What are the modes of the microwave

The abundance of microwave modes can mislead an inexperienced user. Do you want to quickly figure out how and in what cases to use one or another mode? Follow the instructions from our review.

Standard microwave programs

Main standby mode: microwave or “microwaves”. Got imported equipment? Then the inscriptions on the case will be: MW or Microwave.

Any microwave can support it, regardless of design: solo or combined. The only difference is that in simple models only microwave radiation technology is used, and in complex ones there are still functions “Grillb” and “Convection“. To maintain them, heaters (heating elements) and fans work in the stove.

Depending on the company, the radiation power ranges from 600-1100 watts. Convenience is that almost every stove can not work at full capacity. In the stoves of recent years, up to a dozen degrees of adjustment.

Modes, depending on the brand and model, can be signed with numbers – 1, 2, etc., percentages – 75%, 100%, etc. Designations in Watts or symbols are not excluded.

If ten years ago, low-power designs designed for 650 W were in use, today the demand for 800-850 W models is growing. Designed for 1000 watts are only gaining popularity.

Models with 5 power levels

There are usually 5 microwave modes (in most designs of various brands). Let’s consider each of them.

1. “High” or “full” power. On foreign technology in this case is the designation High. At 100% power, the highest temperature is maintained. Suitable for heating and quick cooking of fish, meat dishes, vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee.
2. “Above average” or Medium high corresponds to 70-80% of the maximum. Another unspoken name is “Roasting”. This is easy to explain: the cycle allows you to optimally roast pork and poultry. Products do not dry as much as in other modes, do not require constant monitoring. Medium high is also suitable for reheating and baking. A real find for those who like to cook with cheese or sauces. Another plus: cooking without boiled over liquid.
3. “Average” or Medium corresponds to 50-60% of the maximum. Suitable for emergency defrosting, even heating, slow frying, simmering or simmering. Soups, fish and dairy dishes, and seafood are often prepared on the Medium program.
4. “Below average” or Medium low – this is how power is indicated, which gives out only 25-30% of the maximum value. It is used for heating, softening butter for creams and desserts, melting chocolate products, natural honey and even ice cream. Sometimes the cycle is labeled “Defrost”.
5. “Low” or Low – the minimum power, calculated for only 10-15% of the total. On this cycle, the temperature is the lowest, so it is more often used to keep food warm or to warm up “delicate” foods.

Examples of models with 5 levels

• Horizont 20MW700-1378B is a 20 liter stove rated at 0,7 kW. Enameled chamber. Mechanical control, rotary switches. The price is from 2930 rubles.

• Supra MWS-1803MW – stove with a volume of 18 liters, 0,7 kW. Mechanical control, 30 minute timer. The cost is within 2700 rubles.

• Midea AM820CMF – 20 liters, enamel coating, 0,8 kW. Electronically controlled with pushbutton switches. Timer for 95 minutes. The price is from 4290 rubles.

About the grill

Imported models can be marked with the word Gril – these are combined options. The heating element itself can be infrared (IR) or traditional. When cooked with a grill, the dish is covered with a golden crust, for which many buyers prefer microwave ovens to conventional electric or gas ovens. Particularly enthusiastic reviews on the web can be found about poultry, meat products, casseroles, cheese and vegetable dishes.

You can activate the grill at the end – solely for the sake of the crust, and before that, cook using waves.

Models

• Samsung GE83KRS-2 – designed for 23 liters. 0,8 kW, electronic control. From 6 100 rubles.

• LG MH6044V – also electronic, but already 20 liters and 700 watts. It costs 5 rubles.

• Horizont 20MW800-1479 – 20 liter variant, 800 watts. The price is 3 rubles.

Convection ovens

The “Convection” program is often signed by foreign manufacturers Conv. It is also referred to as “Hot Air” and even “Oven”.

What is the point. The stove is equipped with a heater and a fan, the blades of which accelerate the flow of heated air through the chamber. The convective process quickly heats up the food, at which time a conventional oven would still warm up. As a result, any cooking process is accelerated, and the heating is uniform. Simultaneous processing on a turntable is available using the grate supplied.

What to cook. Prepare appetizers, fish and meat delicacies, pizza with any toppings, soufflés and fragrant pastries!

On a note! Are you planning to make a cake, biscuit, puff or muffin for the arrival of guests? In this case, warm up the camera beforehand.

Not bad on this program, lean meat pieces are obtained, weighing less than 0,5 kg. Without the use of microwaves, you can even cook in foil or on a metal tray at the optimum temperature.

What dishes can not be heated in the microwave, you can learn from the previous review.

Even baby food can be heated using only convection at 40 degrees. Read more about this on the pageCan you reheat baby food in the microwave?».

Models with convection

• Samsung MC28H5013AW – 20 liter 900 watt stove with electronics. Volume – 28 liters. The cost is 11 rubles.

• BBK 23MWC-881T/BM – 23 liters, 800 W, electronics. It costs 6 rubles.

• Panasonic NN-CD565B is rated at 27 liters and 1000 watts. Inverter oven. 14 991 rubles.

Program combinations

Manufacturers Gorenje, Discount, Whirlpool, Zigmund & Shtain, Emperor and others allow you to combine the available options. Consider the main combinations: their English designations, purpose and capabilities.

microwave with grill

Foreign labeling of this combination: COMBI, MICRO + GRILL, MW + GRILL, etc.

If the power of the microwaves prevails over the grill, less time is required, but the quality of the meat is reduced. And vice versa: if you increase the work of the grill, with minimal radiation, you can achieve a familiar taste, sacrificing time – it will take more.

Combinations also differ in the way they act: it can be the simultaneous operation of waves with heating elements or their sequential switching. Simultaneous operation is suitable for frying meat and fish, baking in large volumes. In the second case, you can quickly cook a dish using microwaves, and the grill will only give it a “blush”.

In the configuration, you can often find grates of various heights: low for large products and high for dishes of small size and weight. They greatly enhance the effect.

Important! Manufacturers insist on using only standard gratings: their geometry is thought out to the smallest detail for certain camera parameters of each individual model.

Also remember that metal trays and plates are not suitable for cooking. The dripping fat can be held by a special ceramic tray. It should be treated with care when washing and cleaning – when the enamel is chipped, the pallet will become unusable.

Microwave and convection

Standard international designation: MW + CONV. An excellent cycle for a large list of dishes, including pastries. The time spent is minimal, the surface of the dish is with a crust.

Convection can give out from 40 to 250 degrees: nothing will burn and it will bake perfectly. What can we say that the smell and juiciness of the products will be impeccable.

Grill convection

Foreign signs: GRILL + CONV, etc.

Serves for fast frying of products and additional ruddy crust. Pizza, fatty meat, poultry – all this is fast, tasty and beautiful.

Automatic programs

In some designs of recent years, automation is provided. Defrosting, cooking, grilling and combination modes – all this works without user intervention. You don’t have to set the time and temperature, the “smart” technology will do everything for you.

The latest microwave ovens have programs designed specifically for the Russian user: automatic steaming in the “Garnishes and cereals” mode. By pressing one button, you can cook rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. Fresh vegetables and potatoes also lend themselves perfectly to such processing. In just 6 minutes, the oven will cook half a kilo of vegetables, and in an average of 15 minutes it will cook a quarter of a pack of rice.

Now you know everything about the standard modes of microwave ovens and their combinations. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them in the comments to the review.