The abundance of microwave modes can mislead an inexperienced user. Want to quickly figure out how and in which cases to use a particular mode? Follow the instructions from our review.
Standard microwave programs
The main standby mode: microwave or "microwaves". Have you purchased imported equipment? Then the inscriptions on the case will be: MW or Microwave.
Any microwave can support it, regardless of design: solo or combined. The only difference is that in simple models only microwave technology is used, and in complex ones there are still “Grill” and “Convection” functions. To maintain them in the stove, heaters (heating elements) and fans work.
Depending on the company, the radiation power ranges from 600-1100 watts. The convenience is that almost every stove may not work at full power. In the stoves of recent years, up to a dozen degrees of adjustment.
Modes, depending on the brand and model, can be signed with numbers - 1, 2, etc., percentages - 75%, 100%, etc. Designations in Watts or symbols are not excluded.
If ten years ago low-power designs designed for 650 W were in use, today, demand for 800-850 W models is growing. Designed for 1000 watts only gaining popularity.
Models with 5 power levels
There are usually 5 microwave modes (in most designs of various brands). Let's consider each of them.
- "High" or "full" power. On foreign technology in this case is the designation High. At 100% power, the highest temperature is maintained. Suitable for warming up and fast cooking fish, meat dishes, vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee.
- "Above average" or Medium high corresponds to 70-80% of the maximum. Another unspoken title is “Frying”. This is easy to explain: the cycle allows you to optimally fry pork and poultry. Products do not dry as much as in other modes, do not require constant monitoring. Medium high is also suitable for heating and baking. A real find for lovers of cooking with cheese or sauces. Another plus: cooking without boiling liquid.
- "Medium" or Medium corresponds to 50-60% of the maximum. Suitable for emergency defrosting, uniform heating, slow frying, stewing or stewing. The Medium program often prepares soups, fish and dairy dishes, and seafood.
- “Below average” or Medium low - this is the power that gives out only 25-30% of the maximum value. It is used for heating, softening butter for creams and desserts, heating chocolate products, natural honey and even ice cream. Sometimes a cycle is labeled Defrost.
- "Low" or Low - the minimum power, calculated only 10-15% of the total. On this cycle, the temperature is the lowest, therefore, it is often used to maintain the heat of ready-made dishes or to heat “tender” products.
Examples of models with 5 levels
- Horizont 20MW700-1378B is a 20-liter stove rated for 0.7 kW. Enamelled camera 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, coating - enamel, 0.8 kW. On electronic control with push-button switches. Timer for 95 minutes. Price - from 4290 rubles.
About grill
Imported models can be marked with the word Gril - these are combined options. The heating element itself may be infrared (IR) or conventional. When cooking with a grill, the dish is covered with a golden crust, for which many customers prefer microwave ovens to conventional electric or gas ovens. Especially enthusiastic reviews on the net can be found about poultry, meat products, casseroles, cheese and vegetable dishes.
You can activate the grill at the end - exclusively for the crust, and before that cook using waves.
Models
- Samsung GE83KRS-2 - designed for 23 liters. 0.8 kW, electronic control. From 6 100 rubles.
- LG MH6044V is also electronic, but already at 20 liters and 700 watts. It costs 5,880 rubles.
- Horizont 20MW800-1479 - option for 20 liters, 800 watts. Price - 3 872 rubles.
Convection ovens
Convection program foreign manufacturers often sign Conv. It is also referred to as “Hot Air” and even “Oven”.
What is the point. The stove is equipped with a heater and a fan, the blades of which accelerate the flow of heated air through the chamber. The convective process quickly warms up the products, at which time an ordinary oven would still be warming. As a result, any cooking process is accelerated, and heating is uniform. Available simultaneous processing on the turntable using the grill included.
What to cook. Prepare snacks, fish and meat delicacies, pizza with any toppings, soufflé and aromatic pastries!
On a note! Planning to make a pie, biscuit, puff or pastry for the arrival of guests? In this case, preheat the camera.
Not bad meat slices are obtained on this program, weighing less than 0.5 kg. Without the use of microwaves, it is possible to cook even in foil or on a metal baking sheet at the optimum temperature.
What dishes can not be heated in the microwave, you can find out from the previous review.
Even baby food can be heated using only convection at a temperature of 40 degrees. Read more about this on the page “Is it possible to heat baby food in the microwave”.
Models with convection
- Samsung MC28H5013AW - a 20-liter 900-W stove with electronics. Volume - 28 liters. The cost is 11,190 rubles.
- BBK 23MWC-881T / B-M - 23 liters, 800 W, electronics. It costs 6,442 rubles.
- The Panasonic NN-CD565B is rated at 27 liters and 1000 watts. Inverter type furnace. 14 991 rubles.
Program combinations
Manufacturers Gorenje, Korting, Whirlpool, Zigmund & Shtain, Kaiser and others allow you to combine the available options. Consider the main combinations: their English designations, purpose and capabilities.
Microwave grill
Foreign marking of this combination: COMBI, MICRO + GRILL, MW + GRILL, etc.
If the power of the microwaves prevails over the grill, less time is required, but the quality of cooking the meat is deteriorating. And vice versa: if you strengthen the grill, with minimal radiation you can achieve a familiar taste, sacrificing time - it will need more.
Combinations also differ in the way they are affected: it can be simultaneous operation of waves with heating elements or their sequential switching. Simultaneous work is suitable for frying meat and fish, baking in large volumes. In the second case, you can quickly cook a dish using microwaves, and the grill will only give it a “blush”.
In the configuration you can often find lattices of various heights: low for large products and high for dishes of small size and weight. They significantly enhance the effect.
Important! Manufacturers insist on using exclusively standard gratings: their geometry is thought out to the smallest detail for certain camera parameters of each individual model.
Also remember that pallets and metal plates for cooking are not suitable. Leaking grease can be retained with a special ceramic pan. It should be treated carefully when washing and cleaning - when enamel is chipped, the pallet will become unusable.
Microwave and convection
Standard international designation: MW + CONV. An excellent cycle for a large list of dishes, including baking. The time spent is minimal, the surface of the dish is crusty.
Convection can produce from 40 to 250 degrees: it will not burn anything and will bake perfectly. What can we say that the smell and juiciness of the products will be impeccable.
Grill convection
Foreign signs: GRILL + CONV, etc.
Serves for fast frying of products and additional golden crust. Pizza, fatty meat, poultry - all this is fast, tasty and beautiful.
Automatic programs
In some designs of recent years, automation has been provided. Defrosting, cooking, grilling and combined modes - all this works without user intervention. You don’t have to set the time and temperature, the “smart” technique will do everything for you.
In the latest microwave ovens there are programs designed specifically for the Russian user: automatic steaming in the "Side dishes and cereals" mode. With the click of a button, you can cook rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. Fresh vegetables and potatoes also lend themselves well to such processing. In just 6 minutes, the oven will cook half a kilo of vegetables, and on average in 15 minutes a quarter packet of rice will be cooked.
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.