MICROWAVE BUYING GUIDE: HOW TO CHOOSE A MICROWAVE OVEN
Whether you’re looking to cook a quick meal or warm up last night’s dinner, the microwave oven can be one of the most useful appliances in the kitchen.
If you’re buying a microwave for the first time or upgrading your old model, use this guide to compare KitchenAid® microwave options to be sure you’re getting the right fit for your kitchen. To find the right microwave for your home, consider the size, style, installation type and feature options. Explore these considerations in detail below to help you on your microwave shopping journey.
1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF MICROWAVE
There are a variety of microwave types: built-in, countertop, drawer, undercounter, microwave hood combinations and microwave wall oven combinations. Discover the differences between these types of microwaves and their benefits to help you choose a microwave that’s right for the unique way you create.
BUILT-IN MICROWAVES
Built-in microwaves can either be installed directly into your cabinets or into a fixed wall to give your kitchen a sleek and integrated look. On some built-in models, the microwave doors open from the front like an oven, rather than swinging open like a traditional microwave. Built-in microwaves allow your appliance to sit flush with your cabinets or wall, so your overall kitchen design can stand out as opposed to the appliance itself. Additionally, keeping the microwave off the counter can help leave more workspace to create in the kitchen.
Benefits of built-in microwaves include:
Enhanced kitchen aesthetics
Flush with cabinets and other appliances
Free up countertops for more prep and cooking space
Can be installed at a lower height for more accessibility
KitchenAid® built-in microwaves
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION AND PROFESSIONAL DESIGN
Whether you need to reheat, steam or fully cook a meal, KitchenAid® built-in microwaves provide a versatile cooking space without taking up your counter space
SHOP KITCHENAID® BUILT-IN MICROWAVES
If a built-in microwave sounds like it may be the perfect fit for your kitchen, discover the best built-in model for you with the KitchenAid® Built-In Microwave Buying Guide. Take advantage of extra counterspace for your kitchen creations while enjoying a flush design that blends seamlessly with the rest of your kitchen.
UNDERCOUNTER AND DRAWER MICROWAVES
Depending on your design and functionality priorities, an undercounter or drawer microwave can make a stylish and useful addition to your kitchen. The lower location has several practical advantages when it comes to cooking, cleaning and accessibility, while the flush design can appeal to those looking for a more streamlined aesthetic.
Benefits of undercounter and drawer microwaves include:
Sleek built-in designs for keeping counter space free for use
More space for large dishes and oddly shaped containers
Accessibility for people in wheelchairs or those of shorter height
Ability to add ingredients without removing dish from microwave
A location that makes it easily cleanable
SHOP KITCHENAID®UNDERCOUNTER AND DRAWER MICROWAVES
Whether you’re interested in an undercounter or drawer microwave for design reasons, practical reasons or both, a KitchenAid® drawer microwave can help elevate the appearance and functionality of your kitchen.
OVER-THE-RANGE MICROWAVES
Over-the-range microwaves, or microwave hood combinations, are similar to built-in microwaves as they remove the appliance from your countertop. The main difference between the two is that over-the-range microwaves are typically installed above a stovetop because they double as a vent hood to help clear smoke and odors from the air while you cook. To ensure you have the right-sized model for your cooktop, learn how to match your hood to your stovetop.
Benefits of an over-the-range microwave include:
Frees up counter space
Centralizes cooking tasks to one area of kitchen
Doubles as a vent hood
Modern and integrated design
SHOP KITCHENAID® OVER-THE-RANGE MICROWAVES
Over-the-range microwaves fuse cooking versatility with ventilation to help match your cooking needs while capturing smoke, grease and odors. Select KitchenAid® models feature Air Fry Mode along with Bake, Roast, Broil and Toast functions, giving you a variety of choices.
COUNTERTOP MICROWAVES
Countertop microwaves provide quick access to your appliance right on your kitchen’s prep station. Their portability can offer more flexibility if your kitchen layout or place of residence happens to change, and the simplicity of plugging directly into an outlet can help make for a smooth installation so you can get back to creating in your kitchen.
Benefits of countertop microwaves include:
Can be placed in a variety of locations within reach of a grounded outlet
Portability is great for renters
Easy installation
Classic and timeless design
SHOP KITCHENAID® COUNTERTOP MICROWAVES
KitchenAid® countertop microwaves come in multiple sizes to help ensure the ideal fit for different kitchen layouts and counter spaces. The variety of styles and finishes can help you find the right option for your kitchen style. Additionally, the flexibility and portability of these units allows you to change configurations to adapt to your culinary needs.
MICROWAVE WALL OVEN COMBOS
Put the ability to simultaneously apply multiple cooking techniques at your fingertips with a streamlined design that combines a wall oven with a microwave, making it easier to prepare multicourse meals. Tend to dishes with different temperature and cooking needs simultaneously, and enjoy more variety in your menu and additional room to create thanks to the space-saving design.
Benefits of microwave wall oven combos include:
Multiple cooking methods to open up more kitchen possibilities
A streamlined design that keeps countertops free of clutter
More counter space means more room to experiment with new recipes
SHOP KITCHENAID® MICROWAVE WALL OVEN COMBOS
KitchenAid® wall oven combos allow you to do more than just reheat food. Crispwave™ Technology allows you to grill meats, crisp pizza, fry bacon and more, right in the microwave. Whether you have a new crispy fried appetizer you’ve been wanting to try or are curious how convection cooking might transform one of your recipes, a wall oven combo microwave opens up all kinds of possibilities.
2. FIND THE RIGHT MICROWAVE SIZE
There are two microwave measurements to consider when you’re shopping for a new model: the external dimensions and the internal dimensions. Understanding your microwave’s external dimensions can help you find an appliance that will fit in the size and layout of your kitchen, while the interior dimensions help you understand the cooking space the microwave provides.
Common external dimensions (width):
22-inch
24-inch
27-inch
30-inch
Common microwave capacities:
0.5 to 0.9 cubic feet (compact)
1.0 to 2.2 cubic feet (countertop and built-in)
0.8 to 2.1 cubic feet (over-the range)
To prepare for a smooth installation process for built-in or over-the-range microwaves, remove your current microwave and measure the microwave cutout width, depth and height before shopping for a new model. You can optimize the placement of a countertop microwave by taking into account ventilation space, space between appliances and your prospective microwave’s door swing radius.
It’s important to know about various microwave sizes as you prepare to measure your space for a new microwave. Whether you want the capacity afforded by a 30-inch microwave or feel a 24-inch microwave better suits your cooking needs, KitchenAid brand has the right microwave to align with how you like to create in the kitchen.
WHAT SIZE MICROWAVE DO I NEED?
The best microwave for your space will strike the perfect balance between capacity and functionality. If you primarily plan to use your microwave for personal use, a model with at least 0.7 cubic feet should be able to accommodate most dinner plates for reheating or cooking single meals. A larger microwave with closer to 2.2 cu. ft. capacity may be more suitable if you entertain frequently or often need space to prepare food in larger cookware.
SHOP KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES TO FIT YOUR KITCHEN
No matter your kitchen layout or your culinary aspirations, KitchenAid brand has a microwave option to suit your space and your style. Whether your kitchen creations require a microwave with a large capacity or you prefer a more compact model that leaves more room to operate, KitchenAid brand has the right choice for your kitchen.
3. FEATURES TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A MICROWAVE
Once you’ve decided which microwave size and type you need, consider which microwave features will benefit the way you create and explore various microwaves to find the one that best suits your needs.
WATTAGE
Microwaves with more wattage may cook your food more quickly. Typically, microwave wattage ranges from 900–1,200 watts. Most microwave recipes call for 1,000 watts of power for the best results, so you may want to consider a microwave model with high wattage when shopping.
CONVECTION COOKING AND BROILER ELEMENT
You can unlock new culinary possibilities and use your microwave as a second oven with select models that include features like convection cooking and the broiler element. Convection cooking settings on select KitchenAid® microwaves circulate heat around the cavity to reach baking temperatures above 400° F, while the broiler element uses the power needed to achieve results similar to a grill. These features give you the ability to bake, roast and grill, all within the confines of your microwave.
AIR FRY MODE
Craving something crispy? KitchenAid® microwaves equipped with Air Fry Mode use triple heating elements and a fan to circulate hot air around the included Air Fry Basket, eliminating the need for a second appliance on your countertop and requiring less oil than deep frying methods.
STEAM COOKING
Steaming food in the microwave not only clears up cooktop space, but may also preserve vitamins and minerals in your food. Additionally, steaming often cooks dishes faster than boiling. KitchenAid brand offers microwaves with Sensor Steam/Simmer Cooking in select models that precisely steam food when you add water to the steaming container.
SENSOR FUNCTIONS
Some microwave models can automatically adjust the time needed to reheat and cook your food using sensors so you can take the guesswork out of your making. Learn more about microwave settings and features.
SMART FEATURES
As technology advances, more and more consumers are taking advantage of smart features in their appliances that open up new possibilities in the kitchen, and microwaves are no exception to this trend. A smart microwave, like this model from KitchenAid brand, gives you control over every stage of cooking. Remotely preheat, monitor and control the microwave with the KitchenAid™ App or with simple voice commands through your Google Assistant or an Alexa-enabled device, leaving your hands free to create.*
*WiFi & App Required. Features subject to change. Details & privacy info at kitchenaid.com/connect (USA) or kitchenaid.ca/connect (Canada). Appliance must be set to Remote Enable. Google® is a trademark of Google LLC. Alexa is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
TURNTABLES AND TRAYS
The turntable or tray inside a microwave keeps food moving to help get the entire dish heated. Most models have a turntable that rotates food in a circle, but some have trays that move side to side to heat large and dense dishes.
QUICK KEY FUNCTIONS
Microwaves represent the ultimate convenience in the kitchen, and quick key functions are critical to streamlining the cooking process even further, allowing you to cook specific food at the touch of a single button Select KitchenAid® microwaves include Auto Functions, which provide convenient presets for popular cooking modes, including popcorn, potato, reheat, cook, soften and melt. The microwave will automatically adjust cook time, taking the guesswork out of choosing settings. Other KitchenAid® microwaves include Sensor Cooking Functions, which use a humidity sensor to monitor cooking progress and automatically adjusts cook time as needed.
EASY TO CLEAN
Keeping your microwave clean inside and out can be a simple task when done regularly. Clean your microwave’s interior by steaming water inside of a microwave-safe cup for 3 to 5 minutes, then wiping down the steamed interior with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water. To clean the outside, enable a control lock function then wipe the microwave exterior down with a soft cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. Be sure to rub in the direction of the metal’s grain when cleaning a stainless steel microwave.
Some microwaves include features that make it even easier to keep your microwave clean. Select models like this one from KitchenAid brand feature a PrintShield™ Finish that resists smudges and can be quickly wiped down with water and a soft cloth.
SHOP KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES WITH ADVANCED FEATURES
Combine sleek design with smart capabilities that give you the ability to stay in control of the kitchen with hands-free voice commands in appliances like this smart microwave from KitchenAid brand. Discover the culinary possibilities when your hands have more freedom to create.
4. MATCH YOUR KITCHEN DESIGN
The design of your microwave can complement your style and decor, because your kitchen is more than just a prep-and-cook station. If you prefer a low profile microwave, there are a number of built-in design options that sit flush with your cabinets and off of your countertop. If you want to match a certain design motif, whether contemporary or traditional, KitchenAid brand offers microwaves with a variety of finishes to fit your personal aesthetic. You can also protect your appliances from fingerprints and smudges with PrintShield™ stainless steel finish.
SHOP KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES IN MODERN FINISHES
KitchenAid® microwaves offer a variety of modern finishes to suit your kitchen design, with options that combine functionality with subtlety. Find the right choice for your kitchen in finishes like simple white, sleek black stainless steel or clean stainless steel.
COMPARE MICROWAVE OVENS
By now you should have a sense of what to look for in buying a microwave. To figure out which microwave oven is best for your kitchen, it’s important to weigh which factors are most important to you. To start, you will want to determine which of the microwave sizes works best in your kitchen and which type of microwave best suits your needs. From there, figure out which microwave features are a priority and, finally, the style that blends best with your culinary vision.
SHOP POPULAR KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES
You don’t have to choose between a sleek, modern aesthetic and useful, time-saving features. KitchenAid brand has a variety of popular microwave types and styles to suit any kitchen type. Whether it’s a tucked-away drawer microwave, a portable countertop microwave or a built-in microwave that blends with your cabinetry, you’ll find the right microwave choice to complete your kitchen.
