How to choose the right microwave oven? Automatic temperature maintenance. Enamel paint

Are you planning to buy a microwave oven? Great, a useful household item. But before buying, it is advisable to know exactly what kind of microwave you need: “solo”, with a grill or multifunctional, for example with convection. Details about what types of microwave ovens are available in our material.

Rules for choosing a microwave oven

Buy household appliances it was very simple before Soviet times. I came to the store, and if I found the gadget I wanted on sale, I stood in line and purchased it. There was no talk then about the variety of models. It’s good if you managed to “snatch” at least something. Today, fortunately, everything is completely different: there are many models of devices. But this is the difficulty - what to choose?

In terms of cost, solo ovens are the most affordable of all microwave ovens. Such a model can easily be bought for about 2 thousand rubles (LG MS-1744U), but the Daewoo KOR-4115S is sold for 1.5 thousand. This small stove (width - 444 mm, height - 235, depth - 344 mm) with a volume of 14 l - great option for those who are going to use the device simply to heat up food or prepare frozen semi-finished products.

She has the usual for solo stoves acrylic coating inner chamber (they also have an enamel coating), which is easy to keep clean. Control system - mechanical: rotary switches. Power is 600 W, it can be adjusted (there are 5 operating modes). It is also possible to defrost food, “auto defrost”: you just need to specify the type of product (meat, fish, vegetables or poultry) and its weight. The stove itself will determine the power required for the process and the defrosting time. That's basically all that can be said about this model. Oh yes, one more thing: it comes in silver and white flowers. That's all for sure now. However, for one and a half thousand rubles, there is no need to wait for more. A normal simple model, as they say, “no pretensions.”

Microwaves and grill

Let's move on to the next stage of "development" microwave ovens. More culinary tasks can be solved using ovens with grills. Everyone probably knows what a grill is. Let's refresh our memory: grilling is a method of cooking food using heating element. At the same time, the product acquires a beautiful crispy crust. In modern microwave ovens, the grill can be of two types: heating element and quartz. Both of them are structurally quite simple. In most microwave oven models, the grill is located at the top of the food chamber. But there are also stoves in which its position can be changed: raised, lowered or placed at back wall. This is convenient, since the products that need to be fried can be different shapes and sizes. Great example such a stove is the Samsung PG878KSTR model of the “Super grille” series. Its power in microwave mode is 800 W, and in grill mode - 1200 W. Internal volume - 23 l. The stove has automatic programs cooking, reheating and defrosting. The controls are electronic, touch, and have a display. A child lock is provided. The working chamber is covered with bioceramic enamel. This coating is durable and smooth (easy to clean), it is difficult to scratch, and there is almost no soot left on it. In addition, significantly more vitamins C and F are retained in products cooked in such an oven.

The design of this model is also worth noting. He is, as they say, “strict, but fair”: classic shapes, glossy black color, clear interface. Samsung calls it the “De Luxe Series.” There is no point in arguing: for 5 thousand rubles it’s quite “De Luxe”.

Appetizing chicken with a crispy crust can only be obtained in a microwave oven with a grill

A quartz grill is a tightly twisted wire made of a heat-resistant nickel-chromium alloy, located in a quartz glass tube. This grill is fixedly mounted in the upper part of the oven, directly above the working chamber. It does not take up the working space of the stove; in addition, it is considered more economical, heats up faster, and is easier to clean. Models with a quartz grill are very common. Of those that appeared in stores not so long ago, we can note. The usable volume of the stove is 27 liters. The diameter of the rotary table is 340 mm. The internal coating of the working chamber is made of stainless steel. It is very durable, beautiful, can withstand any temperature, but it is more difficult to care for. Fat is difficult to remove from stainless steel, and you should not use abrasive sponges or powders, as they leave scratches. The power of the device in microwave mode is 1100 W, when the grill is operating - 1300 W. Naturally, it is also possible to process food in the combined “microwave + grill” mode. This model has inverter control of microwave power. This allows you to better preserve the texture of products, their nutritional properties, and moisture. The principle is simple: the inverter smoothly reduces or increases the output power of the magnetron. Microwave energy penetrates food continuously, “softly”. In conventional ovens, the microwave source periodically turns off and then turns on again - it works “in jerks”.

- with a grill for life!

The control is electronic, touch. It is also called “tact”. This is done using recessed rotary switches. There is a display that reflects all manipulations performed by the owner with the operating modes of the device and the settings entered.

You can buy it in stores across the country for 5-6 thousand rubles.
Of course, in addition to this stove, there are many other models with a quartz grill produced by various manufacturers.

Microwaves + grill + convection + steam

Multifunctional appliances: the highest class among microwave ovens. However, only in technically. As mentioned above, you should not buy such an oven if, for example, you only heat food at home. Perhaps out of vanity: to the envy of neighbors and friends. But, you see, this is a dubious reason. Well, if you are a chef with a capital C and like to “work magic” in the kitchen - such a unit is just what you need.

Microwave ovens with convection, in fact, differ from ovens with a grill only in the presence of this very convection and, as a consequence, a large number food processing regimes. Convection is a method of cooking food using hot air circulating around the food being cooked (achieved using a special fan). This allows food (especially dough) to bake more evenly. In a convection oven you can bake pies, bake chicken, and stew meat. In the process of cooking in such an oven, as a rule, the microwave and convection modes are combined - less time is spent, and vitamins are better preserved.

In fact, such a stove may well replace an oven for someone. On this subject, you can often find reviews online from owners of multifunctional stoves. Here is one of them (the author is someone Dmitry), roughly corresponding to the general spirit of the statements: “This stove was my first acquaintance with microwave ovens, at the beginning I doubted whether it could fully replace the oven: I simply love baking. Six months have passed since the purchase, I’m happy with the choice, my wife is also delighted, it’s no joke - bake potatoes in 16 minutes! Sponge cakes for cakes or buns made from yeast dough are cooked with a bang, our oven is resting (we plan to throw it out completely). The only drawback: the stove “blows out” hot air from the back side and within six months it appeared on the painted wallpaper. dark spot" Speech in in this case about the model. An excellent example, by the way, of a multifunctional microwave oven.

Useful internal volume- 34 l. Power in “solo” mode (microwaves only) - 1000 W. When the grill is running (quartz) - 1250 W, convection - 1500 W. In combined mode - up to 2250 W. It has electronic touch control; in addition to the usual buttons, there are also tact switches.

This model has the possibility of so-called automatic cooking - “automenu”. Moreover, like, for example, the Panasonic NN-GD577WZPE model, the LG MC-8483NL stove can cook Russian dishes. This skill even has a separate brand name - “Russian Chef”. Let us remind you that you should not always trust such “built-in” recipes and with reservations. Automatic defrosting is also provided. The cost of microwave ovens with convection is, as a rule, slightly higher than that of analogues without it. is offered to everyone for 8 - 9 thousand rubles.

- give me buns and buns!

There are, so to speak, even more multifunctional ovens. The latest discovery from microwave oven developers is the ability to steam food. The Japanese are ahead of the rest. It was they (Panasonic) who were the first to offer a model with convection and steam - Panasonic NN-CS596. So from now on, a microwave oven can also be a double boiler.

Another “trick” of many multifunctional microwave ovens is the spit. A convection fan blows hot air, causes it to circulate throughout the chamber, and the dish, blown with heat from all sides, is evenly fried and covered with an appetizing golden crust. A spit is useful for cooking large pieces of meat, fish, and roasting poultry. There are two types of skewers: vertical and horizontal. True, now manufacturers are gradually abandoning their use, replacing them with special grilles, which, however, give fewer options for preparing various dishes. As an example of a microwave with a horizontal spit, we can recall LG MC-7884NJR, with a vertical spit - Samsung C105AFRS.

Instead of a spit, many microwave ovens use a special grill.

Here, perhaps, are the main characteristics of all three types microwave ovens: “solo”, “microwave + grill” and multifunctional. Choose and buy what you really need!

Today the number of models is so large that a reasonable question arises: “How to choose a microwave oven and not make a mistake?” Let's figure out what you need to pay attention to when standing in a store or choosing a microwave in an online store.

Microwaves - safe or harmful?

Statements that microwave ovens are dangerous are untrue - its harm will only be noticeable if you stand 5 cm away from the microwave oven every day for 8 hours. On each modern model there is a special protective mesh on the window with inside, as well as an electromagnetic “trap”. Microwave radiation (high frequency) will not be able to penetrate through a tightly closed door. So the disadvantages of the microwave are rather invented.

Factor one - cost

The deciding factor in the question of how to choose a microwave for your home will be the budget allocated for the purchase. The average cost of such a device is about $150. For this price you can purchase a device with extensive capabilities. The more expensive the stove, the more functions it has. But simple budget models are only suitable for defrosting/heating and preparing simple dishes. They can cost 60-80 dollars. These models are most often purchased for offices to heat up lunches.

Factor two - the volume of the working chamber

To make your choice correctly, you must take into account technical specifications microwaves. The most important parameter here is the internal volume of the chamber. The recommendations here are as follows:

1. If the equipment is used by one person, then the volume can be in the range of 12-14 liters. Such stoves are also called “solo”;
2. For two family members, 17-20 liters of volume will be enough;
3. For a family of 3-4 people, 20-25 liters will be enough. Perhaps microwave oven models with this volume can be called optimal in terms of price, functionality and capacity;
4. Those who cook often and a lot should buy a model with a volume of more than 30 liters, then even a whole bird will fit inside. The same recommendations apply if there are 5-6 people in the family.

Factor three - power

Characteristics such as microwave power are no less important. The advantage of powerful ovens is that food cooks faster in them. The power range can vary from 450-1680 Watts, but when choosing, you should focus on energy costs for a specific culinary process:

• To keep food warm, 100-150 W is enough;
• For cooking “delicate” foods and slow defrosting – up to 300W;
• For quick defrosting of small quantities of food – 400…500 W;
• Slow cooking/heating – 550…700W;
• Fast cooking/heating – from 800 to 900 W.

It is worth considering that the power should be proportional to the volume - the larger the internal chamber, the more powerful the device.

And don't forget that power is in the cooking process different products It is worth adjusting (by default it is set to 100%). For example, for meat dishes, 50-70% power is recommended, then the product will not become tough.

Factor four - internal coating material

The advantages of trusted microwave oven manufacturers are that they guarantee the quality of the internal coating of the chamber. Today models are often produced using innovative materials, but there are several basic proven coatings:

1. Heat-resistant enamel. Practical and easy to care for, but not very durable. Although enamel is considered heat-resistant, it cannot withstand extreme temperatures for a long time. high temperatures, and therefore the service life of such a furnace will be less than 7 years. In order not to aggravate the process of enamel destruction, it should be washed without abrasives and hard brushes that leave micro-scratches.
2. Stainless steel . This type of coating is better than the previous one in terms of durability, because it does not lose its properties and strength at all due to heating or temperature changes. However, stainless steel quickly becomes covered with a greasy coating, so this type of coating will require careful and time-consuming care.
3. Among the new coatings, it is worth highlighting bioceramics. It combines all the advantages - easy to clean, durable, strong and reliable, not covered with grease. The only drawback is the high price, approximately twice as expensive as a model of the same functionality, but with an enamel coating. But the service life of the furnace will differ several times.

Factor five - type of management

The mechanical control is familiar and reliable, with two rotating knobs for adjusting power and setting time.

And electronic control consists of buttons or sensors. The touch surface is easier to clean than the push-button surface and is also considered more modern.

The sixth and most important factor is functionality.

Of course, technical characteristics and appearance are important, but it is impossible to ignore the issue of functionality. Before making a choice, you must definitely decide what the microwave will be used for at home - solely for heating or as a full-fledged worthy alternative or oven?

First, let's look at what microwave ovens can do:

1. Defrost food. Here you can select manual or automatic mode.

1. Cooking dishes according to given recipes. The food is loaded into the chamber, and all you have to do is select a recipe and indicate the weight of the product. The oven adjusts power and time itself.
2. Programmable own recipes . Provided only in expensive models.
3. Convection mode. Ovens with convection heating ensure uniform baking of the product. Convection, in essence, is an oven mode - which means that in a microwave oven you will get rosy baked goods, and the products will completely retain the beneficial substances. The convection mode is considered energy-consuming.
4. The grill mode allows you to fry meat or fish with a golden brown crust. The grill can be quartz or standard heating element. Quartz works both more economically and faster. In addition, it does not require special care, since it is hidden in the ceiling, but the uniformity of frying will be worse. The heating element grill is a spiral with the ability to adjust the height and angle of inclination - the roasting is uniform, models with such a grill are a little cheaper, but they have high energy consumption.

1. Steam cleaning will allow you to quickly and efficiently “scrub” the inner surface from food debris and grease.
2. Odor removal. Provides a “ventilation” mode that eliminates the “aromas” of food from the internal chamber.

There are also models with a built-in steamer and steamer.

1. Installation method. You can purchase built-in or free-standing equipment. Recessed fits inside kitchen set, allowing you to save space on the work surface, and the free-standing one retains mobility. At the same time, a built-in one may turn out to be more expensive than a regular one.
2. Color also turns out to be important. Choose it so that it matches the shade of the kitchen unit or finish.

1. Choose the right one additional components. For example, a multi-level plate stand is very convenient to use, with which you can heat several dishes at once, placing them one above the other.
2. Some microwave ovens come with oven mitts and plastic caps to prevent grease from splashing onto the walls.

What not to do when using microwave ovens

To use a microwave safely, you should not violate 9 simple prohibitions:

• when the door is open, the equipment does not turn on;
• without products in the chamber it is not used;
• metal utensils, porcelain with gilding or silver plating are not placed in a microwave oven, otherwise visible electrical discharges will occur that are unsafe for equipment;
• frying in oil is not carried out - you will not be able to control its temperature, and therefore there is a high risk of ignition;
• eggs are not boiled or heated in the shell, as they may explode;
• Products do not fit in hermetically sealed containers - canned food, jars, tied plastic bags;
• products with natural shells (liver, corn, potatoes, etc.) are cut or pricked, otherwise micro-explosions will occur due to bursting shells;
• Do not place hot objects on a cold turntable.

What is an inverter microwave oven, how is it different from a regular one? Is it worth overpaying for the benefits promised by consultants? To get to the bottom of the truth, let's understand their structure and find out how a microwave oven with an inverter differs from a simple microwave oven.

Manufacturers claim that such models are much better. Is it true that food cooked in them turns out tastier, more beautiful and retains more nutrients?

Even those who do not know physics well understand that in a microwave, food becomes hot and edible under the influence of ultra-high frequencies - microwaves. Molecules set in motion electromagnetic field, highlight thermal energy. Since the waves are able to penetrate objects through and through, the food in the chamber is evenly heated, not only on the surface, but also inside.

Where do the waves come from in a microwave oven? They are emitted by the magnetron - the “heart” of the device, its main detail. In conventional furnaces, the magnetron is powered through a transformer, in these furnaces - from an inverter. This is the control unit and converter DC into variable. It is in this block that the difference between conventional and inverter systems lies.

Since the inverting element is much smaller than the transformer, there is an advantageous difference in size and weight.

Operating principle of inverter microwave ovens

The magnetron, generating microwaves, gradually reduces the radiation power. The effect on the molecules becomes softer - this prevents them from overheating.

In conventional stoves, the magnetron does not reduce power, but only shortens the intervals of wave impacts and increases the pauses between them. This is more “traumatic” for the molecules, moisture is lost - the product dries out. In an inverter, due to a gradual decrease in radiation, it is possible to preserve the structure of the molecules. What is the practical interest in this for the consumer? Products retain their shape better, they are more attractive on the outside and healthier on the inside.

The essence of technology

An innovative method of cooking food is proposed - Inverter Combination Cooking. This technique eliminates the disadvantages associated with traditional devices. Microwave ovens cook quickly, but only inverter control makes it possible to brown food. By combining a grill or other functions with an inversion system, you can quickly heat and cook food that is healthy and looks appetizing.

Accelerated defrosting

Consumers looking at microwave ovens with an inverting element are wondering what Turbo defrosting means. This is a technology that uses the principle of sequentially varying power. Thanks to Turbo mode, food defrosts twice as fast. The “chaos theory” is used, in which it is possible to distribute the energy of microwaves, alternating in the best way the principles of regularity and irregularity.

External differences

If you compare the external data, a device with adjustable power is no different from a regular one, except that it weighs less. All the differences lie in the principle of operation of the device. Thanks to the absence of a bulky transformer, the developers were able to reduce weight and increase the volume of the camera while maintaining external dimensions.

Electricity consumption

A huge advantage of the system is the economical consumption of electricity. The magnetron, which turns on only once per cycle, gradually reduces power, consuming 28% less energy. If standby mode is turned on, savings reach 72%.

Pros and cons

Like any technology, a microwave oven with an inverting element has its pros and cons. Advantages:

• Compact: spacious chamber, light weight.
• Uniform heating. The control system allows you to smoothly reduce the impact during the cooking process.
• Large set of functions. Dishes are prepared quickly and at the same time remain healthy. By combining microwaves with a grill, you can cook food with a crispy crust - just like in the oven. Microwave radiation can also be combined with steam and other options.
• Fast defrosting. A number of models have this function and defrost food twice as quickly. Since the intensity of the magnetron changes, defrosting occurs in a soft mode - beneficial substances are not destroyed, freshness is better preserved.
• No turntable. The absence of a plate gives more opportunities for placing the container; one thing is important - that it fits in the chamber.

Experts and users find only one drawback with the stoves in question - the price. They are more expensive than regular microwaves. There are also a limited number of modifications.

How much healthier is food from an inverter microwave oven?

The question of the healthfulness of microwave meals has always worried consumers. How true are the claims about the benefits of food cooked in a new type of oven? Any processing negatively affects the usefulness of the products. It is clear that due to the traumatic impact electromagnetic waves, food loses its original concentration of nutrients - vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are destroyed.

After repeated experiments and research, experts were able to state that ovens with an inverter operating principle can preserve the content of vitamins and minerals by about 30% more than conventional microwave ovens.

How to choose

The selection criteria are practically no different from the factors taken into account when purchasing a traditional inverter-free model. Need to evaluate:

• dimensions;
• power;
• capacity;
• control;
• functional;
• price.

You also need to consider the expected intensity of use. To heat ready-made dishes, 0.6 kW is enough - you can buy a solo stove. With additional functions, the power reaches 1.5 kW.

Chamber capacity - 14-20 liters. Large volume is recommended for families of 4-5 people. Capacious microwaves are also useful for partygoers who cook for guests.

When choosing a suitable modification, you also need to pay attention to:

• Control. Typically, models with a large range of options use a touch or electronic option - faster, more accurate and more efficient configuration.
• Protection. If there are kids in the family, take a model with a child lock feature.
• Grill. Its functions can be performed by heating elements or quartz lamp. In the latter case, the dishes seemed to be cooked over a fire. Some models have a vertical or double grill.
• Inner coating. Most best option- ceramics or bioceramics. This is an easy to clean material that does not form carbon deposits. Has high resistance to heat and mechanical stress.

Who is the manufacturer

The most famous manufacturer of the microwave ovens reviewed is Panasonic.

Panasonic NN-DS596

The described technology is used in the NN-DS596 model, which supports combined mode. Chamber volume - 27 l. Without turntable. There is a powerful steam generator and an upper grill.

Panasonic NN-CD565B

A compact model with a power of 1 kW, not inferior in functionality to full-size versions. Dimensions are reduced due to the special placement of the fan. There is a quartz grill.

Panasonic NN-SD 366 M

Silver-colored stove with a capacity of 22 liters and a power of 0.8 kW. Electronic control. Rotating tray with a diameter of 24.5 cm. Dimensions: 28x48x36 cm.

What Siemens offers

Panasonic is not the only manufacturer of these microwaves; Siemens also produces them. Among the models from this manufacturer, it is worth noting the HF 25M2L2.

Its capacity is 21 liters. The chamber coating is stainless steel. There is defrosting and auto-cooking. Push-button control.

Microwave from Whirlpool

The large AMW 848 IX microwave oven has the most spacious chamber ever: 40 liters. A whole Christmas goose will fit here. The oven has all the functions that a housewife dreams of - grill and convection. Suitable for roasting meat and preparing baked goods. Touch control. There is defrosting and auto-cooking.

Although inverter stoves are produced by a limited number of manufacturers, buyers have plenty to choose from. This technique will be a reliable help in culinary delights.

AND ovens, and microwave ovens have one purpose (cooking food), but at the same time they are two completely different devices in terms of the method of producing thermal energy. Let's figure it out in order.

What is a kitchen oven?

All ovens existing today can be divided into two groups: gas appliances and electrical. The first ones carry out heating using gas burner. The latter work thanks to electric heaters. Heating of food in ovens occurs due to streams of hot air emanating from the walls of the chamber.

For successful heating in any cabinet, the principle of convection can be used, that is, mixing flows of cold and hot air using a fan built into the chamber.

Each type of oven has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

For example, gas ovens allow you to cook food inexpensively. Many housewives like to cook food over an open flame. This is possible if gas oven traditional design (no convention). And in convection gas cabinets there is no such possibility. Here the flame is hidden in a hollow burner so that the fan cannot blow out the fire. But in ovens with convection, heating in the working chamber is distributed evenly, and this has a positive effect on the quality of cooking.

Electric ovens are more expensive because they consume a lot of expensive electricity. But they are much more functional, more comfortable and safer than their gas relatives.

Depending on price category, this technique will provide either a standard set of functions or an expanded range of programs and additional options. The control of ovens also directly depends on whether the model belongs to a particular class. Budget models tend to be managed mechanically using rotary switches.

On the control panel electrical appliances In the middle price category, mechanical knobs and electronic buttons and indicators can coexist.

Elite-class ovens are designed to meet the highest requirements. They are usually stuffed with various electronics and are usually controlled using a sensor. In any case, all ovens, although with varying degrees of comfort during operation, provide the chef with the opportunity to cook a whole series culinary dishes of varying complexity.

The variety of dishes that can be cooked in the oven is so great that it is a separate topic for study. And we will try to figure out what a microwave oven is.

What is a microwave oven?

A microwave oven, popularly called a “microwave”, is an electrical appliance whose operating principle is based on the process of converting an electromagnetic microwave field. The electromagnetic field turns into heat and the food in the oven heats up in a contactless way. Simply put: the waves pass through the food, the water molecules begin to vibrate and this causes them to heat up. This is it fundamental difference microwave ovens from ovens.

A conventional microwave oven in its simplest design is mainly intended for defrosting food and heating ready-made dishes. You can also boil potatoes or sausages in it, prepare a hot sandwich and some other simple dishes.

But there are also models with advanced functions. For example, a microwave oven with a “grill” in which you can fry meat, fish, and game. In such furnaces, in addition to the main emitter (magnetron), there is an emitter of thermal (infrared) radiation.

There are also convection microwave ovens. In a regular microwave, the temperature does not rise above 100 degrees, so there is no way to bake or fry anything. And with the convection mode, the temperature in the chamber rises to 250 degrees and you can cook a lot no worse than in the oven.

The most effective are the three-in-one combined models: microwave radiation+ grill + convection.

The peculiarity of this type of technology: microwaves act directly on food and do not heat the dishes.

Microwave cookware is another topic that requires a separate article. For now, we can simply note that not all materials transmit microwave waves and therefore not all dishes are suitable for use in the microwave.

Microwave and harm to health

There is an opinion that microwave ovens have a bad effect on our health. Manufacturers of this equipment claim that microwave radiation cannot penetrate outside through the insulated walls of the device. This means that it cannot cause harm to health, but, nevertheless, experts still recommend not staying near working equipment for a long time and also promptly getting rid of old devices whose service life has long expired.

The question: how harmful is food exposed to radiation to us is it causing a lot of controversy and still remains open?

We draw conclusions: microwave ovens are great for those who are very pressed for time and do everything “on the run.”

Household appliances have become a part of life modern man, she does the most time-consuming housework for us, freeing up our time and energy for others, more interesting activities. The microwave oven is one of these household electrical appliances that has made the cooking process much easier and faster. GlavRecipe.Ru will tell you how to choose the right microwave oven.

The principle of operation of a microwave oven is quite simple - during the process of heating and cooking food in the oven, radio waves operate, which penetrate into the food to a depth of two to five centimeters and cause the water molecules inside the food to move faster, thereby creating heat. The opinion that food prepared with the help of radio waves is harmful is not fair, since the waves are harmful only when they directly hit a person, and they do not remain in the prepared food. In addition, the microwave oven is designed in such a way that radio waves do not extend beyond the electrical appliance, the body and glass of which are protected by a special coating, and the microwave oven itself can only operate with the door closed.

Advantages of a microwave oven

1. Food is prepared without adding water, fat, oil, spices and salt can also be added to already ready dish.
2. Vitamins and microelements in cooked food are preserved much better than when traditional way cooking, since radio waves do not destroy the structure of biomolecules, and food does not heat up more than 100 degrees.
3. All odors remain inside the oven; it does not heat the surrounding air, saving us from the specific kitchen atmosphere during classic cooking on regular stove.
4. Microwave is much more economical household electric stoves, and the cooking time with its help is significantly less.
5. A modern microwave oven can be programmed so that, once you place food in it, you no longer monitor the cooking process until the end of cooking.
6. To heat up food, you can use ordinary plates in which it is served on the table - this is a significant saving of effort and time on washing dishes.

Modern manufacturers produce various models of microwave ovens, and in order to purchase the most suitable option for you, you need to have an idea of ​​the basic characteristics of microwave ovens. Your choice will primarily depend on what you are going to cook. If you limit yourself to heating and defrosting food, then the most suitable for you simple models, without additional functions for preparing various dishes. If you like to cook, then you should opt for a more complex and functional model. So, how do modern microwave ovens differ from each other?

Differences between modern microwave ovens

1. Power and volume. These are some of the most important characteristics that you should pay attention to when buying a microwave. The volume of the oven can vary from 15 to 40 liters; accordingly, as the volume increases, the power increases, and hence the electricity consumption. If the stove is purchased for cooking for one or two people, then a compact and economical model with a volume of up to 20 liters and a power of about 800 watts is quite suitable. A medium-sized microwave oven from 20 to 30 liters is the most common option for a family of three to four people; in it you can not only heat or defrost food, but also cook quite a lot different dishes and drinks. And finally, in a large oven with a capacity of thirty liters or more, a goose or pie for the whole family will be perfectly cooked. Don't buy a big oven unless you plan to do a lot of cooking in it - except extra costs electricity and additional space taken up in your kitchen, the stove can deteriorate if it regularly operates with an almost empty chamber.
2. Control type. There are microwave ovens with mechanical or electronic controls. The mechanical type is the simplest; electronically controlled stoves provide much more great opportunity selection of cooking methods. Electronic control can also be of two types - using buttons and touch. Electronic control allows you to program the oven; many models already have a list of recipes stored in the microwave’s memory; you can add your own to it. Some of the more expensive models can be equipped with remote or even voice control.
3. Internal coating of the camera. There is a coating made of enamel, ceramics, stainless steel. The cheapest models can be painted on the inside to resemble enamel - if you cook in such a microwave at a low temperature, the coating will last just as well as the enamel. Ceramic coating may be ordinary or have antibacterial properties, which are important if the stove will be left idle for some time. Ceramics are quite durable and easy to clean with a soft sponge. Stainless steel is most often found in ovens with grill and convection functions, as it can withstand the highest temperatures, but it is more difficult to care for than ceramics - dirt is more difficult to remove, and scratches may remain on the coating if they are cleaned with hard graters and powder.
4. Additional features.
   • Grill and convection. In a conventional microwave oven it is impossible to bake meat with a golden brown crust or bake a pie, since the food is heated only to a temperature of 100 degrees. For these purposes, microwave ovens are equipped with a grill and a convection system. The grill can be shadow or quartz. A quartz grill heats up faster, takes up no space in the stove and requires virtually no cleaning. Stoves with a shadow grill are cheaper; its position can be changed, ensuring more uniform heating of the food being prepared. The convection system is a cooking mode in which it is evenly blown with hot air using a fan, in combination with microwave mode provides the highest quality and fastest cooking and is more efficient than a grill.
   • Child lock - useful feature, which will ensure the safety of your child by preventing him from opening a working appliance, even if you are not in the kitchen at that time.
   • The temperature maintenance mode is very convenient if dinner has already been prepared, but someone in the family is still delayed.
   • Possibility of embedding into furniture.
5. Availability of additional devices.
   • Multi-level grill for simultaneous heating of several dishes.
   • Sound timer - it is found in almost all models and notifies you when the furnace has finished operating.
   • A grill pan is a special stand where fat drips when cooking chicken.
   • A frying disk is a plate made of a special alloy in which you can fry like in a regular frying pan.
   • Steam sensor - this function ensures the most accurate adherence to cooking time, determining the moment when food is heated to a temperature of 100 degrees.

In order for the microwave oven you choose to be your reliable and permanent assistant in the kitchen, we advise you to follow some rules for its operation.

Rules for operating microwave ovens

1. If the door is open, then the stove cannot be turned on; you should not turn it on, and when the stove is empty, it may deteriorate.
2. Cannot be used in a microwave oven metal utensils, as well as dishes with metal coating.
3. In the oven, do not fry food in oil, boil eggs in the shell, or heat food in a hermetically sealed container to avoid fire or explosion. For the same reason, do not reheat food if it contains alcohol. Pierce potatoes, carrots and other products that have a shell in several places before cooking.
4. Do not place dishes on the turntable if they have different temperatures- you can damage it.
5. While defrosting food, periodically drain the resulting liquid.
6. If you need it to come quickly yeast dough, microwave it at the lowest power level.
7. There is a special film for microwave ovens - cover the food with it, and then they will cook faster.
8. To calculate the required heating time for a dish, select a time that is three times less than that required for heating on a conventional stove.
9. Do not rush to remove the cooked dish from the microwave, let it sit - the heat will be distributed more evenly.
10. Use the oven only for its intended purpose - do not dry it medicinal plants, clothes, do not sterilize homemade products.
11. To easily clean the oven from dirt, place a glass of water in it for a few minutes and boil it, and then wipe it with a soft sponge - the steamed dirt will easily be removed from the oven. inner surface. Before turning on the stove after cleaning, let it dry thoroughly.