Introduction

Whether you need a microwave oven for your new apartment, house or your new business venture there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Microwave ovens have come a long way in the past few years and there is a lot you need to brush up on to ensure you are purchasing the product right for you and your situation.

 

 

Types

 

• Countertop Ovens: This type is the most commonly of the 5 used in homes across the country. Even though it is considerably less expensive than any of the following; however, it does consume much needed counter or working space in your kitchen area.

• Over-the-Range & Built-In Ovens: These 2 types of ovens are grouped under the same category. Although they are both space savers they are priced considerably higher than a countertop oven, simply for the convenience of saving space. This particular set usually involves an electrician personally coming to install it properly also.

• Convection Oven: These seem to be popular at this point in time. They claim to use less electricity to grill, bake and brown meat and other foods due to a heating element and a fan that allows the forcing of hot air in the chamber to cook the food. This is an energy saving technique as the food is cooked by hot air rather than direct heat.

• Combination Ovens: These may be smaller however they pack a neat little trick too. You can either heat food as you would under a basic microwave setting or you can flip a switch and heat food under a convection oven setting. Whichever is your preference ? you have them both packed into one oven.

• Commercial Ovens: These are larger ovens sold to commercial arenas. You will most likely see these in offices or public rest area break rooms. Most often they are equipped with an anti-theft device as well. They heat the same but are focused to a larger demographic than a basic countertop oven.

 

Important Features to Consider

 

These are some of the main features you're going to want to look at when deciding which one is best for you. If you are trying to save money, you may only be able to pick one or two of these areas to excel in.

 

• Usage: Something to think about. What do you use the oven for primarily? If you just occasionally use it for reheating or maybe melting cheese then a basic model will suffice. It is only when you prepare the entire menu in the oven that you really need to consider what ALL it does. Do not pay for what you do not need.

• Watts: Basically this turns into a patience game. How fast do you want your food? The watts indicate how fast the food will cook. Therefore the higher the wattage the faster the food will cook. Ovens go from 600-1200 watts depending on your patience and tolerance level will depend on where you want the wattage to be.

• Users: Who will primarily be using the oven? If your children will be the primary users in the house than there is no reason to get all the extra features. A simple dial on the front or an electric timer will suffice them.

• Space: Where will the microwave oven go in the house? Making sure you have measured where it will go will save a lot of headaches when you bring it home. You will want to make sure it fits properly. While always making sure it is on a flat, non-metallic surface.

• Reliability: No one wants to purchase an oven only to have to purchase another one in a year. Make sure you check reviews on line and check with family and friends and get their experience and expertise. You would be surprised at the input they can give you and the on line reviews will be impartial because they have no reason to hide the pleasure of an item or their lack thereof it.

 

See our list of top microwave ovens for specific recommendations.