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Since being introduced to the consumer market in the 1960s microwave ovens for home use have exploded in popularity to the point where they’re now a standard feature of any modern kitchen.
Whether you rely on it for all your cooking or you only occasionally call upon it for simple reheating or warming a mug of tea, there’s no doubt that the microwave oven is an essential kitchen tool but the many options available in a now saturated market can make choosing the right microwave a daunting task.
That’s why we’ve prepared this handy guide to give you the lowdown on the different types of microwave available.
Countertop Microwave Ovens
One of the most common kitchen microwave ovens is the humble countertop. These are the most basic ovens you’ll generally find for sale in electrical stores and larger supermarkets. They come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs and provide a wide range of features from the basic to the advanced.
The advantages of countertop microwaves are their low cost, ease of use and portable nature which makes them ideal for kitchens where space is at a premium.
Built in Microwave Ovens
A lot of new build homes will have a built in microwave oven in the kitchen, and if you buy a new designer kitchen you will find it’s a common feature to have a built in microwave included in the design. They will generally offer similar features to regular countertop microwave ovens but have the advantage of not needing any extra space for operation.
You may find built in microwave ovens fit better with a kitchen’s style, as they are usually fitted as standard to complement the kitchen’s design. It is common to find them raised above the work surfaces so they don’t use up valuable food preparation space but are easily reached for use.
Convection Microwave Ovens
A combination of regular microwave oven and convection oven that allows for potentially shorter cooking times, convection microwaves were originally quite high end and specialist appliances seen only in the homes of the very wealthy.
However in recent years their costs have come down significantly making them a realistic option for the more modest homeowner. Because of the convection element foods can be crisped and browned in a manner that isn’t possible with regular microwave ovens. They can also be used to bake cakes that require a preheated oven.
