A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that heats food by what is known as dielectric heating. Technically speaking, this is done by using microwave radiation to heat the polarized molecules within food. Because the waves “excite” the molecules in a uniform manner food is evenly heated than in other traditional cooking techniques.

Standard microwave ovens heat food very quickly but cannot bake or brown food like conventional ovens. This is why many people do not use microwaves for anything but basic heating of leftovers or making popcorn but I cook almost every meal I eat in my microwave and if done properly always end up with great tasting food.

Newer models of microwave ovens combine the convection element of traditional ovens to help brown meats or bake food and while these do make for a better looking result these ovens are priced higher than a basic microwave.

I prefer the look of stainless appliances and am currently looking at a Panasonic stainless steel microwave to replace my current Amana. If you want to read my review of the Panasonic oven click on the link a few sentences back.