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How to choose a microwave oven? Video
Among the variety of kitchen helpers, the microwave oven occupies a place of honor, which, in its multifaceted functions, can become a worthy alternative to the stove, oven, multicooker and double boiler taken together. Therefore, before buying this unit, it is worth deciding what requirements it must fulfill.
How to choose a microwave oven: video tips
The main one is the speed of cooking and heating food. No other device can compare with the latter function, since most models spend no more than 1,5-2 minutes heating a standard portion. No less convenient is the fact that even the largest microwave oven in terms of its size is still much more compact than a conventional stove, which makes it transportable. This allows you to take the microwave with you to the dacha and not worry about cooking, since you will have both the stove and the oven with you right away. The functionality of many models is so wide that you can not only cook or reheat in the microwave, but also fry and even bake. This makes it a versatile and useful kitchen helper.
The principle of operation of the microwave is based on heating the liquid molecules present in the products, thanks to which they cook so quickly, warming up from the inside.
How to choose a microwave oven by its functions
Most of the models are initially equipped with a basic set of programs that allow you to easily prepare a particular dish by selecting only the corresponding button on the panel and determining the volume of the original product. Most often, such modes cover meat, vegetables, porridge, but there may be other automatic cooking modes, which is quite convenient.
At the same time, any microwave oven has an auto-heating function, which is indispensable in principle. The set of additional options may differ depending on the model, the most common of which are defrosting and quick cooking. For these modes, it is necessary to set the initial mass of the product along with the setting of the power and operating time of the oven, or simply the last two elements.
As modern functions, grill and convection mode are especially popular, which significantly increase the price of the product, but each housewife will have to decide whether they are necessary in the household. Practice shows that if the grill function is used at least for cooking sausages and crispy wings, then whole chicken or just meat can be made no less tasty without convection, for which it is enough just to buy an ordinary microwave.
The function of a steamer in the microwave will be needed by those with small children growing up, and simply by supporters of a healthy diet, so the main selection criterion is your own needs.
Functions that increase the convenience of using the oven and at the same time its cost are child lock, sound signal and auto start. They are convenient, but in principle you can do without them.
What else to consider when choosing a microwave oven
The type of control is important. The most popular and expensive models are equipped with a sensory mechanism that looks impressive, but has a significant drawback: if it fails, you have to change it completely. The mechanics are more reliable in this regard. The inner surface of the oven is equally important.
All modern materials used are well cleaned and durable in operation, be it ceramics or stainless steel, but their color may be different, and it is quite clear that dirt on white walls will be much more noticeable.