Microwaves Buying Tips - ConsumerGuru

What to Look for When Buying Microwaves

GURU says this about buying a Microwave Oven!
A microwave oven provides great convenience - whether heating up baby formula in the middle of the night, leftovers, or a frozen dinner. However, steaming fresh vegetables or fish can cook quickly and easily. Providing lots of options for healthy alternatives.

Size:
First, decide what oven size and power, or wattage, you need. For the most part, microwaves come in three general sizes and power levels (be sure and check individual models for the exact dimensions). Take into account that most ovens have a 2- to 3-inch plug extending out the back. Bracketing a microwave under a counter or in a cabinet is an option for some of the smaller models, and if you lack counter space, think about an over-the-stove model. Remember, all microwave doors open to the left.

Small Interior space: .7 to .8 cubic feet
Counter space: 11 by 20 by 14 inches (height by width by depth)
Power level: 600 to 700 watts

Medium Interior space: 1.4 to 1.6 cubic feet
Counter space size: 13 by 21 by 16 inches (height by width by depth)
Power level: 900 by 1,100 watts

Large Interior space: 1.8 to 2.1 cubic feet
Counter space: 14 by 24 by 18 inches (height by width by depth)
Power level: 1,000 by 1,150 watts

Power:
The higher the oven power, the quicker food cooks. With high wattage in a small space, you get even greater power. It doesn't automatically follow that the largest oven is the most powerful--a medium-size microwave with 1,100 watts of power in 1.4 cubic feet of space is more powerful than the large microwave with the same wattage in 2.1 cubic feet.

There are three general oven types:
Single-purpose oven: The bulk of microwaves fall into this category--the oven operates solely as a microwave and comes in the sizes listed above. Plan to spend about $70 to $90 on a small oven, around $130 to $150 on a medium oven, and between $160 and $220 on a large oven.

Microwave/convection oven: A microwave/convention combo cooks, browns, or crisps food in addition to microwaving and may operate as a microwave or convection oven alone, or cook in both methods at once. Generally a little bigger than a large microwave, they're priced at around $400.

Over-the-range oven: If you lack counter space, consider an over-the-range model, which replaces the stove's range hood and provides venting capability for the range, as well as the microwave. Generally available in medium to large sizes, this type costs about $420 to $450.

Useful options found in most microwave ovens:
Defrost speed: Some microwaves offer multiple levels of defrost.

Humidity sensor: A recent development, the sensor knows when food is done by measuring the level of steam rising off cooking food, preventing overcooking. Most small ovens don't offer this feature.

Childproof lock: All microwaves come with a way to keep children out.

View window: Gives you the ability to visually monitor cooking progress.

Keep-warm feature: Keeps food warm for up to 30 minutes.

Delay cooking: Gives you the ability to put food in and set a future cooking time.

Add 30 seconds or 1 minute: Microwave recipes are notoriously inconsistent, so the ability to add more cooking time at the push of a button is wonderful.

Quick-start feature: Allows you to select a cooking speed by pushing only one button.

Multilingual capability: Many new models can be programmed to operate in Spanish, English, or French.