Shopping for a microwave isn’t a easy proposition as it’d sound. With so many types, sizes, brands, and prices, choosing the proper fit can be subsequent to not possible if you’re not armed with the correct information.
Microwaves can be broadly classified as countertop, commercial, built-in, or over-the-range units. Each of those types is available in varying sizes, prices, wattage, weight, oven capacity, and functionality.
To assist you discover the correct healthy on your needs, we’ll assessment the various sizes of each microwave type during this article. We’ll even be having a look on the qualities of every size, category, and what that means for functionality, so make sure to stick around to the very end. Let’s dive correct in.
1. Countertop Microwave Sizes
Countertop microwaves are the least expensive and most usual of the three microwave types (built-in, over-the-range, and countertop). Except being pocket-friendly, they’re popular due to the fact they don’t need a professional to install—simply unpack and plug in, and you’re all set.
Countertop microwaves are available three sizes. Let’s take a deeper look into each:
Small Countertop Microwaves
True to their name, these are the smallest countertop microwaves. That suggests they have the smallest oven ability of the 3 countertop microwave sizes, making them ideal for small kitchens or any other application that comprises lower than 3 users.
Small countertop microwaves additionally include the least kind of features. This means you’d be at an advantage restricting their usage to cooking basics, which includes frozen veggies, popcorn, tea, immediate rice, warming leftovers, or any other type of cooking that doesn’t require a lot oven capacity, cooking power, and functionality.
To make up for these shortcomings, small countertop microwaves are the most portable and cheapest of the three varieties of countertop ovens. They also require the least kitchen space, making them excellent for small apartments.
Having reviewed their strengths and weakness, let’s research many of the defining features of small countertop microwaves:
Size and Cooking Capacity
Typically, small countertop microwaves’ outdoors width averages between 15 inches (38.1cm) and 19 inches (48.3 cm). As for the external top and depth, the two range from 10 to 14 inches (25.4cm to 35.6cm).
The cooking capacity of any given microwave clearly capability its inner oven length and dictates what it could realistically accommodate. Small countertop microwaves often have a cooking capability of less than one cubic feet. The most well liked size is 0.9 ft.³ (25485.2 cm³), yet some microwaves may well be as small as 0.5 ft.³ (14158.4 cm³).
Weight and Wattage
Small countertop microwaves are the lightest of all types because they’re designed with an emphasis on portability. Typically, they weigh between 20lbs (9.1kg) and 30lbs (13.6kg).
The wattage of a microwave is a degree of its cooking power. In less complicated terms, it’s the amount of energy it needs to heat up the food. Generally, the higher the wattage, the faster the microwave will heat food, and the more frivolously it’ll prepare dinner (and vice versa).
The wattage of small countertop microwaves degrees between 600 and 1100 watts, with most suggestions averaging 700-1000watts. While the sort of low wattage capability slower and uneven cooking, the upside is that it helps preserve the energy bill low.
Cost and Functionality
Small countertops microwaves are the least steeply-priced of all microwave sizes. Low-end concepts cost approximately $60, when their high-end counterparts may well be priced as excessive as $300. However, the commonest price for a normal countertop microwave is set $80.
In such a lot small countertop microwaves, a tumbler turntable comes popular to rotate the foodstuff as it heats up for even cooking. Additionally included are functionalities which includes configurable power levels, defrost, and show cooking. As for the finish, it’s mainly plastic, despite the fact that some suggestions might include stainless-steel finishes.
Keep in mind that some small countertop microwaves may have extra features than these, yet those usually come at a premium.
Medium Countertop Microwaves
Medium countertop microwaves have a greatly larger wattage, oven capacity, and extra capabilities than small countertop microwaves. Understandably, they’re also costlier than small countertop models.
The finest component about medium countertop microwaves is that they strike a good stability among importance for funds and convenience. That is, they pack the many of the significant capabilities of larger versions and still are available in a more moveable length and favorable price. They’re additionally the commonest microwave size, meaning you won’t struggle to find whatever inside your budget.
You can use medium countertop microwaves for common microwave purposes like warming food, as well as important responsibilities which includes defrosting large chunks of meat. They prepare dinner faster and more flippantly than small microwaves and can serve a family of 5.
There aren’t many dangers to medium countertops. The only capability drawbacks are that they might not be capable of serve enormously large households and they usually take somewhat longer to cook dinner than huge countertop units.
Having reviewed their leading strengths and likely drawbacks, let’s check out the distinguishing traits of medium countertop microwaves:
Cooking Capacity
Medium-sized countertop microwaves come with a more-than-decent cooking capacity, with units ranging among 1ft.³ (28316.8 cm³) to 2ft.³(56633.7 cm³). The traditional cooking capability is ready 1.6 ft.³ (45307 cm³), which more than most families want for typical everyday microwave applications.
Size and Weight
Typically, medium-sized microwave models are 24 inches (61cm) wide, 16 inches (40.6 cm) deep, and 14 inches (35.6) tall. Word that those are the external dimensions.
As for the weight, it degrees between 30lbs (13.6kg) and 50lbs (22.7kg).
Wattage and Cost Range
While so much items general among a thousand and 1100 watts, some techniques can use as little as 800 watts, when others may require up to 1300watts.
The price of medium countertop microwaves varies greatly, mainly based on the variety of functions included. Common types can be as reasonably-priced as $60, while high-end models could cost up to $800.
Features
As is the case with price, the capabilities of medium countertop microwaves vary greatly. Such a lot common units include capabilities corresponding to those of small countertop microwaves, when high-end suggestions pack additional features that you would possibly now not uncover in a standard, medium-sized countertop microwave.
For instance, some include inverter cooking technology, which replaces the standard magnetic coil used to cook meals with an inverter for greater energy efficiency and quicker cooking.
Depending on the price range, a medium countertop microwave might include right here features:
- Sensor cooking
- Grill function
- Convection
- The aforementioned inverter technology
- Auto-weight
- Push-button door opener
- Easy to scrub interior
Large Countertop Microwaves
As you’d expect, large countertop microwaves include the maximum wattage and cooking capacity of the three sizes of countertop microwave units. That means they cook faster and warmth meals extra uniformly than any other countertop microwave size. They are able to additionally accommodate the largest meals sizes for multiplied periods, making them perfect for heavy-duty microwave functions in large families.
However, such operational excellence capability a far better cost and energy bill. Huge countertop microwaves also soak up more space, making them flawed for those with small kitchens. Lastly, they aren’t as standard as their medium-size counterparts, meaning it would take a bit of buying to find one.
With the professionals and cons covered, let’s check out the defining traits of huge countertop microwaves:
Size and Weight
The outside of enormous countertop microwaves is usually 35 inches (88.9cm) tall, 18 to 24 inches (45.7cm to 61cm) wide, and 18 inches (45.7cm) deep.
As for the weight, it tiers among 50 and 70lbs (22.7kg to 31.8kg)
Oven Capacity and Wattage
The cooking ability of countertop microwaves is generally over 2ft.³ (56633.7 cm³), with most concepts averaging 2.2ft.³ (62297.1 cm³). This capability is massive sufficient to accommodate an entire bird or a small turkey.
The most standard wattage in large countertop microwaves is 1250 watts, with 1200 watts being the lower reduce and 1400watts the upper limit. Any such excessive wattage capability quicker cooking than any other length unit, but that comes on the fee of better power consumption.
Price Variety and Features
The least affordable of the three varieties of countertop units, huge countertop microwaves are usually priced between $150 and $300.
Large countertop microwaves pack practically an analogous capabilities you’d uncover in their medium-sized counterparts yet include extra cooking presets.
The features list includes:
- Inverter cooking technology
- Auto-defrost
- Grill function
- Auto-adjust power levels and cooking time
- Convection cooking
- 10 extra presets for cooking common foods
Countertop Microwaves Comparison Table
For at-a-glance comparison, here’s a desk taking pictures the most important differences among the a number of sizes of countertop microwaves:
| Microwave size | Height in Inches | Width in Inches | Depth in Inches | Wattage | Oven Ability in Cubic Feet | Weight in Pounds |
| Small | 10-14 | 15-19 | 10-14 | 700-1000 | 0.5-0.9 | 20-30 |
| Medium | 12-15 | 20-24 | 12-17 | 900-1300 | 1.1-1.6 | 30-50 |
| Large | 15-18 | 26-30 | 15-20 | 1000-1400 | 2-2.2 | 50-70 |
2. Built-In Microwaves
Rather than sit on kitchen countertops, integrated microwaves are generally set up in base cabinets or walls. Wherein these microwaves are established is chiefly what sets them except the countertop and above-range microwaves. It’s also what gives upward push to among the best benefits of built-in microwaves: saving valuable kitchen counter space.
Speaking of advantages, built-in microwaves additionally upload an elegant, contemporary touch to kitchen interiors, particularly if you choose the oven colour along with your decor subject matter in mind. Depending on the type of look you’re going for, a number of the artful approaches you could use a colored built-in microwave to complement your kitchen decor include:
- Recessing it into one of the walls to create a neat, cohesive, space-saving look.
- Adding a microwave trim kit to the shelving, your unit sits on for a finished look.
- Using a brightly-colored microwave to add pleasing color pops in unexpected places.
- Combining kitchen accessories and decor materials with a pastel-colored microwave to create a vintage look.
- Grouping your microwave with other kitchen appliances to create contrast.
Additionally, built-in microwaves are safe for homes with children, the elderly, or quick people due to the fact you may make them child-proof by means of simple programming and set up them such that no one on your household has to arrive above to access food.
Also worth stating is that built-in microwaves come in a number of sizes and tool levels, making it easy to find a comfy healthy for any drawer space.
Like any other type of microwave, built-in models also come with their fair share of drawbacks. Perhaps the most important obstacle is they lack many of the capabilities you’d discover in a big or medium countertop unit like a turntable, grill function, inverted cooking, and convection cooking. There’s also the fact that they’re relatively high-priced and that they require expert installation.
With the professionals and cons covered, let’s overview the defining features of built-in microwaves:
Size and Weight
Usually, the external dimensions of integrated microwaves vary with the drawer space size. On average, most items measure 30 inches (76.2cm) wide, 26 inches (66cm) deep, and 15 inches (38.1cm) high.
As for the weight, it stages among 50 (22.7kg) and 100lbs (45.4kg).
Oven Capacity and Wattage
While some models could be larger, the common oven ability of integrated microwaves degrees among 1ft³ (28316.8cm³) and 2ft.³ (56633.7cm³).
The wattage of microwave drawers additionally varies. Most models wide variety between 800 watts and a thousand watts, with some consuming more than 1500 watts (e.g., FRIGIDAIRE FPMO3077TF runs on 1750 watts).
Price Wide variety and Functionality
The least affordable type of home microwaves, built-in items cost among $700 and $2000. Word that this doesn’t comprise the installing cost.
The highlight features of integrated microwaves incorporate child-safe mode, indoors LED lights, automobile defrost, soften/keep warm/melt modes, single-touch open/close, quite a number energy settings, cooking pre-configurations for usual foods, and easy-to-clean oven interiors.
Keep in mind that the list of capabilities may vary throughout brands.
3. Over-the-Range Microwaves
An over-the-range (OTR) microwave is generally a 2-in-1 unit that combines a variety hood with a microwave oven. These units are generally hooked up over a cooktop or range and come with each of the necessary mounting hardware for quick, undemanding installation.
The best selling point of OTR microwaves is they store valuable kitchen counter space. Also worth stating is that they come with a ventilation procedure to help retain your kitchen freed from high heat, toxins, and steam that usually accumulate with general coking. This eliminates the need to buy and set up a variety hood, whatever that you’d ought to do with a countertop unit.
The protected vent manner of an OTR microwave can also help cut down power costs. Via removing the heat and moisture that generally come with heavy-duty cooking, it reduces reliance in your HVAC system, consequently assisting run down your energy bill.
Last on the list of pros, over-the-range microwaves are safe to apply in residences with small kids. As a result of the location of OTR microwaves (high above the counter), you won’t have to worry approximately kids gaining access to the unit while you’re not around.
But when one of these placement makes over-the-range microwaves kid-safe, it also makes them hard to use for short people. Yet another obstacle you might have with an over-the-range microwave is that it’s tricky to control what you’re cooking if it’s placed in a tall pot. With such pots, you also have to be careful while disposing of the meals not to spill it on yourself.
Having looked on the professionals and cons, let’s take a deeper look into the defining qualities of over-the-range microwaves:
Size and Weight
The outside of OTR microwaves is generally 15 inches (38.1cm) tall, 30 inches (76.2cm) wide, and sixteen inches (40.6cm) deep. That said, these dimensions may differ based on the size of the cupboard area you’re seeking to fit your unit.
As for the weight, it averages among 50 and 65lbs (22.7kg to 29.5kg).
Oven Ability and Wattage
The oven ability of OTR microwaves varies substantially and may well be anything from lower than 1 ft.³ (28316.8cm³ ) to over 2ft.³ (56633.7cm³).
Since the size and capability of OTR microwaves vary greatly, the wattage additionally varies, with such a lot items averaging among 600watt and 1200watts.
Price Wide variety and Functionality
An over-the-range microwave with out a fan can cost anything from $50 to $300. With the fan included, the price wide variety goes as much as $200-$500, with high-end techniques costing more than $500.
OTR microwaves have a lot of the functions you’d discover in a large-sized countertop unit. When the list could differ with brand, price, and size, many of the common functions of over-the-range items include:
- Convection cooking
- Grill function
- A variety of pre-configurations for cooking common foods
- An car weight operate for defrosting
- Inverter cooking technology
- Self-ventilation
4. Advertisement Microwave Sizes
While the compact size of economic microwaves makes them seem like plug-in countertop units, they’re substantially dearer and more powerful. Typically, they’re designed for advertisement foodservice applications, in which cooking pace and efficiency are critical.
Interestingly, they often are available in a smaller size than huge countertop microwaves, mainly because they’re meant for use in advertisement kitchens in which space tends to be limited.
Commercial microwave ovens are generally categorised via two of the biggest causes to think about when shopping for such units: wattage and cooking power. We’ve light, medium, and heavy-duty commercial microwaves, each with specific qualities that impact operational efficiency.
Let’s take a deeper inspect every type.
Light Obligation Commercial Microwaves
Light responsibility advertisement microwaves usual about 1000watts in terms of power consumption. Whilst they’re still more robust than normal residential units, they’re the weakest of economic microwaves.
As such, they’re finest fitted to meals provider corporations that require microwave cooking approximately 50 instances or less. Usual applications include:
- Wait stations: occasional warming of soups, desserts, beverages, and rolls.
- Break rooms: warming frozen meals, packed lunches, and beverages
- Concession stands: heating meals that’s long past cold
- Breakfast bars: every now and then heating leftovers, muffins, oatmeal, and various beverages
In phrases of oven capacity, light-duty commercial microwaves usual among 0.3 – 0.8 cu.ft. In advertisement microwaves, cu.ft. denotes a unit’s indoors dimensions in cubic feet. This figure is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and peak in inches after which dividing that significance via 1728. The higher it is, the more a unit can accommodate.
With their 0.3 – 0.8 cu.ft. oven capacity, light-duty advertisement microwaves can accommodate most small oven-friendly china dishes and ¼ and ⅙ length high-temperature foodstuff pans. They can also healthy such a lot bowls, mugs, small plates, measuring cups, and ramekins.
Medium-Duty Commercial Microwaves
Medium responsibility commercial models come with a far better wattage starting from 1,200 watts and 2000watts for quicker cooking than their light-duty counterparts. They actually have a longer carrier existence and can be utilized more routinely (up to 150 instances in line with day).
Such function means you could use these units in commercial functions such as:
- Convenience stores: heating pre-packed food, sandwiches, and snacks
- Bakeries: defrosting and speedy baking some goods and melting butter.
- Cafes: warming beverages, baked goods, and some lunchtime items
In phrases of cooking capacity, medium-duty advertisement microwaves variety among 0.8 – 1.0 cu.ft. That is large enough to fit most ⅓ and ½ size high-temperature foodstuff pans, oven-friendly plastic takeout containers, medium-size plates, and bowls.
Heavy-Duty Commercial Microwaves
Averaging between 2000 and 3000 when it comes to wattage, these are the foremost strong of economic microwaves. They’re additionally the foremost durable and might cook faster than both light and medium-duty commercial units, making them perfect for foodservice establishments that ought to use a microwave more than 2 hundred times a day or more.
Such capacity makes heavy-duty advertisement microwaves excellent for purposes such as:
- Quick service restaurants: high-volume heating of entrees with speedy turnaround times
- Cafes: high-speed heating of huge portions; continuously conserving to play down waste
- Catering companies/commercial kitchens: fast cooking and heating industrially produced food, steaming vegetables and seafood, melting cheese, heating, and/or defrosting entrees.
To support such heavy-duty applications, those items come with the largest oven ability of the three styles of commercial microwaves, ranging from 1.2 – 1.6 cu.ft. To place matters into perspective, this is a huge enough room to fit so much oven-friendly plastic muffin trays, full-size high-temperature nutrition pans, trendy plates, dishes, and other similarly-sized items.
Summary
That does it for today’s post. Hopefully, we’ve covered enough details about the quite a few microwave types and their sizes that will help you select the correct healthy in your needs.
But just if you ignored a few points, listed here are the highlights:
- Countertop microwaves are the least expensive and least powerful, making them ideal if you’re on a budget and searching for a light-duty solution.
- Built-in units, on the different hand, are a very good choice whilst you want to avoid wasting on kitchen area whilst also adding an elegant, modern contact to your kitchen interiors.
- Commercial microwaves are a good fit for foodservice corporations as a result of their brilliant blend of cooking speed, operational efficiency, and compactness.
- As for over-the-range units, their main promoting point is a placement that allows keep kitchen counter space, and a air flow procedure that reduces energy consumption.