The microwave oven has given a new impetus to the culinary activities in the modern kitchen. This utility has become an unavoidable kitchen appliance. In a hectic lifestyle, a microwave oven is a word synonymous with convenience.

In the early stages of its introduction, it was primarily used for reheating stored or refrigerated food and to make popcorn. The main advantage of a microwave oven is that it can heat the food without heating the cookware directly. The food becomes hot first and then the cookware or the pan gets heated through the food in it. This phenomenon is a unique feature of the utility over the conventional ovens or stoves. In the subsequent periods it has become multipurpose equipment. Many new features were incorporated to facilitate baking, roasting, grilling and toasting apart from the usual cooking methods. The users are also benefited with the efficiency and economy that are offered by the microwave oven.

The most popular type of microwave oven is the small or portable one which can be placed on the kitchen worktop. It is known as compact size microwave oven and used for defrosting or heating food items. The bigger model is the medium sized one which can accommodate casseroles etc to cook vegetable and meat. The largest one is for cooking food in a large scale. Another model is the built in microwave oven, which can be installed only by professional technicians. The power consumption depends on the size of the oven. When the compact size requires 500 to 1000 watts of electricity, the largest size will work on wattage of 2000 or more. The special feature is the convection oven which will be equipped with a fan to circulate heat evenly so that the heating or cooking process will be faster. This type is an ideal one for small eateries or large households. Both built-in type and convection ovens are very expensive. They can be used for browning and broiling the meat in the course of cooking.

But in totality, the microwave oven is used for its efficiency and convenience and not very much for the qualitative advantages. The dieticians recommend microwave oven only for heating, browning and caramelisation. Many experts warn that nutritious values of vegetable will be lost in microwave cooking. Some reports caution that a microwave oven will divest the vitamin contents and phytonutrients of the food due to the radiation. Regular intake of food cooked in microwave oven will cause obesity and related diseases.

Like many other facilities available to those who lead a busy lifestyle, the microwave oven may also contribute to certain hazards. The best option is to use it selectively. It can be used for reheating, melting and making popcorn. Many new features are incorporated in the modern versions like facility to programme the cooking process. Timers are provided to cut off the power once the cooking is completed.

Maintenance of microwave ovens is important. The utility should be cleaned immediately after the use. The filters provided are easily removable to facilitate periodical cleaning. The turn table should be taken out and cleaned. Proper maintenance will ensure durability of the oven. The user should carefully read all the instructions in the manual issued by the manufacturers along with the product.

The microwave oven is one of the most brilliant inventions of human race. Not only is it used to heat food, it can also be used for cooking, baking, thawing and even boiling water. No household appliance is more versatile than this little dynamo.

But who invented this great product?

Like many great products in history, the microwave oven is also a product of past technologies. In 1946, Dr. Percy Spencer, an engineer at the Raytheon Corporation, led a radar-related research project. Dr. Spencer noticed something unusual when he was supervising the project. While testing a new vacuum tube called a magnetron, he realized that the candy bar in his pocket melted.

Stunned by the prospect, he began to study the phenomena and conducted other experiments. One experiment involved putting popcorn kernels near the tube. Standing far away, he saw the popcorn sputtered, cracked and popped all over his laboratory.

Another experiment that he conducted involved an egg, which he placed near the magnetron tube. That time, he asked his colleague to accompany him so that they can both see the phenomena.

Because of the tremendous pressure, the egg began to tremor. The temperature inside the egg got so high that the egg exploded. Hot yolk splattered all over his colleagues face. Because of these results, they realized that they can cook other foods using the low-density microwave energy.

Dr. Spencer then fashioned a metal box. The opening of this box is directly connected to the microwave power. Since the power cannot escape the box, the result is an energy that is closeted in a space. When Dr. Spencer put food inside the box, the temperature rose quickly, cooking the food in an instant. That was the first time that food was cooked using the microwave technology.

Food engineers went to work on the microwave idea and refined it further. In 1946, the Raytheon Company filed a patent proposing the use of microwaves to cook food. An over, similar to what Dr. Spencer created, only refined was placed in a Boston restaurant for testing. It turned out to be a success.

So in 1947, the first microwave oven was introduced commercially. The first units were all big, about six feet tall and weighing 750 pounds. They were ultra expensive, costing 5000 dollars each but well, with such great technology, what is a few thousands.

Back then, the ovens had to be watercooled, so the company also had to install some kind of plumbing materials.

The microwave is perhaps one of the most amazing wonders in the modern kitchen. In addition to being capable of heating your leftovers, it can also be used to cook food and even bake pastries.

It is so versatile that you can do whatever you want with it, whatever the size or the features. Some people use the microwave to thaw frozen food as well boil water or vegetables. Bakers also use the microwave oven to melt chocolate and make caramelized sugar in seconds. There is no need to boil the pan and watch over it for a long time.

Perhaps the greatest benefit that microwave over gives consumers is the convenience in time and also in use. It is so relatively easy to operate that almost everyone will be at home in using it. Every task will also be accomplished in just a short time.

But with a variety of models to choose from, it is sometimes hard to choose what model will fit your needs and requirements. Before you buy, it is important that you know what you want and what to use it for.
Here are some tips that should help you in shopping for a new microwave over.

1. Determine the function

In buying a microwave oven, make sure that you first know what you will be using it for. It is a waste of money to buy a high-tech model and only use it for the most basic of things like heating water and heating frozen foods.

If you feel that you will not be using it to its fullest potential, it is better to just stick to the model that will fit your needs more. That way, you can use the money that you would have spent on things that you truly need. Of course, if money and budgeting is not a problem for you, this tip is unnecessary.

2. Determine your budget

Before you choose your model, make sure that you already know how much you are willing to spend on the microwave oven. This way, you will be able to stick on your budget and would not waste time focusing on ovens that are beyond your price range. Knowing your budget will also help narrow down your options and make shopping easier for you.

3. Determine your space

Make sure that you have a place for it before you buy it. This will help you choose the size of the microwave oven that you will be buying.

The underlying incident in the emergence of the microwave was rather weird and unexpected sometimes in 1946 by Percy Spenser, who worked for Raytheon. Waves from the radar set he was working on were transmitted to the chocolate he was carrying in his pocket, causing it to melt.

By more scrutinizing facts that heat of his body alone was insufficient effect of melting the chocolate, he was able to discern the reality of what was happening, having many exposures on research and experimentations.

That same year the Raytheon patented their first Microwave oven and the first set of microwave was out in the market in 1947. Looking back to the “Radarange” that had been the first microwave of Reytheon, it had long since gone on a broader range of development and usage expanded to a great extent to people all over the globe. The “Counter-oven” original Amana brand has been by-passed by two other styles, the (1) on top of the oven and (2) Built-in Style.

The Built-in type microwave oven, not to mention any preference in name, is more specifically created for smaller space-households. It is almost like being typically installed and saves a lot of space resulting to better home trafficking, attaching it to walls. Some built-in ovens combine that of the convection with attached features (built-in roast and grill performances).

Over a dozen or more type of selections can be availed in this type of oven. Most units come in variation of neutral colors in white, black, bisque, beige, stainless, and silver, without preference in cooking technology. Built-ins are made from sizes of 27/30, or 29/32 dimensions, or up to the manufacturer. Power Watt volume from 800 to l200.

Specific Features of a 27′ Built-in Microwave (Example, Kitchen Aid brand):
Capacity is 1.4, Exclusive Crispwave®Technology, 900 Watts, combination microwave and convection, Crisp and Broil functions, and removable Turntables.

Dimension: Depth is 25 5/8 in.; Depth without handle is 23 7/8 in.; Height is 20 1/2 in.; and Width is 26 3/4 in.

Warranty choices are from 2 year to 6 years.

Prices of Built-in sold from different sources of produces approximates at $130 to $1000 and more, attaching incentive bonus on free handling and expediting deliveries.

Extensive use of microwaves are raising a lot of controversies about the effect in radiation that the wave carries just like any use of televisions, and other appliances transmitting the same electromagnetic energies. Children should never be allowed to manipulate it, and adults direct in charge of the kitchen should be alerted to take a professional technician if something goes wrong with oven.