Microwaves were once seen as hazardous to health, but nowadays more and more experts have given them the thumbs up. Microwaves are not only harmless, but ideal for the kitchen, because they cook food fast while retaining vitamins and other nutrients. So read on and check which one is right for you.

Microwave Oven Principle

A microwave oven uses a high frequency, short electromagnetic wave (microwave) which it passes back and forth through the food. As the microwave is absorbed, water molecules inside the food vibrate and rub together generating heat so the food is heated and cooked quickly. In the past, microwaves had a reputation for being 'unhealthy', but the fact is that the food only absorbs the microwaves which are simply converted into heat. Other cooking methods involve heating a food container or the nearby air to transfer heat to the food. Microwaves penetrate glass, porcelain, pottery, plastic and paper to heat food directly for fast cooking while retaining nutrients.

Microwave Oven Shopping Tips

1. Eating habits

Do you need one? A microwave oven is the perfect kitchen companion if the following conditions sound like you:

● No time to cook
You’re really busy and don't want to queue up for a takeaway or wait for a table at a cafe or restaurant. Because the quality and taste of frozen food has also improved substantially over the years, just keep a few frozen meals in your freezer and when you feel hungry, pop one into the microwave and your lunch or dinner will be ready in 10 minutes or less.

● Sick of takeaways
Working people crave healthy nutritious home cooking. Home chefs can prepare dishes over the weekend by marinating the meat and placing it in the freezer. When you get home from work, simply take the meat out, defrost in the microwave and cook. Or prepare lunch boxes over the weekend and eat them as soon as you get home during the weekdays. So you are no longer stuck with takeaways.

● Don't want to cook on an open flame
Perhaps you just want to feed yourself and don't want to go through the hassle of cooking so a microwave oven is perfect for simple, easy and light meals. Simply wipe the inside of a microwave with detergent or water after use and that’s all the cleaning you need to do.

2. Installation

There are two main types of microwave oven: built-in and tabletop. The built-in microwave oven is built into the kitchen cabinet which saves space and gives the kitchen a more professional and organised look. This is suitable for people who have lots of space, like to cook or just want a microwave oven at their disposal. Table-top microwaves are more flexible and smaller, and are suitable for smaller families and for those who seldom cook.

3. Output power (wattage)

The output of a microwave oven affects the speed at which food is heated. For general domestic use, a microwave oven of 650W to 800W is sufficient for heating or reheating. If you use it for defrosting or for cooking, choose a model with a higher output than 800W. Most multifunctional microwave ovens available offer an output of 800W or more.

4. Features

The features between different models are similar. However, nowadays there are kitchen appliances that combine microwave oven and other cooking functions. These appliances are in a higher price range but offer "2- in-1" or even "3-in-1" capabilities such as multi-functional microwave ovens, microwave steam ovens, grill microwave ovens and so on. Consider your cooking habits and kitchen space to maximise your new appliance.

Inverter microwave ovens have auto adjust and constant microwave output to take care of food with different heating requirements. If you have a high demand for quality food, but don't have the time to cook even if you are eating leftovers or frozen food, consider buying a microwave oven with variable frequency technology to retain the taste, colour and nutrients of what you are eating.

Alternatively, if you're mainly using it to reheat food with uncertain heating times and temperatures instead of heating up frozen food, consider a model with auto reheat function and let it decide how much time it takes. If you're worried about your child opening the microwave, choose a model with a child safety lock.

5. Oven design

● Capacity
Check the actual oven capacity to get an idea of how much space you can use. It’s just like buying a flat, the more space you can use, the better.

● Hob
The rotisserie is a traditional design that allows for even heating of the food and is more energy efficient. However, as most turntables are made of high-temperature glass, they are more prone to breakage. Some models no longer have a turntable, but disperse the microwaves to ensure even heating. Models without a turntable do not have a rotating ring, drive shaft, etc. and are much easier to clean.

● Oven wall
Generally not difficult to clean. Some walls are made from galvanised steel plates which are even easier to clean and are scratch resistant.

Hot brands: PANASONIC , TOSHIBA , RASONIC , WHIRLPOOL

Hot items: TOSHIBA 21 Litres Microwave with Grill (Enamel Cavity) , TOSHIBA ER-SS20(W)HKG M/Oven , PANASONIC NNGD37H Grill M/Oven

Microwave Oven Usage Tips

How do I work out the heating time when the output power varies?

Most frozen foods on the market specify heating wattage and time. If what is listed is different from your microwave oven, just make sure the wattage multiplied by the heating time is identical.

Example:
A pack of frozen curry with rice says it should be heated at 500W for 10 minutes: 500x10=5000
The microwave oven at home is 800W: 5000/800=6.25
This means that it takes about 6 to 6.5 minutes to heat up at home.

Important Points to Note

• Microwave waves cannot penetrate metal. They simply bounce back so never use ordinary metal utensils.
• Water when heated in a microwave oven is superhot. It has a temperature exceeding boiling point but with no boiling bubbles. Even the slightest disturbance, such as picking up a glass of water or adding a spoonful of coffee powder could cause superhot water splashes and scalding. If you want to heat a drink in the microwave oven, add coffee powder or sugar to induce it to boil before putting it into the oven.
• Do not open or close the oven door with force. If the door hinges become deformed, or if you notice a widening or uneven gap between the door and the appliance, stop using the appliance and have it checked by a technician to avoid excessive microwave leakage.
• Avoid reheating baby drinks or food in the microwave. The microwave passes through the bottle and utensil and the drinks and food inside will quickly reach a temperature higher than the utensil which could be detrimental for baby if you are not careful. If no other heating options are available, open the utensil and test the true temperature of the food and drinks.
• Do not use porcelain with gold or silver trim as this causes sparks when used.
• For potatoes, shelled raw or cooked eggs and other similar foods, always use a toothpick or fork to insert a small hole first to allow space for water vapour to escape to avoid explosions.
• Salt makes meat tougher when microwaved so add salt only after microwaving.