After just going through acidburn’s review
( https://mouthshut.com/review/Choosing_a_Microwave_Oven-72226-1.html) on how our ’’Indian culture’’ of always fresh food prevents us from the ’’lazy’’ use of microwaves, I just had to pen this! Microwaves are of greatest use when you are very busy and not lazy. Besides, this interpretation of ’’ Indian culture’’ really turns me off!, OK, beside the point.... There are times when piping hot food rapidly becomes cold, especially in Winter and a microwave is the easiest, quickest and cleanest way to heat up, so It even has applications in a traditional family running on ’’Indian Culture’’ mode...
Just a few applications:
- Coffee: Nescafe Sunrise Extra ( Gives a stronger taste than nescafe in my opinion) Sugar and dilute milk in a mug, one punch on the coffee icon, and pour from mug to mug= strong, hot and foaming coffee in minutes. No pan to wash, no milk residue, no mess. Just one mug. Think of the time, cleaning and hassle saved...
If you don’t have a coffee preset, punch in 1.5 minutes..
Rice: 1 cup rice, 2 cups water * 20 minutes= Piping hot rice. No waiting to check the consistency, no overboiling, no rice water stains on the stove. Again, less cleaning to do.
Biryani: Ditto. Will give you recipe if you want!
Chocolate Cake: ready in 5 minutes( vs: 45 min in conventional oven)! And guaranteed equal to that in conventional oven. Recipe available on request. And the cake puffs up higher than in conventional oven
Defrost: meat/fish : Done in minutes, painlessly
Reheat: greatest application, can be done in the same ceramic plate. No separate reheating of rice, curries and palya... All in one plate, no mess, no multiple pots and pans to use , and much..less post- meal cleaning. And all really hot .
Chappaties and Parathas, bread: 30 secs covered with damp cloth= As fresh as new baked. try it. Moisten with a few drops of water first..
So many applications, even for ’’non-lazy’’ people!
What to look for:
1. Magnetron Power: The heart of any microwave. It creates the microwaves. Did you know that the microwave was a serendipitous discovery?.Apparently, when a scientist found that chocolate bars in his pockets , melted when he went in front on a microwave source. The Magnetron power varies from 700 to 1100. The higher the power, the quicker the cooking process.
2. Oven Size: 18 to 32 L or more. 18 works fine for most, as the diameter of most are the same (25 cm dish). The extra height that comes with larger ovens, might not be used. A personal choice based on family size, I feel.
3. Grill: useful for browning: Cakes, roasts, etc. if you plan to do a lot of these, go for it. Will raise cost to 8-10K. Basic retails for 5-6K
4. Convection: The hot air is ’’Convected’’ using a stirrer fan. Gives an oven like effect for biscuits and cookies, even browning. Expensive 13-18K and above. Not very essential( in my-cheapskate-opinion!).
5. Display: Preset digital and Manual. Manual is cheaper (4-5K) and will suffice. Digital is handy if you are very busy and like things digital!
6. Extras: Clock, child lock (useful if kids <4 around), weighing scale inbuilt etc... Look for drop down oven doors, you can slide back the dish for inspection and stirring, as compared to side opening doors..
There is one for everyone. From 3 K to 25K and above, I bought a basic one: Samsung 1610, 3 years ago. It has given no problems, works fine for everything, except that cakes are pale faced, if they are plain, but taste, great, Chocolate cake and biryani are just superb. reheating is a dream, especially if you have only an hour for lunch break.. A boon to working professionals and others. May not be of use for feudal lords who have mothers/wifes who pamper them with freshly cooked food at all times...