Microwaves are the most dependable kitchen appliances and almost a staple in every household for offering multiple cooking conveniences.
The use of these appliances is ever-increasing for simplifying kitchen lives and saving your time for other important commitments.
Now, before you blankly start searching for the best microwaves to buy, you need to know about different types of microwaves, their utilities, and other crucial factors to make an informed investment.
Selecting a microwave can be confusing and, you may land up buying the commercial one for domestic use.
Now that’s a blunder.
But, don’t worry, a focused reading from here will clear all your confusion.
6 Types of Microwave Available In The Market
Over the Range Microwave
Clearing your confusion on which microwave to buy for your limited space kitchen, we recommend Over-the-range microwaves available in conventional and convection models.
You can mount this oven above your range between the cabinetry for maximum convenience while managing kitchen chores.
Installing this unit will transform your kitchen into a neat stylish space by eliminating smoke and cooking odor through its built-in ventilation.
This type of oven has built-in illumination on the cooking surface and different ventings like external venting that eliminates smoke through an exhaust vent and recirculating venting that filters back the air indoors through a charcoal filter.
The most standard size of this oven is 30 inches wide, 17 inches in height, and 16 inches deep, and usually consumes 800 watts of power.
You can get a top-notch over-the range-microwave that starts from a basic range of INR 11,000 to 33,000 and above, based on size and features.
Countertop Microwave
Countertop microwaves are the most commonly used kitchen appliances in almost every household for their versatile features and affordability.
These freestanding ovens can be easily moved anywhere in a well-ventilated space beside a power socket.
The best part about this oven is its hassle-free set-up, operation, and servicing, unlike other complicated built-in models.
Countertop microwaves are the go-to appliances for reheating, popping popcorn, and instant cooking solutions.
The popularity of this model is not only because of its versatile functionalities but affordable price range that starts from INR 5000 to 25,000 and runs on 500 – 1100 watts of power based on size, capacity, and power ranges.
A typical countertop oven would be 18 – 24 inches wide, 10 – 18 inches tall, and 18 – 22 inches deep, measuring over 2 cubic feet.
The only drawback of this model is it consumes maximum space on the kitchen countertop, making kitchen coordination a bit complex but is worth every penny.
Built-in Microwave
Built-in microwaves are the best kitchen gear to turn your small kitchen into a stylish cooking space.
If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, mount this model into the wall or cabinet to make more space on the countertop.
Installing this microwave in the kitchen needs professional assistance and a generous budget towards its timely maintenance and servicing for lasting performance.
If you have a decent budget and refined taste to upscale your kitchen setup, you must get this oven available in a range of sizes and power levels.
Some high-range microwaves also have grilling and baking features and can cost you nearly INR 1, 000,00 with a basic price starting from INR 24,000 for a popular label.
These microwaves typically measure 30 inches wide, 26 inches deep, and 15 inches tall and can weigh around 22kgs – 45 kgs.
The power consumption of this model generally ranges between 800 watts – 1000 watts.
Convection Microwave
If you are an enthusiastic cook with a generous budget, then a convection microwave is just the thing for you.
These are the best microwaves combining both microwave and convection features to bake, grill, defrost, reheat, and cook an array of your favorite dishes in an organized way.
This model comes with a heating element to generate heat as you set the mode and a built-in fan to evenly distribute the heat inside to cook and bake food faster than other primary microwaves.
Convection microwaves are available as countertop, over-the-range, and built-in ovens to choose from as per your preference.
You can choose from a wide variety of low to heavy-duty convection microwaves ranging between 0.5 to over 2 cubic feet with different power levels from 600 – 1300 watts.
The price of a premium quality convection microwave ranges between INR 9,000 – INR 30,000 based on its capacity and advanced features.
Under the Counter Microwave
This type of microwave is best suited for smaller kitchens that you can easily mount at a convenient level below the countertop between the kitchen cabinetry.
Also known as under cabinet microwaves, these units are designed with built-in ventilation to facilitate easy airflow and exhaustion to keep your kitchen always smelling fresh.
To be precise, you can install any microwaves below the countertop considering your kitchen space and convenience while working.
Installing a microwave in this way facilitates some extra space in the kitchen without compromising on the performance.
While buying an under-the-counter microwave, mind the size and capacity of the unit so that you don’t end up buying a large oven to fit into your small kitchen cabinet.
These affordable microwaves are available at a starting range of INR 5,000 – 25,000 with varied capacities from 21 – 30 liters.
The most popular under cabinet microwaves run on 700 – 1200 watts.
Drawer Microwave
Microwave drawers are space-saving and stylish electrical kitchen appliances that require professional installation below the countertop or wall.
The best part about this oven is you can pull it out like a drawer for removing food from the top.
These microwaves not only amp up your kitchen aesthetics but also simplify cooking, baking, and grilling without you bending every time to place and take food out.
This ergonomic unit is ideal for shorter or physically challenged people to operate, lending your kitchen a minimalist look.
For their versatile features and user-friendly functionalities, drawer microwaves are a bit pricey for advanced features like child lock, multiple food settings, and other enhanced add-ons.
A typical drawer microwave measures at least 30 inches wide, 15 inches tall, and 26 inches deep with varying power levels ranging between 950 – 1100 watts.
Buying a premium model can cost you a bomb nearly INR 50,000 and above.
Difference Between Oven, Microwave oven and OTG
You can easily understand OTG, oven, and microwave differences if you keep certain factors in mind while buying. Let’s have a look at them in detail.
Oven
Mechanism: A traditional oven typically prepares food using heated coils powered by electricity and other fuelling resources.
Purpose: If you are obsessed with baking bread, cakes, muffins, get an oven that has a thermally insulated chamber and runs on either gas, electricity, or wood depending on the model.
Price: Buying a high-capacity oven can cost you a bomb compared to a microwave and requires added accessories for efficient performance.
Energy Consumption: Takes 20 minutes of preheating and distributes heat unevenly and hence is not energy efficient.
Microwave Oven
Mechanism: Microwaves are available in two variants: convection and conventional and are powered by electricity or electromagnetic waves.
Purpose: While few older models offer only defrosting and reheating, the advanced ones have built-in cooking modes to prepare certain dishes.
Price: A microwave is the most widely used kitchen appliance, available at a budget-friendly price range in different sizes and capacities. These units have an efficient temperature control panel to help you adjust and set the required cooking time.
Energy Consumption: Reduces cooking time and saves energy by preheating faster within 5 minutes and evenly distributing the heat waves to get that desirable texture and crispiness.
OTG
Mechanism: OTG is typically an Oven Toaster Griller or specifically a miniature version of traditional ovens equipped with a thermostat and coil. This unit runs on electricity to heat up coils inside its cavity.
Purpose: Performs similarly like an oven for baking cakes and bread with additional features like grilling, toasting, and reheating. Not ideal for cooking and making pizzas in these compact appliances.
Price: Talking about price, OTGs are comparatively affordable than microwaves and high-capacity ovens but with limited features.
Energy Consumption: Consume more energy to heat up and prepare food slowly. However, the thermostat inside maintains the ideal temperature required to prevent overcooking and burning.
Difference between Solo, Grill, & Convection Microwave Oven
Solo Microwave Oven
Function: Ideal for heating, reheating, and defrosting purposes. Least expensive
Limitations: Doesn’t support cooking, grilling, and roasting
Best for Cooking: Bake crunchiest pizza and fluffiest cake and popcorn in a few minutes
Grill Microwave Oven
Function: Has grill rack and plate. Installed with different power levels and pre-programmed recipes
Limitations: Uneven cooking. Not ideal for baking and crisping up food as the other side may remain soggy
Best for Cooking: Tandoor items, hamburgers, grill thin slices of fish, meat, and steak
Convection Microwave Oven
Function: With basic micro oven features, enjoy baked, grilled, and roasted recipes. Allow metal utensils alongside the ovenproof ones. Latest features for multiple cooking needs.
Limitations: Expensive. Baked items may lack the required texture. Prone to easy oil and residue build-ups.
Best for Cooking: Defrost food, grill, roast, make crispy, crunchy, and oil-free food items, bake and cook a variety of dishes from pizzas to pies and cakes in minutes.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Microwave Oven
If you are wondering how to buy a microwave oven in India, here are a couple of points to keep in mind.
Energy Efficiency
All the latest models of microwave ovens are highly energy efficient as the power output in these kitchen appliances mostly ranges between 600 to 1200 watts that offers faster and uniform cooking while the conventional ones consume more time and energy and are unadaptable to sudden voltage flickering.
Auto Cook Option
Check if, the model you are eyeing, offers you the advantage of cooking multiple variants of dishes with its auto cooking option.
The auto cook option lets you relish your favorite cuisine from any part of the world with just a single press on the ‘start’ button.
Child Lock
Ensure that a particular model is embedded with smart child lock security features.
The child lock is designed to keep your little ones away from operating it which may lead to serious casualties.
This special feature blocks the control panel as per the user’s instruction and can be turned on accordingly.
Capacity
Just like other smart kitchen appliances, microwaves are also available in different sizes and specifications.
Always consider the size of your family and kitchen space before buying one.
For a small family with limited cooking space, go for a compact size that is equipped almost with the same features as the bigger ones.
Rotisserie & Fermentation
Look out for the Rotisserie feature as it is designed to simplify your culinary skills.
This is bliss for the non-vegetarians as one can prepare a variety of crispy roasted items from meat and fish.
You will be able to easily prepare dough and batter for other recipes with a one-touch fermentation button.
Hassle-Free Cleaning
Make sure the microwave oven you are buying comes with the latest auto clean technology as the inner cavity and the walls around are prone to oil and residue accumulation which can slow down its performance.
The cavity and the outer body should be made of an easy-to-clean material.
Aesthetics
After analyzing the functionalities and specifications, the next big thing to consider is the design of the microwave oven which can brilliantly add up to your kitchen aesthetics and perfectly compliments your taste.
The newly launched models are crafted in ultra-sleek designs and are available in multiple color options.
Do’s and Don’ts of Microwave Oven
Microwave cooking is all time-saving and hassle-free but can start giving you trouble with improper use and lack of maintenance.
So here we present some definite do’s and don’t while using this appliance to preserve its functionalities and your investment.
Do’s
- Do put in microwave-safe vessels like ceramic, glass, or the model specified plastic containers for safe toxin-free cooking
- Spread the food to the edge of the bowl or container for even heating
- Do cover the food before putting it inside the cavity
- If you are using the unit regularly, wipe clean the interior every time after cooking
- Use the preset cooking features to prepare certain dishes and keep checking for the perfect texture
- Heat food and liquid to at least 75 degrees celsius for a desired simmer and steam
- Gently close the door and double-check that it’s firmly closed before putting on the unit
- Always don the gloves to take food out of the microwave
Don’ts
After the essential do’s, here is the list of forbidden don’ts to keep your microwave in good shape.
- Don’t install a microwave in an enclosed space to prevent the unit from overheating
- Never use metal utensils or containers in this essential kitchen gear
- Don’t use the appliance to microwave different food at the same time unless the model permits
- Never ever put food in an open bowl as it may lead to uneven cooking
- Avoid using harsh detergent to clean off the residue
- Don’t install a microwave near the gas or electric oven
- Don’t ever run the microwave empty as excess magnetic waves can damage the unit itself when it has nothing to heat or cook
- To safely use this appliance, avoid directly defrosting meat in its original package. Unwrap the meat before thawing inside the oven
- Stop using the appliance if you detect any malfunctioning or the door and latch are faulty
Best Microwave Oven Brands In India
There are 7 best microwave oven companies that are leading the Indian market. Let’s know a bit about them.
Samsung
When it comes to the most stylish and feature-rich electrical appliances, Samsung surely tops the list, and why not?
This major South Korean electronics brand is known for experimenting and dishing out breakthrough technological products and its advanced range of microwaves is an all-time hit in the culinary world and food enthusiasts.
Samsung India is constantly on a spree to upgrade conventional microwave cooking with new add-ons to complement Indian cuisine.
Besides reheating, baking, and toasting, you can now savor authentic naans and rotis, air fry healthy snacks, and other tasty Indian cuisines with just the touch of a button.
IFB
This leading indigenous home appliance manufacturer is leaving no stone unturned to make microwave cooking simpler and popular among users.
IFB’s advanced range of microwaves is designed aiming at the next-gen health-conscious mass coupled with multi-functional features for uncompromised performance and that too at a budget-friendly range.
The brand’s convection microwave ovens are the most hot-selling cooking solutions for their unmatched performance, advanced cooking options, and unlimited auto cook menus to make your every day a guilt-free feasting day.
IFB’s cutting-edge microwave range is always a safe choice for your whole family and babies for its toxin-free hygienic construction.
LG
Our next slot is for another leading South Korean electronic label LG.
This leading brand never ceases to amaze us with its futuristic kitchen solutions and its new microwave range is the proof.
LG is one of the best microwave oven brand in India and the first to incorporate a charcoal lighting heater in its microwaves to offer authentic charcoal flavoring for a hearty meal.
The brand offers a range of microwaves with different features for various cooking modes and in different sizes to fit your requirements.
For an informed purchase, visit their site to have a look at their newly launched range.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool is an American electronic major that enjoys a huge global customer base for its innovative home and kitchen appliance range.
Whirlpool microwaves are thoughtfully crafted with a set of new features and add-ons to complement Indian-style cooking and other exotic cuisines with just the touch of a button.
Whatever is your food mood, Whirlpool microwaves has it all to serve you your favorite dish made with just the right texture, flavor, and color for an authentic feel.
Their advanced microwave range is programmed with over 118+ Indian auto-cook menus, zero oil cooking, and user-friendly temperature control for hassle-free cooking.
Morphy Richards
Morphy Richards is another popular electronic brand dominating the global market with its advanced line of home and cooking solutions.
The microwave range by this leading UK electronics giant is one of its best-selling appliances for multiple reasons starting from its price, style, various sizes, energy efficiency, and hassle-free warranty.
Morphy Richards microwave ovens are highly rated by users for their impressive multi-stage cooking features and stylish space-saving designs.
To buy your choice of microwave, visit the official website of Morphy Richards where you can also avail yourself of seasonal and occasional discounts to get it at an affordable deal.
Panasonic
Next on our list is the leading Japanese name Panasonic, rewarded with an excellent rating for owner satisfaction.
Panasonic microwave is best known for its patented inverter technology, which makes it one of the best picks among consumers.
The brand delivers an unmatched range of microwave ovens that promises only quality and value.
These feature-packed appliances are versatile and easy to use, making them an ideal fit for any kitchen size and passionate cooking enthusiasts.
Panasonic microwaves are available in different capacities, impressive functionalities, and price ranges that you can choose to simplify your daily cooking and revamp your kitchen.
Bajaj
Lastly, we have Bajaj that offers an exclusive list of cooking machines to cater to your different cooking needs.
This leading Indian manufacturer of advanced cooking appliances produces a wide range of affordable microwaves for hassle-free everyday cooking.
Bajaj microwave oven is all about operation and simplicity, designed to elevate your cooking to the next level.
Rated as one of the best microwave oven brands in India for easy baking, grilling, roasting, and cooking, Bajaj dominates most Indian kitchens for its versatile usabilities.
Bajaj microwave ovens are energy efficient and take lesser time to heat and deliver food without impacting your monthly utility bill.
FAQs on Microwave Oven
What is a microwave oven?
The key to simplifying your daily kitchen life is buying a feature-packed microwave oven.
From bringing out the chef in you to upscaling your kitchen decor, this one kitchen appliance is basically used for reheating and defrosting besides offering other cooking modes in its advanced versions.
Once you switch on the appliance, put the covered food bowl inside, and set the desired cooking mode and time, the microwave will start converting the electricity into electromagnetic waves.
These radio waves charge up the food molecules to generate the required heat for preparing different dishes more conveniently and in much less time.
How to use a microwave oven?
The microwave oven must be simplifying your kitchen life and upscaling your culinary skills, but lack of operational awareness can lead to fire hazards.
To make the best use of a microwave, you need to follow some basic safety rules besides the manufacturer’s instructions, and here comes the ultimate guide to sensibly and safely use this appliance for improved lasting performance.
1. First thing first, always follow the manufacturer’s safety guidance to install, use and maintain a microwave. For example, if the model is strictly for reheating and defrosting don’t try cooking as it can hamper the functioning or lead to a hazard.
2. Check the microwave door hinges and if it seals firmly to prevent radiation leakage.
3. Install the microwave on a clean counter, preferably on a wooden surface with the air vents positioned openly.
4. Always use microwave-safe vessels like glass, ceramic, or your model specified containers. Pro tip: Instead of piling food in the middle, spread it to the edge of the container for even heating.
5. Avoid excessively heating water i.e. beyond boiling temperature as slight differences in the temperature can explode the glass container in which the water is being boiled, causing you serious burns or injuries.
6. If you are experiencing any malfunctioning, contact the seller immediately for a repair or replacement.
Which type of microwave oven is best for home use?
With so many advanced versions of microwave ovens available in the market, it is often confusing to understand and select the best one for home use.
Worry no more as we are here to help you get the perfect microwave that fits your requirement and budget. For home cooking, you have three options to choose from:
1. Regular/Solo Microwave
2. Grill Microwave
3. Convection Microwave
You can surely get the first kind if you are a busy bee or have a small family and need a microwave for limited uses like defrosting and reheating.
If grilled dishes make you drool, grill microwave is just the thing for you that has advanced grilling features and some bonus cooking modes.
Talking about our recommended convection microwaves for home use, these are versatile among all, loaded with multiple cooking settings and user-friendly features that prepare food in much lesser time by evenly distributing the heat inside.
How does a microwave oven work?
Have you ever wondered how this compact kitchen gear prepares your favorite cuisine in just a few minutes compared to the slow cooking on an electric or gas stove?
There is no doubt about the unlimited cooking convenience that a microwave oven offers with its simple revolutionary heating mechanism.
1. A microwave is a sturdy cooking machine equipped with a generator or electron tube known as a magnetron. When you turn on the microwave, this magnetron starts converting electricity into high-powered electromagnetic waves accountable for faster cooking and baking.
2. The cavity soon turns into a highly energetic field with so many radio waves flowing in through the waveguide and the fan starts to circulate the hot waves.
3. These high-powered radio waves stimulate the food and water molecules to generate thermal energy or simply the required heat that is absorbed by the food spinning in the bowl for uniform distribution.
4. The whole mechanism is all about bouncing back and forth the radio waves when hitting the cavity walls and then passing through the bowl, cooking, or warming up your food.
This is how a microwave oven works to prepare any dish better and faster than other time-consuming conventional ways of cooking.
Are microwave ovens bad for health?
Before you nag if microwave cooking is safe or the radiation is threatening your health and destroying your food’s nutritional value, sit back as we decode only facts about this convenient cooking machine.
Starting with its functioning, a microwave oven operates by turning electricity into electromagnetic waves that vibrate the food molecules to generate heat to serve its ultimate purpose.
This is simply non-ionizing radiation that has no adverse impact on you or your food if you adhere to basic safety.
First, never put food in an uncovered bowl or container, and secondly, maintain at least a 1 ft. distance from the oven to escape the radiation effect.
In fact, one of the most added advantages of microwave cooking is, it helps preserve your food’s nutritional value than conventional ways of cooking and boiling.
Microwave cooking is in every way safer, convenient, and time-saving with no negative impact on your health and wellbeing.
Can microwave oven bake a cake?
A microwave oven offers convenient cake making in just a few minutes depending on the model you have.
You can even use your regular microwave without convection to bake a cake by setting the power level to 10.
For the best baking experience, use a convection microwave that offers multiple cooking settings and hassle-free temperature control to prepare different cakes with the desired texture and look.
Convection microwaves are the most widely used kitchen appliances for evenly baking a cake inside out with uniform heating waves.
However, baking cake in a solo microwave and its outcome both can be disappointing.
Which type of container material is best for cooking food in a microwave oven?
Container materials that are microwave safe
A microwave oven is undoubtedly that reliable kitchen genie to satiate your cravings with just a few simple button taps.
But putting in just any containers not only doubles the chances of a fire hazard but also serves you contaminated food.
So, let’s have a look at which are the safe container materials for microwave use.
1. The most highly recommended microwave-safe containers are glass, ceramic, or your microwave model specified plastic vessels.
2. Other expert-approved safe materials are china, pottery, paper cups, and cartons that must be durable enough to bear excess heat and don’t crack or explode during cooking.
Container materials that are not microwave safe
Buying a microwave-safe container needs a detailed eye to detect certain company-specified labels to ensure safe toxin-free cooking.
Here is our checklist of unsafe materials to avoid for microwave cooking.
1. Strictly avoid containers made of inferior plastic and thin glass to prevent food contamination and explosion
2. Never use metal or foil to microwave food as it reflects the waves
3. While buying quality plastic containers, check for labels like “microwave safe”. Never use plastic containers that are not labeled as “microwave-safe”
4. Lookout for markings on the plastic container like a triangle with a number specifying the type of plastic used. PP plastics are labeled as 5 is microwave safe, but no matter what the number is, plastics are always bad for health. We recommend you cook or heat food in glass containers to be safe.
These are some must-follow basics for safe microwave cooking.
How to maintain your microwave oven?
Want your expensive microwave to perform better for a lasting time?
Periodic maintenance is the only key that can be tough amidst your busy schedule but not anymore with our simple upkeeping tips for this essential kitchen appliance.
Start applying them to extend your microwave’s performance efficiency.
1. Daily Care: Yes, you heard that right. If you are frequently using the microwave for cooking, baking, and other culinary purposes, use a soft sponge or damp cloth after cooking to wipe clean the splattered oil and residues off the cavity walls. It will hardly take 10 minutes. This also helps to eliminate cooking odor.
2. Don’t use harsh detergents for cleaning as they can damage the construction material. Instead, dip a cloth in either lime or vinegar and add warm water for easy and safe cleaning.
3. Place the microwave away from walls so that hot air can easily pass through its vents and also to prevent mishaps because of overheating.
4. Close the door gently and sensibly and use the cooking settings to save energy and your microwave’s performance efficiency.
5. Know your microwave features well and avoid putting in unsafe things like metal containers, paper bags, and drying damp clothes to ensure the proper functioning of your cooking machine.
Can I place microwave oven on top of the refrigerator?
If your kitchen countertop lacks space to fit in a microwave, you can surely put it on the top of a refrigerator or fridge but with conditions applied.
Placing a smaller microwave on the top of a refrigerator isn’t a big deal but, before putting a heavy-duty microwave you must also mind the weight of your fridge to know if it would stand the load.
Generally, the standard weight of a microwave is 17 kg which is safe to put on the refrigerator top.
However, if you have a low-capacity fridge, then we would recommend separately buying a microwave stand to install the appliance in an organized manner.
Besides the weight factor, you must also be concerned about safety while accessing the microwave at a height if you aren’t that tall.
Also, mind the capacity of the power outlet you are using to run both the appliance to avoid mishaps.
Can I take the microwave oven on a flight?
Yes, you can carry a microwave oven on a flight but as a check-in bag and not hand baggage.
Most domestic and international airports allow carrying microwaves through the checkpoint for hassle-free boarding.
However, before packing the appliance, you must check online with the carrier’s travel policies and airport guidelines to avoid unintentional security breaching.
The best way to carry a microwave is to keep its original package intact than wrapping separately to make airport screening easier and escape answering the authority about every detail of the unit.
Feeling relaxed? Pack your microwave now to enjoy a hassle-free safe flight.
Final Thoughts
No other kitchen gear can match the unlimited convenience and fast cooking experience to that of a feature-packed microwave oven.
This reliable cooking machine has come a long way to gain its permanent place in your modern kitchen in simplifying your daily cooking concern.
From simple baking to preparing a steaming wholesome meal, a microwave oven can do it faster and better, saving you time for other important commitments.
Once you sensibly start using a microwave oven there is no looking back to other time and energy-consuming modes of cooking that mess up with your daily kitchen life and mood.
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