The microwave oven is one of the most important appliances to have in a modern-day kitchen. Its multi-functional characteristics is a huge selling point. From reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen food items (meat, chocolate, dairy products), making certain food (popcorn, pizza, etc) to baking cakes and grilling, microwave ovens can helpful in several kitchen tasks.
Where to Buy Microwave Oven
Jumia Nigeria – See Offers | Amazon – See Offers
The microwave is almost an all-round appliance. The speed at which it gets a couple of things done is another advantage. Hence, the need for it in every kitchen.
Buying a microwave oven has never been easier as there are so many types and brands to choose from for different budgets. If you do not have a microwave oven in your kitchen and want to buy one for yourself, or perhaps you are shopping for a replacement for the old/faulty one in your kitchen, then you might want to read this guide.
You need a microwave that best serve your needs. You can also checkout some of the best microwave ovens.
How to Buy a Microwave Oven
If you are shopping for a new microwave oven, there are some factors you should take into consideration before making any buying decision. This microwave oven buying guide highlights some of the most important factors to consider to ensure you buy a model that perfectly meets your needs.
Here are a few factors to consider:
1. Why Do you want to Buy a Microwave Oven
The first step to buying a microwave oven is to meet some need. Why do you need it? — pretty much the first thing to ask whenever you go out to buy anything.
Do you intend using the microwave in your kitchen to only defrost food items? To bake? Or grill? Or perhaps do all of these things?
There are microwave ovens what perform each individual function. Likewise, there are multipurpose microwave ovens that do all of that you need — bake, grill, make pizza, cook etc.
Identifying the purpose of the microwave oven will enable you know the type of microwave oven to buy. It will also guide you in making sure you choose a model that offers all the features you need.
2. What Type is Best for me?
Basically, there are three types of microwave ovens, based on the method they adopt to cook food, namely Solo, Grill, and Convection Ovens.
Solo microwave ovens are the basic and entry-level models and as a result are also the cheapest you would find in the market. They have one magnetron (microwave emitter) and cooks food by emitting microwaves which then passes through glass and plastic containers to heat the food inside.
Grill microwave ovens come with additional grilling accessories with heating elements that makes it a great choice if you want to use your device for grilling, toasting and roasting.
A convection microwave oven on the other hand, combines microwave together with radiant heat to cook, roast, and grill foods.
Convection ovens come with a built-in fan that helps circulate hot air for faster, more thorough and even cooking. Some even say convection oven helps aid flavours to food.
Due to this versatility, Convection microwave ovens usually cost more than the Solo and grill types.
If all you need is a microwave oven for defrosting your food and reheating your leftovers, a Solo model will be a good choice. If you want a device more for grilling and roasting, the models with grills are a great choice. However, if you want a versatile option that can handle numerous cooking options including grilling and baking, the convection models may be worth their higher price.
3. What Capacity
The capacity of a microwave oven you buy depends on the size of your family or household. The general break up according to size is:
- A family of 2-3 people: 15-20 litres
- A family of 3-5 people: 25-30 litres
- A family of more than 5 people: 30 litres
4. What Size or Wattage
The carrying capacity or volume of the microwave oven is another important factor to consider before purchasing one. You probably would need a full or medium sized oven if you are a baker, or cooking for your family.
You have to consider the space you have available and ensure you buy a model that fits into the space. The size ranges from 10x18x14 inches to 14x24x20 inches. Just so you know, the bigger the size, the more power it is likely to consume.
A full sized oven consume the most power (about 1,000 to 1,200 watts) but cook food more thoroughly and faster. Mid-sized microwave oven consume between 800 to 1,000 watts and do a good job in terms of cooking and baking too.
Full sized ovens will take more space in your kitchen (or wherever you choose to put it) but will get the job done.
Small ovens (otherwise called Compact microwave ovens) are the types mostly used in offices, hostel rooms etc majorly to warm food.
These type of ovens usually take a maximum of one plate and yield little power. Hence, take longer time to cook. In addition, they are less expensive.
5. Where will you set it up?
While some believe that where you want to place your oven in the kitchen is the most important thing to take into consideration before shopping for one, I choose to believe you can always create space for something you need. However, it is also an important point to consider.
Based on installation or placement location, there are different styles of microwave ovens you can choose from, namely: Countertop microwave, Over-the-counter or Over-the-range microwave, and Custom-made or Built-in microwaves.
Now, let us go over these different styles in a bit detail.
Countertop:
These models can be placed on your kitchen counters and easily moved about.
- It is the most common model and generally costs less
- All you need to do is find a spot on the kitchen counter, place it and plug it in
- But you must keep the size also under consideration
- Dimensions: Compact models are 10x18x14 inches, Large models are 14x24x20 inches
Over-the-range:
These models can be installed in your kitchen range if you do not have space on your counter.
- These models will save you counter space
- The models have vent systems that take up the space of the oven hood
- Dimensions: 16x30x15 inches
Built-in:
These models are are specially tailored to fit in your kitchen cabinets or wall.
- These models are surrounded by the kitchen cabinetry or are built into a wall
- They have a sleek and integrated look and are the most high-end
- They are quite expensive
- Dimension: 15x30x26 inches
The prices of these microwaves depend largely on your choice. Generally, Built-in microwaves are pricier, followed by over-the-range and countertop microwaves respectively.
6. Ease of use:
How easy a microwave oven will be to use will largely depend on the type of panel it has. There are three types of panels – Mechanical, Feather Touch and Tactile Buttons.
Mechanical panels are easy to use and have a long life. Feather Touch panels offer a touchscreen panel with a stylish design that is easy to clean. Tactile buttons offer jog-wheel controls that make setting timer and temperature easy.
7. Features
Every microwave have specially pre-programmed cooking modes for individual foods like popcorn, pizza, dairy, potatoes, eggs, etc which are configured on the basis of needed cooking times and power level.
Based on the type, brand, and the versatility of oven you purchase, there can be as many as 100 cooking modes. This allows you quickly cook certain food without having to select cooking time and power level.
So when next you shop for a microwave oven, be sure to extensively look out for the features of the microwave in the product details.
Most microwaves share common functions, but here are some of the essential features to be on the lookout for when buying a microwave oven:
Defrost:
- Mainly used to unfreeze food quickly
- Just keep the food inside, and the oven will set the best mode
- The settings can also be changed manually
Chaos defrost:
- To reduce defrosting time, this feature uses random pulses of microwave energy
Timer:
- Set the timer so that the heating/cooking/baking job ends automatically at the set time
- Usually, a beep sound indicates the end of the process
Pre-heat:
- This is done usually before baking cakes, cookies and other food items that require the grill function
- The oven is kept at a set temperature before beginning the baking or grilling process
Auto-cook:
- Just select the dish and the weight, and the oven will automatically set the power and timer
- This simplifies the process of preparing a variety of dishes, e.g. popcorn
Multiple-sequence cooking:
- Changes power levels automatically to ensure that the food is cooked perfectly
- E.g. this feature helps you first to defrost and then cook automatically and continuously
Two-level cooking:
- Some models can cook two dishes simultaneously using the two-level convection
Auto-sensor:
- Ovens shutdown automatically when the sensor feels the food is cooked
- This prevents overheating
Delay start:
- Switches on the microwave oven automatically at a set time of the day
Rotisserie:
- Is useful for grilling and barbecue
- It is a type of a grilling accessory
Child lock:
- This is a safety feature and is handy if you have kids at home
Turntable:
- Imagine stopping the microwave and turning your dish around for uniform cooking
- A turntable saves you the headache by automatically turning the bowl while cooking
Defrosting rack:
- Raises the food above the turntable so that its defrosted from below as well
Metal rack:
- A metal rack will elevate the food
- This ensures that the food is evenly warm
- Otherwise, only the top layer of the food gets heated up
Flatbed:
- Some models have flatbeds instead of a turntable to create a larger cooking area
Broil:
- This is a great feature to finish cooking a dish with more direct heat
Inverter Technology:
- This feature is usually available with high-end models
- Microwaves mostly switch from 0% power to 100% power to average in at 50% power
- This doesn’t work if you want to cook something at lower heat and evenly
- So, some models use inverter technology to maintain a consistent 50% power
Drop-down door:
- Very handy while putting and taking out dishes
- You can place your hot meals on the door
- Very useful in built-in models
Energy efficiency:
- Check for models with an energy-save mode to reduce the amount of energy consumed by the device even when on standby
Other high-end features:
- You could also check for moisture sensors to detect how thoroughly the food is cooked, usually meat
- Check for LED lights in the interior
- Some over-the-top models can be connected to Bluetooth
- There are several smart models which use facial recognition technology to identify food and cook it automatically
- Some smart microwave ovens scan packaged meals for automatic cooking
8. What’s the budget:
Set a budget, check the various models for the features and your requirements. Find a model that meets your budget. If your budget is not large enough for the model you want, you can take some time and save-up for it or you can buy from a store that support buy now pay later if you qualify for installment payment.
Also see Microwave Ovens Price in Nigeria.
9. Check for Good Deals:
Check for good deals online or at retail outlets. During the festival season like Black Friday or Christmas, most retailers and e-tailers dole out attractive deals. You can keep an eye out for a deal on microwave ovens.
10. Check for Warranty:
Most good models come with a warranty, but the period may vary. Check for what components are covered or is warranty available only for manufacturing defects. Does it include parts and labor or just parts?
11. Read Reviews and Recommendations and Compare:
Do not forget to read reviews and compare the models. You can start with our best microwave ovens in Nigeria article. Online stores like Jumia and Amazon offer reviews for most products, and you can also compare them
With so much to choose from, this microwave oven buying guide should help you narrow in on the one model that meets your requirements.
