Types and functions of microwave ovens

In fact, you can live well without it, cooking and heating food on the stove or in the oven, but it is with it that these processes become more automated, and therefore faster.

How to choose a microwave for your home and not overpay? We'll tell you everything about modern microwave ovens.

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Types of microwave ovens

For your information! The microwave oven got its name for a reason, because it helps cook food using ultra-high frequency radiation.

This rather “scary” term actually means the following:

• Microwave radiation penetrates deep into products and actively affects the water molecules contained in them;
• these molecules begin to vibrate, thereby causing the food to heat up;
• food is prepared in an accelerated manner;
• At the same time, the taste of the products and their composition rich in vitamins or microelements remains unchanged. This cannot be achieved, for example, by boiling or frying.

However, not all people consider microwave radiation safe, so they deliberately refuse to purchase such a household appliance.

In fact, a microwave oven is no less “dangerous” than a smartphone, WI-FI router or computer.

Moreover, well-known manufacturers of such household appliances are constantly working to improve their safety level.

Keep in mind! All modern stoves have virtually no negative impact on the human body.

Types of microwave ovens

It would seem that such similar-looking microwaves should “be able” to do the same things. However, this is not the case, since manufacturers produce the following types of stoves:

• “solo” model (heats and cooks only using microwave radiation);
• device with convection (will be useful for those who like to make a golden brown crust on baked goods or meat products);
• model with grill (can have a quartz, charcoal or heating element grill);
• a device with a steam generator (allows you to steam cook and also sterilize dishes);
• inverter models (“smart” stoves independently increase or decrease operating power).

So, in order to cook delicious grilled chicken at home or bake fish and vegetables in a special way, you need to purchase a microwave oven with a heating element or charcoal grill.

An appliance with a “convection” function or a technique with a quartz heater will help you bake your grandmother’s delicious cheesecakes, pizza or pies.

And at the same time you can cook several dietary and mega-healthy dishes using an oven that combines the functions of a “solo” and a “steamer”.

For your information! The types of modern microwave ovens are not limited to this list, since today on sale you can find both models that combine convection and grill, as well as “smart” devices with convection.

How to choose: overview of the main parameters

The main advantages of a microwave oven include:

• safety , since such a household appliance can be used even by children;
• independence , because this technique prepares without direct human participation;
• usefulness , since food practically does not lose its value during the cooking process.

However, in order for a microwave oven to cope well with its responsibilities, it must be chosen correctly, following the advice of professionals.

Dimensions and internal volume

All microwave ovens three large groups by volume

• small or small volume - 12-19 l;
• average volume – 20-25 l;
• large volume – 26-38 l.

Know! Accordingly, if in the near future the microwave will only need to heat food and prepare the most basic dishes, for example, hot sandwiches, then you can buy the smallest model.

If you plan to cook different dishes in such an oven, plus the family consists of 4 or more people, then you should pay attention to medium and large-sized equipment.

Power

Power is not only an indicator of the rate of electricity consumption.
This is also an indicator of the speed of cooking.

At the same time, a microwave with a limited set of functions does not need too much power.

Therefore, this indicator should always correspond to the “capabilities” of the furnace. For example:

• if a household appliance “can only” defrost food and reheat food, then it can have a power of 700 W;
• if the microwave oven is equipped with a grill, then for its effective operation the device must have at least 1200 W of power;
• if household appliances “can” cook in convection mode, then its power should vary within 1350 W.

You should know! To choose the right power of such a kitchen “helper”, you should pay attention not only to its functions, but also to its volume.

The higher the last indicator, and the faster (ideally) the food should be cooked, the higher the power level should be.

Materials

In a microwave oven you can heat foods placed in:

• in porcelain dishes;
• in earthenware plates;
• in ceramic cups;
• in disposable containers;
• in thick, waxed paper;
• in fireproof glass plates;
• in special plastic containers.

The main thing is that no “gold” or “silver” rims , as well as metal kitchen utensils, get inside the operating microwave .

Control type

Microwave oven control panels usually come in three types:

• mechanical;
• button;
• sensory.

Note! The mechanical type of control is very convenient for kindergarteners, schoolchildren and older people.

And all because such a microwave oven requires only two turning knobs to work.

Push-button and touch control type is a more advanced option, allowing you to independently determine the weight of the product, its cooking time and other points.

Inner coating

The interior of the microwave oven can be made of the following materials:

• stainless steel;
• ceramics;
• enamel;
• bioceramics (antibacterial coating).

It is worth noting that each of the listed types of internal coating looks aesthetically attractive, but only until dirt begins to accumulate in the microwave.

At the same time, drops of fat are removed from stainless steel less easily than from enamel or ceramics. But it is precisely this material that is most resistant to temperature changes.

This means that ovens with grill and convection most often have an internal coating made of stainless steel .

Stay up to date! In turn, bioceramics is a perfectly smooth and durable coating that is easy to clean from dirt, but is more expensive than other materials.

Functions

A microwave can have many functions or a set of 3-4 basic commands. What should an “ideal” microwave oven do?

• Defrost food.
• Reheat prepared food.
• Prepare a specific set of products (for example, pizza).
• Self-clean with steam.
• Sound a beep.

In addition, it would not be bad if this household appliance had child protection, “odor removal” and “keeping cooked food warm” functions, as well as “steaming”, “baking” and “grill” functions. .

Where to put?

Need to know! Microwave ovens come in two types:

• free-standing;
• built-in.

At first glance, it may seem that the second type of microwave oven is much more convenient than the first, however, this is not entirely true.

After all, in order for the built-in appliances to look harmonious with other household appliances and the kitchen as a whole, it is necessary to achieve a perfect match in the dimensions of the niche and the stove.

But, as practice shows, not everyone succeeds and not always.

Therefore, if it is not possible to adjust the kitchen set to a new microwave oven, before purchasing a built-in model, you must carefully measure the empty niche.

So-called “solo” stoves can only be built in if there is enough space around them for ventilation.

Door Features

Microwave oven doors can be opened using :

• buttons (on some models it is located below the touch panel, on others - on top of the door);
• pens.

Important! Moreover, while most models are equipped with a door that opens to the left, some ovens open downward, like in an oven.

This is very convenient when it comes to built-in appliances, but less convenient if it is a free-standing microwave, located, for example, on a special bracket.

Principle of operation

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Heating in a furnace is based on the principle of the so-called “dipole shift” K: Wikipedia: Articles without sources (type: not specified)[ source not specified 2198 days

]. A molecular dipole shift under the influence of an electric field occurs in materials containing polar molecules. The energy of electromagnetic vibrations causes the movement of molecules (in this case, having a dipole moment), which leads to an increase in the temperature of the material.

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] while most household microwave ovens operate at a frequency of 2450 MHz, in the United States some industrial models operate at a frequency of 915 MHz.

The frequency was chosen for practical and design reasons:

• A magnetron with a power of 500 W or more must have acceptable efficiency, cost and dimensions;
• The frequency must be in the authorized allocated radio frequency range (in this case, the ISM range);
• The penetration depth of radio waves into a heated object should be in the region of several centimeters (the lower the frequency, the greater the penetration depth).

Furnace power

The power of household microwave ovens varies from 500 to 2500 and above. Almost all household ovens allow the user to adjust the power used for heating. To do this, in inexpensive models of furnaces, the heater (magnetron), according to the setting of the power regulator, is periodically turned on and off, changing the average amount of supplied energy using the pulse-width modulation method (also widely used in many other heating devices, for example, irons, heaters). These on/off periods can be directly observed by the sound of the oven during operation, as well as by changes in the appearance of some products (inflating of some air products, including bags).

Additional functions

In addition to the main functions, the microwave oven can be equipped with additional “chips”.

They are not always important, however, their presence makes culinary processes even easier.

So, for example, a special multi-level grill allows you to cook not one, but several dishes at once in the microwave.

The frying disk is used as a small frying pan , and the steam “container” is responsible for preparing healthy and dietary food.

Here is another list of cool, but not always necessary functions :

• automatic weighing of products;
• double microwave radiation;
• dialogue communication.

Remember! In fact, many manufacturers, in an effort to increase the final cost of microwaves, are constantly providing them with new functions.

This should be taken into account when purchasing, since in standard situations, stove owners rarely use all the possible functionality of such a device.

Top 6 Microwave Oven Brands

In fact, it is quite difficult to single out several leaders among companies producing microwave ovens.

After all,
some are captivated by their low price, others by their ideal set of functions, and others by their excellent quality .
It is for this reason that we will pay special attention only to those brands that produce ovens in various categories (solo, grill, convection, etc.).

Panasonic

• Panasonic NN-ST254M.
• Panasonic NN-DS596M.
• Panasonic NN-GD39HS.

IN VK

• BBK 20MWS-728S/W or
• BBK 23MWC-881T/B.
• BBK 23MWG-923M/BX.

Daewoo

• Daewoo Electronics KOR-6LBR.
• Daewoo Electronics KOR-5A37W.
• Daewoo Electronics KOC-1B4K.

Samsung

• Samsung MC32K7055CK.
• Samsung MS23K3515AK.
• Samsung MC28H5013AW.

LG

• LG MS-2042DB/ARB.
• LG MH-63M38GISW.
• LG MJ-3965 BIS.

Gorenje

• Gorenje MO17MW.
• Gorenje BM235CLI.
• Gorenje BM251S7XG.

TOP 6 best models

It is extremely difficult for an ordinary consumer to find a quality model among a variety of brands. Our editors have simplified this point and collected several devices that truly deserve attention.

LG MW23R35GIB - convenient, high-quality and multifunctional

Inverter models do not have a transformer, which allows for more internal space. The highlight of our review is the device from the LG brand, which has proven itself to be convenient for use in a large family. Thanks to the availability of additional options, the microwave has become a full-fledged assistant in the kitchen.

Price: ₽ 9,000

BBK 23MWG-850T/BM - option with individual design

Almost all models provide power programming. Excellent free-standing microwave model. It will be a striking addition to any kitchen design, suitable for placement in specially prepared niches. The declared sample has some protective options and additional functions.

Price: ₽ 6,000

Midea AM820CMF - inexpensive and high quality

Quiet operation and uniform heating are two important components of a microwave oven. The device is easy to use. Intended for standard use, no additional tricks or problems. This device is perfect for those who choose a device exclusively for heating food.

Price: ₽ 5,000

Samsung ME83KRW-1 - incredibly popular among analogues

In conventional models, the nutritional value of dishes is preserved by 40-65%. Excellent design and unchanged functions are the main features of the proposed model. The device meets all the characteristics that should be used in a microwave oven. Household appliances are easy to clean due to the internal antibacterial surface.

Price: ₽ 7,400

Daewoo Electronics KOR-5A17 - the smallest microwave oven

The productivity of microwave ovens depends on the technical parameters. A separate microwave oven model is suitable for small kitchens. It has only standard settings and is intended for heating food. The chamber contains a system that allows the microwaves to be evenly distributed during operation.

Price: ₽ 3,300

Horizont 20MW800-1378 - the best microwave from the cheapest

Inverter models have low energy consumption. A free-standing microwave oven that has sufficient power and capacity. The price fully corresponds to the quality, there is camera illumination and sound indication. In addition to heating, it defrosts food well.

Price: ₽ 3,700