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Countertop Microwave Ovens
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Three things to consider before buying a microwave oven
How big of a microwave do you need? For example, if it is to fit onto a particular surface, it is important to measure the outside dimensions of the microwave. If you want to be able to microwave a certain type of plate or bowl, the inside measurement plays a greater role.
In a single household, or if you don't need to microwave larger volumes, a model of 15–20 litres is sufficient, while a larger microwave can be useful if, for example, you want to defrost larger quantities of food at the same time.
Another important thing to consider is whether you are looking for a freestanding microwave, or whether you want a model that you can integrate into your kitchen interior. The advantage of a built-in microwave is that it does not take up any space on the kitchen’s worktop, but instead sits in a cupboard. However, there must of course be enough space in the shelving system for a microwave to fit.
The advantage of a stand-alone microwave is that, if the microwave needs to be replaced, it’s much easier to do so than if you have a built-in model. If it's built-in, you have to make sure that the new microwave has exactly the same dimensions as the old one.
There are simple microwave models that work perfectly for thawing and heating food, but there are also more advanced models that come with lots of smart features. Some useful features include:
A grilling function is perfect for giving meat and fish a grilled surface.
A convection function gives the microwave the function of a conventional oven.
A defrost function is effective for defrosting food faster.
A keep warm function keeps the food warm when the microwave has switched off.
A steam function allows you to steam food in the microwave.
A rotating plate distributes the heat evenly over the food.
Here you can get simple recipes for food and treats that you can cook in a microwave.
FAQ
There are many different types of microwave ovens on the market, with variants offering hot air, grilling or baking functions. Some of them have automatic functions, which is convenient if you’ve got other things to do while the food is being cooked. Most microwave ovens are 40-45 cm deep, but there are also ovens 30 cm deep that take up less space in the kitchen.
The microwaves cause the molecules in the food, mainly water molecules but also fats, to start moving. That kinetic energy is then converted into heat, which causes the food to be cooked. The greater the amount of water in the food, the faster it cooks, because more water molecules are moving around.
No, it’s not dangerous to use a microwave oven as long as it’s not broken. The microwaves consist of short radio waves and the small amount of microwaves that leak out is so negligible that there are no risks associated with them. When you open the microwave door, the microwaves stop. Nor are microwaves left in your food after heating, for example.
No, but heat and how long you cook the food can affect sensitive vitamins in some vegetables. But this also applies when you cook or fry the food with an ordinary cooker, so it has nothing to do with the microwave itself.
- Squeeze half a lemon into a bowl of water.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and run for three minutes so that steam is formed inside the oven.
- Remove the bowl. But be careful – it will be hot!
- Wipe the oven with a slightly damp cloth.
If you don’t have a lemon to hand, vinegar works too, or mix 2 tbsp liquid soap with 300 ml of water.
Which microwave is best depends on your needs. If you’ve got a small kitchen, you may prefer a small microwave or an integrated one that you can hide in a cupboard. It can also be a good idea to choose one that has several functions, so you can cook as much of your meal as possible in the microwave.