Microwave ovens appear in nearly every home, and if yours doesn't have one, you're missing out on more opportunities than you realize. Buying one is a joy, if you know what to look for. Cooking with them is easier than ever before -- electric ovens just don't compare. The latest advances in this handy appliance have food companies scrambling to take advantage of the new features. The precision they offer is as fine as a Swiss watch. Best of all, cooking with a microwave, you can save money, and the cost is easy on your wallet. Take a look at these advantages.
It's too bad stove and oven makers haven't yet realized that microwave ovens surpass the electric oven. If they did, perhaps they'd replace their ovens with microwave ovens and you'd realize more of your valuable kitchen space. Because counter space varies from kitchen to kitchen, microwave ovens are made in various sizes. They come in medium and large-counter sizes, as well as over-the-range models and built-in models. There are some small models too, but most kitchens can accommodate a medium size model. Keep in mind that the interior capacity will be smaller than the actual size. A mid-sized model will range from 1 to 1.2 cu. ft., but have an interior capacity of between .6 and .8 cu. ft. The large model ranges from 1.4 to 2.2 cu. ft., with interiors between .8 to 1.5 cu. ft. Over-the-range models come in exterior sizes of between 1.1 to 2.2 cu. ft, and interiors of between .8 to 1.3 cu. ft. Before you purchase one, consider where you're going to put it. There's nothing so annoying as having to return your microwave because it's too big for your kitchen.
Microwave ovens contain a microchip that you essentially program yourself for the food you're cooking. Not only can you set your microwave to cook your food; you can set it to defrost it as well. Many microwave ovens come with pre-programmed settings you select for a given food, for a sandwich, a pizza, a roast, popcorn, you name it. Some allow you to set your altitude by your zip code! One type allows you to enter a code found on some packaged microwavable foods. Others imitate a convection oven, and several feature grilling and browning. You can get microwave ovens that keep the food warm after it's finished cooking. Those with sensors will automatically turn off the microwave when the food is done. You can also buy some ovens with racks that allow you to cook more than one food at a time! If you have kids, you'll appreciate microwaves with child locks.
The nice thing about microwave ovens is that they cook faster than a conventional oven. You can cook food in half the time it takes in conventional ovens. Now, that's a time saver! Some come with halogen bulbs that speed up the cooking process. The microwave oven is also easier to clean yet more time saved. Best of all, you'll use only 20% of the energy you'd use cooking the same food in an electric oven. In these times of high energy costs, that's a significant savings by any account.
If you can save 80% on energy costs for cooking, the microwave will quickly pay for itself. Medium size microwaves cost between $65 to $250, large ones between $130 to $650. Over-the-range microwaves will run you between $300 to $1000 for top of the line. Kenmore produces the highest rated medium size models. GE and Panasonic models are rated best in the large category, and Samsung, Whirlpool and Kenmore receive highest ratings for over-the-range.
With our busy -- and expensive lives, and our love for oven-cooked foods, microwave ovens are an appliance no kitchen can afford to be without. Now, you know how to buy smart!
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