Microwave buying guide

A microwave is an essential part of any modern kitchen, allowing quick, easy and convenient cooking. Whether it's a conventional or convection microwave, this Microwave Buying Guide outlines everything you need to know buy the best microwave for your home. Shop all the best brands including Panasonic, LG, Samsung, Smeg, Breville and more.

Microwaves ican be built into the kitchen cabinets, stand alone on your kitchen bench, or fit into a specific spot, to match your existing décor. Microwave ovens also come in stainless steel, white, silver, black and an increasing array of colour options, to suit your personal style.

Conventional Microwaves

Conventional Microwaves, popular in households and commercial kitchens alike, have become indispensable appliances for quick and efficient food preparation. These microwaves operate on the principle of emitting electromagnetic waves that excite water molecules within the food, generating heat and cooking the item.

Equipped with a variety of power settings and pre-set functions, conventional microwaves offer versatility in reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen items, and cooking a wide range of dishes. Their user-friendly interfaces, timer functions, and often compact designs make them user-friendly and space-efficient.

Convection Microwaves

Also known as microwave ovens because they are a microwave and convection oven, with a heating element and fan that circulates air around food for faster, more even cooking. Food also will have a better texture than with a conventional microwave. These microwaves provide more variety in cooking, allowing for not only microwaving but also convection oven baking, browning, crisping and broiling.

With adjustable temperature settings and multiple cooking modes, convection microwaves offer a convenient all-in-one solution for busy kitchens, delivering both speed and versatility.

Built-In Microwaves

Built-In Microwaves have become a hallmark of contemporary kitchen design, seamlessly integrating into cabinetry or walls to provide a sleek and space-saving solution. Unlike their countertop counterparts, built-in microwaves offer a streamlined aesthetic while maximizing kitchen efficiency. Their versatile installation options, which can include placement over the range, within a wall niche, or beneath the countertop, allow for customization based on kitchen layout and design preferences.With advanced features such as sensor cooking and convection capabilities, these appliances not only save time but also enhance the overall cooking experience. In essence, built-in microwaves embody the marriage of form and function, catering to the needs of modern households seeking a convenient and visually appealing kitchen solution.

Microwave accessories

These accessories are designed to optimize cooking processes, ensuring efficient and even heating while expanding the range of culinary possibilities. Popular microwave accessories include microwave-safe cookware, such as glass or ceramic containers, which allow users to prepare a variety of dishes directly in the microwave.

With the right accessories, users can maximize the utility of their microwave ovens, making cooking and reheating tasks more convenient and enjoyable.

Are you in search of a new microwave but feeling a bit overwhelmed? Take a look at our helpful tips and suggestions to steer you in the right direction.

How much capacity do you need?

When deciding on which microwave to buy, you’ll need to consider the size of the product. Microwaves can range from roughly 20 litres up to 44 litres and which one you choose will depend on a variety of factors, including:

• Purpose – will it be used mostly to reheat or defrost your food, or to cook larger family meals on a regular basis?

• Available space in the kitchen

• How much you intend to use it

• Where will it be housed - on the benchtop, in a cavity?

Settings and functions

If you buy a conventional microwave, chances are it will have limited functions such as heating and defrosting food. However, more advanced models may have baking, roasting and grilling options, as well as one-touch pre-programmed settings that mean you don't have to guess how long to cook your food for.Make sure to investigate the available settings and controls to gauge how easy they are to navigate, as well as the likelihood you will use them.

Microwave technology & design

Some microwaves have inverter technology that delivers a steady stream of consistent energy into the microwave when you want to cook with a lower heat for perfect pulled pork, salmon, eggs, sauces and more. Microwaves that don’t have inverter technology have to switch between using 100 per cent and 0 per cent power when you choose 50 per cent power, whereas a microwave with inverter technology uses 50 per cent power the entire time so your food is more evenly defrosted and cooked.You’ll also need to work out whether you want a benchtop microwave that sits on your kitchen benchtop and just plugs into your power point (perfect if you’re renting), or, if you’re renovating or building think about a built-in microwave that’s built into your kitchen cabinetry and connected by an electrician for a clutter-free benchtop and clean kitchen lines. A few design-savvy brands have created built-in microwaves that match their oven, microwave and coffee machines designs for seamless kitchen continuity and modern style.

Other ways to use your Microwave

• Disinfect plastic chopping boards – thoroughly wash, rub with lemon and microwave for one minute.

• Sanitise sponges – submerge non-metal sponges in water with lemon juice or white vinegar, remove sponge and microwave it for one minute.

• Sterilise bottles – get a special microwave steriliser and use it to sanitise baby bottles, dummies and toys in the microwave.

• Heat plates – spray water onto microwave-safe plates, stack, and microwave for one minute, drain water and wipe dry to keep food hot.

• Juice lemons and limes – microwave for 10 seconds if small and 20 seconds if large before cutting so you can squeeze out more juice.

• Toast nuts – put on a plate, microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stir every minute, then add to cereal, salad and pasta for extra crunch and flavour.

• Soften sugar and honey – microwave hard brown sugar on medium for 10-20 seconds after adding a little bit of water, and microwave hardened honey on medium for 30-60 seconds.

• Heat packs – microwave wheat packs for sore backs and gel packs for headaches if they don’t have any metal covering.

• Warm up wax and masks – microwave home waxing kits for less mess, and warm up your hair and face masks for 10-20 seconds.

Easy Microwave cleaning

There are two quick and easy ways to clean the inside of your microwave:

1. With white vinegar:

   Pour one cup of white vinegar and one cup of water into a microwave-safe bowl or measuring jug, put a wooden spoon into the mixture, microwave for 5-10 minutes, remove with an oven mitt and wipe the inside clean with a sponge; or

2. With white vinegar:

   Pour half a cup of water into a microwave-safe bowl or measuring jug, cut lemon in half, squeeze lemon juice into water and add the squeezed lemon to water as well, microwave for 3 minutes on high, leave to steam in the unopened microwave for 5 minutes, remove then wipe the inside with a clean, dry tea towel or cloth.

To clean the outside of the microwave, spray it with rubbing alcohol then buff with a microfibre cloth.

We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.

Microwave-safe

Products, containers, or cookware that are designed to be used in a microwave oven without emitting harmful chemicals or causing damage to the appliance.

Wattage

The power rating of a microwave oven, measured in watts. Higher wattage generally means faster cooking or heating.

Defrost

A feature on microwave ovens that allows users to thaw frozen food quickly and evenly by adjusting the power level and time.

Express Cook

Pre-programmed time settings for common microwave tasks, providing quick and convenient options for cooking or heating specific foods.

Inverter Technology

Technology that allows for consistent and precise control of microwave power, providing more even cooking and preserving the texture and flavour of food.

Multi-Stage Cooking

A feature that enables users to program multiple cooking stages with different power levels and times for more complex recipes.

Grill or Convection Mode

Some microwave ovens come with additional features like grilling or convection cooking, allowing for more versatile cooking options.

Microwave Radiation

Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from about one millimetre to one meter. Microwaves are used in microwave ovens to heat food by causing water molecules in the food to vibrate and generate heat.

Child Lock

A safety feature that prevents the microwave oven from being operated by children, protecting them from accidental burns or injuries.