Appliance Guides

Microwave Ovens Microwave ovens have come a long way since they first hit the market in the late 1960s. Those bulky silver boxes with rotary dials offered fewer features than today's appliances--and cost more. For $150, you now can pick up a mid-size microwave in one of a variety of colors and configurations. It will typically have 800 watts or higher power to zap foods fast, one-touch commands to save time, and a turntable to uniformly cook food. Step up in price to a 1100-watt, top-of-the-line model and you may find a scrollable help screen, humidity sensors that measure the moisture in food for precise cooking times, and even a message reminder function (that alerts you and your family to appointments). Below is a series of questions and answers compiled by the experts at brandwise and the Good Housekeeping Institute to help you choose the right product for you.

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Questions and Answers

• What type and size microwave ovens are available?
• How is cooking power measured in microwaves?
• How do microwave ovens differ in price and power?
• What's are the key questions when selecting a microwave oven?
• What are other features worth considering?
• What does a shopper need to know about installation?
• Do microwave ovens cause cancer if you stand in front of them?
• What does a shopper need to know about delivery?
• What type of warranty do microwave manufacturers typically offer?

Q: What type and size microwave ovens are available?
A: Microwaves can sit on the countertop, be built into a wall, or go over a range. You can also buy a microwave/convection oven that either sits on a counter or is installed over a range or in a wall or cabinet. Microwaves come in three general sizes: compact (from 0.4 cu. ft. to 0.75 cu. ft. cavities), mid-size (0.76 cu. ft. to 1.5 cu. ft. cavities), and large or family-size (1.51 cu. ft. to 1.79 cu. ft. cavities). Microwaves also come in an assortment of colors--white, almond, black, gray, or stainless steel--allowing you to coordinate with your cabinets or kitchen appliances.

The most popular style microwave is the countertop, which comes in all sizes. This type has finished sides and is portable. If counter space is at a premium, optional installation kits are often available to install your unit under cabinets. Some manufacturers have introduced "space saving" microwaves, which are the width of a standard microwave (25 inches to 29 inches) but not as tall. They can be mounted under a cabinet.

An over-the-range microwave is positioned above the cooktop. It has finished sides, requires installation, and includes a cooktop light. (Some high-end models even have automatic night lights that turn on and off at pre-programmed times.) An over-the-range unit frees up countertop space and contributes to a neat, upscale kitchen design. Most are midsize (0.76 cu. ft. to 1.5 cu. ft.) or family size (1.51 cu. ft. to 1.79 cu. ft.). They cost more than twice as much as large countertop models. Don't be deceived by their wide dimensions. These ovens are often not as deep as countertop models, so their turntables are smaller than large countertop models. Several manufacturers overcome this drawback by letting you deactivate the turntable when you want to heat a large dish. Over-the-range models give you two exhaust options: one connects a fan to ductwork to exhaust odors and smoke from the range to outside, the other re-circulates and filters smoke with a ductless installation.

If there's no room over the range and you're tight on space, a built-in microwave may be the solution. It can be installed into a kitchen cabinet or wall. These models have unfinished sides, are often family size (1.51 cu. ft. to 1.79 cu. ft.), and may include convection ovens or browning features.

Microwave/convection oven combos, generally family size(1.51 cu. ft. to 1.79 cu. ft.), combine the speed of a microwave with the browning capabilities of a convection oven (which is powered by electricity and circulates air around the cavity to maintain a uniform temperature and quick cooking times).

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Q: How is cooking power measured in microwaves?
A: By watts. The higher the wattage, the faster food will cook. Higher wattage generally yields better results with foods such as popcorn. The most popular microwave ovens range from 700 watts to 1100 watts. Although more watts generally cost more, today's shopper for a family-size model will get higher wattage--and consequently shorter cook times--than five years ago. That's because manufacturers have been steadily cranking up the cooking power. The wattage for a typical family-size microwave jumped from 700 watts in 1993 to as much as 1100 and higher today.

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Q: How do microwave ovens differ in price and power?
A: Microwave oven manufacturers offer shoppers a variety of price points, ranging from $70 or less for a 700-watt model to up to $900 for a 1100-watt model.

Countertop models are generally less expensive than built-in or combo units. With prices on microwave ovens dropping, you can pick up a compact unit with 700 watts for $70 to $170. Midsize countertop microwaves cost roughly $150 with 800 watts or more and offer lots of features. A family-size countertop can sell for $300 with 1000 watts. A midsize over-the-range microwave with 1100 watts typically costs $500. Built-in models--often family size with 1100 watts of power--cost about $800. Microwave/convection ovens-also family size with 1100 watts-cost as much as $900.

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Q: What are the key questions when selecting a microwave oven?
A: What size do you need? This depends on two things: Your cooking needs and your available space. If you plan to prepare large dishes in the microwave, you'll want a sizable turntable. Shopping by capacity size alone can be misleading. Not all the space in a microwave is usable. If all you'll do is warm coffee or leftovers, a compact model will do. If you have a small family or a utility kitchen with no room to spare, consider an over-the-range model.

What kind of cook are you? If you like to experiment in the kitchen, check out models with a favorite recipe feature, which lets you program into the microwave your most-used recipes.

How many watts do you want? If your microwave will only be used for reheating, a 600-watt to 800-watt oven will do. But if you expect to cook from scratch, more watts may come in handy.

Are you a technophobe? If you're not one to tinker with extra features go with a basic model. Some units pack in many features that are more complicated to decipher than bare-bones models. When buying a microwave/convection oven, study the control panel. On some units, the controls can be difficult to understand. The reason: the controls for both appliances are often on one panel.

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Q: What are other features worth considering?
A: Look for a control panel that's logical (some high-end models offer helpful icons on the pads) and has large, legible type. Automatic cooking pads let you reheat or cook certain foods for a predetermined length of time, so there's no need to input the time. Some microwave oven controls can be adjusted to the quantity of food, so that, for instance, you press the pad once for one potato, twice for two. Quick start is another time-saver. One touch starts the oven for 30 seconds or 1 minute. This is ideal for adding time at the end of cooking if food isn't hot enough.

Here are more features to consider:

Automatic weight defrost. This defrosts at preset power levels after you've entered an item's weight and, in some ovens, a category such as chicken or beef. The on screen display usually tells you when it's time to turn or remove defrosted portions of food.

Self-returning (or boomerang) turntables. These return to their starting position, so you can easily grab items such as a coffee mug without having to reach to the back of the oven cavity.

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Q: What does a shopper need to know about installation?
A: If you're buying a countertop model, measure the width of your space. Installation of a countertop model requires a three-prong outlet. You don't have to have a dedicated outlet, but it's often recommended. Since most older kitchens have 120-volt outlets, several appliances in use on one circuit can cause the fuse or circuit breaker to trip. To work around this problem, avoid simultaneously running several high wattage kitchen appliances such as toasters or coffee makers, rearrange your small kitchen appliances to use other circuits, or buy a microwave with low wattage.

If you're buying a built-in microwave, measure the height and width of your kitchen cabinet or wall opening before shopping. To install a built-in unit, you'll probably need to call an electrician.

Over-the-range microwave ovens typically come in 30-inch widths to match the width of your range or hood opening, so there's usually no need to measure the space. To mount and connect your unit and/or fan, you'll likely need to call a professional.

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Q: Do microwave ovens cause cancer if you stand in front of them?
A: No. Federal regulations have established strict limits on the amount of energy that can be emitted by microwave ovens. These standards are much lower than the level at which any adverse health effects are believed possible. Even if an oven leaks, you may feel some warmth but you won't be at risk for cancer.

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Q: What does a shopper need to know about delivery?
A: Before ordering a microwave, think about how your old appliance will be dismounted and discarded. Some towns offer curbside pick up; others don't.

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Q: What type of warranty do microwave manufacturers typically offer?
A: Many offer a warranty that includes one year on labor, one year on parts, and five years on the magnetron tube.

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