How to Choose the Right Microwave Size Leave a comment

How to Choose the Right Microwave Size: As a homeowner, you understand the importance of having a microwave in your kitchen. You need it for baking, to grill your meals and to heat the leftovers.

No matter the needs, you want to choose a microwave that meets the needs you have. It would be out of place to buy a microwave that grills and want to use the same for heating leftovers.

Asides from the specific workings of the unit, another thing you want to consider is the size. There are several sizes and dimensions of microwaves out there, and you want to choose the one that fits your kitchen design.

In this guide, you will find out how you can choose the right microwave in terms of size and the types of microwaves to consider.

The Types of Microwave Sizes

In this section, we cover the different types of microwaves to choose from, as well as their size and potential downsides.

1. Countertop Microwaves

These are the smallest and most portable microwaves. The design is small, making it freestanding and more portable for placement on the kitchen counter or shelf.

Cooking Capacity

As much as countertop microwaves are portable and affordable, they may not do all the cooking-related work for you.

This is because the microwaves are mostly used for smaller cooking activities, such as frozen veggies, popcorn and making tea.

Weight, Size and Dimension

The size of the countertop microwave ranges between 0.5 cubic feet and 0.9 cubic feet. As for the dimensions, you can find it between 10-14 inches deep, 15-19 inches wide and 10-14 inches height.

The weight of the microwave is relatively lower, and could be anywhere between 20 and 30 lbs.

Advantages

• Portable
• Affordable
• Easy to clean, all thanks to the compact interior design.
• Low wattage consumption.

Disadvantages

• Doesn’t cook large meals.
• Limited functionalities, when compared to the larger units.
• It takes a lot of time to heat up.

2. Medium Countertop Microwaves

This type of microwave is a bit larger than the countertop microwaves. The improved design is noticeable in the cooking capacity and power.

Cooking Capacity

The medium countertop microwave is both small and has some of the features of the bigger units. Its cooking capacity includes up to 2 cubic feet of cooking space and the heating up of more foods.

Weight, Size and Dimensions

This type of microwave weighs more and its weight is pegged anywhere between 30 and 50 lbs. For the size, it is up to 16 inches deep, 14 inches tall and 12 inches wide.

Advantages

• Faster microwaving and energy-efficiency via the use of inverter cooking technology.
• Several models to choose from.
• Affordable

Disadvantages

• Might not be useful for larger family cooking needs.
• It may cook some foods slower than others.

3. Large Countertop Microwaves

This type of microwave cooks and heats up food for larger families and has been considered superior to the other two mentioned.

The large countertop microwave can be placed on the counter or the kitchen shelf and is suitable for use when cooking for long.

Cooking Capacity

The cooking capacity is pegged at over 2 cubic feet, making the interior larger and wider to cook and heat up more meals.

Weight, Size and Dimensions

The weight of the unit is pegged between 50 and 70 lbs, while the dimensions are 35 inches (height), 18 inches (depth) and up to 24 inches in width.

Advantages

• Ideal for long periods of cooking.
• Faster cooking, thanks to the higher wattage.
• It could hold bigger foods.

Disadvantages

• Higher energy consumption
• It could take up a lot of space on the counter.

4. Over-the-Range Microwaves

This is a different type of microwave, in the sense that it is not placed on the kitchen counter or shelf. Instead, the over-the-range microwave is installed into the kitchen cabinet or above the cooktop.

Because of its design, the size and other specifications could vary. For example, the unit could come in a variety of sizes, including medium and larger sizes. It could also come with lights at the bottom and vents to beautify it.

Cooking Capacity

As to be expected, the over-the-range microwave can cook more meals. Of course, this is to b determined by the size and the space it is fitted into. Ideally, the size of the unit could be up to 2 cubic feet.

Weight, Size and Dimensions

The estimated dimensions of the unit include 16 inches (depth), 15 inches (height) and up to 30 inches (width).

The weight of the microwave could be anywhere between 50 and 60 lbs.

Advantages

• Less risk exposure for kids, since it is installed at the upper part of the kitchen counter.
• It can save plenty of space on the counter.
• There may be no need for a hood system because the unit comes with an integrated fan system.

Disadvantages

• You may be unable to monitor the food while it cooks/heats.
• Only taller people may be able to access it easily.

5. Built-in Microwaves

Are you looking for space-saving microwave? Look no further than the built-in microwave. This type of microwave is either built into a kitchen cabinet or drawer and can be easily glided out when needed.

Cooking Capacity

This is a large-capacity unit, as it has a cooking capacity up to 2 cubic feet.

Weight, Size and Dimensions

The weight is up to 100 lbs, while the dimensions are up to 25 inches (depth), 15 inches (height) and 30 inches (width).

Advantages

• Has multiple modes, such as keep, soften and melt.
• One-touch open and close functionality.
• Helps save lots of spaces on the counter.

Disadvantages

• It is pricey.
• Requires professional installation.
• It might lack some important cooking functions, such as grilling and inverted cooking.

6. Commercial Microwaves

Last but not least are commercial microwaves, which are both pricey and more advanced than some of the other microwave models. This type of microwave is heavy-duty, making it ideal for use for larger cooking, especially if you operate a food service business, such as a restaurant.

Cooking Capacity

This is perhaps one of the most moderate microwaves, in terms of cooking capacity. The commercial microwave can hold foods up to 1.5 cubic feet, and this is because it has to fit into more professional kitchens.

Weight, Size and Dimensions

Commercial microwaves weigh up to 170 lbs, while the dimensions are 14.5 inches (height), 18 inches (width) and 20 inches (depth).

Advantages

• This is a heavy-duty microwave.
• Superfast cooking.
• Very durable.

Disadvantages

• It hardly comes with a lot of cooking features.
• Quite expensive than other microwave models.

Conclusion

This definitive guide explained the different types of microwaves, as well as their sizes and dimensions. Now, you can choose the right microwave size, knowing the upsides and downsides.

With this idea too, you can pick the most suitable microwave and tailor the same to fit into your kitchen’s interior.