Before You Buy a Convection Microwave Oven

Author : Connie Mason

If you are thinking about buying a convection microwave oven, you need to think about what you hope to achieve from your purchase. You will need to know how you want to use the appliance, where you plan to put it, how much you can afford, and if you have any design considerations.

First, what do you plan to cook? If you just reheat leftovers, then a standard microwave is all you need. Other cooking methods will require a higher-end model. If you want to bake, then you will want a fan for distributing air across your food. If indoor grilling is your goal, then be sure to pick one that offers this feature. Know what the wattage requirements are for the recipes you plan to cook so that you get a unit that offers enough power.

Where do you want to place your purchase? You will find countertop, over-the-range, and built-in units. Be sure to measure the area so that you get a model that will fit into your space. Also, check that there is enough room for the door to clear when opened.

Do you want your new appliance to coordinate with your kitchen? This may limit your selection as not all are offered in various colors. Stainless steel is a popular look, but you may want a different color if you want everything in your kitchen to match, and you don't currently have stainless steel. Also, keep in mind that colors may differ by manufacturer. A shade of white that looks great in the store might not look so good when paired up with a different variation of white on your refrigerator.

How much money can you afford to spend? You will find models at varying price points from not much more than a standard unit to professional quality. Some of the lower-priced models do a good job if you aren't concerned with having a restaurant-quality kitchen.

Before shopping for a new convection microwave oven, make sure you know your answers to the above points. Then, you should be able to make the perfect purchase for you.

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Cook Delicious Meals in Your Microwave

Author : Richard McIntyre

If you're like a lot of people, you only use your microwave for reheating and defrosting food, or for popping popcorn. You may have never even considered using this common kitchen appliance for cooking an entire meal, because for many years a lot of microwave meals didn't taste very good. But this type of cooking has come a long way, and these days there are all kinds of delicious recipes that can be made in half the time it would take to cook them in a conventional oven or on the stove top.

Cooking Tips


In order to create the best-tasting meals possible in your microwave, there are a few simple tips to follow.

  

For instance, to ensure that your food is cooked thoroughly, make sure that things are spread out evenly on the plate. Do not stack foods. In order to cook meat evenly, instead of cooking it on high power for a short period of time, cook it a little longer at medium power.

Here are some more helpful tips for cooking in your microwave oven:

Cut large foods, such as roasts, into smaller pieces so that they will cook completely through, and cook evenly.  

About half-way through cooking, rotate or flip the food you are cooking. This will also help to ensure that it is cooked evenly.

Only use containers that are labeled microwave-safe. There are many plastic containers that should not be used in a microwave, especially those that are intended for

one-time use, such as margarine and whipped cream tubs.

Instead of using plastic wrap to cover food to keep it from drying out while cooking, use a paper towel instead. To really ensure that your food is nice and moist, dampen the paper towel slightly before covering your food. Remember to allow for a sitting time. Many foods are a lot hotter than you may think, and liquids that you think may not have reached the boiling point actually have, and moving the container immediately can cause the liquids to boil over, leading to burns.

How to Adapt Your Favorite Recipes

It is usually pretty easy to convert many of your favorite recipes for microwave cooking. Often, you can find many recipes that are similar to your own, online. These have been created just for the microwave, and you can always tweak them, adding your own special touch to make the recipe your own. Or, you can play around with your recipes. After all, a lot of the most delicious dishes in the world came to us through trial and error.

Don't get upset if everything you make doesn't taste amazing. It may take a while to perfect the art of this style of cooking, but once you do, you will be creating delicious meals in no time at all.

There are all kinds of great recipes that you can use to create delicious meals in your microwave oven. You can find them in magazines, online, and in a number of cookbooks. So, stop using this handy little appliance just to reheat and defrost foods. Cook some delicious meals too, and save time doing it.

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