The microwave oven is an appliance that most people use every day without even realizing it. It’s not just for reheating leftovers — it’s a quick, convenient way to cook smaller portions of food. The main benefit of using a microwave over other cooking methods, such as conventional ovens or stovetops, is speed. A traditional oven can take longer than a microwave to heat up a food evenly and thoroughly. Ovens that do not have radiant heating are more prone to uneven heating when you add thick, heavy pans — such as casserole dishes — that absorb heat differently than thin-walled utensils and containers. This can cause hot spots in your kitchen and cause the oven temperatures to fluctuate which may leave foods undercooked on the outer edges and overcooked in the center. Another advantage of using a microwave instead of an oven is ease of storage. You don’t need an extra cabinet space for your electric appliances if you have one small remote control that fits into your palm!
Read on to learn about what types of microwaves are available, their pros and cons, how much they cost, and maintenance tips for them.