The first microwave ovens were sold around the 1940s. One of the essential and versatile kitchen appliances, microwave ovens are not only used to cook food but also to reheat and defrost food quickly. The quick cooking and their compact sizes have made them a useful and smart addition to every kitchen.

The very first microwave ovens were countertop ovens. Slowly, newer models and types of microwave ovens started making their entry into the market. With different features, sizes, prices, and installations, these ovens are now available in a variety of options. Buying a microwave oven should be preceded by a careful consideration of a lot of factors, such as space in the kitchen, location in the kitchen, the number of people you will be cooking for with the oven, the power, size of the oven, volume of the oven, and so on. To help you navigate through all the confusion, here are a few tips that can be used while buying a microwave oven:

• Space and size: First, check and measure how much space is available to spare in the kitchen. Also, determine how you are planning to use your oven. A big oven can cook casseroles and lasagnas. If a microwave oven is required to cook for a large number of people, a large oven would be useful. If there is a restriction of space in the kitchen counter, a smaller microwave oven would be suitable. If you just want to heat coffee or soups, you can get a small portable microwave oven with a volume of .5 cubic feet.
• Location: You need to see where in the kitchen you want to place your microwave oven. Microwave ovens are categorized into three main types: countertop, over-the-range, and built-in. A countertop model, as the name suggests, is placed on the countertop and are best for smaller kitchens. Over-the range microwave ovens are installed above the kitchen range saving countertop space. Built-in microwave models are suitable for customized kitchens and cabinets.
• Power or wattage: Microwave ovens that do the cooking faster and more evenly have higher wattage. A majority of the microwave ovens have a power range between 600 and 1200 Watts. If a microwave oven has a larger size and higher cost, the wattage value will also increase. This also affects the performance of the oven. Before buying a microwave oven, you will need to consider whether you want an oven with high power to do the maximum cooking or a low-power microwave oven that will satisfy all your cooking requirements.
• Required features: Some basic features should be incorporated in all microwave ovens. Features such as automatic defrost and pre-programmed settings to warm up meals are preferred by most people. These settings make it easier to use the oven. Many ovens now have a feature that uses sensors to detect the time left until cooking is done based on the amount of steam released from the food. Also, look for an oven that is user-friendly: buttons and icons in larger sizes make the usage and operation of the oven simpler. Quick keys increase the convenience factor of an oven. Check whether the door is comfortable enough to open and close multiple times.
• Other essential features: Check the turntables/trays of the oven. Also, check whether there are racks that you require in your oven. Although many ovens have multiple features of grilling, convection, and browning; however, if you want an oven specifically for grilling, you can consider buying a griller rather than a microwave oven. However, if you are not very particular about the quality of grilling or browning, a microwave oven would work just fine.

Right from making popcorns to reheating food, microwave ovens are an essential part of every kitchen. One of the quickest ways to make food, microwave ovens can be used to whip up steamed vegetables, roasted meat, casseroles, lasagna, and cakes in no time. Depending on your requirements of size, space available in your kitchen, and the location where you plan to place your microwave oven, pick a brand that best suits your budget and needs. If you have been thinking about buying a microwave oven for your kitchen, here are some popular brands that are available in the market. Microwave ovens are categorized into three types: countertop, built-in, and over-the-top. So, the following list has two brands of each type.

• Cuisinart CMW-100 Countertop Microwave Oven: This countertop oven from Cuisinart has a capacity of 1.0 cubic foot. It is a 1,000-watt microwave oven. This oven has eight preset and options and different serving sizes for food types that you may want to heat frequently. The other features included are two defrost functions, ten customizable power levels, a timer, and custom cooking times.
• Panasonic NN-SD681S Countertop/Built-in Microwave: This microwave oven has inverter technology. Its capacity is 1.2 cubic foot, and it has the power of 1,200 Watts. The inverter technology employs a stream of even power so that food is cooked well at consistent temperatures. This technique penetrates and cooks the food evenly. This oven can be used to poach and simmering liquids. The features of this oven include turbo defrost and keep-warm setting.
• Maytag Built-In Microwave: This microwave oven has a capacity of 1.9 cubic feet. This built-in microwave oven uses convection cooking technology. This retains the flavor and keeps the food moist. The oven is perfect for crisping, browning, and baking. Its other features include adjustable power and time setting that can be changed according to the quantity of food and ingredients used. Additional cooking space is provided with an interior cooking rack.
• Bosch – 500 Series Built-In Microwave: This built-in microwave oven from Bosch has an internal volume of 1.6 cubic feet. Its size is around 30 inches. Its cooking power is 950 Watts. Meals can be cooked quickly and quite conveniently with this microwave oven. Its features include automatic sensor programs that automatically estimates the amount of time required to cook food. This avoids guesswork.
• GE JVM3160DFWW Over-the-Range Microwave Oven: This over-the-range microwave oven has an internal capacity of 1.6 cubic foot. Its cooking power is 1,000 Watts. The GE JVM3160DFWW Over-the-Range Microwave Oven is one of the best-selling and easy-to-use ovens available in the market. With its no-frills features, this oven incorporates all the basic functions of any microwave oven. Its features include auto-heat settings, pre-programmed defrost settings, and two ventilation settings to expel smoke. It is an average sized oven that is quite suitable for everyday cooking.
• Kenmore Elite 80373 Over-the-Range Convection Microwave: This oven has 1.8 cubic foot internal capacity and has the cooking power of 1,000 Watts. This belongs to the category of top-of-the-line microwave ovens. This oven uses convection technology to cook food. It can be used to braise meat and vegetables and also to bake bread. It can also be used to reheat leftovers or to defrost food. The oven has a multistage function that can cook frozen food at two different temperatures.
• Samsung MG11H2020CT Countertop Microwave Oven: This is another popular brand of countertop microwave ovens. It has an internal capacity of 1.1 cubic foot and has the cooking power of 1,000 Watts. This oven belongs to the affordable range and can be used to reheat food solely. It can also be used to grill food. It has a ceramic enamel interior that is quite easy to clean.

Along with refrigerators, microwave ovens have become one of the must-have appliances for the kitchen. Apart from cooking and baking, microwave ovens are quite useful when you have to reheat food quickly. Their compact size and quick cooking have made microwave ovens an indispensable part of every kitchen. Depending on what you plan to cook using your microwave oven, your food habits, and the size requirements, you will have to buy a microwave oven that suits your needs. Here are two basic types of microwave ovens based on the heating method:

• Conventional microwave oven: These ovens heat and cook the food by emitting microwaves that pass through the plastic and glass containers. These ovens use the basic microwave technology. These have just one cooking mode and are often available in the affordable range.
• Convection microwave oven: These ovens have a heating element and a fan that circulate the heated air in the oven. These ovens heat and cook food more evenly compared to conventional microwave ovens. These are also known as speed-cooking microwave ovens.

Microwave ovens also differ based on their size, style, and the mode of storage. Here are a few common types of microwave ovens that you might want to have a look at before buying one for your kitchen:

• Countertop microwave ovens: These are the most popular type of microwave ovens preferred by consumers. These have the smallest size and are compact and quite portable. They are the simplest and easiest to install and use. Just place it on the countertop, plug it, and use it. An average countertop microwave oven can be 18 inches wide by 12 inches tall and 14 inches deep. Their power range is between 500 and 1000 Watts, and they have a capacity of 1 cubic foot. These ovens are used for small incidental cooking tasks such as thawing frozen foods, reheating foods, and making popcorn. The price range depends on the size. Midsized countertop microwave ovens have a price range of $70 to $500, and a large size can be from $105 to $650.
• Above-range microwave ovens: These are also known as over-the-range microwave ovens. These ovens can be installed above your kitchen range. These have built-in systems and exhaust fans to filter the smoke and vent steam. A majority of the above-range microwave ovens have multi-speed fans that recirculate the air. Some models have exhaust fans that start on their own if the stove top becomes overheated. This protects the microwave oven from overheating. The price of these microwave ovens can range from $170 to $1300, depending on the features you need in the oven. These are wider than countertop ovens with average dimensions of 16x30x15. The volume can be from 1 cubic foot to more than 2 cubic feet. These ovens consume power ranging from 600-1,200 Watts.
• Microwave oven drawers: These are one of the latest types of microwave ovens in the market. These are like drawers and do not consume kitchen counter space like countertop microwave ovens. The installation is a bit difficult, and you may have to call in an expert to install your microwave oven drawer. These are often high-end microwave ovens with a higher price range. Also known as built-in models, their price can range from $500 to $5000 and even higher. The average dimensions can be around 15x30x26 and can change depending on the type. The internal capacity or volume of these microwave oven drawers is from about 1 cubic foot to about 2 cubic feet or more. The power required is about 600 to 1200 Watts.

Before buying a microwave oven, check the available space in your kitchen, the capacity of the oven you require, and the budget.

A refrigerator has become a bare necessity, just like most of the other appliances we are surrounded by. A refrigerator is essential in today’s times as most of our food is packed in tins or bags and needs to be stored at a low temperature to maintain its freshness. Some people are used to eating food that has been stored overnight for breakfast, with all that is needed to be done is heating it in the microwave. Upgrading your fridge with your requirements is important as you need different sections to store different types of food. Let us look at some tips on choosing the right refrigerator:

• Size – When buying a new fridge or upgrading to a better one, you need to keep the dimensions of the space for the refrigerator in mind. Look for a fridge that is of the ideal size, so that you can maintain the aesthetics of your kitchen.
• Style – The main aspect that changes the look of your refrigerator is the freezer. You can choose from the bottom freezer and top freezer according to your preferences. The bottom freezer is a part of the newer design for refrigerators and if you are looking for an upgrade, you must definitely consider the bottom freezer instead of the top freezer.
• Budget – Set a budget for your refrigerator before you go to the stores. It is highly likely that you might get attracted to a fancier fridge and splurge more than you need to, if you do not have a set budget. With the newer design of a bottom freezer, the prices have also gone up for them. If you are looking to buy a fridge with a bottom freezer, you must be ready to spend about $700; add French doors to that, and you would be looking at spending almost $1200. The one with top freezers and good on features as well as specifications can be available to you at about $500.
• Performance – This is a feature that you might have to take a bet on. You will not be able to determine the performance ability of a refrigerator in a store. A high performance refrigerator will be able to maintain the low temperature inside, even if the temperature outside is high. Another defining feature is the maintenance of different levels of temperature in different sections of the fridge.
• Capacity – The capacity of a fridge mentioned in the dimensions of the product on the website, product brochure, or on the box would be about the complete fridge. But what you need to know is the usable space. The fridge must have a capacity to hold all the different varieties of things you have, and if there are different compartments, then it works best for you. You must know your requirement of capacity before you go to the store.
• Noise: If your refrigerator makes a loud noise, then it does not belong in your kitchen. Do not buy a fridge that is loud. When it comes to the noise, you can look for a better option. Usually cheap refrigerators are mainly the ones that make noise. And while you’re at it, you must also check for the lights inside the fridge for electric efficiency.
• Ice and water: An ice and water dispenser is important for your refrigerator as they can be handy and take away the hassle of opening the refrigerator multiple times only for water and ice. Refrigerators with ice and water dispensers are more likely to be repaired as compared to the regular ones.

These tips should come in handy the next time you are looking to buy a refrigerator and help you in making an informed decision.

The refrigerator was first introduced to the world as a luxury, which was owned only by the elite. It has slowly become popular and the importance has increased as well. We have come a long way, and the refrigerator has now become a necessity for our households. You cannot imagine a day without a refrigerator; where will you store your poultry items, beers, cold water, veggies and all your leftover food? Many food recipes in this age require you to cool down the preparation before you take the next step, this makes refrigerators seemingly important. There are different types of refrigerators in the market to suit the different requirements.

Here are some of the types of refrigerators:

• Single door refrigerator: This is the most basic form of refrigerators, and has been around for a long time now. The fridge has a single exterior door and in some cases an internal door for the freezer compartment. The single door is the only seal that keeps the ambience inside cooler as compared to the outer temperature. This type of refrigerator is ideal for small families, individuals, couples or bachelors. The freezer might have a door, but the vegetable box does not have a door and is usually at the bottom of the fridge.
• Top freezer: Out of all the refrigerators in the market, this is one of the most common ones. It is the most traditionally and the most chosen one among all the types. The top freezer is chosen as it is the most economical fridge in the market. It suffices all the basic needs of the household and starts at a low price of $400. One drawback is the need for the user to bend, every time they want to use the main refrigerator portion. The lower door is more likely to be opened, as compared to the top door. The height factor works in both ways as it becomes difficult for short people to reach the top freezer.
• Bottom freezer: It has similar features to the top freezer refrigerator, the placement of the freezer in this case is at the bottom and that’s where the appliance gets its name from. This refrigerator is one spot behind the top freezer in terms of popularity and price. It is slightly smaller as compared to the top freezer and is a great choice for a traditionally sized kitchens. The perks of this fridge include, a drawer-style freezer in some cases, no need to hunch or stretch to access the doors, the freezer compartment is larger than the top freezer refrigerator.
• Side-by-side: This type of fridge is get exceedingly popular with time with regards to the many benefits it brings with it. Apart from the usage benefits, it also has a modern look and feel making it a perfect match for modern kitchens. With this refrigerator, you can access the main compartment as well as the freezer section with equal ease. The doors to this fridge open like a closet, with the refrigerator side a little larger than the freezer section. It also has in door storage and sections inside the compartments that differ according to the different models.
• French door: This is an all in one refrigerator. It has a bundle of features and has a fancy feel to it. If you are looking for something expensive with all the features in a single appliance, then the French door fridge is the ideal choice for you. This is a combination of the bottom freezer and the side-by-side variants and is gaining popularity with its ease of access to all the sections. It works best for large kitchens, as you do not need to access one door for all your requirements; the multiple door feature also allows great cooling. And not just that, even with all the features, the refrigerator is highly energy efficient.

Refrigerators are uber important in our life, it would be easy to say that a kitchen is handicapped without a refrigerator. And if you have a refrigerator, it must be a good one as you do not go to buy one every day. While buying a refrigerator, you must stick to a renowned brand as it will have a better service and a longer life. You do not want to be in a situation where you have to change your fridge every 2-3 years. Let us look at some of the top refrigerator brands according to consumer reports:

Frigidaire: Frigidaire is one of the top refrigerator making brands and dominates the top-freezer category. It has around seven models that have made it to the top of the consumer reports and are power-packed with features. The top model from this company is the Frigidaire Gallery FGHT2132PF, it costs $932 and has a stainless-steel body which complements its amazing configuration. The Frigidaire FKCH17F7HW, is also popular as it is a unique stand-alone freezer that also has the ability to convert into a freezer, this model is priced at $770.

General Electric: General electric has seen a major growth in positive reviews and sales for their products, since opening new factories in Louisville. The GE Profile PWE23KMDES French-door bottom-freezer is tied for the top-rated fridge from the customer reviews. It has reached the top with regards to its immaculate temperature performance. This refrigerator is priced at $2,600. Being the only refrigerator that dispenses hot water, the GE Café CFE29TSDSS is another model by General Electric to watch out for.

Kenmore: The refrigerators made by Kenmore are sold exclusively only at Sears. The refrigerators are made by various other manufacturers and that is what makes it a consistent performer across various categories. The Kenmore 7160 (3), is a French-door fridge that stands out because of its relatively low price and outstanding performance. It is priced at $1,600. If you are looking for a refrigerator that does the job and don’t want any fancy features, the Kenmore 78892 top-freezer is your best bet. This refrigerator is prices at $600.

LG: This brand has the most winners, according to customer review, in the French-door bottom-freezer category. The LG LFX32945ST, is the best model by the South Korean brand, and is tied as the top-rated fridge along with the GE Profile PWE23KMDES. This refrigerator is priced at $3,300. The LG LSC22991ST is another model that you can look out for, it is a side-by-side door refrigerator. It looks like a four-door fridge but it’s actually a two-door fridge with a door on the inside that opens with the press of a button. This model is highly rated and has made it to the top with regards to its high cabinet depth.

Samsung: With the most number of models in the list, Samsung is another South Korean based refrigerator manufacturer that is among the top brands. Its area of excellence is particularly in the four-door fridge category, with top four spots all taken up by the brand. The price range for the premium models is between $2,900 to $5,400. They’re at the top with the innovation in technologies that Samsung is known for, and the pure four-door configuration with built-in seltzer models. In the side-by-side category, the Samsung RH29H9000SR, being the first to feature a unique full-length door-in-door compartment has made it to the top. This feature allows you to access drinks, condiments, and other often-used items without having to open the main door to the compartment that stores the fresh food items. This fridge is priced at $2,350.

You can blindly choose from any of the models mentioned above if you are looking to buy a new refrigerator.

If you love cooking and enjoying great meals, it goes without saying that ovens are one of your pivotal kitchen appliance tools. Not only cooking delicious foods, ovens also keep up with the healthy factor making it the perfect to host one in your kitchen.

Planning to buy a new wall oven or upgrade to a new model? Then it goes without saying that you are confused by the smorgasbord of options available in the market. From varied ranges to a ton of model, choosing the one that fits your needs can be the most challenging task.

Wall ovens are expensive and are a huge investment and thus, it is worth thinking over before taking the final plunge. You will be using your oven on most days and will have to hang on to the same at least for a good while. Thus, you should take your time before adding this appliance to your kitchen.

So what are the factors that should drive your buying decision? The answer is several factors. Here are a few:

The kind of cooking you carry out: The kind of food you prepare is a big factor that should determine the type of wall oven you opt for. While some people love to take up top chef cooking challenges every day, you may be one who sticks to basic dishes. Evaluate and be realistic about the features that you actually need and will want in the near future to avoid spending on a model that packs more than you need. Remember, keep yourself away from added fancy features as they are going to be a waste.

The kitchen space: While you may desire to buy yourself a very large wall oven, you should consider the space in your kitchen. The kitchen area is will be fitting your wall oven and it is essential for you to understand the space that is available for you to another or replace your wall oven. Measure the room if you need to before going ahead with the purchase. You should stick with the appliance that will complement your kitchen space and does not make it look cramped.

Consider the power hookup: Wall ovens are available in two variants in terms of power options. They can be powered by gas or electricity. Thus, one of the driving factors when choosing your wall oven is to check if you have a gas line or an electric outlet. Gas wall ovens have fewer variants, while electric wall ovens come packed with more features and model types.

Appropriate design styles: Design is a factor that matters as it not only contributes to the functioning of the oven but also to the look of the kitchen. The most common design is the freestanding type that is designed to fit anywhere in the kitchen. You can also consider the slide-in design that is meant to fit in with the countertops seamlessly. However, these models are much more expensive than freestanding models. Do understand the requirement of your kitchen before considering the kind that you need.

Budget: This is the factor that will finally drive your ultimate purchase. The choices in the market can leave you blinded, and you may be mesmerized by the various options that you see. However, it is possible for you to find the right wall oven in your budget too. The price of wall ovens transcends anywhere between $600 to $10000, depending on the features, the built and the brand of the appliance. Keep the above points in my mind and then consider the amount you can shell out. Do not allow yourself to be pushed towards buying an expensive model that packs more than you require.