One of the first questions to consider when selecting a microwave is "What size microwave do I need?"
They come in different sizes, and choosing can be difficult if you've never bought a microwave before.
In this article, we'll help you decide what size microwave you need.
Basically, the choice depends on individual needs and preferences, but we've highlighted some of the factors you should consider when selecting a microwave for your kitchen.
Why is microwave size important?
The size of any microwave is important for several reasons. You will be placing it in your kitchen, so it must be appropriate for the size of your kitchen.
Too big or too small will look awkward in your kitchenand it may not match your kitchen interior perfectly.
advance,those with limited kitchen spaceor those withprefab cabinetsYou would have to be especially careful about the size you choose so that it fits well in the spaces.
The size of the microwave is also important, depending on thenumber of people you planserve. For example, it would be useless to buy a big microwave if you only want to serve yourself.
This is directly related to yourbudgetalso. The bigger the microwave, the more expensive it will be.
How to know the size of a microwave?
Superficially, when you look at a microwave, it seems easy to understand its size. That's how most people justify their needs anyway, i.e. just looking rather than looking at the numbers.
The best way though is to look at the spec sheet. Any microwave oven will have its size written in the description. You can easily get an idea of how big it is.
Size is measured incubic footand is related to the size of the furnace chamber. The actual physical size of the oven may be larger, but it is thethe size of the furnace chamber is important here.
Internal Microwave Measurement
Hevolumetric measurementof any microwave is given incubic feet are abbreviated ft^3.
Think of the cubic foot measurement as thetotal cooking capacity of the oven.It is also directly related to the power of the oven.
The measurement in cubic feet is done by multiplying your height, length, and width in inches and then dividing by 1.728 to convert to cubic feet.
Alternatively, you can measure all three sides in feet instead of inches. Multiplying the three measurements in feet would give the volumetric measurement in cubic feet.
How to remember that this is just the internal measurement of the microwave. This is usually the most important measurement as it gives you an idea of your size and power.
When trying to clear space in your kitchen or when building a cabinet, you must take the outside measurements.
External Microwave Measurement
The inner measurement should not be enough for shoppers, especially those with limited counter space.
The inside size of the microwave may not reflect its actual size if it has a huge outer frame.
In short, external measurement is important whenchoose a placefor your kitchen microwave.
What size microwave do I need? - microwave sizes
Here are different microwave sizes.
small microwave ovens– 0.5 – 1.0 cubic feet
Small microwaves are compact and range from0.5-1 cubic feetin the internal volumetric measure.
Small size microwaves are great for smart kitchens and small families. They're perfect if you plan on reheating some leftovers or defrosting meat or veggies.
But these are only good for couples, college students living inuniversity residencerooms or people who live alone.
A big advantage of small microwaves is that they areACCESSIBLEand they are easily accessible.
The average power of these microwave ovens is700-900 watts.
Medium microwave ovens– 1.0 – 1.5 cubic feet
A medium-sized microwave can range from1 to 1.5 cubic feet. They are perfect for a normal family of 3-4 people; neither too big nor too small.
They are still quite affordable and you can handle larger dishes or pans inside.
Mid-size microwaves typically have roomy interiors and clever exterior frames, so they don't take up a lot of counter space.
This is the most famous size for an ordinary house.
large microwave ovens– 1.6 – 2.0 cubic feet
Great microwaves are anywhere in between1.6-2.0 cubic feetThey are good for a big family with 4-5 members or for those who often cook big meals in their microwave oven.
These microwaves can be used for more than just reheating. You can get creative and cook a variety of foods inside, depending on your microwave's features.
Another big advantage of having a large microwave is that you can defrost food in larger batches.
Furthermore, because they arehigh power microwave ovens(in the 1200W range), they can reheat, cook and defrost much faster than smaller ovens.
large microwave ovens– Greater than 2.0 Cubic foot
Oversized microwaves areabove 2.0 cubic feet.
Usually for home, the larger size is one2.2 cubic feetMicrowave oven with 16.5-inch turntable.
They are also very good for a small commercial kitchen.
Extra large microwave ovens take up a lot of space and are therefore mostly installed inside cupboards, on top of the stove or under cupboards.
Things to Determine When Selecting a Microwave Size
Here are some things to consider when selecting a microwave size.
1. What do you want to cook inside?
That totally depends on your microwave cooking goals. If you want to reheat food, pop popcorn, or defrost meat, you may not need a very large microwave.
However, if you plan on getting more creative with your appliance and love using it for multiple cooking options, a medium or large microwave is more suitable.
Small microwaves still have their own value and are perfect for singles or students.
2. Type of Microwave
Hemicrowave typemust also be considered. The three common types of microwaves are:
countertop microwave
These are placed on the kitchen counter or shelf. They are more diverse in terms of size and features.
Above microwave range
These microwaves are designed to be placed on top of the stove. They require professional installation, but leave the kitchen counter alone. They have less size variety and usually come in medium or large sizes. You can also find a compact microwave model, but they are not very cheap.
Built-in Microwave Units
Built-in microwaves have accurate measurements. They are mounted inside a cupboard or a drawer. They are the more expensive microwaves, but they will easily fit into your kitchen decor.
3. Budget
This is probably the most important and often decisive factor when choosing a microwave oven.
The more features a microwave has and the larger it is, the more expensive it tends to be.
Also, built-in and long-range microwaves are often more expensive than countertop options.
Built-in and out-of-range models also require professional help for installation, further increasing their cost.
4. Features
The issue of size is not just related to the space you have. You need to consider the features needed in a microwave oven.
Small microwaves are usually designed to do the most basic job, i.e. reheating. defrost and cook very small portions.
They might not be good enough for bigger culinary adventures like cooking a roast, grilling or other wonderful meals.
So make sure you choose the right size with the features you need.
Also, some microwave ovens come with features like a convection microwave oven that can add to their overall size.
Conclusion
Buying a microwave is an important decision. You need to be careful when selecting a home appliance like a microwave as they are not bought every day; see ourToshiba EM131A5C-SS Reviewthe onePanasonic NN-SN766s reviewto see if they fit the bill.
“What size microwave do I need?” is one of the first questions that should pop into your mind when deciding to buy one.
The microwave's internal and external measurements are important when deciding on size.
Internal measurements are important for cooking, while external measurements are important for installation.
Factors such as your baking needs, budget, and the type of oven you want should also play a role in deciding the appropriate size.
1. What is a full-size microwave?
Most models are 29 to 30 inches wide, 15 to 16 inches deep, and 16 to 18 inches tall. Although small variants are available, typical capacities range from 1.5 to 2.2 cubic feet.
2. How to choose the size of a microwave oven?
There are a few things to consider when choosing the size of your new microwave. The first is the size of your kitchen. Microwaves come in different sizes, so you'll want to make sure you have enough space to store them. The next thing to consider is how often you are going to use it. If you only use it once in a while, you don't need a big one. If you use it every day, you might want to get a bigger one.
3. How do I choose a microwave?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a microwave: the size of the unit, the features it has, and the wattage it has.
Think about how much space you have in your kitchen and how big the microwave will fit. If you want a microwave with a lot of features like a turntable or defrost setting, then you'll need to pick one that has those features. And finally, think about the wattage you need your microwave to have.
4. How can I know the size of the microwave above the required range?
For easy access to ovens above the range, allow at least 66 inches from the floor to the bottom of the cabinet. Also, you'll need at least 30 inches between the cooktop surface and the bottom of the cabinet. The term capacity refers to the size of the internal capacity or internal cooking space, although you should check the location of our microwave oven.guide, also.
5. Is the 0.7 cubic foot microwave too small?
A small unit is enough to reheat take-away food. Cooking bins range in size from 0.7 cubic feet, roughly the size of a dinner plate, to 2.1 cubic feet, large enough to accommodate a large pot or heat multiple items simultaneously.