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Appliance Glossary: Microwave Ovens
Look up the definition of terms and phrases related to dryers.

A - C \| D - G \| H - P \| R - Z

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A - C

Additional time settings
Touchpads that let users add from 30 seconds to 10 minutes of cook time - or a programmable amount - at one touch.

Adjustable sound levels
A volume control for the alert signal at the end of cooking time.

Air filter
Found in over-the-range microwaves, the air filter and the built-in exhaust fan help to reduce smoke and odors produced by cooking foods on the range below.

Approximate manufacturer's price
To calculate the approximate manufacturer's price, brandwise researches the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and the minimum advertised price (MAP) through retailers nationwide. When we are able to collect it, brandwise uses the MSRP; if not, we resort to the MAP. In the absence of both prices, brandwise displays the highest price charged by a brandwise retailer for that specific product. Because of that, the price consumers end up paying may be slightly lower or higher than what they see on the site, depending on which merchant is selected, sales in progress, special offers and other variables.

Auto defrost
Automatically uses pre-determined times and power levels to defrost food according to food category and weight.

Auto nightlight
A light installed on the bottom of over-the-range microwaves that illuminates the surface below and is programmable to go on and off at certain times.

Baked goods option
A pre-programmed touchpad for heating, cooking, or defrosting baked goods.

Bi-level cooking rack
A rack that lets you cook more than one item at the same time.

Browning element
An electrical heating element that causes food to color or brown and crisp during operation.

Built in
A microwave that is intended to be installed in a cabinet or wall in locations other than above the range.

Capacity
The volume of the oven cavity measured in cubic feet.

Casserole/stew option
A preset feature that heats up casseroles or stews.

Child safety
Design feature intended to prevent child accidents by locking the control panel.

Combination oven
An oven that combines the cooking functions of a microwave and a convection oven; also called a microwave/convection oven.

Convection oven
An electric oven that uses a fan to circulate hot air, allowing food to brown and crisp.

Cook sensor
An electronic sensor that measures the steam or humidity released by food in the microwave and automatically determines cooking time as needed.

Cooking complete reminder
An alert that sounds when cooking has finished and continues to sound at intervals until the door is opened.

Cooktop light
A light on the bottom of an over-the-range microwave that illuminates the cooking surface below.

Countertop microwave
A microwave designed to be used as a standalone unit on a flat surface.

Cubic feet
The units used to measure the capacity of a microwave. The capacity of microwaves ranges from 0.6 cubic feet to 2.0 cubic feet.

D - G

Defrost sensor option
A sensor that measures the steam or humidity frozen food lets off and automatically determines defrosting time.

Delay start
A feature that lets you pre-program when you want the oven to begin operating.

Demo function
In the display window, this shows a tutorial and examples of how various options and functions operate.

Display
The area where the time of day, cooking time or other information is shown. This varies from a simple time display on some models to scrollable operating instructions on others.

Distribution
The way the oven distributes microwaves in the cooking cavity. There are three types: single emission (where one port shoots the microwaves), dual (two ports) or multiple (three or more).

Door swing
Whether the door opens to the left or the right.

Exhaust fan
A fan built into an over-the-range model that is designed to reduce odors and smoke from cooking foods on the range below.

Exhaust or recirculation
Found mostly in built-in or over-the-range models, the user is given two installation options: connect the exhaust fan to ductwork to exhaust odors and smoke outside the home or recirculate and filter smoke with a ductless installation.

Food index menu
A list of foods whose cooking times have been pre-programmed into the control panel in some models.

Fresh vegetable option
A preset feature that cooks fresh veggies to optimal doneness.

Frozen food option
A pre-programmed touchpad for cooking frozen foods.

H - P

Help function
A guide for users that varies from model to model. It may provide helpful instructions for certain functions or let users program certain options.

Hot liquid option
A preset feature that heats up liquids such as coffee, tea, soup or water.

Internal light
The light inside the microwave that goes on when the door is opened or the unit is in operation.

Meat option
A preset feature that cooks meat, according to weight, to an appropriate doneness.

Message reminder function
A programmable feature that lets a user leave messages and/or keep track of appointments and events by entering alert notices into the control panel.

Multi-lingual function
A feature that gives prompts in English, Spanish or French.

Over-the-range
A built-in microwave, equipped with an exhaust fan, that is designed to be installed above a range or cooktop. Generally, over-the-range microwaves offer both ducted and ductless venting options (see Exhaust or recirculation).

Popcorn preset option
A touchpad with pre-programmed times to cook a bag of microwave popcorn.

Popcorn sensor
A device that measures the amount of moisture released by a bag of microwave popcorn and shuts the oven off when the popcorn is properly cooked.

Power levels
The settings on the microwave that control the percentage of power output, commonly given in 10-percent increments ranging from a low power of 10 percent to a high power of 100 percent.

Pre-programmed dishes
Foods such as pizza or frozen entrees for which times are already programmed into the control panel so the dishes can be cooked or heated at the touch of a button.

Preheat/warm option
A preset feature that will provide low-level heating to food or plateware.

Quick start option
A way to quickly start the microwave oven without pressing the start pad. There could be a pad called quick start or a number pad serving as the quick start option.

R - Z

Rack
A shelf inside a microwave oven or a combination microwave/convection oven that is designed to support cookware and increase cooking flexibility.

Recipes menu
An option that lets a user program cooking times into the microwave for favorite or frequently cooked recipes; the term varies by brand.

Reheat
An option on some units that allows food warm-up at the touch of a button. Some models employ a cooking sensor for this; others offer pre-set times.

Repeat function
Automatically repeats the last cooking command entered.

Safety compliance
A label stating that the oven has been tested and determined safe by such organizations as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Electrical Testing Lab (ETL) and has passed microwave performance standards set by the FCC and the DHHS (Dept. of Health & Human Services).

Self-returning turntable
A feature that ensures that some area of the turntable returns to its original position upon completion of cooking; used mostly for coffee mugs and small items.

Time presets
Pre-programmed cooking times usually ranging from 30 seconds to 10 minutes.

Turntable
A rotating device in the center of a unit that promotes more uniform cooking by allowing the food to be cooked evenly on all sides without stirring. Turntables are raised or recessed.

Turntable on/off
An option that allows the unit's turntable to be turned on or off; with the turntable off, the oven will accommodate larger dishes.

Under-the-counter
A microwave oven that can be installed under the countertop.

Wattage output
An electrical unit of measure describing the amount of microwave electricity effectively delivered while the oven is operating. The higher the wattage, the faster the microwave cooks.