Microwave solo: what is it

In the assortment of online stores you will find more than one solo microwave oven. How are they different from other microwaves, is it possible to cook in it or only reheat? In the article we will consider all the subtleties of this type of technique.

Briefly: such an oven works only on microwaves, has a low power and is intended mainly for heating ready meals.

Solo microwave: what is it

The technology on the basis of which the microwave oven was created was discovered by accident, while conducting research in a completely different area. Is it based on the developments of the US military back in the XNUMXth century? Not much time passed from experimental designs to serial production, and the demand for microwave ovens appeared instantly.

Progress has rapidly embraced this industry, so in microwave ovens, developers have increased power, reduced their size on the outside and expanded the volume inside. Later, the mechanical control was replaced by electronic, and not so long ago, touch controls also appeared. Manufacturers began to build in fans and heating elements for convection and grilling, offering steamers, bread makers and other options as a set.

So what exactly is a microwave solo? These are the simplest units that are not designed to perform additional tasks. Power ranges from 500 to 1500 watts. The mysterious word “solo” means only that the oven works only using microwave radiation.

Such stoves are the progenitors of modern multifunctional devices. They are still in demand, as some buyers do not need technically sophisticated microwave ovens at all, they buy them for heating and defrosting food.

In the solo oven, you can only cook food that has the appropriate label. The rest of the products can only be heated.

Under the action of microwaves, the products are cooked in their own juice, so they do not burn, do not fry, do not bake, but simply heat up to the temperature set by the user.

What is the advantage of a microwave oven of the “solo” type? Its design is simple, which ensures reliability and long service life. A stove from a trusted brand will last as expected and even longer (subject to the rules from the user manual).

Check out the types and features that you should pay attention to when buying.

Criterias of choice

What should concern the buyer when choosing an electrical appliance?

dimensions

The principle of operation for all furnaces is the same, so the first thing the user pays attention to is the design and dimensions of the case. For some, ease of transportation is important – compact designs are suitable for them.

Fact! Please note: the smaller the device, the lower its power.

Cost

The golden rule of the Russian buyer: what is cheaper is better. But if, choosing a simple stove, you want to get modern functionality and convenient switches, take options with touch controls. They can reheat and defrost in different modes, and among the additional options:

• timer,
• delayed start function
• automatic shutdown sensor
• LED lighting inside the camera, etc.

Mark

It’s hard to say which company is better. On the market you can find a solo model from almost any manufacturer: Midea, Gorenje, Shivaki, Panasonic, Sharp, Vitek, Supra and others.

Brands that have been on the market for decades and are well known to consumers are asking for more for their products than less well-known companies. At the same time, a well-known brand does not always act as a guarantor of quality. Please note: European companies often have factories located in China.

The other side of the coin: Bosch or Algy equipment is easier to hand over to a service center for repair than a little-known analogue. A nice bonus of buying equipment not from the highest echelon is that the price will be an order of magnitude lower for the same functionality that Bosch or Siemens will offer you.

Parameters

You already know about the functions: heating, defrosting, melting cheese or chocolate, crispy crust on a ready-made dish, etc. They are chosen according to their own preferences. Therefore, pay attention to the power parameters. The higher it is, the more opportunities the oven has: it copes with tasks faster, but consumes more electricity.

On a note! Planning to defrost large cuts of meat or fish? Or will you heat impressive portions? Equipment with a large camera is suitable so that there are no problems with loading.

Ease of Management

Do not like newfangled touch buttons, are you closer to ordinary wheels for switching modes? Such devices are especially suitable for the elderly and those who are not interested in the wide functionality of the device.

Energy efficiency

Modern appliances are no longer available with an energy class below B+. But when buying, be guided by equipment of classes A, A + or A ++ (the last option is the most profitable).

Class A++ devices have built-in power surge protection.

Advantages and disadvantages

Such structures have pros and cons. Let’s start with the good:

• Budget.
• Easy to care for, keep clean, use.
• They serve for a long time.
• Modest dimensions (compared to multifunctional devices).
• Fast execution of programs.

Cons:

• Few features and options.
• Experts’ version: Microwave products lose their benefits due to the way they are processed.
• There are practically no models with an automated heating process (you need to make sure that the products do not overheat).

Browse popular models

Let’s take into consideration the popular options for stoves of different brands: both little-known and well-known ones.

Horizont 20MW700-1378B

The volume of the Belarusian microwave oven is 20 liters, dimensions in width, depth and height: 45,5x26x33,5 cm. The tray is 24,5 cm in diameter. The chamber is covered with enamel inside. Product weight – 10,6 kg.

Radiation power – 0,7 kW. There are 5 levels of regulation in total. Management is mechanics. Rotary switches, 35 minute timer. The functionality is supplemented by a defrost mode. The chamber has a backlight, and there is also a sound notification at the end of the program. The door opens with a button – you do not need to pull the entire structure along with you. The design is laconic, white color.

Sold for 2800 rubles.

User Reviews

Alina, Surgut

We bought with colleagues to warm up lunches at the office, so the brand didn’t really matter – if only it warmed. We were very satisfied: no smell of plastic, all modes are fast, there are no glitches.

Tatiana, Nizhnevartovsk

Remarkable quality. For little money such a working device, I’m happy! Bought for heating breakfasts, sandwiches, so that guests can quickly bungle something. No extra features, everything is simple and tasteful. It heats up quickly, there is almost no noise, it is convenient to open by pressing a button. Now I know what the “solo” type means, otherwise there were immediately a lot of questions for the store consultant, who initially wanted to sell us a convection oven and a grill, but we don’t need all this.

Samsung ME713KR

The oven is designed for 20 liters. Dimensions: 48,9×27,5×35,4 cm. The chamber is covered with bioceramics. The weight of the structure is 11,5 kg. Power – 800 watts.

The panel has rotary mechanical switches. It also has a 35 minute timer. There is a defrost mode. Feature: system of uniform distribution of microwaves. The camera is equipped with a backlight. There is a notification signal at the end of work.

Button to open the door. The case is made in classic white color.

The cost, according to YandexMarket, at the end of 2017 starts from 4 rubles.

Customer’s opinion

Sofia, Kursk

I didn’t immediately understand what it meant. SOLO. But then I read on the Internet that this is supposedly a microwave without bells and whistles, which is exactly what my grandmother needed. Great design, not fancy and simple. The levers turn easily. Malaysian collection. But some shortcomings were also found: the cord is short and the light in the camera is not very bright (grandmother complains that it is hard to see), or this is due to too dark tinting. It copes with heating perfectly – such a budget variation without frills.

Sergey, Orel

A simple thing – and the first-grader son figured it out, and the retired mother-in-law pulled control. Previously, the oven was more expensive, so they were tormented by explaining to everyone how to use the sensor, so they freaked out and bought the simplest Samsung microwave when moving. I don’t regret spending a few thousand. We use the third year: not a single failure, glitch or breakdown.

LG MS-2044V

An elegant model in a silver case, designed for 20 liters. The freestanding microwave oven differs in dimensions: 45,5×28,4×35,3 cm (WxDxH). The turntable is 24,5 cm in diameter. The chamber is covered with enamel. Weighs 12 kg. Power – 800 watts.

It is equipped with electronic control, and there is a display on the user panel. Touch buttons make it easy to use. There is a defrost function and auto-cooking (32 recipes). You will also find auto-defrost (4 modes) and an express defrost function.

The Algy stove is equipped with a system of uniform distribution of waves. The camera is equipped with a backlight. Additionally, you can block the device from intervention by children. The mechanism for opening the door is a button. Estimated at 5 rubles.

Customer Reviews

Anastasia, Moscow

Design – 10 points out of 10! The buttons are comfortable, respond to the first touch. The door opening mechanism is impeccable (before that, there was also ELGI, but simpler). The model satisfies completely and completely: from color to functionality. I was angry with the wire for 5 days – how can you do, dog, such a short cord ?! Okay, we’ve fixed that. And one more heresy: the film in which the stove was wrapped (such as vinyl) had to be removed for almost an hour! This, of course, is cool, but why do I need such torment? Otherwise, everything is MEGA-cool. Minus the extension cord and some free time of my life, but plus the fact that now she will warm the sandwiches, and not me – I’m tired of conjuring in the morning with this breakfast.

Pay attention to other models:

• Midea AM820CMF on electronic control. 0,8 kW, 20 liters, from 4000 rubles.
• SUPRA MWS-1803MW – mechanics, 18 liters and 700 watts. The price is from 2 rubles.
• Gorenje MO17MW – designed for 17 liters and 0,7 kW, costing 2 rubles.
• Bosch HMT75M654 – built-in stove for 20 liters. 800W pushbutton switches. Prices start from 16 rubles.
• REDMOND RM-2001 – mechanical control, 20 liters, 0,7 kW, from 4 rubles.
• Daewoo Electronics KOR-5A17 – a compact version of 15 liters, with a power of only 500 watts, with mechanical control and rotary knobs, is sold from 2 rubles.
• Panasonic NN-ST251W – electronic control with touch buttons, 800 W, 20 liters, 4 rubles.
• Akira P70H20-MS – 700 W, 20 liters, another record low price – 2 rubles.

Now you know perfectly well what a solo stove is, you can make a choice based on the parameters you need. The option will be an excellent choice for those who appreciate the classics and do not spend money on extra functionality.