Benchtop Microwaves

A Microwave Oven can either be Conventional or Convection, the latter containing a fan to closely resemble a traditional Oven to either microwave, bake or Grill foods. There’s also Built-in Microwave Ovens that are usually Combination aka Combi Microwave Ovens for either microwaving, traditional oven baking or a combination of both for fast, even cooking. Both convection and built-in Microwave Ovens function as both in addition to some specialised hybrid cooking functions.

Microwave Convection Ovens preheat quickly and are cheaper to run than conventional Ovens making them an energy efficient option for smaller cooks. Although they are smaller than regular Ovens, many are large enough to accommodate a family sized roast or large pizza like Samsung's Family Size series.

On their own, a Microwave Convection Oven is well suited to a small family and smaller kitchens, caravans, and holiday homes. For larger families or people who host dinner parties, this Microwave type pairs well with a regular Oven to save time when cooking.

Many of today's Microwave Ovens feature Inverter technology designed to deliver a steady output of heat at high, low, and medium power settings. The easiest way to understand the advantages of Inverter Microwaves is to understand how a regular Microwave works.

A non-inverter Microwave heating something on a medium heat will alternate between cycles of maximum and no heating power, evening out to a medium or low heat depending on the interval lengths. This is why more delicate Cooking tasks can be uneven in Microwaves or why defrosting can lead to cooked outsides and frozen insides.

Inverter Microwaves on the other hand have their power supplied through a circuit that provides power at different levels without cutting in and out, for a steady medium or low heat throughout the cycle. Microwaves and Microwave Ovens with Inverters are great for defrosting, melting chocolate, preparing sauces, pulled pork and more.

The installation process for a microwave oven depends on purchasing a built-in or a Freestanding Benchtop model.

Built-in models can be installed within kitchen cabinetry and are great for a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with a matching Oven, as an appliance first kitchen design can work well. Due to their peak power consumption, they will likely need to be installed by a licensed electrician with a dedicated power circuit. Freestanding models should not be built-in or placed inside cabinets for ventilation purposes, and need to be placed on a flat, stable surface away from other sources of heat and steam like conventional Ovens.

Remember to measure the space that the Microwave will be occupying before making a final purchase and allow additional space for ventilation. Always double check the installation requirements of the model by referring to the user manual to ensure it’ll adequately fit in the cutout.

To keep a Microwave Oven in good working condition, make sure it's kept clean after use. Like regular Ovens leaving food spills alone runs the risk of it baking on and being harder to eventually clean, whilst also reducing overall cooking performance by taking heat away from the food inside.

The best way to keep a Microwave Oven clean is by regularly wiping it down whilst the oven is still warm, not hot. Cooking roast meats and other fattier foods in a Convection Microwave Oven or Built In Combi Microwave can leave greasy residues inside that become harder to clean if not wiped up.

For the best results warm soapy water is recommended. Chemical oven cleaners and scouring pads should be avoided due to the sensitive internal surface and components. For harder grime, microwave a warm bowl of water and leave for 30 seconds to let steam soften the baked on residue before wiping it clean with soapy water, following with a damp cloth for a clean finish.