WHAT IS A GOOD WATTAGE FOR A MICROWAVE?
A microwave with higher wattage can cook food quicker and usually has more settings and features. Wattage is simply the power of a microwave, so if you cook a lot of frozen foods or food from scratch, you may want to look for a microwave with more power–a higher wattage.
Understanding how a microwave works can help you choose the right wattage for your kitchen. Read on to learn more about what wattage is best for a microwave.
HOW DO I FIND THE WATTAGE OF A MICROWAVE?
Check your microwave’s user manual to determine its wattage of your microwave. You may also find a serial number plate on the door or inside your microwave with the information. Learn more about the different parts of a microwave and how they function.
MICROWAVE WATTAGE GUIDE
Microwave wattages can typically range from 600 to 1,700 and above. Which one is best for you? In general, most recipes call for 1,000 watts, although microwave power levels, settings and features may vary by model. The following can help you determine which microwave can work for your cooking habits.
MICROWAVE WATTAGES BETWEEN 600-800
Microwaves between 600-800 watts use less power as they are on the lower end of the wattage range. They work well for more simple cooking tasks such as heating instant meals, small dishes and reheating drinks. Your cooking time may be longer compared to higher-wattage microwaves.
MICROWAVE WATTAGES BETWEEN 800-1,000
The microwaves that range between 800-1,000 may offer more versatility in cooking, reheating and defrosting your favorite foods. Select models come with additional features such as the 950-watt Maytag® Microwave with Dual Crisp that crisps up everything from soggy pizza slices to frozen fries.
SHOP MAYTAG® 800-1,000 WATT MICROWAVES
MICROWAVE WATTAGES BETWEEN 1,000-1,700+
As microwave wattage increases, so does the capability to cook bigger and more complex meals. The Maytag® Microwave with Convection Cooking uses 1,600 watts to heat food and seal in juices and flavor. Maytag® microwaves with the Brown function add a crunchy layer with 1,200 watts of top-down heat.
SHOP MAYTAG® 1000-1,700 WATT MICROWAVES
IS A 700 WATT MICROWAVE GOOD?
Microwaves with 700 watts have less power than their higher wattage counterparts, so they are slower depending on your meal. Most microwave recipes require 1,000 watts of power for best results, so you may want to choose a microwave model with a higher wattage when shopping.
WHAT IS THE HIGHEST WATT MICROWAVE?
Microwave wattage can go up in power to 1,700 and above. The higher the wattage, the more capacity to cook bigger meals for commercial use such as in restaurants. A microwave with 1,000 watts can be a good place to start for the home cook.
WHAT WATTAGE MICROWAVE SHOULD I GET?
As a general guideline, consider choosing a microwave with around 1,000 watts as this is a standard power for most recipes. It’s important to be selective about your microwave’s functions and choose a model with wattage, shortcuts and functionality suited to how you use a microwave.
For more ideas, you can explore different types of microwaves to find the best fit for your kitchen.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® MICROWAVES
Whether you’re looking forward to leftovers or keeping food warm until dinner is ready, Maytag® microwaves are dependable, powerful and ready to help you master any meal. With features like the Keep Warm function and Sensor Cooking on select models, Maytag brand countertop and over-the-range microwaves have options for you.
