On the right wavelength – the best microwaves for your new home
Microwave ovens took household convenience to a new level in the 1970s. These days they still cook food at lightning speed but they are also energy efficient and offer many sophisticated features that make them a must for the modern day chef who's in a hurry.
1 This intelligent combination oven, microwave and grill from Samsung has been designed to cook food more evenly, and features innovative Slim Fry technology that will ensure food is crispy inside and out using only a touch of oil, Samsung 32L 2900w Slimfry Combi microwave oven, £199.92, www.qvcuk.com
2 V-Zug's Combi-Steam MSLQ model combines three different functions in one: convection oven, steam oven and microwave oven. It features a turbo switch that accelerates all forms of baking and steaming, and has a regeneration programme that gently warms pre-cooked dishes using a combination of steam and hot air, from £4,680, www.vzug.com
3 With six power levels, including low, medium, high, defrost, grill and combination settings, Swan's Retro SM22070 900W microwave can quickly reheat, defrost, as well as brown a variety of different dishes. Its 25L capacity means it can fit larger plates of food, while the 30-minute timer and pull handle door design makes it simple to operate, Swan Retro SM22070 microwave, from £90, www.AO.com and www.very.co.uk
4 Caple’s Classic built-in microwave and grill has a 25-litre capacity and comes in a stainless steel finish. It features an auto cook menu, auto defrost, digital controls and speed cooking, making cooking both efficient and simple. This model also features defrost by time and weight, multi-stage cooking, five microwave power levels and a minute timer (up to 95mins). It measures 595mmW by 388mmH by 410mmD and costs from around £330, www.caple.co.uk
5 Sharp's R662KM is a 20-litre capacity microwave with a powerful 1000W dual Quartz grill, which is ideal for cooking pizzas and quiches. Ideal for family use, it comes with 11 power levels, which provide greater cooking control, as temperatures can be more accurately set, yet it costs under £70, www.appliancesdirect.co.uk