Today’s microwaves are not just for college dorms, heating leftovers, and cooking popcorn for watching a late-night movie. They can assist in or be the primary cooking source for even the most extravagant meals you provide for your family. They are considered safe, reliable, and are probably the most versatile appliance in your kitchen’s repertoire.
In the early days of the microwave oven, they were actually considered a luxury item reserved for selected households and the kitchens of restaurants. Microwaves are now considered a kitchen necessity, which is also practical in today’s fast-paced world.

Danby 0.7 cu. ft. 700-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven
(Model No: 198452)
The microwave’s original attempt to become one of the appliances in the kitchens of America was somewhat disappointing. But by 1967, the first countertop models of microwaves called the Amana ‘Radarange’ started to find their place among the other appliances in a household kitchen. And by 1975, sales of microwaves would actually exceed that of gas ranges. Since then, microwaves have revolutionized home and restaurant food preparation.
Let’s take a look at the many types of microwaves and their features so you can shop for and operate your new microwave with confidence.
FEATURES, FUNCTIONS, & BENEFITS
Microwave ovens can be installed in three different primary locations in your kitchen with the same cooking results. By first determining where your microwave will go, you’ll narrow down which model will match your cooking and convenience needs. Although you’ll certainly find microwaves in kitchens, a microwave is a kitchen appliance where it is common for one household to have two of them — one in the kitchen and one in the basement’s family/TV room. That sure beats running up and down those stairs during commercials.
There are three models of microwaves to choose from. Depending on if you are building a new house, renovating your kitchen, or just need a microwave, this list will narrow down your choices of models to one that is right for you. The three styles of microwaves are:
- Over the Range/Cooktop (new home or kitchen remodel)
- Over/Under the Countertop (new home or kitchen remodel)
- Countertop (any available countertop space)
Some models are designed to be installed over your range/cooktop, which provides an out-of-the-way permanent location for your microwave. Under/over the counter built-in models can free up valuable countertop space. If you require the ability to move your microwave as needed or if you are unable to renovate your kitchen to accommodate an over the range/cooktop or built-in microwave, there are many options for you.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
All three styles of microwaves have their advantages and disadvantages on installation locations depending on what works best for your cooking habits and needs, your available space, and how hectic your kitchen can get.
Over the Range/Cooktop
An over the range/cooktop microwave can free up valuable countertop space and enhance the décor of your kitchen. They are mounted with a ventilation hood above your range/cooktop so you can keep an eye on what’s cooking on the range/cooktop and in the microwave without taking a single step.
- Over the range microwaves are combined with one of two different ventilation systems; vented or non-vented. A vented system exhausts the heated and grease-contaminated air to the outside of your home. A non-vented system corrals the bad air and then sends it through a charcoal filter. The cleaned air is returned to your kitchen.
- Can be installed over a gas or electric, range or built-in cooktop and fits into a standard 30″ opening.
Countertop
They are the most physically versatile and portable of all microwaves because you can move them from one location to another as your needs change. The smallest of countertop models are perfect for areas not normally associated with cooking such as your garage or an office.
- Can range in cooking cavity size from approximately .5 cubic feet for a compact model up to 2.2 cubic feet for a full-size model. Compact models provide approximately 650 to 900 watts of cooking power. Full-size models provide approximately 1,100 to 1,250 watts of cooking power.
- Portable and lightweight enough to be moved from counter to counter in your kitchen or room to room in your home.
Under/Over the Countertop
Combines the power and convenience of a microwave with the hidden-away versatility of flush mounting above or below your countertop. This feature also brings the flexibility to install one in the kitchen and one in a family/TV room without requiring a shelf or table that a countertop model would require.
- No need for an additional installation kit because the unit is built-in ready and easy to install.
- Because they are not installed along with a ventilation hood or cluttering up your counter, they are perfect for open-plan kitchens, islands, and wet bars.
- An innovative and industry-leading feature available is the microwave drawer which operates just like a drawer in your dresser at home. The entire front of the microwave acts as the drawer front and slides horizontally towards you. Your food is now outside the cooking cavity which makes monitoring your cooking much easier. That’s because you no longer need to remove the dish from the microwave to stir, turn, or taste test your food. When you’re done checking your food, simply close the drawer and your dish moves back into the cooking cavity of the microwave for more heat.
WHAT OPTIONS DO YOU NEED?
Larger cooking cavities, higher wattage, available installation or countertop space, and control panel options all should be a consideration in deciding which microwave to buy. How do you decide what you need and what isn’t necessary? First, decide which style fits your needs better (over the range/cooktop, countertop, or under/over the countertop), then follow the checklist of features and options below and you’re sure to find the microwave just right for your kitchen.
Defrosting
The ability to quickly defrost frozen foods is one of the luxuries of a microwave. You have two options to choose from – automatic or manual. Automatic defrosting sensors detect the best defrosting method based off of the weight you’ve entered into the control panel. Manual defrosting works off the amount of time you’ve entered into the control panel.
Food Specific & Sensor Cooking
There are convenience cooking controls available that can provide both preprogrammed time and heat settings for prepackaged items such as popcorn or frozen pizza. Some model have as many as 13 different settings for the most popular microwavable foods which eliminates the need to decide on a power level or the time it’ll take to cook. All you have to do now is to listen for the chime to sound and you’re eating!
Some microwaves have a feature that will eliminate just adding minutes until you think your food is ready. It has sensor controls that measure your food’s moisture level during cooking and automatically adjusts power and cooking time for perfect results.
Multi-step Cooking
Some models have the ability to perform a sequence of functions without shutting off or requiring you to restart the microwave. A good example of this would be to take frozen green beans from the freezer to being served by using the thaw, cook, and stand feature.
Keep It Warm
What do you do when your veggies are done in the microwave; but the rest of your meal isn’t ready yet? No worries here because there are microwaves that can keep your food hot up to 30 minutes after cooking has been completed. This feature uses radiant heat rather that microwaves to keep your food warm until dinner is ready. This is another instance where your microwave can work as a team with your oven and other appliances.
Convection Cooking
A combination of a regular microwave and a convection oven. This feature is sought after from cooks that want the cooking speed of microwave but also desire the browning and crisping capability of a convection oven. Food items such as the skin of a chicken or piecrusts which don’t normally turn out golden brown or flakey in a standard microwave, are perfect for convection microwave cooking.
Large vs. Small
After you’ve decided on a location, selecting a cooking cavity size is the next step. Cooking cavity sizes available will be in direct correlation of the type of microwave you’ve selected. For example, you’re not going to find a .5 cubic foot under the counter microwave. Countertop microwaves have the widest range of cubic foot range sizes to choose from. A small unit will be approximately .5 to .9 cubic feet, medium units 1.0 to 1.5 cubic feet, and large units 1.6 to 2.2 cubic feet.
Here’s a chart to show the approximate overall cooking cavity cubic foot range sizes and turntable sizes to help you determine if a microwave will fit your favorite cookware piece or if it is just the right size:
Wattage
The cooking power of every microwave is determined by the total number of output watts. The more watts, the quicker your food will cook. For example, to boil one cup of room temperature (approximately 75 F) water in a 650-watt rated microwave oven, it takes 2 minutes, 42 seconds. But, in a 1,200-watt microwave oven it only takes 1 minute, 27 seconds. Those extra 550 watts brought the water to the boiling point 1 minute, 15 seconds sooner.
If the wattage rating of your microwave is higher than another microwave, it doesn’t mean your unit cooks better, it means it will cook quicker. Here’s a chart to show the approximate overall wattage range for all three models of microwaves:
Another wattage concern to review is recipes specifically written for microwave cooking. Most recipes are designed to be cooked in a 700-watt microwave. If you have a microwave with a 650-watt maximum, then you’ll have to adjust the recipe’s cooking times to match your microwave. The same goes if you have a microwave with a 1,200-watt rating, you’ll have to adjust the recipe’s cooking time down.
Timers
If you peer through the window of your microwave and it appears you need more or less cooking time than what is showing, you can add or subtract time in 30 or 60-second intervals simply by pressing the more/less button on the control panel. This can be done without opening the door and interrupting the cooking of your food.
A quick start feature can be used to simply start the microwave cooking by pressing a single button and then pressing the button again to add time in 30 or 60-second intervals.
Both manual and automatic cooking timers are a nice feature to have because once the cooking time has expired — the microwave turns itself off. This eliminates the worry of over cooking or accidentally leaving the unit on.
Safety
Keeping your children safe in the kitchen is of paramount importance. There are keypad-controlled locks available to childproof the door from being opened and the control panel from being changed or activated. This will prevent your children from accessing the microwave when there is hot food inside or from turning the unit on when it is not in use (no food inside).
Only use cookware (glass, ceramic containers, plastics) if they are labeled for microwave oven use. If you’re not sure, don’t use it to cook your food!
Never use metal cookware (including cutlery and silverware), aluminum foil, or wire twist ties in your microwave. Metal objects and microwaves do not get along! Also, never use plastic grocery bags (including the thin ones found in produce), brown paper sacks, or newspapers in the microwave.
Items such as Styrofoam take-out food containers, yogurt cups, margarine tubs, and other containers meant for one-time use should not be used in microwave.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
Most microwaves will provide many years of reliable service with minimal maintenance and upkeep. To ensure you have peace of mind for repairs and a 1-800 number for questions, it is best to look for at least a one year parts and labor warranty. A strong warranty shows the manufacturer stands behind their product.
As with all of your home appliances, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Read your owner’s manual before you use your microwave for the first time to review the manufacturer’s recommendations on maintenance. Then set up a schedule to check the following items:
- The best maintenance for your microwave is general daily care which you can easily provide in your after-meal cleanup routine.
- Look for microwaves with a non-stick interior coating (available on select models), which makes cleaning a snap! If you’ve ever cooked a bowl of chili in a microwave without a cover then you know how messy and tough clean up can be! A non-stick interior can dramatically reduce the need for using commercial wipes or heat-activated cleaning methods.
- Your microwave should include a removable and dishwasher-safe turntable for easy cleaning. Spilled food can get under the turntable and even prevent the turntable for turning properly.
- Cleaning the outside of your microwave is just as important and the inside. Using warm water and a clean, soft cloth should do the trick.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Wattage and cubic feet may be the most important considerations when buying a new microwave, but consider other factors too. Follow these three steps and you’ll be sure to find a microwave which will provide years of satisfactory service:
Location – Countertop? Above your stove? Under/over the counter?
What kind of cooking? – Popcorn and defrosting or assisting in large dinners?
Cubic feet and Wattage – Small one for a dorm room or powerful unit for gourmet cooking?
To view hhgregg’s line of over the range microwaves, click here.
To view hhgregg’s line of countertop microwaves, click here.
Still have questions? Feel free to speak to an expert hhgregg sales associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!