Microwave ovens are so common now that we don't really think about them much. We just appreciate the fact that they cook food fast. Back when they were first catching on in popularity, though, there were a lot of public misgivings about them. Could they cause cancer? Could you get some sort of radiation poisoning from them? Fortunately, the answer to both of these questions was "No" and now we enjoy our microwave popcorn in peace.

It is a rare household that doesn't have a microwave today. While engineers and designers have been tweaking microwave ovens for decades, most of us still use them for what they do best - defrost and cook foods fast. When it comes to grilling, basting and browning, most cooks stick with the oven and cooktop. Still, if you haven't purchased microwave ovens for a few years, it's worth taking a closer look at them before you make your decision. On one end of the scale, you can get microwave ovens as small as 10L. On the other end of the scale, there are many models of microwave ovens available that have internal capacities of up to 46L or more. The best sellers are in the 30-34 litre capacity range, followed closely by microwave ovens in the 25 to 29 litre range. Which size should you choose?

The external size of microwaves is one consideration, but is not the major one. The difference in external dimensions between the smallest 10L capacity microwave ovens and the largest 46L microwave ovens can be surprisingly little. Most freestanding microwave ovens are about the same depth (440mm), while the difference in width between the smallest and largest microwave ovens can be as little as 50mm. In other words, if you are looking for freestanding microwave ovens, many of them take up relatively similar amounts of bench space. If your kitchen already has a microwave shelf, most microwaves fit into a standard 60 cm wide microwave shelf and built-in microwave ovens are built to standard dimensions.

Where choosing microwave ovens gets tricky is when you start considering the internal dimensions of the unit. These are all listed in litres, but this can be a deceiving number. For example, for all practical purposes, a 30L capacity microwave cannot cook three times as much food as a 10L microwave. When you are looking at microwave ovens, consider these two specifications:

Turntable Diameter

In order for microwave ovens to heat food efficiently, the food has to be in constant movement. This is done on the turntable. While you may be able to fit a frozen chicken inside a 20L microwave, will the depth of the microwave be enough to allow the chicken to rotate a full 360 degrees? The turntable diameter will give you an indication of this. Also, while most microwave ovens come with turntables, some models come with trays that slide side-to-side. This can be the solution to your problems, especially if you are looking for a compact sized microwave. Expect to pay more for one of these.

Internal Height

Can you fit a large chicken on a platter inside a 20L microwave? The overall height of the machine will give you a clue, but to avoid disappointment, look for microwave ovens with larger internal capacities (34L+).

Convection Microwave Ovens

Convection microwave ovens are actually two ovens in one. Microwaves heat from the inside out and convection ovens heat from the outside in. If you want to grill or baste and brown, you need to use a convection oven. Having this as part of your microwave can be very handy and some users swear by them, while most still prefer to move the food to the oven when it comes time for baking or grilling. Since you have to pay more for convection microwave ovens, be sure you are really going to use it as a convection oven before you make your decision.

Features to Look For

Power Rating

Microwave ovens use magnetrons to generate the microwaves. These magnetrons will do their job faster or slower depending on the amount of power that the microwave has. While you don't need to worry too much about a difference of 100 Watts, you will get significantly better performance out of compact microwave ovens in the 800-1000W range and large microwave ovens in the 1000W+ range. You can find large microwave ovens rated up to 1,650W.

Sensor Cooking

Some microwave ovens come with sensors that measure the amount of steam that is being emitted. These sensors can help prevent accidental over- and under-cooking.

Shortcut Keys

Those pushbutton shortcut keys for popcorn, vegetables, reheating, etc. come in very handy. Microwave ovens, after all, are all about speed and convenience and those shortcut keys make them all the more convenient.

The Bottom Line

It's hard to go wrong with microwave ovens. Most households have had at least one, so you will probably be considering buying a new one for a reason. If your existing microwave is too small for your needs or too large for your kitchen, you already know what to look for. If you are remodelling your kitchen, think about getting a built-in microwave or having your kitchen manufacturer include a microwave shelf. If you just want to spruce up your kitchen with a new freestanding microwave, there are many designer microwaves on the market today. Take your time and find the perfect one for you out of our huge selection of microwave ovens.