A small microwave has many advantages over its more voluminous counterparts. Of course, you won’t put a whole goose in, but it takes up a little space and is much lighter than a full-size microwave. Any housewife can easily rearrange her. This is the dream of all summer residents, residents of communal and small-sized apartments, office workers, students and travel enthusiasts.
How to equip a cramped kitchen
If we compare the kitchen 30 years ago with today’s, equipped according to the average demands of a city dweller, the filling of it with household appliances has grown incredibly. And if the dimensions of the kitchen have not changed (especially for old-built houses), the problem arises - where to fit all these useful dishwashers, bread machines, double boiler and other devices?
When you have to save every centimeter, miniature microwave ovens come in handy: performing most of the necessary functions, they occupy a minimum of space.
Filling a cramped kitchen with household appliances, the owners go in two ways:
- buy combined equipment;
- acquire analogues of a small size.
What is good about a small microwave
Customers often don’t even look in the direction of mini microwave ovens, believing that, together with the reduction in size, they have lost some of their functionality. Perhaps they even suspect that small appliances do not shine with quality. This is fundamentally the wrong approach. Today, small-sized microwave ovens of leading brands are in no way inferior to their larger cousins. They are equipped not only with a standard set of auto programs, but also with a grill, convection, and a multi-cook system.
The main criterion that should be followed when choosing a microwave of small size is power. It determines the efficiency of heating food and the presence of a number of useful functions. The best miniature microwave ovens reach up to 0.9 kW - this is enough for the full functioning of the grill and cooking dinner in three portions.
To summarize the advantages of small ovens:
- save energy;
- occupy a minimum of space;
- easy to operate;
- easily transported from place to place.
Leading brands offer the smallest microwave ovens specifically for offices that can only heat food. And most importantly, they can be used in the car. There is enough power to heat a small portion of food. Such a mini-oven can be placed in the niche of the table. Some do not even need to connect to 220 V - they work through a USB cable.
What are the “baby” stoves
Miniature microwaves can be:
- Portable. You can take them with you on hikes. But for work, they need access to electricity.
- Stationary They are produced much more than portable ones - there are few lovers of dragging a microwave behind them. But the small-sized stationary device for heating and defrosting is becoming a useful acquisition for the home and office. They are especially needed in homes with young children, where food needs to be warmed around the clock.
By the number of modes distinguish:
- Solo - designed only for heating by microwaves. This is the cheapest option, the easiest microwave. There is no grill, no convection, so the price is modest.
- Multifunctional - with all standard features, they are compact. With their help, you can not only warm up breakfasts and dinners, but also bake meat, bake muffins and toasts, cook vegetables on the grill.
What size mini microwave
Standard dimensions of small stoves: 50-40 cm wide and 40 cm deep. The smallest model that can only heat up, 30 cm deep. Such babies can fit anywhere, on almost any kitchen shelf.
The camera capacity is different: 8.5, 10, 13, 15 and 20 liters. The diameter of the rotary tray is up to 25 cm.
If you need a microwave oven for a pre-prepared space, going to the store, measure it with a tape measure. Ask the seller to measure the model you like so that it probably fits in the designated area. Where the owners just do not attach their purchase: they put it in a cupboard, attach it to the wall with brackets, make shelves under the dining table.
When choosing a model, focus on the size of the camera - estimate whether the plates that you are going to use to warm the food will fit there.
What other criteria to consider when choosing
If you have already decided on the power, size and type, pay attention to functionality. You need to decide exactly how you are going to use the new stove. If you are only interested in warming up and defrosting, an inexpensive and compact solo will suit you. If you want to cook delicious food, bake meat and poultry, so that with a crispy crust - look for a modification with a grill.
Please note: it is believed that the best heating element is quartz.
Also know: miniature models equipped with a grill, convection and other useful features are not inferior in price to their larger counterparts. On the contrary, you will have to pay extra for the size: small functional stoves are much more expensive than their full-size counterparts.
When choosing a modification, consider:
- Chamber volume. For example, 8 liters will be enough to warm a cup of coffee, you can brew a bag of quick soup. For cooking, you need at least 10-15 liters. The larger the volume, the larger the fan compartment, and therefore the dimensions of the device, and this can reduce the advantages of compactness to a minimum.
- The length of the power cord. It is desirable that it be smaller - it will take up less space and will fit more tightly to the surface of the table or shelf.
- The tightness of the door. It is better to check this moment in advance than to return the device later. It is said that such a drawback may be due to the small size of the door.
- Material of the protective screen. In regular-sized stoves, a mica screen is usually used - a cheap and practical solution. In smaller ones, instead of mica, a more reliable plastic plate is installed. You will learn more about the protective screen on the page "What to do if the mica burns out."
- Camera coating. The service life largely depends on it. It should be durable, easy to clean and not afraid of high temperatures. The cheaper coating is enamel, the more reliable is stainless steel and bioceramics.
- Security questions. When working inside the camera, the temperature rises. You need to know how much the body heats up: in good models, the heating does not exceed 60 degrees. The device should work quietly.
Defrosting Nuances
If the miniature device, in addition to heating, is designed for defrosting, do not be discouraged if the stove does not cope with the task from the first call. Do not immediately run to the store - perhaps you just need to set a higher temperature.
What problems can be
One of the most common operational problems is a malfunction in the control unit. The reason stems from the compact design: since space is saved, the parts are more densely arranged than in the regular version. Due to close contact, some elements may short circuit or burn out. It can also be triggered by ingress of food or moisture into the cabinet. But it cannot be said that such a feature often manifests itself in small microwaves. If this happens, then during the warranty period, and the device can be returned.
Having bought a microwave oven, carefully consider all the features. If you notice any oddities or malfunctions, do not pull, contact a service center immediately.
Model Overview
Cost Rating
First, consider what manufacturers offer in terms of price:
- The lowest prices are from Chinese brands Delfa, Scarlett, Saturn, Severin, Supra, DEX, Mystery, Mirta, Orion. Often their products do not shine with quality. Pay attention to build quality and internal coating.
- Average prices. The leading brands are leading here: Panasonic, Ariete, Delonghi. Great build and durability.
- High prices. Almost every brand represents models from the high price segment, but the cost of Bork stoves is always amazing. The quality, of course, is also high, but a large proportion of the money still goes to pay for advertising costs.
Brandt SPOUTGF
An ideal thing for office. If you don’t have time for a cafe, in such a mini-stove you can make coffee and reheat the cooled food taken from home. Food placed in the chamber can be monitored through a transparent door. In order not to forget your soup in the chamber, you can navigate by the timer and clock on the panel.
A similar device will not interfere in the home kitchen - it will defrost semi-finished products and heat food, saving time, space and energy.
SPUTNIK ATR-M1 - for car
Travel enthusiasts and those who often have to leave home for a long time will enjoy this portable modification. The device weighs 7 kg. Case material - shockproof plastic. There is a handle with which you can carry the mini-oven. Reliable legs do not slip.
Control the device through buttons. The user sees all the necessary information on the display. There are three cooking modes. It can be powered from a 220 V network, a car battery or directly from the cigarette lighter.
Whirlpool MAX 28 ALU - high speed heating and defrosting
Beautiful design combined with comfortable use. Capacity - 13 liters. Maximum power - 0.75 kW. There is an indication of time, 5 warm-up modes, a clock, interior lighting, a child lock and a sound alert.
There is a mode "Steaming". Jet Launch - a feature that allows you to accelerate to the maximum in seconds. Thanks to Jet Start, you can warm up liquid food in half a minute. The Jet Defrost function speeds up defrosting by 7 times.
At the moment, the model is not for sale, but suddenly you decide to buy a used device.
Daewoo KOR-5A0BW - affordable price
Classic design. Power - 0.5 kW. Capacity - 15 liters. There is a pallet of 25.5 cm - you can put quite large pieces and dishes. Enamel coating. No grill and convection. Touch switch.
Estimated cost - 3,500 rubles.
Zelmer 29 Z017
Diverse functionality. The volume of the camera is 17 liters. Grill power - 1 kW, microwaves - 0.7 kW. No convection. Microwave and grill combi modes available. Five levels, ten auto programs. Heats up not promptly, but evenly. Lightweight, easy to rearrange.
Estimated cost - 8 000 rubles.
Bosch HMT75M451 - excellent assembly
Like any Bosch stove, it has a high-quality assembly. The compact model is reliable and convenient. Five power levels, maximum 0.8 kW. In order not to overload the complexity of the mini-device, it provided for only two auto-programs. Bonus - you can memorize the recipe of your favorite dish. The door opens to the right. There is a timer.
Estimated price - 7 500 rubles.
Reviews
Daewoo Electronics KOR-5A0BW: Renat T., Kirov
Took for minimum needs - for defrosting and heating. Not particularly satisfied. You can neither warm nor defrost normally. Not enough power. Buying an inverter is expensive, so I think you need to have two stoves: with a base and with a low power. What I like: it does not break, the buttons work, a convenient tray, the power cord is short. The warranty is already out, I use the fourth year - until it fails.
Brandt SPOUTGF: Tatyana E., Penza
Worked without breakdowns for a year. The breakdown happened suddenly, and quite serious - the control board burned down. Repairing is like buying a new grill. It can be seen that there is no quality. I especially do not regret it - I just used it as a warm-up.
Bosch HMT75M451: Diana T., Taganrog
It was attracted by simple and intuitive controls - I do not like to understand buttons, read instructions, etc. Excellent in appearance, it can do a lot, but it could not do without flaws. Strange things sometimes happen in her “brains”: the light may turn on spontaneously, or turn off at will. Three years worked fine, but I wanted better. I will change.
Mini-microwave ovens are a kind of trend for cramped kitchens. By taking up very little space, they save their owners time. Beautiful and functional, they can perform a different number of tasks - each consumer will choose a microwave oven according to his needs. Differing in power and spaciousness indicators, small stoves are united by one idea - saving any resources without losing quality.