Microwave overview: what’s in the oven is on the table

Built-in microwaves are in the collections of most manufacturers. In terms of functionality, they do not differ much from their conventional counterparts, although they are much more expensive. Automatic programs for microwave ovens, as well as in ovens, are focused on cooking baked goods, meat dishes, poultry and fish dishes, as well as semi-finished products, in large menus offer original recipes. Today’s review focuses on built-in microwave ovens.

Consultants: Evgeniya SUZDALEVA, product manager of Mabe, Kirill BURMISTEROV, product manager of Ardo

Microwave oven adds convection

Built-in microwaves are available in most manufacturers’ collections. In terms of functionality they do not differ much from their conventional counterparts, although they greatly outpace them in cost.

For example, a built-in solo microwave Electrolux EMS 17216 X will cost 13 thousand. Dollars., A similar in functionality, but free-standing Electrolux model is twice cheaper. Samsung FW77KSTR microwave oven costs about 6 thousand. rub., and its free-standing “sister” – 3 thousand liters. Dollars.

However, 10 years ago it was impossible to buy a built-in microwave for $200.

Management of devices can be more simple as at Electrolux EMS 26415 K – there is only an auto-defrost , but often all that is necessary is provided auto-defrost, automatics of cooking and heating , though the quantity of automatic programs differs greatly.

Say, in the microwave Nef H53W60N0 and Siemens HF 25M6L2 them 7, in Miele M 8160-2 BK – 11, in AEG MC 1762 EM – 12. Inverter technology can also be used Siemens, Bosch, Whirlpool, Nef .

Now, as before, there are solo models and appliances with a grill often quartz . But we also offer ovens with convection.

These microwave ovens are already competing with combined appliances such as oven + microwave, and model Whirlpool AMW 545 even with a combined steamer – she, in addition to the grill and convection, had a function of cooking with steam the device is no longer available .

In microwave ovens with convection, as well as in freestanding microwave ovens, mainly do not use the top and bottom elements. But among them there are devices of great volume in 1,5-2 times more than other built-in microwave ovens.

For example, Hotpoint-Ariston MWHA 434 AX, AEG MCC 4060 EA, Franke FMW 400 KU C XS and Whirlpool AMW 848 IX have a capacity of 40 liters, AEG MCC 3880 EM – 38 liters, Gorenje BOC5322AX and Gaggenau BM 241-111 – 32 l. Which means that it is suggested to install them instead of ovens.

The oven will remember what you like to eat

In 1981, Siemens created a new type of microwave oven-based appliances that combined the capabilities of a full-fledged oven and microwave. By combining different heating methods and microwave radiation the cooking was significantly accelerated, moreover, it became more even.

In the oven could apply the traditional modes, such as a combination of two heaters or convection, that is, use it as an oven, where the maximum temperature is 200, 225 or 250 degrees.

If necessary, the microwave can also be turned on separately, for example, for heating or defrosting. Devices of this type began to be produced not only Siemens, but also Bosch, Neff and they have implemented inverter technology , AEG, Miele, Kuppersbusch, and a few years ago added to them Smeg, Samsung, Asko, Hotpoint-Ariston, Electrolux, De Dietrich.

At the dawn of the XXI century, these devices existed only in the class of compact, that is, their volume was about 30-40 liters 45 cm high niche , then began to be offered and full-size models, the volume as usual ovens Bosch HBN 874751, Hotpoint-Ariston FH 53 IX, Smeg S201 .

Some of the most interesting appliances of this type are the Siemens, Bosch and Nef models , which have top and bottom heaters, a fan ring element, a quartz grill and a halogen heater, which is still rarely used. According to the developers, the models allowed to reduce the cooking time by 70 percent, preserving all the flavor and nutritional characteristics of the dish!

Models are equipped with usual for microwave ovens functions: auto defrost, set of automatic programs, memory, timer with shutdown or programmer.

Automatic programs for microwave ovens, as well as in ovens, are focused on cooking baked goods, meat dishes, poultry and fish dishes, as well as semi-finished products, large menus offer original recipes.

Large auto menus are more than 80 recipes – in Miele H 5080 BM IX, 70 in Bosch HBC 86K753, 51 in Kuppersbusch EMWK 9800.0 M. And more modest – for 15 recipes – have Siemens HB 84E562 or 12 – Electrolux EOK 86030 X.

A memory function allows you to put your own cooking algorithms into the appliance, such as the Bosch HBC 86K753, Kuppersbusch EMWK 9800.0 M and Nef C67M70N0 remember up to 6 recipes, in addition, the function is available in AEG KB 9810 EM, Asko OC8430, Siemens HB 86Q560, Miele H 5080 BM TI.

The similarity of these devices with microwave gives a disadvantage: to cook in modes involving microwaves, you have to rotate tables, which is not suitable for all dishes for example, a pie will turn out much smaller in size than in the oven on a conventional tray .

Over time, there have been more affordable models among devices of this type. For example, you can buy a Samsung FQ159STR for $525 16,200 Dollars . , while the least expensive cabinet, the Siemens HB 86Q560 described in our magazine in 2004, cost $722. I must say now it costs almost the same – $725 22,500 roubles . , compare to the then Miele H 4060 BM for $3300 or the modern Miele H 5080 BM AL for $4300.

And we are going to fry and steam

The built-in family is experiencing a surge of interest in cooking with steam. Built-in steam cookers were introduced in 1998 by Miele. After that, appliances of this type have been manufactured mainly in the premium segment, and only about 5-6 years ago they appeared in the medium-sized segment.

Over time, steam cookers have become significantly more: if at the turn of the century there were at most 10 models, but now their number exceeds 70. It should be noted that the established rules of “steam cooking” have changed little in the meantime.

The appliances, as before, are divided into two groups. Solo – cooking only with steam and combined, where steaming is combined with heating with one or more heating elements.

Some of the most interesting among solo appliances were the Imperial a brand that now no longer exists pressure cookers, they had a specific door that shut like a submarine.

These steamers were very expensive the price was about $3,5-4 thousand . . Now the similar models are produced under Miele brand, for example, Miele DG 4164 device costs almost 200 thsd. Dollars. That’s about $6,500. .

Solo steamers are available at AEG, De Dietrich, Siemens, Bosch, Gaggenau, Kuppersbusch, Gorenje, Smeg, Hotpoint-Ariston. By the way, the steamer Hotpoint-Ariston is the most affordable 25 thousand. Dollars .

Combi steamers allow you to use steam during normal cooking, thus helping to preserve the juiciness of the dish. They offer 4-5 to 11-14 modes of operation.

And all the special functions with steam that were used in older models 10 years ago are still relevant today: interval cooking, low temperature steam use, defrosting and reheating with steam.

Examples of models: Smeg SCV38X, Nef B46W74N0, AEG B 9820 4 A, Zigmund & Shtain EN 49.921 S, Gorenje BO 8756 BX, Asko OS8440, Zanussi ZCB 990 XQ, Hankel OKE 4128, Kuppersbusch EEBD 6600.0 E, Miele H 5081 BP TI, Gaggenau BS 271-110, Baumatic P470SS.

Steamers are traditionally very smart devices, often equipped with automation and have a large set of recipes for various dishes in their memory.

Of the innovations of recent years, the steam cooker fashion is one of the most successful, as consumers have really begun to vote with their wallets, demonstrating their acceptance of an unusual for many, but useful way of cooking.

One of the reasons for this is that the price of middle range cookers has decreased. For comparison: the old Electrolux EOB 998 model cost $1600, and the current Electrolux EOB 98000 X model will already cost $1130 35 thsd. Dollars. , but at the same time steamer Miele DG 163 about 10 years ago cost $ 1960, and a modern model Miele DG 4060 – $ 2260 70 thousand. Dollars. .

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