Over the past twenty years in our kitchensthere are so many new household appliances that we had no idea about until now. Among them is a microwave oven. This is a very useful and convenient household appliance in the kitchen. A microwave oven allows you to heat up food in a matter of seconds, defrost products, and quickly cook some dishes. However, not everyone understands what microwave radiation (ultra-high frequency microwave radiation) is and how it affects the body. And therefore, many people have a reasonable question: is a microwave oven dangerous for the human body? First of all, you should understand that this radiation is not radioactive, although it is dangerous for humans in itself. But microwave ovens are designed to ensure maximum protection of human health. By following the rules for using a microwave oven, you will always be completely safe. Considering this, before choosing a microwave oven, you must check whether the device has a safety certificate. Modern models of microwave ovens are equipped with a protection system. A protective mesh screen is applied to the microwave door, which reliably protects a person from microwave radiation. The door itself fits very tightly to the body for this purpose. In addition, an automatic lock has been developed to protect against microwave radiation when the microwave oven is open. For safety reasons, it is prohibited to repair the microwave oven on your own. Food cooked in a microwave oven is also absolutely harmless. The principle of operation of a microwave oven is simple: microwave waves that penetrate deep into the product excite the water molecules contained there. Under the influence of waves, they begin to move actively, due to which the product heats up from the inside quite quickly. Now that we have understood the mechanism of the microwave, let's try to figure out how to choose the right microwave oven. Modern microwave ovens can only be conditionally called just a microwave. Because many models have other built-in functions. Therefore, when choosing a microwave oven, you should immediately decide how you will use it. Do you need just a microwave oven or a real kitchen oven with a microwave function. A regular microwave oven only performs its main task - you can quickly heat up food in it. Although you can cook some dishes in such ovens. As a rule, recipes for dishes for such ovens are given in the operating instructions. In addition, a regular microwave oven has a defrost mode.
Microwave ovens with grill
Improved models of microwave ovens are equipped withan additional heating element, which already allows you to cook a wider range of dishes in the microwave, for example, hot sandwiches, baked meat, etc. This heating element comes in two types - quartz and heating element. The heating element is a metal tube with a heating element inside. The heating element is located in the upper part of the working chamber. More advanced microwave ovens are equipped with a movable heating element, which can be installed at an angle or vertically, providing heating of products from any side. Some models also have a lower grill in addition to the upper heating element. The movable heating element grill is very convenient to use, because it provides additional options for frying dishes in grill mode. In addition, a microwave oven with such a heating element is more convenient and easier to clean. The quartz grill is located in the upper part of the microwave oven chamber and is a quartz tubular element, which is located behind a metal grate. If we compare these two types of grills, we can note that the quartz grill, unlike the heating element grill, does not take up space in the working chamber. Another additional advantage is that the power of a quartz grill is usually less than that of a heating element grill. Therefore, microwaves with a quartz grill consume much less electricity. Ovens with a quartz grill fry more evenly and gently, but a heating element grill can provide more "aggressive" heating. They say that a quartz grill is less susceptible to contamination, from which it is protected by a grate. But it should be noted that over time, fat splashes can still get on it, and it will no longer be possible to wash it the same way as a heating element grill. But this is not a problem - all the contamination on the quartz grill will simply burn out. Before purchasing a microwave oven with a grill, we recommend weighing all the pros and cons to determine the best option for yourself.
Microwave ovens with grill and convection
These are very convenient stoves that providethe whole range of cooking options. In addition to the grill, such models are equipped with a built-in fan and a heating ring element. The fan can be located either at the top or on the back wall. Due to the fact that the fan evenly circulates heated air inside the chamber, the products are perfectly fried and baked. In such a microwave oven with convection, you can bake meat, bake pies, stew vegetables, etc. The combination of convection, microwave and grill modes provides users with very large opportunities. It should be noted that, despite all the versatility of such a microwave oven, it is not a full-fledged replacement for an oven. Although, in fact, it is a semblance of an oven. The disadvantage of microwave ovens with convection and grill is their large weight, size and high power consumption. It is clear that it costs more than a conventional microwave oven. Despite these disadvantages, such ovens are very functional and convenient. If you are faced with the question of how to choose the right microwave oven, you just need to decide for yourself how you will use it in the future. For example, is it worth taking a model with convection, grill and other functions, while in life you will only use the microwave for heating food and, perhaps, for defrosting products. And vice versa, is it worth saving money by choosing a simple microwave oven and depriving yourself of many useful features.
Choose volume
Microwave ovens presented on our market can be divided into three groups by volume:
- microwave ovens up to 20 liters;
- microwaves from 20 to 28 liters;
- microwave ovens over 28 liters.
The volume of a microwave oven is determined by many factorsits purpose. Small-volume microwave ovens are equipped in most cases only with microwave or microwave with grill functions. They are used to heat up or defrost food. Medium-volume microwave ovens most often have a grill and microwave. Sometimes there are models with microwave, grill and convection, and very rarely just microwave. Medium-sized ovens are the most popular and provide quite a wide range of cooking options. In a large microwave oven, you can both heat up food and cook it in large containers of various shapes and sizes. You can also cook large dishes and products in it (for example, turkey, a large pie, etc.) since such ovens are equipped with additional grates. Such microwave ovens are a very convenient option for a large family. And, of course, for those who cook a wide variety of dishes. When choosing a microwave oven, you need to pay attention to the diameter of the turntable. The larger its size, the more you can put on it. The turntable is one of the important elements of the working space of the chamber. But it is necessary to take into account that large-volume microwave ovens also have large dimensions. Therefore, you should estimate what kind of microwave you can easily place in your kitchen. Moreover, it is not only the availability of free space that is important, but also free and convenient access to the microwave.
Interior coating
The walls of the microwave oven working chamber have a special coating. Moreover, it can be different:
- enamel coating,
- a cover from stainless steel;
- and special coatings.
The enamel coating is smooth, durable and comfortable to use.cleaning. It is found in many microwave ovens. Stainless steel coating is particularly reliable and durable because it is very resistant to damage and high temperatures. It also looks very good. This coating is usually found in microwave ovens with a grill or with convection and grill. It should be borne in mind that maintaining such a coating clean requires the use of both special cleaning agents and careful handling. There are also special coatings developed by manufacturers. They are even more durable advanced coatings than regular enamel. Such coatings include bioceramic or antibacterial coatings.
Control
In existing microwave ovens it is possiblebe mechanical or electronic control. Mechanical control is carried out using two rotary knobs, one of which selects the mode and power level, and the other is the control knob of the mechanical timer. Most often, in microwave ovens with mechanical control, the built-in timer is designed for about half an hour, and in microwave ovens with a grill - up to an hour. The technical and functional equipment of ovens with mechanical control does not differ in great variety. They can have an electronic display with an indication of the remaining operating time and a clock. Some microwave ovens have additional keys to control the function of disabling the rotation of the tray. For example, if the dishes are too large, but fit into the chamber, but can no longer rotate. In this case, this function is very useful. Also, some microwave ovens with mechanical control may have a mode for ventilation of the working chamber, that is, removing odors from it. Microwave ovens with electronic control usually have much more features and functions. In most cases, such ovens are equipped with text or digital displays. The electronic panel can be touch, push-button or combined – push-button and rotary knob for selecting a given mode or power level. It should be noted that touch panels are almost never encountered at present.
Functions and modes
Modern microwave ovens most often have a large number of built-in modes:
- microwave operation;
- grill mode;
- microwaves plus a grill;
- convection;
- microwaves plus convection;
- grill plus convection;
- Microwave plus convection and grill.
For preparing various dishes you canиспользовать каждый из этих режимов. Чаще всего в инструкциях по эксплуатации приводятся рецепты таких блюд. Размораживание, разогрев и приготовление в микроволновых печах осуществляется с использованием основных параметров – мощности и времени. Для приготовления разных блюд приблизительные уровни мощности указываются в инструкциях. И вы сможете при желании установить их вручную. Но большинство микроволновых печей имеют автоматические режимы разогрева, размораживания, а теперь уже и приготовления. Для автоматических режимов составляется специальная программа, в которой время приготовления и необходимый уровень мощности уже заданы для каждого конкретного блюда. То есть нужно лишь выбрать продукт, который необходимо разморозить, приготовить или разогреть, а затем задать вес продукта. Остальные же настройки будут установлены автоматически. Часто автоматический разогрев в микроволновых печах включает несколько режимов, соответствуя определенному продукту или блюду. В нескольких режимах обычно представлено и автоматическое приготовление. Функции автоматического размораживания и их режимы соответствуют тем продуктам, которые чаще всего размораживаются: птица, мясо, рыба, а иногда и хлеб. В современных микроволновках может быть сенсорный разогрев, размораживание или приготовление. В камере микроволновки специальный датчик реагирует на выделение пара, благодаря чему печь может самостоятельно регулировать свою работу. Это значит, что пользователю либо не надо вводить параметров, либо нужно установить лишь основные. Микроволновые печи с сенсором пара все сделают сами. Такие сенсоры помогают обеспечивать более эффективную обработку каждого конкретного продукта, так как в данном случае микроволновка ориентируется по состоянию конкретного продукта, а не по настройкам. В некоторых моделях даже возможна регулировка и сенсорных настроек. Есть такие микроволновые печи, где можно занести программы в память. То есть вы можете сами создавать собственные программы с установками мощности и времени. Это очень удобно, когда вы готовите или размораживаете один и тот же продукт. Можно запрограммировать и поэтапное приготовление. У некоторых микроволновых печей бывает звуковой таймер. Его не следует путать с сигналом об окончании работы. Звуковой таймер – это что-то вроде встроенного будильника, который поможет вам на кухне засечь время. Есть в микроволновых печах и режим защиты от детей, что весьма актуально для пользователей с маленькими детьми. Малыши очень любознательны и любят исследовать бытовые электроприборы. Чтобы уберечь детей от неприятных последствий существует функция «защиты от детей». Оборудованы микроволновки и звуковым сигналом, который оповещает об окончании работы печки. В СВЧ-печах с механическим управлением это чаще всего звоночек, а в печах с электронным управлением сигнал обычно состоит из серии повторяющихся звуков. Есть микроволновые печи, в которых звуковой сигнал можно отключить. В микроволновых печах с электронным управлением представляют интерес текстовые дисплеи, которые для русскоязычных пользователей пишутся на русском языке. То есть прямо на дисплее отображены подсказки и указания – управление осуществляется на диалоговой основе.
Ease of operation
When choosing a microwave oven, be sure toPay attention to ease of use. The control panel should be intuitive, and the handles, keys and buttons should be convenient. Microwave ovens are available with right and left door opening. Before buying, be sure to figure out which oven will be more convenient for you. The lighting of the microwave chamber is also important, which works when the door is open and during cooking. The door can simply be opened by the handle, or it can be opened by pressing a special button. Choose a model based on your own idea of convenience. Be sure to pay attention to the accessories included in the kit. These can be low and high grates, various containers, a spit, a stand for baby bottles, etc. You can always choose a model whose configuration suits you best. The design of the microwave oven is also important, but it must be admitted: since modern microwave ovens are distinguished not only by a unique and interesting design, but also by a very beautiful design, they can become a good decoration for your kitchen. In fact, these are the main parameters that distinguish modern microwave ovens. They are beautiful, comfortable, functional and will be a great help in your kitchen. Well, and the choice, of course, depends only on you and your preferences. Good luck with your choice and pleasant shopping! We recommend reading:
