A microwave oven can be one of the most amazing wonders in the modern kitchen. It can heat your leftovers, cook and even bake pastries! So, welcome to my best microwave & microwave reviews blog! I’m Reese. The reason why I’m writing this blog is because I realize that I’ve accumulated a lot of information regarding the entire microwave oven process. By putting together my experience, tips and advice that I’ve gotten along the way, I hope that all your worries and answers can be found right here in my microwave oven blog!
Microwave Oven – Quick Guide
Below are the sub-headings of my Microwave Oven Guide:
- How to Pick the Best Microwave Oven ?
- Best Microwave Ovens – My Reviews & My Top Picks
- Types of Microwave Ovens
- Microwave Ovens Features
- How To Pick The BEST Microwave – Detail
- Microwave Reviews Blog – More
Do enjoy exploring my microwave oven world! 
How to Pick the Best Microwave Oven ?
For starters, you would have to determine whether you want a standard microwave oven or a convection oven. Convection ovens are more expensive but it’s not necessary if all you are looking for is a microwave oven to re-heat and perform basic functions. I’ve compiled all you need to know into 9 basic steps:
- Decide the Function
- Determine the Size
- Determine Your Budget
- Microwave Power
- Turntable
- Design
- Controls
- Features
- Check for Easy Clean-Up
While it is true that there are a lot of similarities between microwave ovens, following these 9 steps can narrow down your choices and thus, save your choosing & buying time. If you want more details on the each of the following steps, click here. With these in mind, take a look at my reviews and my top picks!
Best Microwave Ovens – My Reviews & My Top Picks
It is quite difficult to decide on a clear winner because many microwave ovens have their ‘extra’ stuffs that make them unique. The top manufacturers are:
- GE, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Whirlpool and etc.
From all these choice, below are my top picks:
- Panasonic Genius NN-H765BF – Best Full-Size Microwave ( Best for a family eats quality meal )
- Sharp R-230KK – Best Compact Microwave ( Best for limited counter space & simple used )
- Sharp R-426HS – Most stylish stainless-steel microwave ( Best for those with a knack for kitchen fashion )
- Sharp R-820JS – Best mid-sized microwave oven ( Best for those on a tight budget )
- Sharp R-305KS – Best convection microwave oven ( A fine alternative to a full-size oven )
Microwave Oven Reviews
Microwave oven reviews by brands:
Types of Microwave Ovens
If you want to know a little bit more about microwave ovens, here’s a quick guide for you.
Freestanding Microwave Ovens
- Placed on a counter-top, shelf or mounted on a wall
- Great if you shift around often
- Quick set-up
- Cheaper than built-in models
Integrated Microwave Oven
- Ideal if you want it to blend with your other kitchen appliances
- Suitable for those who want a stylish look
- You might want to consider a built-in microwave if you want to save work-top space
Next, these are the types of microwaves:
Standard Microwave
- Sufficient for heating food & coffee or cooking ready meals
Convection Microwave
- Allows you to microwave, grill & cook
- Usually it’s a microwave with grill or a combination microwave oven
Microwave Ovens Features
With the above information about microwave oven, let’s equip you with more knowledge.
Capacity & Power
Capacity varies between 0.8 cubic feet and over 1.2 cubic feet while the power varies between 500 watts and nearly 1,400 watts. Personally, for an average household, I prefer a microwave approximately 1.2 cubic feet and 1,100 watts.
Glass Turntable Carousal
This is quite a standard feature to provide even cooking.
The Display Panel
Majority of the units have a digital display, a clock/timer and other preset modes. Just ensure that the switches are not mechanical push type. A touch panel is easy to clean.
Vents
This is to release heat and moisture. Always know the location of these vents to prevent damage to walls or furniture.
Well, I hope you enjoy visiting my microwave reviews blog, Happy Microwaving!!
Best Microwave – Panasonic Genius NN-H765BF
Always on the go but want a fast and warm meal? Panasonic Genius NN-H765 BF Microwave Oven is reviewed as the best full-size microwave. Suitable for those who want to use it often, it defrosts and cooks evenly, is quick, easy, flexible, accurate, durable, has a generous width and a sense of humor!
Panasonic Genius NN-H765BF Microwave Oven
Panasonic Genius NN-H765BF – Pros & Cons
Pros
1) Quick - This is your answer to a meal preparation in a jiffy! Performing at 1250 watts, everything cooks faster than before. You can re-heat three dishes at one go! Cuts cooking time in half compared to other microwave ovens.
2) Easy - Newbie? No sweat! The menu action guides you through each step of cooking. The demo mode is actually meant for retail displays but you can see how everything works without actually cooking anything!
3) Defrost & Cook Evenly - It’s evenly heated all the way from the edge to the middle. No more stirring, no more adjusting! Reason? It’s one of the few microwaves that uses inverter technology, resulting in continuous cooking power.
4) Flexible - Fussy about your food? The More/Less button allows you to add or subtract time to the sensor and popcorn settings. There is also a choice of pounds or kilos, child lock, reminder beep, menu action, 10 power levels, 5 multi-stage cooking options, popcorn key, Quick Minute, auto-reheat, delay start and timer.
5) Accurate - You name it: thawing, reheating and cooking. The sensors are so accurate that some reviewers rarely use their stove and oven anymore! Works great for baked potatoes, frozen pizza, frozen entrees, fresh vegetables, frozen vegetables and omelet. Treating yourself to a home movie? Use the separate popcorn button. (There are 3 different bag sizes to select from)
6) Durable - Excellent performance record noted for constant daily use.
7) Generous Width, Modest Height - Wide enough to allow you to defrost a long block of chicken thighs. Short enough to fit in the limited space. Approximately up to 6 lbs can be entered into the display. So, bring on your big freezer items just as long as they aren’t too tall.
Sense of Humor – Bogged down after a tough day of work? Sit back and enjoy the display that flashes, “Enjoy Your Meal.”
Cons
1) Takes Up Counter Space – This is a factor if you have a small kitchen. Remarks: Keep that in mind if you already have a full-size oven.
2) Short Height - This modest height was mentioned earlier. So, check whether your utensils can fit into this one. This is quite crucial if you are used to taller microwave-ovens. A rough guide: a 10 ounce glass barely clears the top of the microwave oven. Remarks: If your appliances are less than that height, you shouldn’t need to worry too much.
3) Misrepresentation - Some reviewers found that instead of having 18 auto sensor options, they found only 4 auto sensor options on their microwave ovens. Generally, the auto sensor options are among reviewer’s favourite but this microwave oven seem to have lessen their auto sensor options. If you are a fan of auto sensor options, you might want to consider this downside before deciding to purchase this.
Panasonic Genius Microwave – Summary
Succinctly, Panasonic Genius NN-H765 BF Microwave Oven, bestowed with the title of best full-size microwave, is very large and economic. Unless you are a professional cook, you shouldn’t need anything larger. Known as one that performs up to its mark, this microwave oven defrosts and cooks evenly, is quick, easy, flexible, accurate, durable, has a generous width and a sense of humor!
Further Information:
You can find more about microwave reviews & best microwave in my blog here.
How To Choose The BEST Microwave Ovens?
Many microwave ovens have many similar features but experts say that there are certain specific features that you should keep a look out for when you are in the process of buying. I have compiled them into 9 big headings of how to choose microwave ovens:
- Decide the Function
- Determine the Size
- Determine Your Budget
- Microwave Power
- Turntable
- Design
- Controls
- Features
- Check for Easy Clean-Up
1) Decide the Function
- How? It depends on what is your purpose of buying a microwave oven.
- Standard microwave oven = heat/cook ready meals or warm coffee only.
- Convection oven = microwave, grill & cook!
2) Determine the Size
- Compact vs. Family sized
- How? Ask 3 questions:
- How much room do you have in your kitchen? Measure the height, depth & width of available space. Remember to leave enough space to cover the vents and to allow you to open the door. Drop down door is ideal for those who lack space.
- How many people will you be cooking for? A compact microwave is sufficient for a single person. If you have frequent large functions or want to cook for several people on a daily basis, choose a family-sized microwave.
- Is there enough capacity for your favourite dishes? Measure your favourite dish and make sure that they can fit in with the door closed.
Microwave Reviews – Summary Box:
| Criteria | Compact | Mid-sized | Full-sized |
| For whom | Single People/ College students | Medium-sized family | People who spend lots of time in the kitchen |
| Capacity | 0.8 cubic-feet or less | Between 0.8 & 1.2 cubic feet | 1.5 feet or more |
| Suitability | Not much room to spare | Take more shelf space | Counter space to spare |
| Amount of food | Prepare simple meals/ reheat leftovers | Accommodate family meal | Regularly prepare food for people |
3) Determine Your Budget
- How much are you willing to spend on a microwave oven?
- Stick to your budget to avoid wasting time focusing on other microwave ovens beyond your budget range.
- Narrows down your choices in a jiffy!
- Then, surf online to get great deals instead of zooming straight to your nearest store.
4) Microwave Power
- Higher wattage = Cook quicker
- Try to choose a model that offers you a range of different levels.
- Remember, when a microwave is described as for example 600W, that is the MAXIMUM power level.
5) Turntable
- With this, the heating waves allow an even exposure to heat the food evenly all the way through.
- Without it, the heating waves can only penetrate a certain depth beyond the surface of the food.
6) Design - Choose one that matches your:
- Kitchen Style
- Kitchen Colour
- Appliances
7) Controls - Check for keypad controls which are:
- Easy to wipe clean
- Function at the touch of a button
- Auto functions – instant cook food
- Or older style dial control if you prefer them
Features - You may want specific features which varies with people:
- Auto programmes
- Temperature Probes
- Cook or defrost by weight functions
- Crisping functions
- Child lock
- Removable Racks
- Easy to clean interior & exterior
- Sensors
- Experts say that cooking sensors really do work to prevent food from being raw or overcooked. Although they raise the overall price by a couple of dollars, reviews say it is well worth it.
9) Check for Easy Clean-Up
- Look for removable bottom trays or racks which make cleaning the interior much easier.
- Look for microwave ovens that do not scratch easily on the exterior.
Hopefully, with these 9 essential steps on how to choose your best microwave ovens, you can successfully determine the microwave oven that is most suitable for you. All the best!
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