What do you use your microwave for? In actuality, even though there is a microwave oven in almost every home, we only use them to reheat leftovers and to defrost meats. Some people may use them for popcorn or a hot dog on occasion. Other than that they seem to just sit on the counter and take up space.
Many early microwaves just were not suitable for cooking much. They were great for reheating a meal that had gotten cold or for defrosting meat that had been left in the freezer. They might even work to cook a hot dog or popcorn, but put a piece of meat in one and try to cook it. The result was usually disgusting. You ended up with gray beef that was tough and tasteless.
Microwaves of today are totally different. Now they can cook an entire dinner. You can have meats that have actually been browned on the outside and are crispy. On the inside they are still tender and flakey. Vegetables are moist and tasty. In fact the meal is just as good as if you had cooked it in or on your range.
To get all these features, you may have to pay about one hundred dollars more that for the simple reheating or defrosting model, but in the long run, you will save money. This is because a microwave uses less power than a standard oven and cooks in less time. If you get a microwave that is full function and avoid use of the range oven, the savings on your utility bill can pay back the initial cost in only a few months.
If you have a large kitchen with plenty of counter space, you will want to get a counter top model. They cost less and are more convenient than the models that are mounted above the range and attached to the cupboards. Additionally, countertop models offer several more options.
If your kitchen is small, then opt for the over the stove model. They may require professional installation and are somewhat more expensive initially, they do free up counter space. Additionally, many models also offer a vent hood over the range to keep the kitchen free of cooking odors and smoke.
One of the new features is the option of a convection oven with the microwave. Convection cooking is faster than a traditional oven and gives food a crispy crust. It is a great option for baked goods and for roasting meats. Other microwaves incorporate quartz or halogen lights to make browning of foods easier.
Another feature that is becoming popular is the sensor cooking. This feature senses infrared heat or steam off the food to know when the food is done as well as when the oven should turn off. This feature may be especially helpful to children learning to cook in a microwave.
So, if you think that all a microwave is good for is defrosting and reheating, take some time to walk down the microwave aisle and see what is offered in the newest microwave ovens. - 30536
Many early microwaves just were not suitable for cooking much. They were great for reheating a meal that had gotten cold or for defrosting meat that had been left in the freezer. They might even work to cook a hot dog or popcorn, but put a piece of meat in one and try to cook it. The result was usually disgusting. You ended up with gray beef that was tough and tasteless.
Microwaves of today are totally different. Now they can cook an entire dinner. You can have meats that have actually been browned on the outside and are crispy. On the inside they are still tender and flakey. Vegetables are moist and tasty. In fact the meal is just as good as if you had cooked it in or on your range.
To get all these features, you may have to pay about one hundred dollars more that for the simple reheating or defrosting model, but in the long run, you will save money. This is because a microwave uses less power than a standard oven and cooks in less time. If you get a microwave that is full function and avoid use of the range oven, the savings on your utility bill can pay back the initial cost in only a few months.
If you have a large kitchen with plenty of counter space, you will want to get a counter top model. They cost less and are more convenient than the models that are mounted above the range and attached to the cupboards. Additionally, countertop models offer several more options.
If your kitchen is small, then opt for the over the stove model. They may require professional installation and are somewhat more expensive initially, they do free up counter space. Additionally, many models also offer a vent hood over the range to keep the kitchen free of cooking odors and smoke.
One of the new features is the option of a convection oven with the microwave. Convection cooking is faster than a traditional oven and gives food a crispy crust. It is a great option for baked goods and for roasting meats. Other microwaves incorporate quartz or halogen lights to make browning of foods easier.
Another feature that is becoming popular is the sensor cooking. This feature senses infrared heat or steam off the food to know when the food is done as well as when the oven should turn off. This feature may be especially helpful to children learning to cook in a microwave.
So, if you think that all a microwave is good for is defrosting and reheating, take some time to walk down the microwave aisle and see what is offered in the newest microwave ovens. - 30536
About the Author:
Reese Cook is a blogger. She has a microwaves review blog in which she recommends the best small microwave. She thinks that small microwaves are good for office use.
