How and which one to choose a built-in microwave oven? What parameters should I pay attention to?

Kinds

Depending on the functionality and available modes, there are several types of built-in microwaves:

1. Solo. They perform only basic functions - heating and defrosting food, preparing simple dishes.
2. Ovens with grill. The grill can be top or bottom. In some models, the shadow moves by 45 degrees if necessary.
3. Devices with grill and convection. In addition to the heating element, there is a fan that evenly distributes warm air.
4. Multifunctional ovens, in addition to the main modes, allow you to steam food

Device types

Microwave ovens come in different types:

1. Solo. This is a classic option. The functionality is sparse, but includes everything you need. Used to heat food. Their advantage is compactness. They will fit comfortably in a small kitchen: on a table, windowsill or hanging trenches.
2. Convection. The functionality here is wider. This is convection, grill with other automatic modes. Moreover, the equipment can be both medium and large. Small convection microwaves are rare.
3. Inverter. There is a special mechanism inside the chamber that increases and decreases the power. Heating and cooking food occurs faster than in other microwave ovens.

Methods of heating food

Stay up to date! Food can be heated in a microwave oven in several ways:

• microwaves - do not create a crispy crust, but are suitable for heating or defrosting food;
• grill - a heating element, the heat from which gradually spreads throughout the entire working chamber;
• convection - replaces the oven.

When you turn on the combination mode, convection and microwaves are activated simultaneously.
This allows you to get a tender product with a crispy crust and at the same time reduce its cooking time.

Criterias of choice

When choosing, you need to consider:

1. Camera displacement. The larger the family, the larger the capacity of the microwave should be.
2. Number of options. Microwaves with wide functionality are more expensive, but with their help you can prepare many dishes. The main thing is to learn how to use the grill, convection and other modes. It is worth studying the instructions so as not to break the device through negligence.
3. Power. The higher this parameter, the faster the food heats up. The minimum is 450 W, and the maximum is 1700 W. Models with a power of over 1500 W quickly heat up food and also prepare dishes.
4. Coating. Enamel, bioceramics, and stainless steel are used for stoves. There is equipment made from several materials. This type of coating is called combined. Ceramic devices are considered the most reliable.

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Parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing

To use the device truly comfortably, you need to study the principle of its installation and operation, and check whether all the necessary components are included.

Control system

The oven may use rotary mechanical, rotary tact, push-button or touch switches .
Mechanical control is considered the most reliable and insensitive to power outages.

Experts do not recommend purchasing models with touch buttons if you plan to use the oven exclusively for heating food.

Embedding rules

Keep in mind! It must be taken into account that there should be 2-3 cm of free space in the niche on the side, top and back of the device.

The grill and convection oven may become hot, so keep the appliance away from surfaces that could be affected by heat and hot steam.

Equipment

comes complete with a glass dish, a coupling that rotates it, instructions, a warranty card and a cable for connecting the device to the network.

Grill and convection appliances usually come with two grates on stands: high and low.

If the oven supports the steaming function, a special container should be included with it.

Some manufacturers include plastic containers for storing and heating food.

They can also provide a special dish for creating a crispy crust, a lid to prevent fat from splashing, etc.

Culinary functionality

Microwave ovens have different feature sets, so before purchasing, it is important to check whether the appliance's features meet your expectations.

Door

You should know! The door can be hinged with side hinges or hinged with hinges at the bottom.

Depending on the model, it opens with a handle or by pressing a button.

Power and energy efficiency

Power affects the speed of cooking. For different models it can vary from 600 to 1200 W.

This setting can be adjusted depending on the type of product.

When purchasing a microwave oven, you need to balance its energy efficiency with the capabilities of your wiring .

The simplest microwave consumes from 0.5 to 1.5 kW, with a grill - from 1.5 to 2.8 kW, with grill and convection - from 2 to 3 kW.

The characteristics of the device must indicate the energy efficiency class. The most economical: A, A+, A++, B and C.

Note! Household appliances waste electricity not only during operation, but also during standby mode.

To reduce costs, you need to turn off the device from the network.

Security questions

Your microwave oven may have a safety device built into it to prevent children from accidentally turning it on .

When this function is activated, the device cannot be used until the lock is removed.

Design

The microwave oven should fit harmoniously into the interior of the kitchen.
When choosing a built-in model, it is worth considering that only the front side of the device will be visible.

Inner coating

The walls of the working chamber of a microwave oven can be covered with ceramics, enamel, stainless steel or bioceramic enamel.

The most commonly used coating is enamel . It is wear-resistant and easy to clean.

But enamel cannot be exposed to high temperatures, so this material is not suitable for models with oven functions.

The ceramic and bioceramic coating

For your information! There is practically no accumulation of soot on it and no scratches appear, and food particles and splashes of grease are easily washed off.

Stainless steel looks aesthetically pleasing and can withstand any temperature , but this material is more difficult to maintain.

Burnt fat is difficult to remove, and if you use abrasives, scratches will remain.

To simplify the process of caring for stainless steel, it is recommended to cover the plates with special lids.

Standard dimensions of microwave ovens

Microwaves are divided into two categories based on housing type:

1. Freestanding or stationary. They can be compact or full-size. They can be placed anywhere in the kitchen as they do not take up much space.
2. Built-in. They have large dimensions. The advantage of these microwaves is their wide functionality. The design will not take up much space if you insert it into a kitchen set. This will solve the problem, and the built-in microwave will have only advantages.

Freestanding

These microwave ovens have the following standards (in cm):

• depth - 40;
• height - 30;
• width - up to 50.

The turntable comes in different diameters. It ranges from 24 to 27 cm.

Built-in

Built-in microwave ovens for the kitchen differ in the following parameters (in cm):

• height - 30;
• depth - 30-60;
• width - 45.

Additional functionality worth paying attention to

When choosing a device, you should pay attention to whether it supports the following functions:

1. Defrosting – mode for thawing food.
2. Automatic defrosting is a mode in which you need to select the product category and its weight, but there is no need to select time and power.
3. Delay start – programming the time for turning on the gadget. This feature is useful for busy people. You can put the dish in the oven in advance and it will heat or prepare it for you when you arrive.
4. Automatic cooking - classic recipes stored in the device's memory. It is enough to prepare the products in accordance with the instructions, place them in the working chamber and press the appropriate button. The oven itself will select the optimal temperature, power and time.
5. Convection. Necessary if you plan to cook baked goods.
6. Grill. Allows you to cook foods with a crispy crust. The grill can be presented in the form of a closed quartz element or ten. The first option makes cleaning the cooking chamber easier because food particles do not fall on it. But ten copes with its functions better.
7. Automatic heating – one or several modes of heating a dish with a preset power and time.
8. Turning off the sound signal – silent operation mode. Important for those who do not want to disturb family members with the loud sounds that the stove makes after finishing work.

What parameters are included in the size of microwave ovens?

Before purchasing, you need to know exactly all the important parameters and sizes, so that later you don’t have to be disappointed or return the product. First of all, you need to analyze:

• width, sometimes the dimensions of the entire case are slightly smaller than the front panel (this is more common in built-in models), in which case it is important to take into account a larger indicator;
• length (distance from front to back wall);
• height (must be counted from the bottom wall to the lid, if there are legs, they are also taken into account);
• internal volume (measured in liters, in fact this is the space for dishes; the larger the indicator, the more portions fit inside);
• weight (you need to know how much the microwave weighs if it stands on a shelf or stand so that the structure can withstand it and not break).

On a note! There is no need to evaluate the dimensions visually; each model has a passport in which all the numbers are clearly indicated. Before purchasing, you need to find a place in the kitchen for the device, know the possible parameters in order to choose based on measurements.

Top companies of built-in microwave ovens:

Samsung

• Samsung FW77SUW;
• Samsung FW87SUT;
• Samsung MG22M8054AK;
• Samsung FW77SUB;
• Samsung FG77SUT.

Hansa

• Hansa AMG20BFH;
• Hansa AMM20BMXH;
• Hansa AMM20BEXH;
• Hansa AMM20BESH;
• Hansa AMM20BEIH.

Siemens

• Siemens BF525LMS0;
• Siemens BF525LMW0;
• Siemens BF634LGS1;
• Siemens BF525LMW0;
• Siemens BF634LGS1.

Kuppersberg

• Kuppersberg HMW 655 X;
• Kuppersberg HMW 650 W;
• Kuppersberg HMW 650 BX;
• Kuppersberg HMW 655 W;
• Kuppersberg HMW 393 W.

Bosch

• Bosch BFL524MS0;
• Bosch BFL520MS0;
• Bosch BFL524MW0;
• Bosch BFL554MW0;
• Bosch BFL554MS0.

Ariston

• Hotpoint-Ariston MWA 121.1 X;
• Hotpoint-Ariston MWHA 222.1 X;
• Hotpoint-Ariston MWHA 122.1 IX;
• Hotpoint-Ariston MN 513 IX;
• Hotpoint-Ariston MD 764 IX HA.

Conclusions:

1. A built-in microwave oven does not clutter up the kitchen , while multifunctional models can replace an oven.
2. It must be taken into account that the niche should be slightly larger than the microwave.
3. When choosing a device, it is important to study its technical characteristics and functionality . For example, families with children may benefit from locking and silent mode.
4. Energy efficiency is an important parameter that many people do not pay attention to. Powerful appliances must be used in homes with reliable wiring.

Why information about dimensions is useful

First of all, the dimensions allow you to determine whether this model will fit in your kitchen. If the purchase is planned after repair or to replace an old device, you will have to take into account existing conditions. For those who have thought about the choice in advance, it is possible to provide special niches during repair work or select a built-in model that meets all needs.