Small microwave: how to choose a mini model for heating

A small microwave has a lot of advantages over its more voluminous counterparts. Of course, you can’t shove a whole goose, but it takes up little space and is much lighter than full-sized microwaves. Any housewife can easily rearrange it from place to place. This is the dream of all summer residents, residents of communal and small apartments, office workers, students and travel lovers.

How to furnish a cramped kitchen

If we compare the kitchen of 30 years ago with today’s, equipped according to the average needs of a city dweller, then filling it with household appliances has increased incredibly. And if the dimensions of the kitchen have not changed (especially for old houses), the problem arises – where to fit all these useful dishwashers, bread makers, steamers and other devices?

When you have to save every centimeter, miniature microwave ovens come in handy: they perform most of the necessary functions, they take up a minimum of space.

Filling a cramped kitchen with household appliances, the owners go in two ways:

• buy combined equipment;
• acquire analogues of a small size.

How good is a small microwave

Buyers often do not even look in the direction of mini microwave ovens, believing that, along with a decrease in size, they have lost some of their functionality. Perhaps they even suspect that small devices do not shine with quality. This is fundamentally the wrong approach. Today, small-sized microwaves of leading brands are in no way inferior to their larger counterparts. They are equipped not only with a standard set of auto programs, but also with a grill, convection, and a multi-cook system.

The main criterion that should be followed when choosing a small microwave is power. It determines the efficiency of heating food and the presence of a number of useful functions. The best examples of miniature microwaves reach up to 0,9 kW – this is enough for the full functioning of the grill and the preparation of a dinner of three servings.

To summarize the advantages of small ovens:

• save energy;
• occupy a minimum of space;
• easy to operate;
• easily transported from place to place.

Leading brands offer the smallest microwave ovens, which can only heat food, especially for offices. And most importantly, they can be used in the car. Enough power to heat a small portion of food. Such a mini-oven can be placed in a niche of the table. Some do not even need to be connected to 220 V – they work via a USB cable.

What are the “baby” stoves

Miniature microwaves can be:

• Portable. You can take them with you on trips. But they need access to electricity to work.
• Stationary. They are produced much more than portable ones – there are few lovers of carrying a microwave oven with them. But a small-sized stationary device for heating and defrosting becomes a useful acquisition for home and office. They are especially needed in homes with small children, where food needs to be heated around the clock.

According to the number of modes, they distinguish:

• Solo – designed for microwave heating only. This is the cheapest option, the simplest microwave. There is no grill or convection, so the price is modest.
• Multifunctional – with all the standard features, they are compact. With their help, you can not only heat up breakfasts and dinners, but also bake meat, bake muffins and toasts, cook grilled vegetables.

What size mini microwave

Standard dimensions of small stoves: 50-40 cm wide and 40 cm deep. The smallest model that can only heat up, 30 cm deep. Such babies can fit anywhere, almost on any kitchen shelf.

The capacity of the chamber is different: 8,5, 10, 13, 15 and 20 liters. Turntable diameter up to 25 cm.

If you need a microwave oven for a pre-prepared space, going to the store, measure it with a tape measure. Ask the seller to measure the model you like so that it fits in the corner provided for it. Wherever the owners attach their purchase: they put it in a closet, attach it to the wall with brackets, make shelves under the dining table.

When choosing a model, be guided by the dimensions of the chamber – figure out if the plates that you are going to use to heat food will fit there.

What other criteria to consider when choosing

If you have already decided on the power, size and type, pay attention to the functionality. You need to decide how exactly you are going to use the new oven. If you are only interested in reheating and defrosting, an inexpensive and compact solo will suit you. If you want to cook delicious food, bake meat and poultry, so that with a crispy crust – look for a modification with a grill.

Please note: it is believed that the best heating element is quartz.

Also know: miniature models equipped with a grill, convection and other useful features are not inferior in price to their larger counterparts. On the contrary, you will need to pay extra for the size: small functional stoves are an order of magnitude more expensive than their full-size counterparts.

When choosing a modification, consider:

• Chamber volume. For example, 8 liters will be enough to heat a cup of coffee, you can brew a bag of quick soup. For cooking, you need at least 10-15 liters. The larger the volume, the larger the fan bay, and thus the dimensions of the device, and this can reduce the advantages of compactness to a minimum.
• The length of the power cord. It is desirable that it be smaller – it will take up less space and will fit snugly against the surface of the table or shelf.
• Door tightness. It is better to check this point in advance than to return the device later. They say that such a disadvantage may be due to the small size of the door.
• Protective screen material. Conventional stoves usually use a mica screen, which is a cheap and practical solution. In small ones, instead of mica, a more reliable plastic plate is installed. You can learn more about the protective screen on the page “What to do if mica burned out».
• Camera cover. The service life largely depends on it. It should be durable, easy to clean and not be afraid of high temperatures. A cheaper coating is enamel, a more reliable one is stainless steel and bioceramics.
• Security questions. During operation, the temperature inside the chamber rises. You need to know how much the case heats up: in good models, the heating does not exceed 60 degrees. The device must operate quietly.

Defrost nuances

If the miniature device, in addition to heating, is designed for defrosting, do not be discouraged if the oven does not cope with the task on the first run. Do not immediately run to the store – you may just need to set a higher temperature.

What problems can there be

One of the most common problems during operation is a malfunction in the control unit. The reason stems from the compact design: because space is saved, the parts are arranged more tightly than in the conventional version. Due to close contact, a short circuit or burnout of some elements may occur. It can also be caused by pieces of food or moisture getting inside the case. But it cannot be said that this feature often manifests itself in small microwave ovens. If this happens, then within the warranty period, and the device can be returned.

Having bought a microwave oven, carefully consider all the features. If you notice any oddities or problems, do not pull, immediately contact the service center.

Models overview

Rating by value

First, consider what manufacturers offer in terms of price:

• The lowest prices for Chinese brands Delfa, Scarlett, Saturn, Severin, Supra, DEX, Mystery, Mirta, Orion. Often their products do not shine with quality. Pay attention to the build quality and interior coating.
• Average prices. Famous brands are leading here: Panasonic, Ariete, Delonghi. Excellent build and durability.
• High prices. Almost every brand represents models from the high price segment, but the cost of stoves Bork always amazes. The quality, of course, is also high, but a large proportion of the money still goes to pay for advertising costs.

Brandt SPOUTGF

The perfect item for the office. If you do not have time for a cafe, in such a mini-stove you can make coffee and warm up the cold food taken from home. Food placed in the chamber can be monitored through a transparent door. In order not to forget your soup in the chamber, you can navigate by the timer and clock on the panel.

Such a device will not interfere in the home kitchen – it will defrost semi-finished products and heat food, saving time, space and electricity.

SPUTNIK ATR-M1 – for the car

Travel lovers and those who have to leave home often and for a long time will enjoy this portable modification. The device weighs 7 kg. Case material – impact-resistant plastic. There is a handle with which the mini-oven can be carried. Reliable feet do not slip.

The device is controlled by buttons. The user sees all the necessary information on the display. There are three auto cook modes. It can be powered by 220 V, car battery or directly from the cigarette lighter.

Whirlpool MAX 28 ALU – high speed heating and defrosting

Beautiful design combined with comfortable use. Capacity – 13 liters. Maximum power – 0,75 kW. There is a time indication, 5 heating modes, a clock, internal lighting, a child lock and a sound alert.

There is a “steam cooking” mode. Jet Start is a feature that allows you to accelerate to maximum in seconds. Thanks to Jet Start, liquid food can be heated in half a minute. The Jet Defrost function speeds up defrosting by 7 times.

At the moment, the model is not for sale, but suddenly you decide to buy a used device.

Daewoo KOR-5A0BW – affordable price

Classic design. Power – 0,5 kW. Capacity – 15 liters. There is a tray 25,5 cm – you can put quite large pieces and dishes. Enameled finish. No grill or convection. Touch switching.

The estimated cost is 3 rubles.

Zelmer 29 Z017

Diverse functionality. Chamber volume — 17 l. Grill power – 1 kW, microwaves – 0,7 kW. No convection. Combined microwave and grill mode available. Five levels, ten autoprograms. It does not heat up quickly, but evenly. Light weight, easy to move.

The estimated cost is 8 rubles.

Bosch HMT75M451 – excellent build

Like any Bosch stove, it is distinguished by high-quality assembly. The small-sized model is reliable and convenient. Five power levels, maximum – 0,8 kW. In order not to overload the mini-device with complexities, it provided only two auto programs. Bonus – you can memorize the recipe of your favorite dish. The door opens to the right. There is a timer.

The estimated price is 7 rubles.

Reviews

Daewoo Electronics KOR-5A0BW: Renat T., Kirov

I took for the minimum needs – for defrosting and heating. Not particularly happy. You can’t reheat or defrost properly. Not enough power. Buying an inverter is expensive, so I think you need to have two stoves: with a basic one and with a low power. What I like: it does not break, the buttons work, a convenient pallet, the power cord is short. The warranty is already out, I’ve been using it for the fourth year – it hasn’t let me down yet.

Brandt SPOUTGF: Tatiana E., Penza

Worked flawlessly for a year. The breakdown happened suddenly, and quite serious – the control board burned out. Repairing is like buying a new grill. Apparently there is no quality. I don’t particularly regret it – I just used it as a warm-up.

Bosch HMT75M451: Diana T., Taganrog

I was attracted by a simple and understandable control – I don’t like to understand the buttons, read instructions, etc. Excellent in appearance, can do a lot, but not without flaws. Some oddities sometimes happen in her “brains”: the light can turn on spontaneously, or turn off at will. Three years worked fine, but I wanted better. I will change.

Mini microwaves are a trend for cramped kitchens. Taking up very little space, they save time for their owners. Beautiful and functional, they can perform a different number of tasks – each consumer will choose a microwave oven according to their needs. Differing in terms of power and capacity, small stoves are united by one idea – saving any resources without losing quality.