LG LCRT2010ST 2 0 Cu Ft Counter Top Microwave Oven with Easy Clean, Review

Over-the-range

You install this style of microwave above your range, which will save you some counter space. These models have vent systems that take the place of the oven hood and lights to illuminate your cooktop.

Internal capacity: Less than cubic foot to more than cubic feet

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Built-in

Built-in models that you place among custom cabinets or paired with built-in, full-sized wall oven are the most high-end (aka expensive) types of microwaves. Some microwaves in this category are even designed specifically as drawers with a compartment you pull out for your food.

External dimensions: varies widely depending on type, drawers tend to have more depth than countertop or over-the-range models, about 15x30x26

Internal capacity: Less than cubic foot to more than cubic feet

Wattage

Microwave wattage equals power. In general, the higher the wattage, the faster and more evenly your food will cook. Most microwaves sit somewhere between 600-1,200 watts. Larger, more expensive microwaves tend to have a higher wattage, so this is a price and size consideration that can strongly influence microwave cooking performance.

Features

Many microwaves share common functions. Here are some microwave cooking essentials: cook time, defrost, power level and timer. Each one requires your direct input, but they are usually very easy to set. Most microwaves have touch panel controls and a rotating carousel to spin your food for more even cooking.

Default settings

Many microwaves come with preset cooking modes so you only have to press one button to automatically cook a dish. For example, many microwaves have a “popcorn” button that will cook your bag based on factory settings. This can be handy for common dishes you heat in the microwave, but you’ll have to figure out if the microwave’s default cook times work for your own food. Other common presets include: baked potato, pizza, beverage, frozen dinner and reheat.

Manufacturers are increasingly including features in microwaves that mimic what we see in full-size ovens, such as a broiler. This is a good addition for finishing off a dish or cooking something for which you’d prefer more directheat.

Convection

A convection fan that’s built into the back of a microwave oven circulates the heat around the food to cook things more quickly and evenly. (Many new full-size ovens come with at least one convection fan.) However, microwaves with convection fans are generally more expensive than those without.

Inverter technology

Inverter heating is another option available on some high-end models. If you want to heat something at a 50 percent power level, most microwaves actually switch between 100 percent power and 0 percent power to average in at 50 percent power. This doesn’t yield great results if you want to heat something on a lower heat and achieve an even result. So, some models now use inverter technology, which maintains a consistent 50 percent power. That way, you can poach salmon, make a fluffy omelet, etc.

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Technologically and quality-wise, this is without a doubt one of the best microwaves out there, but its 1.cu. ft. capacity is significantly smaller than that of our top pick, the Panasonic NN-SN966S, so that is something you should keep in mind when making your buying decision.

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Energy efficiency

Although microwaves are extremely safe-to-use appliances, consumers who have small children or elderly family members in their homes may be concerned about the safety level of the products they use in their homes every day. Microwaves for these types of consumers need to be set at a higher level of safety and durability. One important safety feature to look for in a good microwave oven is a safety lock feature to prevent burns when small children unintentionally open a microwave that contains heated food or beverages.

Microwave only

For sheer simplicity, a microwave-only option will heat up, defrost, steam and reheat food. Use it for ready meals, soup or vegetables – the options are endlessly convenient.

Acting more as a mini oven, this option uses a microwave, grill, convection oven and often a steam function. This could offer a solution to smaller kitchens with not much space for appliances, or simply just to provide more convenience.

Microwave with grill

These models demonstrate all the features of a standard microwave oven, but with the added convenience of a grill. This is ideal for grilling fish and meat, or simply crisping and browning the outside of your food. Also a great 2-inoption for if you need to save on space.

Size and power

Capacities vary from about 17L to over 32L. If you’re after a family-size microwave consider at least a 27L size. This will have a larger turntable and more interior height so you can cook more than one dish – or fit the Sunday roast in.

Microwave power is measured in watts, and can range from 800W to 1100W. The higher the wattage, the quicker your food will cook.

Features to consider

Microwaves  vary considerably in price, but this is not just dependent on their power or size. Consider what type of cooking you do, and how you store your food: if you use your freezer a lot, then a good defrosting feature may be important. Other features can include settings for jacket potatoes or pizza.

Accessories

Consider buying microwave-safe trays, dishes or steamers – even an egg poacher – to give you more cooking versatility.

The microwave considers the actual weight of the food, and works out the time needed to cook the food safely.

Uses random pulses of microwave energy to reduce the usual defrosting time even more.

Hints and tips

Never use any metal containers or objects – even twist-ties, as they have metal in them. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer’s directions

Leave any covered food vented when cooking it, so the steam can escape

When cooking large amounts, stir the food halfway through the cooking time: this will help to reduce any possible ‘cold spots’

Leave the food to stand for minutes once it’s cooked, as the heat will continue to spread through the food

Be careful when taking food out: although the container may not be that hot, the food inside will be

Don’t press Start on your microwave when it’s empty, as the microwaves will bounce off the interior walls and could cause damage.

You can’t use microwave ovens for sterilising baby bottles or other food utensils.

Know the Basics

Before you begin shopping, reexamine the look of your current model, along with its width, depth, and height. This should help you picture the size and look of the new one, and therefore better determine the type of microwave you will buy. Also double-check the wattage: The normal time required for heating your food will change if you buy a model with a different wattage, which means your heating habits will have to adapt as well. The higher the wattage, the faster food cooks. And while microwave wattage generally falls within the 700- to 1,200- watt range, it’s a good idea to look for one with 1,000 watts or more.

When you start to shop, you’ll also need to know the exact dimensions of the area where you’ll place the new microwave, and for what purposes you’ll use it most.

Exact dimensions are essential in guiding your choice in type and model. Modern microwaves are slightly larger than models from previous generations—usually taller and deeper. Generally, the newer, larger sizes mainly affect built-in, but not countertop models. As a general rule, if you’re looking to replace a built-in model and have wall cabinet space that is less than 1inches deep, you should still have room for the door to open on either side. For anything deeper, you may have to switch types.

Also consider the buttons you use the most now, as you’ll want to ensure your new microwave has the same commonly used features. You can go the conservative route and buy a smaller microwave that has the few common task buttons you use most, or go the opposite way and buy a microwave with your most used buttons along with some new features. The settings you commonly use will likely correlate with the size of the meals you are cooking and the size of microwave you need. Generally speaking, a full household with a family will require a larger microwave for making multiple-serving meals. Likewise, if you need a microwave for personal use, you can err on the smaller size.

Microwave Features

Inside the microwave, you’ll usually find a turntable or a tray that keeps food moving in order to permit even heating. Round turntables that rotate food are the most common, but some models have a rectangular tray instead that moves side to side. Rectangular trays are great for accommodating larger containers, such as long platters. Also look for removable racks, which let you cook multiple items at once.

New microwaves have innovative features that help you make everything from fresh bread to yogurt with a soften function. Others, called convention microwaves, tackle the tasks other kitchen appliances normally handle, such as steaming, browning, crisping, broiling, browning, baking, and even oil-free frying.

Child-lookout features allow you to lock the control panel with a sequence of numbers, to prevent the microwave from being turned on. Special reheating sensors measure humidity released from food and automatically calculate the remaining cook time. One-touch sensors can sense the surface temperature of food to eliminate over or undercooking. Some microwaves have digital displays that list a variety of foods you can select for precise heating.

In the future, we may see microwaves with barcode scanners—an idea that has been tried, but yet to be perfected, or connected microwaves that let you control them from your phone. Unlike other connected devices, microwaves and Wi-Fi generally run on the same frequency, which has slowed the advancement of smart microwaves thus far.

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