Most people cannot live without a microwave. They use it for porridge, leftovers and even small dishes. Whether you want to upgrade your current microwave or you are about to get your first unit, chances are a bit of homework will make the difference. Apart from the design of microwave to match the kitchen décor and small settings, most people are concern about the power wattage. Electrical power wattage definitely plays an important role to ensure that it is durable for a long period of time. Now, is a 900 watt microwave powerful enough?
The actual power will tell you a lot about the microwave. It will tell you whether or not it can defrost stuff. It will also tell you how quickly you can cook or reheat something. Cheap units may need a couple of minutes, while a proper microwave could get the job done in half a minute. Whether you are after a 700, 1300 or 900 watt microwave sale, understanding the different levels of power and their efficiency will help you make a more informed decision.
So, Is A 900 Watt Microwave Powerful Enough?
Wattage and power explained
As a general rule of thumb, just like for any other thing in your kitchen, the more power it has, the more efficient it will be. Wattage refers to power. You can definitely get the job done with a low wattage microwave, but a more powerful unit will get things done way faster. Some of the inexpensive microwaves will come with about 700 watts of power. The high end models will bring in up to 1300 watts of power or even more.
A higher wattage looks like an advantage, but it is not always what you want. Sure, it is faster and more efficient, but then, there are also a few drawbacks associated with it. The first disadvantage to notice will be the price tag. More power means more money. In order to justify a high price, some brands will also bring in a few extra bells and whistles – nice to have, but not necessarily the most useful things in the world, as you will not really need them.
On the other hand, too much wattage will reflect over your energy bills too. You may not notice the difference right away. You will see it after a few months, as you get to use the microwave quite often. It is efficient, indeed, but efficiency comes with a price. Your energy bills will not skyrocket, but they will definitely increase in price – of course, it depends on how often you use the microwave.
This is a vicious circle. High wattage is helpful when you use it a lot throughout the day. But if your bills go too high, you will want to keep the consumption under control. At this point, the high wattage becomes useless, as you could also do with a cheap basic unit. Simply put, these aspects involve a bit of financial homework – do you really need lots of wattage? What do you use the microwave for?
Is A 900 Watt Microwave Powerful Enough?
A 900 watt microwave is somewhere in the middle. It will cook food quite fast, but also efficiently. This is a great option for the average user. A microwave with 700 watts of power – or even less than that – may not cook your food evenly. It is alright if you want to warm some pizza leftovers from last night, but you can only use it for basic things.
You can expect a basic microwave to boil a cup of water within two or three minutes. A 900 watt microwave will get it done in less than that. This is the middle choice – the optimal solution for most people’s necessities. You get plenty of power to defrost stuff and you do not have to worry about cooking things unevenly.
On the other hand, a high end 1300 watt microwave will reduce the boiling time to about a minute. If you need it for a restaurant, it may pay off, as you will use it quite often and you need speed.
When it comes to your household, a minute will not necessarily make the difference. On the same note, a difference of 100 watts is irrelevant, as you will never be able to tell the difference anyway.
What To Do With A 900 Watt Microwave
The best wattage for microwave depends on nothing but your personal needs. If you only use the microwave once a week to reheat leftovers, 500 watts are enough. A wattage up to 700 watts can also cook frozen meals, steam or fry foods and cook small dishes.
A 900 watt microwave allows you to cook chicken, boil some rice, cook a desert and make popcorn all the time. Most recipes you can find online are designed for microwaves in this range, as this is one of the most common options in most households.
Simply put, apart from what you cook and how often you use the microwave, you should also consider the size of your family. No matter what you get, it is worth noting that even if you require a bit of extra time, you can always add another minute or 30 seconds. Some microwaves come with a button for such quick options. Such a small amount of time will not really make the difference in your convenience and comfort.
Final words
So, is a 900 watt microwave powerful enough? The bottom line, the ideal wattage for your microwave depends on a few different factors, such as the size of your family, how and what you cook and how often you need the microwave.
Think about your necessities and remember that bigger means more powerful, but not always better. After all, if you only reheat leftovers and pop some popcorn every now and then, you will waste money with a big microwave.
Most households do with a microwave in the 900 watt range, so unless you have some specific needs, this wattage is more than enough for most operations in your kitchen.
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