The Combination Microwave Cook (Right Way S.): Recipes for Combination Microwaves and Microwaves with Built-in Grills

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In terms of power, around 900 Watts is more than enough for heating food for two. “Anything more powerful than 1,000 Watts is wasted on domestic use,” says Cobb. Features to look for include pre-programmed settings that automatically adjust to a particular food group – for example a baked potato setting – and sensors that can tell when the food is ready and automatically switch off. Cobb says Panasonic, Sharp, Samsung and Bosch all make good use of this. The Samsung has ‘Smart Moisture Sensors’ that measure the humidity levels inside and prevent food from being under- or over-cooked, which I think is a reassuring feature. There’s also a healthy cooking mode that works well for brown rice, green beans or fish and poultry. I tried this with a couple of salmon fillets and although after 12 minutes the texture of the salmon was a little tougher than I would have liked, it was evenly cooked through and tasted good.

Auto defrost Most microwaves offer an auto-defrost setting that uses bursts of low heat to defrost based on the weight of the food. Some come with settings for specific foods. There are no program settings on this 700-watt unit, just two basic control dials. The timer dial stops at 35 minutes, which could be somewhat limiting if you’re after a microwave that cooks for longer periods without intervention. Using the top dial I was able to choose between low, defrost, medium, medium high and high power settings. It’s generally agreed that countertop combi microwaves offer optimal ease of use and flexibility, but some buyers would prefer an appliance that blends more discreetly into a kitchen design. If this sounds like you, we suggest you consider buying a built-in combination microwave (sometimes referred to as an integrated microwave). This type of appliance is designed to be built into your kitchen units, so the front is the only part that’s on display. Despite being one of the most popular and commonly used kitchen appliances, only a fair few can tell the significant difference between distinct microwaves and how they work. For instance, what is a combination microwave? How does it work? Also, why is a combi microwave better than the basic one?

Toast lovers, take note though, the grill element may not be as powerful as conventional grills meaning it may be slower to brown your bread than an oven or a toaster. Our Eco Buy models are also excellent at the key tasks, scoring 65% and above, so you get the best of both worlds.

Looks wise, the exterior is sober, but has a modern feel. The control panel is illustrated with options for the grilling, microwaving and convection settings. There are separate microwave-and-grill, and microwave-and-convection settings too, which presumably reduce cooking times from the standard ones. Unfortunately, the instruction manual is vague and doesn’t explain how best to use these features. I think you’ll need to endure a bit of trial and error. Multi-step programming This allows you to program different cooking modes in sequence, to automatically switch between defrosting and cooking your dinner, for example. Keeping your microwave clean will help to reduce energy costs too because bits of food, grime, and spills will add a couple more seconds to the cooking time of your food. Combis usually have a much bigger capacity than standard machines. The average combi can fit a 35cm-wide dish inside, compared with 29cm for a typical solo model. Clearance space This is because the conventional oven is not as powerful as a traditional oven, so cooking time will be longer. You can also bake dishes that are too large to fit in the smaller oven.

Not all combination microwaves have the same features; some have a grill, some have convection cooking, and some have both. Decide which you’ll need before you buy, so that you don’t wish you had additional features later.

I chose the A2 setting for a baked potato, which then offered up 3 settings depending on the weight. Are you still following? I then chose number 1, which suggested six minutes for a 230g potato, which seemed to cook it nicely. What I found slightly annoying, however, is that once the programme has started there’s no way to use the dial to adjust the time without stopping the cooking cycle. Now that you know what a combination microwave and its features, applications, and perks are, you’ll surely want to get one! Before using, always ensure that you read all the information provided and follow what the instruction manual dictates. It’s also worth mentioning that familiarizing yourself with using a combination microwave reduces the risks of kitchen hazards such as fire. They also try out the defrost setting on minced meat and use the grill setting to cook toast, macaroni cheese and sausages. For every test, they assess the results, looking for even temperatures throughout each dish and a good colouring. Large door Wide-opening or dropdown doors make it much easier to get heavy or hot dishes in and out of the microwave, especially if you have reduced strength or dexterity.Some Panasonic and Samsung combis have an auto sensor setting that will automatically cook or reheat your food, without you even having to enter the weight. Instead, these combis monitor the steam coming out of your food to automatically calculate the time and power needed. Multi-step programming There have been fears about microwaves almost since they first came on the market. However, when used properly, there is no danger. According to the World Health Organisation, “When used according to manufacturers’ instructions, microwave ovens are safe.” There could be leakage, however, if your microwave is damaged. Sage’s Element IQ technology does well to ensure food is evenly cooked through. I popped in a microwave spinach and cannelloni ready meal for seven minutes and it came out piping hot and nicely cooked through. This article features a mix of countertop combination microwaves and built-in combination microwaves. These tips will help you to save even more money when using your microwave. Choose the correct power setting for your dish