Microwave ovens have become as common as ovens and gas stoves. Despite the external similarity of all microwaves, their “filling” is different. Many manufacturers offer microwave ovens with grills, convectors and other functional elements.

Before you start choosing, decide what you need a microwave oven for. Do you want to cook gourmet dishes in it or do you plan to limit yourself to heating and defrosting food? Let's talk about everything in more detail.

Principle of operation

The operating principle of a microwave oven is simple and complex at the same time. Consumers often do not know how food is heated. Some people have heard about some kind of radiation and therefore try to avoid microwaves in order to avoid health problems.

Let's start with the fact that microwave radiation does not affect humans in any way. Microwaves occupy a position on the frequency scale between radio waves and infrared radiation, and even have properties inherent in both. It is known that neither heat nor radio waves harm our health, therefore microwaves cannot do the same.

How does a microwave heat food? Microwaves move water molecules found in food. They begin to move chaotically, thereby generating energy, and therefore heat.

Types of Microwave Ovens

With all the diversity microwave ovens on the market, they can be divided into 4 main types, which we will consider:

Solo (microwave only);

With grill (microwave + grill);

With grill and convection (microwaves + grill + convection);

With grill, convection and steam generator (microwaves + grill + convection + steam).

When starting to choose a microwave, decide why you need it in culinary terms. If only for heating food and defrosting, then you should pay attention to the “solo oven”. By the way, you shouldn’t underestimate this type of microwave oven and limit their functionality to just banal heating/defrosting. In a microwave with a microwave function, you can prepare wonderful desserts and culinary dishes.

A microwave oven with grill and microwave function is suitable for lovers of well-cooked meat. The grill built into the oven can be a heating element. It looks like a metal tube, a spiral, with heating element inside. Also, quartz grills are built into microwave ovens, which are tightly twisted wire made of a heat-resistant nickel-chromium alloy, which is placed in a quartz glass tube. The heating element grill is located in the upper part of the microwave working chamber. In some oven models, the grill is movable within the working chamber, so it can be installed wherever you need it. With such a grill, evenly cooked meat is not a problem.

The quartz grill is stationary, it is placed on the “ceiling” of the working chamber. This grill heats up faster, is more economical, and is easier to clean, since it is not as complex in shape as a heating element. Some models are equipped with both types of grills at once: “upper” quartz and “lower” heating elements. Thanks to this function, dishes can be browned.

As practice shows, people who are passionate about cooking and have already mastered microwave ovens with a grill function are unable to resist the temptation to purchase a device with a grill and convection.

The working principle of convection is simple. Essentially, this is a fan built into the microwave that moves hot air around the working chamber. Thanks to this, the dish is baked evenly. To speed up the cooking process, the microwave function is used. At the finish, the grill is turned on to brown the dish again. As a result, cooking time in such an oven is greatly reduced, while the quality improves.

There are also microwave ovens with microwave, grill, confection and steam functions. The presence of a double boiler, of course, can please the adept healthy image life, however, buns and baked meat will have to move in this case. Apparently, this is why “advanced” users do not have a common opinion on them.

As for the quality of cooking, a few years ago microwave ovens had a significant problem. This was due to the fact that only one microwave emitter was installed in them, therefore, the microwaves were distributed unevenly throughout the working chamber and the dishes remained partially raw. This steadily reduced consumer confidence in microwaves, so they were purchased only for heating food. However, over time the problem was solved. In modern ovens, manufacturers provide two or even three sources of microwave radiation, which emit wave beams in different directions, and, reflecting from the walls, are evenly distributed throughout the entire working chamber of the oven, so food is cooked evenly.

Volume

Before purchasing, you also need to decide on the capacity of the microwave oven. Think about what culinary feats you want to accomplish with this device. The volume of the microwave working chamber can be different - from 13 to 42 liters. An oven of up to 20 liters is enough to heat/defrost and cook everyone’s favorite grilled chicken. For big family take a stove with a chamber volume of 23 to 32 liters. If you have to cook a lot, then take a closer look at ovens with a chamber volume of 40 liters or more.

Power

Power, as elsewhere, is one of the main characteristics of the device. It determines how quickly food will be cooked, heated or defrosted. Typically, the larger the microwave, the higher its power. By the way, almost all microwave ovens have a power regulator, even the simplest ones.

The microwave power in most microwave ovens is 700-1000 W. And this only applies to microwaves. If you are considering purchasing a grill and convection oven, make sure that the electrical wiring in your home is in order. The fact is that when all these modes operate simultaneously, their powers add up.

That is, if the microwave power of your microwave is 900 W, the grill is 1200 W, and the convection is 1350 W, this means that the total power of your microwave will be 3450 W. And this is already a serious load, even without taking into account other electrical appliances operating in the apartment.

Previously, the power of microwave ovens was not regulated in any way. That is, in “old” ovens, the microwave emitter periodically turned off for a few seconds, then turned on again, which led to the dish turning out dry, because excessive exposure to water molecules in the active phase of the emitter’s operation leads to its evaporation. Manufacturers decided to change the very principle of regulating the power of microwave ovens and began to use inverter control. In new ovens, the power of the microwave emitter decreased and increased smoothly, while the oven did not turn off at all. The product was thus subjected to continuous gentle exposure to microwaves, maintaining its properties.

Functions

Using a modern microwave oven in the kitchen, you get the ability to cook, fry, steam and bake. We emphasize that you have the opportunity. Since the ovens provide various functions, designed to help you prepare dishes.

For example, “Automatic cooking” is the recipes for cooking dishes entered into the microwave’s memory. Of course, we are just talking about the algorithms for the operation of the furnace. So that the user does not have to worry about fine-tuning microwaves, grill or convection, manufacturers have provided cooking templates. For example, grilled chicken will turn out with 100% probability if you use the automatic cooking option, trusting the manufacturer’s preset settings. Typically, microwave ovens have 4-8 preset recipes, but there can be many more, and in some ovens you can enter such settings yourself.

You can defrost food simply, not in automatic mode. Then the user sets the defrosting time himself. However, this often leads to the fact that incorrectly set power, coupled with defrosting time that is excessive for a given product, spoils the product. Without defrosting from the inside, it begins to fry on top. Therefore, it is safer to use an automatic machine.

All users of microwave ovens know the “Automatic heating” function. The algorithm is the same as that of the auto-defrosting function. Select the type of product, its weight and click on the “Start” button. The microwave will independently determine how long it needs to heat up and at what power it will do it. There can be up to 25 “recipes” for auto-heating.

The “Microwave + Grill” mode is a favorite of many users, since the dishes turn out evenly fried and with a golden brown crust.

In the Microwave + Convection mode, food cooks faster. “Grill + Convection” – a mode for cooking fried foods and baked goods.

Some microwaves have a Crisp feature. The furnace is supplied with a special plate made of ferrite-based material. With its help, microwave energy is converted into heat. There is an impact on the product from below, and it is fried.

The “Steam Oven Cleaning” program is available only in devices with a steam generator. Steam dissolves grease and dirt remaining after cooking. The user pours water into a special container built into the stove, adds detergent and activates the program by pressing a button. After 10-15 minutes the microwave becomes clean.

The odor removal function is provided by microwave oven manufacturers in case users need to remove the effects of cooking strong-smelling foods. For this purpose, a fan is built into the oven.

The microwave usually comes with additional accessories: racks, spit, trays, plastic dishes, stands for baby bottles, a container for baking bread, and dishes for steaming dishes. If the package does not contain what you need, stock up on utensils designed specifically for use in the microwave oven. And remember the main rule of using a microwave oven - no metal! Metal edges on cups and plates will spark and cause oven damage.

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 inside of the window, 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. average cost such a device costs 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 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. pros powerful furnaces The reason is that food cooks faster in them. The power range can vary between 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 do not forget that the power should be adjusted during the preparation of different products (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 extremely high temperatures for a long time, and therefore the service life of such a stove 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. Ability to program your 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 the baked goods will turn out golden brown, and the nutrients in the food will be completely preserved. 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 work surface, and a 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:

• at open door 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.

The internal coating of a microwave oven is one of the most discussed topics, because the length of its service life depends on it.

So, what material is better to choose so that the device lasts a long time and is not hazardous to health?

Since heat in a microwave oven is generated through the action of electromagnetic waves, it is important that they do not go beyond the chamber, as this can lead to greater consumption of electricity or harm health (for more details, see the article). Therefore, the interior decoration of the chamber plays an important role here, providing protection against leakage of electromagnetic waves from the inside of the microwave.

Types of coatings

• There are four types of internal coating of the microwave chamber:
• enameled;
• stainless steel;
• ceramic;

To find out which microwave oven coating is best, let's look at each type in more detail.

Enameled

The most popular and ancient type of finish. Manufacturers often use enamel in budget models kitchen appliances. Enameled surfaces are easily scratched and difficult to clean, so without special detergents there is no way around this, but to maintain the electric furnace in perfect cleanliness simply necessary.

Stainless steel

Reliable and durable coating, but, unfortunately, has the property absorb odors. This surface accelerates heating food products in a microwave oven, since steel is a good conductor of heat. At the moment, manufacturers are using stainless steel less and less for finishing microwave chambers, so those models that are on the market are somewhat overpriced.

Another disadvantage of steel is that scratches remain on the surface after numerous cleanings, which means that the microwave oven may lose its attractive appearance.

Ceramic

This coating has a wide range of advantages. First of all, the ceramic surface does not become sticky after heating food, it is easy to clean, and it also looks expensive and impressive. On top of that, this microwave finish has antibacterial properties that prevent any bacterial attack.

The biceramic coating has only one drawback: it will take longer to heat up food.

Acrylic

This type of coating was invented quite recently, but has not gained much fame. Acrylic is used in budget kitchen appliances, which - no more than 1400 W. Defrost pizza, cook an omelet or simply warm up sandwiches - this is the list of functions available to a microwave with an acrylic finish. This material is not designed to operate at high power.

Conclusion

Which coating is the best is up to you to decide. If you care about saving energy, choose stainless steel, and if health is important to you, then the best option– ceramics. Enameled and acrylic surfaces of microwave ovens are considered budget-friendly.

Modern microwave ovens are used for cooking, heating food and defrosting food. Many microwave ovens have an additional grill function.

When choosing this kitchen appliance, people are usually interested in basic parameters, such as the functionality that the oven provides, its power, and the internal coating.

Three types of microwave oven coatings:

• enamel coating;
• stainless steel;
• bioceramic coating.

Microwave coatings – stainless steel and enamel

Enameled internal coating is used mainly in budget models. This coating is smooth and without pores, which is very convenient for cleaning walls. The disadvantage is that after some time it loses its properties due to the formation of fat on the walls. If the walls are not cleaned in time, the coating may wear down to the metal and become covered with rust.

Microwave ovens made of stainless steel are much more expensive. They use a “convection” mode, and therefore steel can easily withstand high temperatures. It is recommended to clean with powder. And after some time of use, even if the steel tarnishes, it will not lose its strength.

Microwave coatings – ceramics and bioceramics

The most expensive microwaves with ceramic coating. Ceramic is quite durable, but not very scratch resistant. Ceramic has a smooth surface, so it is easy to clean and wash with a cloth. The value of such a coating is that it has reduced thermal conductivity, and this serves quick defrosting and cooking. It serves. The ceramic coating is not resistant to particularly high temperatures; high temperatures may crack, so the “convection” mode is not applicable.
Recently, bioceramic coatings have begun to be used in microwave ovens. It contains titanium and silicon, which is significantly more than in a conventional enamel coating. They cook food faster and are more resistant to damage to the walls by microwaves compared to a steel coating.

Typically, choosing a microwave oven involves evaluation and analysis various characteristics and product qualities. It is on this that its effectiveness and durability will depend in the future. One of these important characteristics is the interior decoration of the microwave, the role and types of which will be discussed in this article.

The role of interior decoration

In order to determine which internal coating of a microwave oven is best, you need to familiarize yourself with all its functions and varieties.

The inner coating in a microwave oven performs several functions at once. The main purpose of finishing is to prevent the leakage of electromagnetic waves and reduce their negative impact on products. Thanks to it, the waves are kept inside the microwave, thus not harming health and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Exposure to electromagnetic waves

The level of thermal conductivity is also responsible for energy consumption interior decoration. The higher it is, the faster the dishes will be cooked and, accordingly, the less energy consumption will be.

The quality of the interior decoration itself is also important, because it directly determines what the prepared dish will be like. Some materials may contain harmful substances, which, when heated, are released and absorbed into products, giving them a specific taste and smell.

The interior design also affects the lifespan of the device. The stronger the material, the less it will be subject to mechanical changes (dents, scratches, chips) and, accordingly, will last longer.

Different types of microwave ovens

Since heat in a microwave oven is generated through the action of electromagnetic waves, it is important that they do not go beyond the chamber, as this can lead to greater consumption of electricity or harm health (for more details, see the article). Therefore, the interior decoration of the chamber plays an important role here, providing protection against leakage of electromagnetic waves from the inside of the microwave.

Depending on the type of material used, there are 4 main types of interior finishing:

• Enameled;
• Stainless steel;
• Ceramics:
• Acrylic.

They all have various properties, their positive and negative qualities.

Enameled coating

Such coatings include heat-resistant enamel and. This material is used mainly in budget versions of microwave ovens.

The positive qualities of models with an enamel finish include accessibility and a wide range. Also, such stoves are resistant to sudden temperature changes, easy to operate and, with proper care, quite practical.

However, microwave ovens with an enamel coating also have their disadvantages. Firstly, they are highly susceptible to mechanical damage. Secondly, they cannot long time withstand high temperatures. Thirdly, if the enamel is heavily soiled, it is quite difficult to clean it with gentle detergents, and the use of abrasive substances is strictly not recommended.

Enameled coating

Stainless steel coating

Home distinctive feature This type of coating is durable. This heat-resistant surface can withstand high temperatures for as long as possible and is extremely resistant to sudden changes. In addition, the stainless steel coating has high strength and is not afraid of mechanical damage, so it can last for many years. The advantages of such a surface include high thermal conductivity, which in turn reduces energy costs.

Microwave made of stainless steel

As for the disadvantages of stainless steel, it is worth noting some difficulties in operation. The fact is that grease very quickly accumulates on a metal surface, which is quite difficult to clean. As a rule, this requires resorting to the use of various detergents, the long-term use of which eventually deteriorates the surface. It gets scratched and rubbed, thereby losing its appearance.

In addition, stainless steel microwave ovens cannot boast of a wide range. Today, only a few models of this type can be found in stores.

Metal coating

Ceramic

A microwave with such a coating is rightfully considered the best. They have significantly more advantages compared to their enameled, metal and acrylic counterparts.

The ceramic surface is very even and smooth, due to which fat does not accumulate on it. It is easy to clean. There is no need to put in a lot of effort or use special detergents.

Ceramic coating

Ceramics is an environmentally friendly material. Thanks to this, products during the cooking process are not exposed to harmful substances and do not absorb foreign odors. There is also an opinion that dishes cooked in such a microwave preserve their properties better. useful qualities, in particular without losing vitamins E and C.

Ceramic microwave ovens have good thermal conductivity. The food in them cooks and heats up quickly, but does not burn. The good thing about such microwaves is the long period of continuous operation.

Other advantages of microwave ovens with ceramic internal coatings also include durability, attractive appearance and antibacterial properties.

Against the background of all the positive qualities of this coating, its inherent disadvantages seem insignificant. However, when purchasing such a stove, it is still necessary to take into account the fact that excessive mechanical load can lead to cracks or chips in the interior.

The disadvantages of ceramics include their high cost. However, today more and more new models appear in stores, the price of which is not much different from the same enameled counterparts.

Ceramic coating

Acrylic

Microwaves with acrylic coating are considered a kind of know-how in their field. They appeared not so long ago and have not yet gained much popularity.

You should only opt for such a microwave if you do not plan to cook anything at high temperatures. The maximum possible power of such microwaves is up to 1400 W. They are suitable for defrosting, reheating and cooking at low temperatures.

The positive qualities of acrylic include:

• ease of maintenance,
• aesthetic appearance,
• long service life (5-7 years),
• low cost.
• The disadvantages of such models are:
• instability to high temperatures,
• fragility of the finishing material,
• impossibility of long-term continuous use.

Acrylic coating

Summarizing all of the above, it is impossible to say exactly which internal coating is best to choose a microwave oven with. Each of them has its pros and cons.

Ceramic-coated products are most likely to be preferred by those for whom the maximum level of safety and long service life are the deciding factors.

If the priority is cooking speed and low level energy consumption, then better option than microwave with metal coating can not found.

Models with acrylic and enamel inner surface are classified as budget options. They are very relevant if the oven will be used only for the simplest functions (defrosting, heating).

Among other things, when choosing a microwave, you should also pay attention to the availability of additional modes, functions and components. The manufacturer is also important in this case.

Assortment of microwave ovens