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A microwave oven has become a major part of every household these days. It is one of the most amazing wonders of the modern kitchen. If you are planning to buy a new microwave oven, here are some tips to help you buy the best microwave in the market that I have learnt through my own experiences.

Now just follow these 10 best ways to choose a microwave oven:

1) Function of microwave:

First decide on the type of microwave oven based on its function you want to buy- a standard microwave, or a convection microwave. To make things more clear, a standard microwave is just sufficient for heating food or cooking ready meals, whereas a convection microwave is a combination of a microwave oven and a convection oven, and allows you to microwave, grill and cook.

2) Size:

Compact - It is also called portable or counter-top, and is the smallest type of the microwave ovens available in the market. They are primarily used for light cooking and reheating cooked food.

Built-in - These are similar to the traditional ovens and are built into the cabinetry. They are more expensive than the counter-top models, and some are combined with an exhaust fan for installation. They are usually combined with a convection oven, and hence allow you to cook as well as grill.

3) Capacity:

Choose the right capacity for your microwave based on your needs.

Medium capacity – They are slightly larger than the compact ones and are the standard ones used by most of the households. They tend to have some ‘auto-cook’ features and may have a convection oven added to them.

Large capacity - They are just the right choice for cooking large meals, especially roasts and turkey breasts, and have even more ‘auto-cook’ options than the smaller ones.

Portable/Desktop mini-microwave ovens - These are the smallest microwaves designed to support portability.

4) Power consumption:

A microwave with a high wattage cooks quicker. When you are going in for a microwave, try to choose a microwave that offers you a range at different levels. Also do remember that the power specified by a microwave manufacturer is the maximum power that can be offered by it. Also check the amount of power it consumes for cooking.

5) Efficiency:

A way to assess the efficiency of a microwave is to assess how much energy is wasted in other forms of cooking. Cooking in conventional ovens is slightly different, and it may be a little difficult to assess the efficiency of these types of microwave ovens.

6) Turn table:

Most of the microwave ovens today come with a turn table attached to them. With the turn table attachment, the food has an even exposure to the heating waves all way through. Without this option, the heating waves can penetrate to only to a certain depth beyond the surface of the heating food. So it is better to go in for one with a turn table option.

7) Controls:

Microwaves today come with a lot of keypad control options. Go in for one that has keys for auto functions that helps in instant cooking of food. Also there are additional functionalities that are provided by the touch of button. Or if you prefer the old style microwaves, with a dial control, then go ahead with it.

Based on design:

Choose a design that would best compliment your kitchen style, kitchen interiors, the colour you have painted your kitchen, and the appliances in your kitchen. Choosing the right design is one important thing if you are concerned about your interiors, and if you want to impress people. And also, if you are going in for a built-in model, be sure that your kitchen has enough space to accommodate the microwave oven as well as the exhaust fan. And as for compact ones, make sure you find the right place to place it.

9) Features:

Some of the specific features provided by microwave ovens are auto programs, cook or defrost functions, temperature probes, child lock, sensors, removable racks, crisping functions, etc. Choose the one according to your preferences. And do check for easy clean options, with removable racks and trays for cleaning the interior part, and ones that sustains scratches on the exterior.

10) Budget;

Last one, but the most important one is to choose a microwave for your budget. Check out the ones that fall in your budget and choose the best among them. Counter top ones are cheaper than the built-in models. Also the right size needed for you to stick to your budget. Choose necessary features you need and don’t waste your money on unnecessary features. Look for the warranty services offered by the vendors.

With these tips you should be able to get a good microwave for your household. Happy shopping!

For most of my long years cooking for family and friends, I have used electric cooktops and electric ovens. I could not wait for the day I would have a gas range. My dream finally was realized when we moved to our Florida home. My eyes could not believe the size and beauty of this popular brand gas stove in my kitchen. It was brand new and I would be the first to try it out. It’s been five years now that I have been cooking with gas and I have to admit I would go back to electric in a heart-beat. That statement probably has ruffled a lot of feathers of diehard gas oven cooks and chefs!

I first cooked on a gas range when I was very, very young. My Mother, who I previously mentioned was a fantastic cook, used a gas range and thus taught me how to cook on that same range. In fact, I started in the days when you needed to use a match to light the burners and the oven. All of the meals cooked were delicious and I contributed that to, 1) Mom’s recipes, 2) we were cooking with gas. However, over the years gas range technology has changed. There seems to be a difference in the quality and taste of the foods cooked with my gas range versus those Mom cooked on her simple gas stove. Could it be that gas stoves of the 20′s to 50′s were very different? Did design play a bigger part in the sales of the recent gas ranges?

So what do I see that’s different you ask. Today’s ranges are larger, no need to use a match, just turn a knob to ignite the gas. That’s good. Also, the grates on the cooktop are larger and heavier than those of Mom’s stove. Not so good. I find that I am cleaning the top of the stovetop more than I have when cooking with electric. Everything from oil to water splashes on the top even when using a splash guard. The enamel is nice and shiny but a bummer to clean. I spend more time cleaning the top than I do cooking. Electric ranges cool down faster than a gas range thus one cannot clean spills or splatters immediately. It also takes muscle to handle the heavy grates for removal.

Many cooks have complained they can’t regulate the temperature quickly enough when cooking on electric. I find gas less sensitive to relative heat settings, while electric provides tighter control over the range of temperature options.

Mom was the cook, but I can hear Dad saying, “What’s the fuss, a stove, is a stove, is a stove”. Well, I’ll take electric anytime.

For those who wish to take it on the open road on a part-time or full time basis and see this great nation by RV, it behooves them to pick the right Microwave Oven. Why you ask? Well if you are traveling a lot you may not have time to cook on the stove or in the oven in your recreational vehicle and a microwave oven sure comes in handy.

Of course with the condition of some of the roads in this country, such as the NY Toll-ways, I-10 going thru Louisiana, I-20, I-30 in AR or the scalloped Earthquake freeways in California; you are going to need sturdy appliances. A microwave can be a temperamental appliance as it bangs around and is jarred into oblivion.

May I be so good to recommend that when and if your microwave goes out in your RV due to the manufacturer trying to trim costs that you replace it with a more powerful higher end unit? First consider that to properly cook your food you are better off to buy a carousel unit, which turns the food as it cooks.

Additionally, it is recommended you go for high power too. I chose the Samsung MR-7494W. Installation is easy and you can do it yourself and it is a common size for motor homes and recreational vehicles. Be sure to make sure that your generator has at least 15 Amps capacity with such a microwave if you are replacing an old one. This Samsung unit I have has lasted nearly 5 years and has traveled to every city in the nation over 10,000 people and over some of the worst roads in our country. Consider all this in 2006.