Arricca SanSone specializes in writing about home, shelter and gardening. Some units also offer an Eco Mode function, which shuts off the display panel when not in use.Īt Treehugger, we want to help you use less energy throughout your home.
If you plan to cook meals or reheat casseroles, a full-size unit (usually defined as 900 to 1000 watts) makes sense. Microwaves range from 700 watts to 1200 watts. However, microwaves are more energy efficient in general than conventional cooking because foods cook faster and the energy heats only the food, not the whole oven.Īnother benefit? Foods also may retain more nutrients because they’re cooked quickly and without adding water. Unlike other household appliances such as refrigerators, there’s no EPA EnergyStar label or recommendations for microwave ovens. What should I look for in an energy-efficient microwave? But convection isn’t ideal for every type of food for example, some items such as baked goods require more moisture to achieve the correct texture, and moisture is reduced by the fan system in a convection oven.Ĭonvection microwaves also are handy as a second oven when entertaining because there’s no more trying to figure out when to put what in the oven to have it all done at once. Because of better heat circulation, you also can bake multiple foods on different racks at the same time. What are the pros and cons of a convection oven?Ī convection oven bakes foods such as vegetables or casseroles faster and often can be used at a lower temperature than in a conventional oven. If your home is powered by clean energy, both these types of cooking can be done without fossil fuels, so they can be better for the climate than gas ovens, which burn methane. It also decreases the amount of moisture in the oven to crisp up foods. The glass turntable in this microwave has a 10-inch diameter for medium-sized plates and a removable design for easy cleaning. It uses 700 watts of power to reheat and cook your food. A convection oven uses a fan and exhaust to circulate air and keep the temperature constant, which reduces cooking time and hot spots in dishes. Best Size Options: BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave At only 0.7 cubic feet, this is one of the smallest microwave models on the market.
#Small microwave professional#
Microwaves are efficient because the energy heats only the food, not the whole oven.Ĭonvection ovens were created in 1967 and were used first by professional bakers, but they’ve become increasingly available for home use during the last decade. Foods that are high in water content, like fresh veggies, cook faster than other items in the microwave. Microwaves cause water molecules in food to vibrate, which creates heat that cooks the food. FAQs What is the difference between a convection oven and a microwave?įirst available in the 70s, microwave ovens use an electron tube to produce microwaves, which are reflected off the oven walls. But if you’re looking for a budget model, the Toshiba ECO42A5C-BS Countertop Microwave with Convection ( view at Amazon) offers lots of features for a reasonable price and includes an Eco Mode function to turn off the display panel when not in use. Our top pick is the Over-the-Range Convection Microwave: GE Profile ( view at Home Depot) for its interior space that is ideal for most families, as well as its convection feature and efficient LED task lighting.