Microwave Ovens Buying Guide

Fast and reliable, microwaves are energy-efficient and economical for your home. They've become much more multi-functional too, often incorporating a grill or fan oven.

• Standard microwaves are great to cook ready meals, soups or vegetables;
• Microwaves with grills are ideal to save space and to grill fish and meat easily;
• Combi microwaves are ideal to cook healthy vegetables and fish recipes;
• Integrated microwaves will save worktop space and create a seamless look;

Staall Tip: Always make sure the microwave oven size or dimensions have sufficient access so that it will fit that space.

The microwave oven power is measured in watts and the higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. Wattages range from between 650-1950W, and are categorised by a rating of A to E - at 850W, E is the most common rating.

• Full-size microwaves deliver 1,000 to 1,950W (watts of power);
• Mid-size microwaves deliver 800 to 1,000W (watts of power);
• Small-size microwaves deliver less than 800W (watts of power);

Staall Tip: The higher the wattage, the quicker your food will cook as high wattage heats food more quickly which means that ,ore power is better for cooking entire meals.

There are several sizes, capacities and dimensions of microwaves, and capacity is measured in litres.

• 15 litres or less microwaves (small or compact microwaves) are small and ideal for a family size of 1 or 2 people. You can defrost, reheat, cook jacket potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables;
• 15 to 20 litres microwaves are suitabe for a family of 1 to 4 people. You can defrost, reheat, cook jacket potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables;
• 21 to 25 litres microwaves are great for 1 to 4 family size and if you want to defrost, reheat, cook jacket potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables, grilled meat, pizza, cake, bread, roast dinners;
• 26 to 30 litres microwaves are ideal for 4 to 6 people family size and suitable to defrost, reheat, cook jacket potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables;
• 32 litres or more microwaves are suitable for a family of 4 to 6 people and you can defrost, reheat, cook jacket potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables, grilled meat, pizza, cake, bread, roast dinners;

Staall Tip: Small or compact microwaves perform quite well in dorm rooms, offices, apartments, boats and campers.

Most common microwave ovens come with a turntable but there are also ovens with a flatbed instead. The main differences are:

• Turntable microwaves are great to make sure even cooking by turning the foos and this is done automatically. They are also are removable for easy cleaning. Some models have a turntable on/off feature. 
• Flatbed microwaves create a larger cooking area and offer the flecibity to place dishes of all shapes inside the oven. As there us no spining plate it is quite easier to clean and to cook food more evenly.

Microwave ovens additional features considerations:

• Chaos defrost Uses random pulses of microwave energy to reduce the usual defrosting time reduces defrost times even further;
• Child lock or child safety lock prevents children from playing with the buttons and they will not be able to start accidentally a programme or interfere with cooking timings or setting;
• Drop-down door makes it easier to put in and take out dishes, and the door is a handy place to rest your hot dishes on. Ideal for a built-in model at eye level;
• Delay start is suitable to start the oven to come on automatically at a set time of day;
• Auto Weight Cook allows to calculate automtically the cooking time required based on weight of the food;