Microwaves

Buying a Microwave

Microwave oven technology - originally the product of a happy "accident", as long ago as the 1940s - has certainly come a long way, in the meantime. Nowadays, microwave ovens - space-saving, fast, convenient and easy to use, and in a range of designs, colours and finishes to suit most tastes and budgets - have become synonymous with all that is good in modern cooking.

Microwave cooking requires shorter cooking times, the addition of very little, or no, water to foodstuffs, and produces less oxidation, when compared with other cooking methods. This means that more nutrients - minerals, and vitamins A, and E, for example - are preserved in the finished dish, making this a healthier option, too. Microwave ovens are also ideal for safely defrosting frozen foodstuffs - food can, for example, be thawed, cooked and served very quickly, meaning that it spends less time between the temperatures that promote the growth of harmful bacteria, reducing, or eliminating, the risk of food poisoning.

In many circumstances, microwave ovens are also more energy efficient than, say, conventional electric ovens, or ceramic hobs - even those with an EU Energy Label "A" rating.

Microwave Technology

In technical, operational terms, the principal component of a microwave oven is a device known as a "magnetron". A magnetron transmits microwaves - radio waves of high frequency and very short wavelength (hence the "micro" in "microwave) - into the oven cavity, and these are distributed evenly throughout the oven by a stirrer, or paddle. Microwaves cause the molecules in water - of which food has a high percentage - to oscillate rapidly to and fro, and this "agitation", in turn, causes heat, so the food effectively cooks from the inside out.

From a safety perspective, microwaves cannot penetrate metal - you may not noticed some "interesting" effects, if you've ever, inadvertently, tried to heat up a takeaway in a foil container, or left a fork in your microwave cooking (and, if you haven't, don't try this just for the sake of curiosity!) - and a microwave oven is a sealed, metal box. The doors of microwave ovens are precision sealed units, with perforated metal shields, and sensors, and ventilation grilles are similarly shielded, so none of the microwave energy can escape from the oven cavity, itself. Look for a model with "BEAB Approved" label.

Types

Microwave ovens are available in three basic types - standard, or "solo" models, microwaves with a grill, or "browner" facility, and combination models, with, perhaps, microwave, grill and convection oven facilities.

Grill Models

Generally, incorporate a heat source, in the form of a halogen, or conventional, heating element, usually in the roof of the oven cavity, a turntable, and a split level rack, which allows you to adjust the position of the food, in relation to the heat source. The microwave and grill functions can normally be used independently, or in combination. The LG MH6144B Microwave, for example, is a grill model, with a power output of 800 watts.

Convection

The addition of a convection oven allows rapid microwave cooking, with the extra facility of baking, roasting, browning and crisping foodstuffs in a more conventional manner. Convection ovens of this type may reduce cooking times by up to 20%, or so, but do, nevertheless, operate at lower temperatures, and are therefore more energy efficient. In addition, dishes cooked in this manner require little, or no, cooking oil, or fat. The Panasonic NNA554WBBTQ Microwave, for example, is a combination model, with a capacity of 27 litres, and a power output of 1000 watts.

Other Considerations

Cost versus function

Do bear in mind, however, when listing your requirements, that more sophisticated microwaves are generally more expensive than simpler models, so consider carefully whether the extra functionality is worth the extra cost, or not, from your point of view. You might like to ask yourself, for example, whether you will use a microwave oven just for thawing or reheating food, or as a more significant cooking appliance, and, perhaps, for how many people.

Power Ratings

Domestic microwave ovens usually have power ratings of between 600 and 1200 watts, and, all other things being equal, the higher the power rating, the better; higher power rating means faster cooking times. Remember that most microwave recipes that you will come across will probably specify a power rating of no less than 800 watts. As an aside, even with very high powered models, a rotating turntable will promote more uniform cooking, and, even then, food may still need to be stirred, during or after cooking, and allowed standing time to complete the process. The Sharp R-259S Microwave, for example is a standard, 800 watt model, while the Sharp R-959SLM Microwave is a combination model, with an output of 900 watts.

capacity and Volume

Consider, too, the capacity, or volume, of a microwave oven, in relation to the size and quantity of food that you are likely to want to cook. With the best will in the world, the Christmas turkey isn't going to fit - unless, of course, you hack it to pieces - but, on a slightly more serious note, make sure that your chosen model will accommodate your largest serving plates and dishes; mealtimes can become quite stressful and frustrating, if you're constantly transferring food from vessel to vessel, to keep it hot.

Location

Once you've decided what you want, you also need to find somewhere to put it, but that should be one of the easier decisions to make - microwave ovens are available in many sizes, and can be placed on kitchen worktops, built into kitchen units, and, in some cases, mounted on wall brackets.

Summary

Microwave ovens offer significant benefits to health, and to the environment, as well as being handy, and fast - but there's no reason why your purchasing decision needs to be anything like as fast - so take your time, and weigh up your requirements, and budget, against what the market has to offer. Actually, physically, cooking with a microwave, before you buy it, it not really a possibility (although it might be tempting, and fun, to try), but if you can have a look at one, at least you can check, for example, that the control panel doesn't require a knowledge of advanced astrophysics to cook a jacket potato. Failing that, customer reviews, and user forums, on the Internet, are an excellent source of - particularly less widely known - information.