7 Things New Microwaves Have That Your Old One Doesn’t

Need to cook in a hurry, heat up leftovers or make some popcorn for movie night? Your microwave to the rescue! Microwaves are one of the most popular kitchen appliances. You can cook, defrost or reheat food in just minutes. If that's not impressive enough, today’s new microwave ovens can do a whole lot more.

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Keep reading to learn more about seven things new microwaves have that your old one doesn’t.

1. Sensor Cooking to Make Life Easier

Not sure how long to reheat leftovers? No problem. Sensor cooking takes the guesswork out of using the microwave. Many new microwaves come with sensors that detect the level of moisture released by the food you’re cooking. The sensors use this information to automatically adjust the cooking time and power level.

All you have to do is put the food in the microwave and push the “sensor reheat” button. Want to make popcorn? Just hit the “sensor popcorn” button. The number of sensor cooking options you have depends on the type of microwave you purchase.

2. Cook From Anywhere With Smart Technology

With today’s modern microwaves, you don’t even have to get off the couch to start cooking. Smart technology connects your microwave with your home Wi-Fi to give you control through any mobile device. If you need to switch the cooking mode from defrost to cook, it’s as easy as pushing a button on your smartphone.

3. Inverter Technology That Offers Consistent Heat

Traditional microwaves use on-off cycling for lower temperatures. For example, if you set your microwave at 50% power, it doesn't actually reduce the power level. Instead, the microwave runs at 100% for a short period, such as 10-15 seconds, and then shuts off for 10-15 seconds. It continues this on-off cycling throughout the cooking process.

Inverter technology, on the other hand, offers a consistent heating process throughout. Rather than using on-off cycles, the inverter circuit keeps the power level steady while cooking. This advancement allows food to defrost better and cook more evenly, providing better results.

4. Simplistic Scan-to-Cook Technology

Scan-to-cook technology makes using your microwave easier than ever. All you need to do is scan the barcode on your food package and let the microwave do the rest. Using the information provided by the barcode, the microwave automatically selects the proper setting, cooking time and power level. It really is as easy as hitting a button.

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5. Easy One-Touch Cooking

Many traditional microwaves include an easy-to-use popcorn button. You just place the popcorn in the microwave, push the popcorn button and it automatically starts cooking.

Modern microwaves go well beyond the standard popcorn button. Today you can expect to see several preset buttons, such as frozen pizza, baked potato, soups and beverage buttons. These make using your microwave quick and easy.

6. Convection Oven, Air Fryer and More

Microwave ovens aren’t just for heating food anymore. New microwaves also double as convection ovens, air fryers, steamers and other cooking appliances. This includes both over-the-range microwaves and countertop microwave ovens.

With these new features, you can now bake a cake, cook a pot roast, make crispy fried chicken or steam vegetables to perfection. This can speed up your cooking time and eliminate the need to heat up your house.

These features vary from model to model. Be sure to find out what cooking options the microwave offers before purchasing.

7. Improved Energy Efficiency

Another great benefit of modern microwaves is improved energy efficiency. Many new microwaves use less energy to operate and include energy-saving features. For example, modern microwaves often have an energy-saving mode, which significantly reduces the amount of energy they draw when not in use. This results in lower energy bills, which is a win-win.

If your unit lacks these modern features, it may be time to start shopping for a new one. In addition to modern features, today’s microwaves come in a variety of colors and styles. So, you can find one that meets your family’s needs and looks great in your kitchen. Be sure to check microwave oven reviews when shopping for a new one. This information can help you find the right microwave for you.