Some models at this price will come with other extras such as delayed start and multi-stage cooking (to automatically switch between heating modes such as defrosting and heating). Sometimes called 'solo' microwaves, these are the most basic. They're great for simple tasks such as warming soup, heating ready meals or defrosting food.

Large door Wide-opening or dropdown doors make it much easier to get heavy or hot dishes in and out of the microwave, especially if you have reduced strength or dexterity. or High Ideal for anything with a high water content and the best setting for steaming. It’s also good for reheating ready-made meals, soups, canned foods, cold coffee and tea, mince or tender meat, poultry, fish, cooked pasta, and most vegetables.

Keep You and Your Kitchen Tidy

Clear labelling Controls should be clearly labelled with a large font size. Digital displays should be brightly lit and easy to read. If you're visually impaired, consider one that beeps when you make a selection. Cooking certain foods at full power will dry them out or burn the outside before the middle is done. And you’ll use more energy doing so, too. You can wipe down greasy, smudged viewing windows with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, before rinsing and leaving to air-dry. Your best bet for getting the gunk out of the rubber door seals is a damp cloth dipped in a little bicarbonate of soda. Where to buy a microwave Auto cook programs Enter the type and weight of food, and the microwave will automatically set the time and power needed to cook it. Premium models can offer up to 30 programs, including specialised ones for popcorn or roasts.

or Medium Low Simmer foods such as chilli, sauces, rice and cereal on this setting. You can also use it to defrost smaller items - many microwaves use Medium Low as the ‘auto defrost’ setting. or Medium Good for warming dense foods, meals requiring a slower cooking time or that can’t be stirred. You can also use this setting for slow-cooking drier or bigger joints of meats such as ham or pork and whole poultry. While manufacturers do generally state the internal capacity, this doesn't actually tell you what size dishes you'll be able to get inside. Head to our guide to microwave brands to discover those that Which? members recommend. Are high-powered microwaves better than low-powered? If not, they should have standout features, such as one-touch sensor cooking, which works out what's needed for you – all you need to do is put your food in and press the start button – or a built-in steamer.or Medium High Reheating single-serving leftovers, casseroles, stews, ribs, and foods with cheese. You can also use it to warm milk but be sure to stir it every 15 seconds so you don't end up with a thin film on top. Six evenly spaced vents in the top let steam escape without letting all the moisture out of your carefully prepared meal, and deep finger grips in the centre make it easy to lift on and off the plate. Because of these strict criteria, less than 10% of the microwaves we've tested get an Eco Buy recommendation. Keeping your microwave clean will help to reduce energy costs too because bits of food, grime, and spills will add a couple more seconds to the cooking time of your food. Multi-step programming This allows you to program different cooking modes in sequence, to automatically switch between defrosting and cooking your dinner, for example.

These tips will help you to save even more money when using your microwave. Choose the correct power setting for your dish A microwave's power is measured in watts - and generally, the higher the wattage, the faster your food cooks.Keep your surfaces clear and your cabinets organised with our kitchen storage range, and add the finishing touches with kitchen accessories for great prices when you shop with us. Find High-Quality Kitchen Appliances Look for a microwave with a selection of auto programs (to automatically set the weight and time for specific foods), digital displays and easy-to-use push-button or touch panel controls. Pizza function This tends to work better with grill or combi microwaves, as the grill helps to crisp the pizza base and brown the top. Some models come with ‘crisper plates’ which can also be used for quiches. You'll get better results if you use a frozen pizza and pre-heat the oven and plate for four or five minutes first.

Think you can’t get that crisp grilled texture in the microwave? Think again. The Lékué microwave grill is a real wonder product to be found in our range of microwave accessories, adding those authentic char lines to meat, fish, vegetables and even burgers – just like you’d get from the barbie. Simply preheat the plates, pop in whatever you’re cooking and microwave in moments. Best of all, it makes unbelievable toasted sandwiches with a crisp, crunchy edge and cheesy middle. Rapid rice Auto defrost Most microwaves offer an auto-defrost setting that uses bursts of low heat to defrost based on the weight of the food. Some come with settings for specific foods. A kitchen should be a hub of activity, a place to express creativity and a space to share with the whole family. It’s the heart of the house. For this reason, we believe that excellent cookware, utensils, storage products and accessories should never break the bank. Start your day right with a good cuppa. We’ve got kettles in all colours so you can brew your favourite teawith ease. Need we say more? For fast and easy clean-up after your meal, just pop it in the dishwasher with your plates and let the machine take care of the washing up.These models are proven to be energy efficient and come from brands that stay fault-free for longer, so shouldn't need replacing very often. Whether you’re replacing an old appliance, or you’ve just moved house and need the lot, you’ll find all the appliances you’ll need to kit out your kitchen in style. From air fryers to slow cookers, and food processers to panini presses, we’ve got you sorted. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water, white vinegar and sliced citrus fruits (lemon, lime or orange)