Microwave Oven Wattage and Power Levels
How oven differs differ its the wattage that counts.
You’ll find a staggering array of microwave ovens on the market today. The portable countertop model is still the most popular, but demand is increasing for built-in types—installed over a range, beneath a cabinet, or as the top unit of a double wall oven.
A number of special features are available, too. Some ovens have carousels that rotate cooking dishes for you; others have probes, thermometerlike devices that detect the temperature of whatever you’re heating. And some ovens can be programmed to defrost and cook foods ahead of time.
Whatever their design, all microwave ovens cook food in the same way. The one important difference among ovens is the wattage (cooking power) the higher the wattage, the faster foods will cook.
If you have a fairly new full-size oven, the wattage on full power or HIGH (100%) probably ranges from 600 to 700 watts. Older, small, or less expensive ovens, on the other hand, may have a full power of only 450 to 500 watts.
To find out the wattage of your oven, check the owner’s manual. Or perform this simple test. Fill a 1-cup glass measure with room-temperature water (72°F). Place the cup on the oven floor. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH (100%) until the water comes to a boil, noting the time required. If the oven is in the 600- to 700-watt range, the water will boil in 2 1/2 to 3 minutes.
What about all those power levels?
Any microwave offers you a choice of power levels, but the number of different levels provided varies with the oven. Some types have a range of 10 power settings, usually set up as a 10-button touch pad; number 1 equals 10% power, number 10 equals 100%.
Ovens with five power levels are popular, too; the settings are typically labeled LOW, MEDIUM-LOW, MEDIUM, MEDIUM-HIGH, and HIGH. If you use an older or less expensive model, your choices may be more limited. The oven may have only full power (100%); only full power and half power (50%); or only full power and defrost (usually 30%, but some older ovens may have a defrost setting of 50% power).
