.
Rotisserie
This microwave accessory can be found in grilling units. This steel bar is used to efficiently grill meat inside the oven.
Interlock
This microwave safety feature is not noticeable compared to knobs and buttons used for operations, but an interlock keeps the oven secured, keeping the oven from running once the door is opened.
Child-lock Feature
A child-proof microwave exterior is important to prevent accidents due to hot surfaces.
Tips in Using and Maintaining a Microwave Oven at Home
Take note of these tips to help you make the most out of your purchase before buying your very own microwave oven:
- Unplug your microwave oven when cleaning it. Use warm water, soap, and a clean cloth to remove the dirt from the microwave oven's interior. Clean its body properly, including the hinge and doors, to make sure the microwave oven will always work at its best.
- Do not clean your oven with steel wool and other harsh materials.
- Always use microwave-safe cookware to prevent accidents during heating or cooking.
- Check the oven manual before positioning an oven on your countertop. It's essential to maintain good ventilation when using the oven. Make sure to seek professional help when installing built-in and over-the-range ovens.
Whether starting off with a solo microwave oven, levelling up to a grill oven, or an efficient convection unit, you will find an innovative microwave oven online at Megafurniture.sg.