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Sometimes called 'solo' microwaves, these are the most basic. They're great for simple tasks such as warming soup, heating ready meals or defrosting food.
Combis usually have a much bigger capacity than standard machines. The average combi can fit a 35cm-wide dish inside, compared with 29cm for a typical solo model. Clearance space Head to our guide to microwave brands to discover those that Which? members recommend. Are high-powered microwaves better than low-powered? Our Eco Buy models are also excellent at the key tasks, scoring 65% and above, so you get the best of both worlds. A microwave's power is measured in watts - and generally, the higher the wattage, the faster your food cooks. If your turntable is on the grimy side, simply remove it and wash with warm soapy water – or pop it in the dishwasher if your model permits.
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or Low The best choice for defrosting large items such as whole poultry and fish, and dense meat. Also good for softening butter or melting chocolate. Touch-panel controls These take far less effort to press than push-button controls. If you do go for button controls, they should be large, easy to press and not too close together. Because of these strict criteria, less than 10% of the microwaves we've tested get an Eco Buy recommendation.
Clear labelling Controls should be clearly labelled with a large font size. Digital displays should be brightly lit and easy to read. If you're visually impaired, consider one that beeps when you make a selection. You may need to cook your food for longer than recommended to make sure it’s piping hot all the way through. Are microwaves energy efficient?Auto cook programs Enter the type and weight of food, and the microwave will automatically set the time and power needed to cook it. Premium models can offer up to 30 programs, including specialised ones for popcorn or roasts. Auto defrost Most microwaves offer an auto-defrost setting that uses bursts of low heat to defrost based on the weight of the food. Some come with settings for specific foods.