The Microwave Oven that’s Right for You
April 29, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under Buying Guide, General Information
You only have to take a look on the internet to realise that the choice of microwave ovens out there is immense. So how do you go about picking one which is going to be right for you? Well, I can’t tell you which is the one you should pick, but I can tell you that there are four key questions you need to ask yourself that will help you choose which microwave ovens you should consider more closely.
How Much Space?
If you’re designing or remodelling a kitchen you’re in the envious position of having the further option of a built in microwave. This will take up no workspace and should complement the look of the rest of your kitchen. If not, then work out how much workspace you can afford to lose and make sure that there is a convenient power point.
What am I Going to Use my Microwave Oven for?
The next question is the most important for narrowing down whether you should consider standard microwave ovens or models with additional features. Most people only use their microwave to heat up food rather than actually cooking whole meals from scratch. For this, standard microwave ovens are definitely sufficient. If you were planning on using it for more diverse tasks you might want to look at combination microwave ovens which can also function like a normal convection oven.
This question will also help you to narrow down the microwave choice further by helping you think about the size of microwave you are going to need. If you live alone then a small microwave will probably be fine, but if you intend to cook for a whole family then you will probably want to look at bigger models.
What Type of Features Would I Find Useful?
Most models of microwave will come with a list of features, and for some the list can seem pretty immense. This doesn’t necessarily mean that those with more features will be better for you though. Extra features are only worth paying for if you think they will be useful to you. One of the first you should think about is the auto-program functions which are available. If you are quite lazy then it may be quite appealing to get one where you can just press one button to automatically set the time and the power level. As well as saving a few seconds, this feature is also really useful if you are a novice with the microwave and you aren’t really sure how long and at what power things should be cooked – it can save quite a lot of extra time that you would spend looking these things up.
An extra feature that many microwave ovens have is an auto-defrost feature. This lets you key in the weight and the microwave calculates the power and time needed for defrosting – again a handy time-saving device which saves you looking it up.
If you have a slightly higher budget you might want to consider a model which has sensors which will stop the microwave oven when they sense the food is cooked. Again, this is probably especially useful for all those novice microwave cooks out there.
Am I Getting the Best Value for Money?
Finally, there are just a couple of things which you should know to make sure that you get the best microwave in your price range. Most microwaves come with removable plates and turntables as standard, but this is definitely something that will make your life easier, so choose one with removable parts over one with a fixed turntable if possible.
The power of the microwave (e.g. 700W/800W/1000W and so on) is an indicator of how fast it cooks. Make sure that you pick the highest power microwave you can within your budget, as even 100W extra can make a big difference in cooking times.
And Then You Are Left With…
So if you follow all of these tips then you should be able to narrow down the list of microwaves which are right for you. The only thing left to do then is choose the one which you find most visually appealing and that will fit in your kitchen.
Buying a Built in Microwave Oven
April 22, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under Buying Guide
The microwave oven is one of the most used appliances in most kitchens. They’re used for 1001 tasks, including heating up leftovers, cooking frozen dinners, and even making popcorn.
As much as we all use microwaves on an everyday basis, most of us only implement a small proportion of a microwave oven’s capabilities. Before you start out and buy your next microwave oven, it’s a smart idea to have a knowledge of everything a microwave can do for you as well as a understanding of the sorts of microwaves that are available.
Because microwave ovens cook food quicker than a standard oven or stove, more nutrients are permitted to remain in your food, making the microwave a healthy cooking option. Microwave ovens are also an economical choice as they save a large amount of cash in energy costs.
They also are an excellent alternative to cooking with your oven on a hot day.There’s nothing worse than warming the kitchen when it is sweltering outside. Try preparing your full meal using the microwave rather than the oven and not merely will your place stay at a much more cosy temperature, you may economize by not having to run a fan or the air conditioner to compensate for the heat the oven or stove caused.
There are a few things to think about when purchasing a microwave oven. Before you look at the alternatives, it’s best to ascertain what capacity and power you need. If you intend to use your microwave to prepare food for a large number of people you must purchase a microwave oven that’s a higher powered unit.
Look for a microwave with a wattage of at least one thousand watts. Compact microwave ovens run between 500-800 watts, midsize microwave ovens have a tendency to range between 800-1000 watts, and full-size microwaves are over one thousand watts.
You need to confirm that you get a microwave that is suitably big to fit your favourite cookware. And if you are planning to cook big stews in your microwave, you need to consider purchasing a full-size model.
Mid size microwave ovens have a capacity that is .8 to 1.2 cubic feet and full size microwaves are always bigger than 1.2 cubic feet.
The very last thing to think about when buying a microwave oven is storage. The dimensions of the microwave will limit where you can place it, so it has to be considered. If you have limited counter space, a full-size microwave might be out of the question. If you are set on getting a high wattage microwave with the capacity to prepare a roast, but your counter space is restricted, there are some alternatives. And this site has a great selection of built in microwave ovens. These will fit under workspaces or within cabinets.
If you are in the marketplace for a new microwave, carefully consider
- how much capacity you want,
- how high a wattage system you need, and
- how much worktop space you can make available to your new microwave.
When you have worked out the 3 basics, you can simply cut down your selections primarily based on your list of desires. Buy the microwave that fits all three of your criteria.
Play Dough from your Microwave
April 12, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under General Information
In this article there is a recipe you may use to make play dough for your children. When you get the hang of it, you could even be ready to teach your kids the way to make it.
Microwave Play Dough
- two cups flour
- one cup salt
- four Tbs oil
- two cups water
- four tsp cream of tartar
- food colouring
Mix all ingredients in a container suitable for the microwave. Microwave on high for three to five mins, stirring every minute. Let mix cool.
Divide and knead in food colouring. Store in a sealed jar.
You are able to add smells to the playdough -try vanilla or peppermint essence.
Microwave Cooking Ideas
April 8, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under General Information
Microwave Cooking Ideas
Microwaves can be used for a lot more than just re-heating food. Here are some ideas for tasty dishes which will save you chunks of time by being cooked in this way.
- Scrambled Egg: Mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper together, then pour the mix into a microwaveable bowl, and cook on high power for around two minutes. Stir the mixture every 30 seconds. The egg is ready when the mixture goes light, fluffy, and no liquid is still visible. Serve on toast.
- Jacket Potato: Wash your potato, and then pierce it several times with a fork. Microwave on high power for 8-10 minutes, until the inside is soft. Serve with the filling of your choice.
- Rice: Place the rice in a large bowl with plenty of boiling water. Cover with a loose fitting lid (or a plate), and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir the rice, reduce the power to medium, and cook for another 6-8 minutes. Allow it to cool for 5 minutes, then drain and serve.
- Porridge: Mix porridge oats with milk, then cook on high power for 1 ½ minutes. Stir, and then repeat this process. Serve on its own, or with fresh fruit.
The Benefits of Microwave Cooking
There are many benefits of using a microwave when cooking:
- Speed: You can slash the time it takes to carry out many cookery operations by using a microwave. This includes, but is not limited to, melting, baking, poaching, thawing and boiling.
- Cost: Compared to conventional ovens, microwaves are relatively cheap. This applies not only to the initial outlay when purchasing the item, but also to the ongoing running costs, with a microwave running at around 75% less power than an oven.
- Space Saving: Microwaves are ideal for people with limited space in their kitchen.
- Safety: Due to the fact that the outside of the microwave remains cool during the cooking process, there is a reduced risk of accidental burns. As they are relatively light they can also be put at a suitable height so that they are out of the reach of children, but at a comfortable height for adults.
- Easy Cleaning: It is easy to clean the inside walls of a microwave with a damp cloth. The turntable can also be removed and cleaned separately. Due to the fairly compact size of the device it also takes a lot less time and effort to clean than a conventional oven.
Why consider a Built in Microwave Oven?
March 13, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under Built in Microwaves
Built in Microwaves have become remarkably better value recently, but, for most people there may be very little opportunity to decide between built in and stand alone models when buying a new microwave oven
Once a kitchen has been fitted out it is very difficult to incorporate a built in microwave unless it was planned for at the time, which leaves a stand alone microwave as the only option. If you are lucky enough to be having your kitchen designed for the first time, or refitted at a later stage, then you may be one of the few who is considering one as an option.
They are generally higher in price than standard stand alone models, and you are probably asking yourself whether it is worth investing the extra money and choosing a built in model. There are without a doubt three benefits to having a built in microwave:
Space-saving Devices
Having a built in microwave is without a doubt great for saving space on your kitchen worktops. In most kitchens the microwave oven is the largest appliance which sits on the worktop and they are not usually particularly small. While this may not be such an issue in a large farmhouse kitchen, it can cause a lot more problems in a small inner-city flat where board space may be at a premium. By designing the kitchen for a built in one you eliminate the problem of having to find space around your microwave to cook.
Safety
Most countertops are at a level which it is comfortable to work at for doing things such as chopping vegetables. Although easy to do things out in the open at this level it may be quite a lot harder to reach down into a cavity and do things without stooping over. This means that when you are removing hot food from the microwave it is not at a comfortable level from which to do so when the microwave is placed on same countertop. With a built in microwave it is possible to design the microwave to be at a height which is more comfortable for your own stature. By removing the need to stoop down to work with the microwave it makes it much safer for handling hot items from the microwave.
The only way to combat this problem without a builtin microwave is to mount your stand alone microwave on brackets on the wall. This in itself may be dangerous, particularly if not done by a professional, as microwaves are very heavy and need strong support if they are to be mounted in this way. Also, it is quite hard to mount a microwave and it not get in the way, as wall space in a kitchen is often already heavily used with cupboards and such like.
Microwave Quality
Although they are generally more expensive it is also worth bearing in mind that the actual quality of the microwave is also usually higher than for the stand alone microwaves of a lower price. Overall however, as with any decision, it is up to you to weigh up and decide whether the benefits of having a built in microwave oven are worth the additional investment.
Built in Microwave Buying Guide
March 13, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under Buying Guide
What to look for in a microwave oven when buying in the UK
The first thing you’ll need to consider is where you want to have your microwave. Most people have a free standing one on a kitchen work surface. As an alternative they can be wall-mounted or kept on a shelf.
An alternative is to go for a built in microwave. Ovens that are built-in will cost more and mean that you will need to thnk about your kitchen design in general. However it can blend in quickly with other appliances and look very stylish. It also saves work top space.
After that, think about what type of microwave oven you’d like.
In total there are three types of oven.
Basic microwaves - This type is the most prevalent. This type is perfect for smaller tasks including heating up meals, TV dinners, or preparing a simple meal such as jacket potatoes. They are as light and portable as a television and are in style with the elderly, students and household with families. Many basic microwaves provide a turntable so that the waves can cook all parts of the food evenly.
Combination ovens - These ones are now more widespread. They are able to use microwaves and ordinary heat convection at the same time, and in the same place. The user can choose to use the microwave or conventional methods separately or combine them, as they wish. These are top end appliances and usually have extras - such as having a grilling feature, a fan-assisted oven, or automatic sequencing of both types of cooking methods depending on the weight and nature of what is being cooked.
Grill ovens - These combine the advantages of a grill to brown the food being cooked - to ensure a more appealing look - with the speed and other advantages of microwave cooking. Grill-type microwaves include a rack that ensures that the food is grilled by the element.
Size
When measuring any area that you intend to use for a microwave, make sure that you’ve allowed enough space that the vents (typically on top) aren’t covered and that the door can be fully opened. Do think carefully about the maximum number of people it will need to cater for. The smallest microwaves will not generally be suitable for a family. Another consideration is to think about the dimensions of serving dishes you’ll want to use in it. Do make sure that the size of the microwave oven will accommodate them.
Wattage
The power of a microwave is measured in Watts. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The watts for each oven type can vary from about 500 to over 1550. Top of the range microwaves will permit you to vary this , depending on the power you need for any task. In Europe, energy ratings are applied - ranging from E down to A. Lots are rated E, roughly 741W to 800 W.
Design
You are likely to be able to choose one you like the look of as there is an enormaous variety available. White, silver and black are the colours that are most in demand. Ovens in most cases have doors that you push open. Another option is one with an ordinary handle. Some have doors that are top hinged - these occupy less room.
Controls
The majority have digital displays, with a key pad. These enable functions to be chosen quickly - typically with automatic settings for jacket potatoes, pizzas, etc.
Functions
A range of these may be included:
* Auto reheat - allowing you to enter the weight of the food - the oven will thus calculate how long it needs to operate for.
* Automatic defrost - the same idea, working out how long the microwave needs to be used for a given weight and type of food.
* Vegetable steamer - this can be a bit difficult to use initially, but, after a bit of practice it’s a healthy and fast way to cook vegetables.
* Crisper - this can often be combined with a grill for pizzas to crisp the base of the food. This can work well with bacon as quickly.
Built in Microwaves from Amazon
March 13, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under Built in Microwaves from Amazon
Amazon has a small selection of good value built in microwave ovens:
Built in Microwaves from Top Stores
March 13, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under Built in Microwaves from Top Stores
Here are a selection of the best built in microwaves from top merchants:
Microwave Ovens - Science Fiction?
March 8, 2009 by builtinmicrowave
Filed under General Information
Are you able to remember the time in which we did’nt have microwave ovens? The mere thought of a machine that could do what microwave ovens did would have been regarded as just science fiction. Who thought that we’d be in a position to cook and heat our meals in a matter of seconds, and that all of the waiting will be a thing of the past, well, this wasn’t so far ago.
The technical accomplishments of the last few decades are nothing short of breathtaking. The reality is that many of us has become very used to the microwave oven, with it often being used more than the conventional oven.
With the advancement in the use and making of the microwave ovens, the experience of using the microwave oven has increased, and today you’ll find many kitchens in which the microwave oven replaces plenty of different appliances, you may use the microwave oven to boil water so you don’t need an electrical kettle, whilst its no real replacement for a coffee maker, it’s a quick alternative. If you are exploring healthy cooking, the microwave oven will help you steam your veggies and keep all those vitamins, and a microwave is ideal for steaming.