When it comes to cooking appliances, two of the most common options are the microwave oven and the electric oven. While they both serve the purpose of cooking food, there are some key differences between the two. You probably asking yourself is there a difference? In this article, we will explore more about Microwave ovens and Ovens, some of their differences, and help you determine whether you need a microwave, an oven, or both in your kitchen.
What is a Microwave Oven and Electric oven.
Let’s start by understanding how these two appliances function
A microwave oven uses microwaves to heat the food. These microwaves penetrate the food and cause the water molecules to vibrate, generating heat. This results in quick and efficient cooking, making it ideal for reheating leftovers or preparing simple meals.
On the other hand, an oven uses heating elements, either gas or electric, to create heat. The heat is then circulated the food, cooking it from the outside in. Ovens provide a more traditional cooking experience and are great for baking, roasting, and broiling.
Microwave ovens
Microwaves are categorized into two main types according to their controls. One is the Analog microwave oven which has mechanical controls, the second is the Digital Microwave which has a digital display timer that can be set automatically through a touch.
The two types are further classified into:
1. In-Built Microwave
In- built microwave is integrated into the kitchen cabinetry, providing a sleek and seamless look. It saves counter space and is ideal for those who prefer a more customized kitchen design.
2. Solo microwave
This type is only used for heating or reheating your food. They typically have lower wattage since no cooking is done ranging from 500-800 watts depending on the type of microwave.
3. Grill microwave
Grill microwaves combine the function of a solo microwave and an additional feature of grilling. They have a heating element in the top part of the microwave which is mainly used for grilling the chicken or any other grilled recipe dish you have.
4. Convectional microwave
as you can guess this carries all the other 2 functions of the microwaves solo, grill, and the additional feature that is having the capability to bake. convectional microwaves have a fan inside that helps in evenly distributing the heat inside the microwave thus being suitable for baking. below is a link showing you the price range of the convectional microwave
Electric Ovens
There are several types of electric ovens available in the market, each with its unique features:
1. Standing oven
This is an oven that is built into a standing cooker, therefore they don’t need to be placed on a Kitchen counter. The ovens can either use Electricity or Gas to cook food.
2. Countertop oven
Countertop ovens are the most common of all and also the cheapest. thus can do all your normal baking and roasting. They are designed to be placed on the kitchen counter. It is compact, affordable, and suitable for most cooking tasks. They come with a different capacity and can be easily moved around.
3. Built-in ovens
An inbuilt oven is a fixed unit that is installed within kitchen cabinets or walls, creating a permanent fixture in the kitchen layout. They are sophisticated ovens that are made to integrate with your house to create a stylish look.
Do You Need a Microwave, an Oven, or Both?
Now that we have explored the differences between a microwave oven and an oven, let’s discuss whether you need one, the other, or both in your kitchen. If you are someone who frequently reheats leftovers or prefers quick and easy meals, a microwave oven is a must-have. Its speed and convenience make it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
On the other hand, if you enjoy baking, roasting, or broiling, an oven is essential. It provides a more traditional cooking experience and gives you the ability to create a wide range of delicious dishes.
For those who love to experiment in the kitchen and want the best of both worlds, having both a microwave oven and an oven is highly recommended. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of quick.
Conclusion
Ovens and microwaves are different appliances but as seen above some types of microwaves can perform the same functions as ovens and their differences lie in their functionality and cooking methods. When choosing a microwave you have to factor in what you need the microwave to do for you but bear in mind that home-use microwaves can be as big as 40l not larger than that and this might hinder you when you try to grill a full duck for Christmas. Therefore it’s better to say if your not much of a baker or a roasting person, a microwave is better for you but if you’re looking to bake a few loaves of bread or make that large pizza you will need to have either a convectional microwave or an oven either gas or electric.
If you are also looking to buy an oven note that the oven cannot be used to reheat your food in 3 minutes as your microwave so as you plan to get that appliance know more about it..The choice between the two depends on your cooking preferences and needs. Whether you opt for a microwave, an oven, or both, these appliances will undoubtedly make your cooking experience more enjoyable and convenient.