Do you need a grill in a microwave oven and how to use it?

Microwave grilling: how does it work? How to grill in the microwave? Combination mode Automatic programs What can you grill in the microwave? How to properly grill in the microwave?

Fry meat with an appetizing crust, quickly cook vegetables and even bake a pie - all this can be done in the microwave if it has a grill. This additional feature makes cooking faster and much more interesting. Read on to learn how a microwave grill works, what it does, and how to use it correctly.

Microwave grilling - what is it?

It is a tightly twisted nickel-chromium heat-resistant wire, which is located in a glass quartz tube. The grill function in the microwave implies the ability of the microwave to fry food, bringing it to a crispy crust. There are two types of its equipment:

1. A built-in quartz lamp in the ceiling wall of the device, which is a powerful infrared lighting source, hidden behind a lattice partition. It takes up little space inside, leaving a large space for the dish itself, quickly heats up to the desired temperature, which affects its efficiency, speed of cooking and low energy consumption, but cannot ensure uniform frying of food.
2. Tenov grill. It has a thermal heating element in the form of a thread or spiral coated with metal, and is also located in the upper part of the microwave oven. Its presence ensures a low cost for the device compared to its quartz counterpart, but they prepare food with the same quality. A grill with a shadow provides more intensive work.

Convection mode

Uniform distribution of heat waves throughout the microwave cannot be achieved using a grill alone. Therefore, such ovens are equipped with an additional function that mixes the air in the mechanism chamber to heat it evenly. This effect is achieved using a fan built inside. The food is cooked as if on a spit and at the same time hot air is blown from all sides. This helps to achieve a better thermal effect on food products and at the same time improves their quality of frying and baking.

What is a grill for?

Not all housewives know that this unique device can be used not only to produce chicken with a crispy crust. With its help, you can not only heat up a cold dish, but also get a wide variety of food, ranging from vegetables to baked meat, hot sandwiches and delicious toast.

In addition, scientists have found that food cooked in a microwave contains much more vitamin C compared to the result from the oven, that is, the benefits for the body are much higher.

On average, the grill power ranges from eight hundred to a thousand W, at which, with an additionally installed grate, it is convenient to fry food.

Considering that the price of an electrical household appliance with and without a grill is not much different, and the acquired capabilities for preparing a varied menu are increasing, maybe it’s worth taking a closer look at it?

Grilling tips

To make your dishes tasty and aromatic, you should listen to the advice of experts who have already tried different methods of cooking in the microwave.

1. If you use a quartz grill, then you can’t do without a grate, otherwise you won’t be able to fry the food evenly. There is no such need in a mobile heating element grill.
2. To get a crispy crust, meat or fish should be thoroughly dried with paper towels before cooking, removing excess moisture.

3. Liquid products (sauces, drinks) should be heated in a tall container with plenty of room.
4. To prevent the grill from getting too dirty, you can use food foil, sleeves, special bags and other disposable baking packaging.
5. To prevent meat dishes from becoming dry and baked goods to rise well, you should turn on the heating of the working chamber before cooking.
6. To grill vegetables, you need to cut them into small slices, circles or semicircles. It is better to add salt not at the beginning, but at the end of the process, so that the juice does not come out prematurely.

7. To ensure that products remain juicy after baking, they must be periodically sprinkled with liquid (wine, lemon juice, olive oil, etc.) during cooking.

Taking into account the above, we can conclude that the grill is a useful function for those who like to cook a variety of dishes, as it adds heat and “fire”. But if a microwave oven is needed solely for heating, then this option is not necessary. However, the function will help you delight your family with masterpieces and experiment with recipes, given that this has little impact on the cost.

Comparative analysis of a microwave oven with and without grill

A regular microwave includes programs that can be used to heat food with special rays that do not harm humans. They heat well enough that, in addition to heating, they can be used in cooking various dishes. Considering that the level of heating by the rays is not higher than the boiling point of water, food prepared in this way can be considered healthy, since the beneficial properties are preserved.

Convection devices equipped with a grill work the same way, but make it possible to expand the list of prepared dishes. They can work in combination with each other and such multidirectional effects of waves on the prepared product gives a completely unusual effect and amazing results. Such equipment uses a ring-type heating device, so the space in the oven is heated and distributed evenly. In addition, there is a fan inside that accelerates the hot air. It is precisely this interaction of functions that can achieve the best results in cooking.

Best models

How to use the grill function? It depends on the brand of microwave. All the rules and subtleties are spelled out in the instructions, all that remains is to choose the appropriate option.

Model Samsung MC28H5013AK and its advantages:

1. It has excellent value for money.
2. It is easy to care for thanks to the bioceramic coating.
3. The microwave is equipped with 24 automatic cooking modes.
4. It is possible to make cheese or yogurt.

Model Midea AW925EHU and its advantages:

1. Has a self-cleaning function.
2. The grill function works at the highest level.
3. There are 10 automatic programs.
4. With its help you can prepare dried fruits at home.

Model Panasonic NN-CD565BZPE and its advantages:

1. The price of this model is significantly higher.
2. Large stove volume.
3. A quartz grill is installed.
4. There are 24 automatic cooking programs.
5. It does not require special care.
6. There is a self-cleaning mode that is necessary for all housewives.

Application of microwave ovens

Each model comes with simple and accessible instructions. The operating modes used are located on the instrument panel and can be adjusted by pressing buttons. Before purchasing a device, it is better to ask what the power consumption of the product is so that it matches the permissible technical data of the home.

The instructions describe in detail the operating procedure, the functions that the oven has, possible breakdowns, the manufacturer’s warranty and terms. Some of them even give recipes for dishes that can be cooked in the microwave.

Models with 5 power levels

There are usually 5 microwave modes (in most designs from various brands). Let's look at each of them.

1. "High" or "full" power. In this case, on foreign equipment the designation “High” is indicated. At 100% power the highest temperature is maintained. Suitable for heating and quickly cooking fish, meat dishes, vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee.
2. “Above average” or Medium high corresponds to 70-80% of the maximum. Another unspoken name is “Roasting”. It's easy to explain: the cycle allows you to optimally sear pork and poultry. Products do not dry as much as in other modes and do not require constant monitoring. Medium high is also suitable for heating and baking. A real find for those who like to cook with cheese or sauces. Another plus: cooking without boiling over.
3. “Average” or Medium corresponds to 50-60% of the maximum. Suitable for emergency defrosting, uniform heating, slow frying, stewing or simmering. The “Medium” program often prepares soups, fish and dairy dishes, and seafood.
4. “Below average” or Medium low - this is the designation of power that produces only 25-30% of the maximum value. Used for heating and softening butter for creams and desserts, melting chocolate products, natural honey and even ice cream. Sometimes the cycle is labeled "Defrosting".
5. “Low” or Low is the minimum power, designed for only 10-15% of the total. At this cycle the temperature is the lowest, so it is most often used to maintain the warmth of already prepared dishes or to warm up “delicate” foods.

Examples of models with 5 levels

• Horizont 20MW700-1378B is a 20-liter stove designed for 0.7 kW. Enameled chamber coating. Mechanical control, rotary switches. Price - from 2930 rubles.

• Supra MWS-1803MW - stove with a volume of 18 liters, 0.7 kW. Mechanical control, 30-minute timer. The cost is within 2700 rubles.

• Midea AM820CMF - 20 liters, enamel coating, 0.8 kW. Electronically controlled with push-button switches. Timer for 95 minutes. Price - from 4290 rubles.

Do you need a microwave grill?

There are two opinions, and supporters of both stand stubbornly for their point of view.

1. Not needed. Those who adhere to this view motivate this by the fact that having purchased household appliances, they never used the function once or tried it 1-2 times at most and that’s it, since it did not interest them. And they overpay for it decently. Here we must proceed from the fact that human nature is such that if he has been baking pies in the oven for a long time, then this is the best cooking option, or one attempt to cook pizza in the microwave ended in failure. In addition, there is a category of people who believe that it is better to purchase different types of devices with different functions, rather than all in one. In addition, there are cooking classics who believe that you can create in the kitchen using the good old stove, and in the microwave it is impossible to achieve the true aroma of the product and its true taste. But here it seems that everything depends not on technology, but on how to cook.
2. Needed. There are also those who support the exact opposite opinion, who consider the presence of a grill to be a salvation for the family and often use it to cook. Of course, owners of such technology have to study it and adapt using the trial method. But having mastered it, they already use it to the fullest.

Automatic programs

Some designs in recent years include automation. Defrosting, cooking, grilling and combination modes all work without user intervention. You don’t have to set the time and temperature, the “smart” equipment will do everything for you.

The latest microwave ovens have programs designed specifically for Russian users: automatic steaming in the “Side Dishes and Porridge” mode. By pressing one button you can cook rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. Fresh vegetables and potatoes also lend themselves well to this type of processing. In just 6 minutes the oven will cook half a kilo of vegetables, and in an average of 15 minutes it will cook a quarter of a pack of rice.

Now you know everything about the standard modes of microwave ovens and their combinations. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them in the comments to the review.

So should I buy a microwave with grill function or not?

Here you need to proceed from what is already available in the kitchen. For example, the existence of an oven or convection oven can completely replace a microwave. When you purchase it, it will most likely not be in demand due to the fact that there are already devices on which you can achieve efficient and high-quality cooking. Therefore, before choosing a suitable model, you need to think about whether there will be a job for it or whether it will become an expensive but not very necessary toy. There is no point in having another technique that duplicates the functions of existing ones. It's quite fun to buy a device with three serious functions and use it to heat food.

It should be noted that the models of modern microwave ovens offered on the market can successfully compete with kitchen stoves and ovens. After all, many people use the function of heating food in the MVP, and instead of the oven, bake pies in the microwave.

But hardly anyone will feel the difference in taste between two identical dishes prepared in different devices. After all, food can be tasty or not. But not everyone will decide to completely abandon this or that device. Only everyone can decide for themselves what is more convenient and profitable for them when preparing food - using new opportunities or proven results.