Is 700 Watts Enough for a Microwave? Understanding Microwave Power
Are you in search of a microwave that fits your cooking needs? Don’t know if 700 watts is enough for your meals? Then you’ve come to the right place! Read on to discover if a 700 watt microwave will be suitable for your kitchen.
Introduction
If you are in the market for a microwave oven, one of the most important questions to ask is whether or not it has enough power to meet your needs. Specifically, you’ll want to know the wattage of the microwave. But what wattage is considered enough?
If you’re in search of a microwave that will adequately cook your food and still be energy efficient, then 700 watts should be plenty. In this guide, we will discuss why 700 watts is sufficient for a microwave oven and how you can use this information to make an informed purchasing decision.
What is a Microwave?
A microwave is a device used for heating and cooking food quickly. It works by sending energy waves called microwaves through the food, which cause the molecules in the food to vibrate and heat up, thus cooking or warming it.
The power output of microwaves is measured in watts (W) and a general rule of thumb is that higher wattage equals faster cook times. So, a 700 watt microwave will take more time to heat up foods than an 800 watt one.
Microwaves come with various features such as:
- Timed cook settings
- Express cook buttons
- Turntables
- Smart sensors
- Lighted interiors
Some models also feature convection microwaving – a combination of conventional oven baking and microwave technology for even faster cooking times or browner results on food items like pizza or pastries.
The size of your microwave will also impact its efficiency; smaller microwaves tend to be slower since they don’t have enough room inside for efficient air circulation. Generally speaking, a 700 watt microwave should be able to heat most food adequately if it is the proper size for the space you have available for it in your kitchen.
How Much Power Does a Microwave Need?
When it comes to selecting a microwave oven, wattage is an important factor to consider. Microwave ovens are rated by the number of watts they use. A 700-watt microwave will heat and cook food faster than an 800-watt unit, but it may have trouble thoroughly cooking more complex dishes. In general, a higher wattage translates into higher heating efficiency and faster cooking time.
The wattage you need for a microwave depends on your cooking needs. As a general guideline, microwaves with 600–700 watts usually provide enough heat for basic reheating and defrosting tasks, while those with 800–1,000+ watts are needed for more complex tasks such as roasting or baking food evenly. This can be especially important if you’re using microwaves to finish off dishes that were created using one of your other kitchen appliances—such as an oven. A high-powered microwave can ensure that your food cooks evenly without any cold spots or burning from direct heat in the middle of the dish.
In addition to power rating when looking at microwaves, you should also consider features like preprogrammed settings or auto-cook functions so that reheating and preparing meals becomes easier. For maximum convenience look for features such as:
- Adjustable cook time and time presets so you don’t need to input the time manually each time you use it.
Advantages of a 700 Watt Microwave
A 700 watt microwave offers several advantages to the consumer. The wattage of the microwave is balanced between efficiency and convenience, making it ideal for both home and commercial use. A lower wattage means that the appliance will require less energy, saving you money in the long run. A 700 Watt oven also cooks faster than other models, as it can efficiently transform electricity to heat more rapidly.
Another advantage is that this microwave does not generate powerful internal heat during operation, so it will remain cool to the touch even after a long cooking session. The consistent heat output makes it easier to cook with precision, as users can choose how long they would like items to be heated and know that they won’t be overcooked or undercooked.
Finally, a 700 Watt model reduces risk of fire since it cooks with low energy and has an internal cooling fan which dissipates extra heat during operation. If you are looking for an efficient, reliable option for your kitchen then a 700 Watt microwave could be just what you need.
Disadvantages of a 700 Watt Microwave
A 700 watt microwave has some disadvantages. It may take longer to cook food items than more powerful microwaves. With lower wattage, the electric current is also lower and can cause uneven cooking in larger amounts of food or beverages.
Plus, choosing a specific cooking setting on a 700 watt microwave may be limited since most programs are based on power outputs of 900 watts or higher. This means that if the user wishes to reduce the cooking temperature of their food, they will not be able to do so with a 700 watt model.
Additionally, because these types of microwaves are not as powerful as higher-powered models they can also take longer to achieve the desired temperature when reheating previously cooked meals or beverages.
Finally, there is a chance that certain types of foods such as pizza or other heavier dishes won’t be heated all the way through or could become burnt on the outside while still being cold inside with this type of microwave. This can be avoided by monitoring the food more closely and using reduced time settings if needed.
Alternatives to a 700 Watt Microwave
Sometimes, a 700 watt microwave isn’t enough to suit your needs. Here are some of the alternatives that may be more suitable for you, depending on your cooking needs:
- 1000 Watt Microwave: A 1000 watt microwave will heat and cook food a lot faster than a 700 watt one, with less time and effort. It is usually seen as a higher quality option for those who want their food cooked quickly and efficiently.
- 1200 Watt Microwave: With 1200 watts of power, this type of microwave provides the ultimate convenience in the kitchen, with snacks and meals being cooked rapidly from start to finish. It’s perfect for busy households or large groups of people gathering around meal time.
- 1400 Watt Microwave: If you are looking for something even more powerful than 1200 watts, then consider a 1400 watt microwave oven. This type of microwave not only cooks quickly but also evenly distributes heat throughout the food for even heating.
Conclusion
In conclusion, determining whether 700 watts is enough for a microwave depends on the overall size of the appliance and the desired uses. If you’re looking for a basic reheating model with menus built-in to make food prep easy, 700 watts is more than enough. However, if you need to be able to quickly cook larger items and meals, then higher wattage may be necessary.
Ultimately, it is important to consider all your needs when evaluating which wattage is right for you.
FAQs
When considering whether 700 watts is enough for a microwave, there are various factors to take into account. The wattage of a microwave usually ranges from 400 Watts to 1500 Watts, and the wattage you choose should depend on what you plan to cook. Food items that require more time and energy should be cooked in higher watt microwaves (i.e., those with more than 700 watts), while other items may cook just as well in a lower watt machine.
In addition, the size of your microwave also plays an important role in determining how well it will work. Larger microwaves typically require more power than smaller ones so it is wise to look at the overall size when making your selection. For reference, standard countertop models range from 0.5 cubic feet (500 Watts) to 2 cubic feet (1400 Watts).
Finally, it’s important to bear in mind that when a microwave only has 700 watts, its cooking times and efficiency may be limited compared with higher-watt machines – but this is generally true for all microwaves under 1000 watts. Therefore, if you’re looking for a versatile machine that can handle even larger cooking tasks, it might be worth investing in a model with more than 700 watts just to be sure.