GOOD VIBRATIONS
Siobhan Grogan on the microwaves to whip up easy meals
The humble microwave has come a long way since it first appeared on our kitchen counters in the late 1960s. Since then, it has become a staple in every student’s home and a time-saving must-have for anyone too busy – or hungry – to wait to eat.
These nifty appliances have also been found to be an energyefficient way to cook meals – along with an air fryer and slow
cooker. A microwave uses between 600W and 900W energy, while an electric oven is far more energy intensive. Research by energy supplier Utilita noted that a microwave could serve as a more economical way to cook and could save you hundreds of pounds a year, compared with using a conventional oven.
The great thing is that many models now do far more than heat up leftovers too. While all cook and defrost food, some have a built-in grill or steamer and combi microwaves can do anything an oven can, including baking cakes or roasting a chicken. These take up much more room than a standard model and are considerably more expensive, yet could easily replace an oven in any kitchen.
Freestanding solo microwaves are the best bet for anyone looking to plug in and cook, although built-in machines that may need to be professionally installed are worth considering if worktop space is precious. In both cases, larger families should always look for a capacity of more than 20l.
Though a higher wattage means faster cooking, only pay extra for other additional features if you think you’ll really use them. Some worth the money might include an air-fryer function, simmer or keep-warm capability or a flatbed turntable to fit larger dishes. Many of the latest models now also have inverter technology, using continuous and precise microwave emissions to cook food more evenly and prevent overheating.
How we tested
We put a range of microwaves (to suit all needs) to the test, putting settings such as defrost, autocook, grill and steam through their paces. While rustling up everything from baked chocolate chip cookies to defrosted pizza and cooked vegetables, we evaluated their ease of use, design, size, extra features, cooking results and cost.
Hoover HMCI25TB-UK combination microwave with grill and oven: £217.95, Amazon
With a microwave, grill and convection oven in one machine, this digital Hoover microwave is packed with features for a surprisingly reasonable price. It even boasts the latest inverter technology to disperse heat evenly and preserve food’s flavour, a feature normally reserved for pricier appliances.
It’s a decent 25l capacity and the 27cm turntable and 900W of power mean cooking is quick and easy. There are also a staggering 32 automatic programmes for one-touch cooking of everything from porridge to salmon fillets. The oven and defrost settings both worked well, although the grill was slower than one on a traditional oven. We also found it tricky to judge grilling times because it’s not possible to see through the door during cooking.
However, this microwave’s almost-silent operation, glossy black exterior and multi-functional capabilities make it an excellent addition to any kitchen for a fantastic price.
Buy now
Sage combi the wave three-in-one SMO870BSS4GEU1: £369.99, Lakeland
There’s almost nothing this sleek, brushed stainless steel microwave can’t do. A convection oven, powerful microwave and air fryer in one, it uses inverter technology to automatically adjust power intensity for more even cooking results, particularly noticeable on delicate and reheated foods.
The large but very quiet machine has a whopping 19 pre-set options including ones to soften butter, cook bacon and melt chocolate and these generally worked well. We did need to add extra cooking time when baking chocolate chip cookies using the pre-set function though. We were particularly impressed by the air fryer, which made it possible to cook foods like chips that normally go soggy in the microwave. We also loved the keep warm setting and the ability to turn off the turntable rotation to use a square dish.
It’s a dream to use straight from the box too, with a clever softclose door and a useful digital screen that gives step-by-step instructions so there’s barely any need to look at the manual. The steep price tag is the obvious downside, but is worth the stretch if you have the space and will definitely use the extra oven space and air fryer.
Buy now
Russell Hobbs RHMM713 Scandi compact white manual microwave: £79, Amazon
If simplicity and style top your wish list, this Russell Hobbs microwave is a winner. Also available in black and grey, the dinky white model has a tactile wooden handle and just two easy-to-use dials for super-simple operation. There’s a digital version if you prefer pre-set functions, but for straightforward cooking, reheating and defrosting, this has everything you will need at a great price.
Just be aware that the maximum power is only 700W, so we felt dishes took a little longer to cook than expected and the instructions on some ready meals will need adjusting accordingly. It’s worth measuring your dinner plates if you regularly reheat leftovers too as the turntable is just 24.5cm in diameter.
Buy now
Bosch HMT75M461B compact digital microwave oven: £129.99, Amazon
This no-nonsense Bosch microwave was straightforward to operate and performed well in all our tests. It was easy to adjust cooking times for different weights with the turn dial and the seven pre-set programmes cooked potatoes and vegetables well, though our frozen mince wasn’t quite defrosted all the way through and needed extra time adding.
Anyone hoping to whip up feasts for a large family might prefer a bigger capacity, but we found all but the biggest dishes and plates fitted inside comfortably. We especially loved the memory button, which can be programmed with the cooking information for a favourite dish so it can be cooked at the touch of a button.
Our only complaint? The black glossy exterior showed fingerprints easily, but the pop-out controls made cleaning quick and easy so it wasn’t a huge problem.
Buy now
Smeg MOE34CXIUK: £449, Long Eaton Appliances
Smeg’s first freestanding microwave is a great-looking machine with an impressive 1,110W of power for super-speedy cooking. Inverter technology ensures even results every time and the defrost setting was very effective, thawing our mince thoroughly without browning it.
Other features we loved included the keep warm and stew functions for slow cooking, although we found the grill a little slow to use and the settings tricky to remember without the manual to hand.
The oven is top-notch though, preheating quickly and delivering perfect results every time. Yet keen cooks should note it only reaches 200C so won’t manage anything that requires very high temperatures.
Buy now
Panasonic four-in-one combination steam oven NNCS89LBBPQ: £599.99, Panasonic
Another mighty multi-tasking machine, the freestanding Panasonic four-in-one is a kitchen whizz, as you might expect for the hefty price. It functions more like a small oven than a microwave, with two levels for cooking, 36 pre-set programmes and no glass turntable.
We did need to keep the manual close by to make full use of this appliance but it was worth the effort. The oven was just as good as a standalone one and we loved the fact we could use different cooking methods at the same time. Using the oven and the grill simultaneously for instance worked well to cook lasagne and give it a crispy top. The grill was a little slow on its own though and we found it difficult to see the food cooking so would have preferred a brighter light inside.
However, we were wowed by the microwave’s steam technology, which uses an integrated 800ml water tank and two steam outlets to inject steam directly into the oven for healthy cooking. There’s even a hot steam programme to aid cleaning, while the flat grill heater means it’s easy to wipe down.
Buy now
Swan retro digital microwave: £94.95, Amazon
Microwaves are rarely described as cute but this freestanding machine in baby blue could change that. Also available in other colours including cream, green and orange, the retro styling includes simple chrome dials, an unusual circular digital display, rounded edges and a curved statement handle.
There are five power levels including a defrost setting and all worked well for straightforward reheating and cooking, with an audible alert when food is ready. With a 24.5cm-diameter turntable, it might not fit your biggest dinner plates but it’s ideal for everyday use, looks lovely and won’t dominate your worktop.
Buy now
Whirlpool W collection W7 MW461 UK built-in combi microwave oven grill: £709, Amazon
There’s no real need for an extra oven if you have this multipurpose but expensive machine, the only built-in microwave featured in our list. Although it’s very heavy and awkward to fit, its clean lines and digital display look great once installed and its mammoth 40l capacity and 40cm turntable mean it can manage almost any cooking task easily.
Results were consistently impressive thanks to its 6th Sense technology which cleverly adjusts the time and temperature of food during heating to ensure nothing is over-cooked. We also liked the steam setting for making healthier meals, and the useful crisp function which gave our pizza added crunch.
Buy now
The verdict
For the sheer range of features included at the price, it’s hard to beat the Hoover HMC125TB-UK, which has the latest inverter technology, a good capacity and a decent oven.
If you just want a microwave to zap leftovers and warm soup without taking up too much space, choose the Swan retro, as its
wide range of colour options make it a great choice for most kitchens.
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