Disney Lilo and Stitch Soft Toy Stitch Mini Bean bag plush

Product Information

If not, they should have standout features, such as one-touch sensor cooking, which works out what's needed for you – all you need to do is put your food in and press the start button – or a built-in steamer.

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. These models are proven to be energy efficient and come from brands that stay fault-free for longer, so shouldn't need replacing very often. While manufacturers do generally state the internal capacity, this doesn't actually tell you what size dishes you'll be able to get inside.Half of those we’ve tested need at least 30cm above them, but we’ve found plenty that only need between 10cm and 20cm. Cooking certain foods at full power will dry them out or burn the outside before the middle is done. And you’ll use more energy doing so, too. All the microwaves we've tested have been given a heating category of E by the manufacturer, which means they're supposed to cook at between 741 and 800W, but this isn’t always the case. Some models at this price will come with other extras such as delayed start and multi-stage cooking (to automatically switch between heating modes such as defrosting and heating).

Our Eco Buy models are also excellent at the key tasks, scoring 65% and above, so you get the best of both worlds. Head to our guide to microwave brands to discover those that Which? members recommend. Are high-powered microwaves better than low-powered? 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. 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 You can wipe down greasy, smudged viewing windows with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, before rinsing and leaving to air-dry. Your best bet for getting the gunk out of the rubber door seals is a damp cloth dipped in a little bicarbonate of soda. Where to buy a microwaveMulti-step programming This allows you to program different cooking modes in sequence, to automatically switch between defrosting and cooking your dinner, for example. 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. or High Ideal for anything with a high water content and the best setting for steaming. It’s also good for reheating ready-made meals, soups, canned foods, cold coffee and tea, mince or tender meat, poultry, fish, cooked pasta, and most vegetables. 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. Keeping your microwave clean will help to reduce energy costs too because bits of food, grime, and spills will add a couple more seconds to the cooking time of your food.

Despite their relatively straightforward purpose, microwaves can vary considerably in terms of the accessories and features they offer. Because of these strict criteria, less than 10% of the microwaves we've tested get an Eco Buy recommendation. Large door Wide-opening or dropdown doors make it much easier to get heavy or hot dishes in and out of the microwave, especially if you have reduced strength or dexterity. This makes them very easy to use, but you won’t usually get much in the way of auto cook or defrost programs (see features to look out for, below). If this seems like too much effort, look for a microwave with auto programs that'll set the time and power level for you. Switch it off at the wallMicrowaves are a good way to cut your energy costs as they use significantly less energy than other cooking appliances. Arguably more important than external size is internal capacity – we've found microwaves of the same size can vary massively in terms of usable space.

Auto reheat Enter the weight of the food and the microwave automatically calculates how long it should take to reheat. Better microwaves let you select what it is you're cooking, rather than giving one cooking time for every type of food. 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.Look for a microwave with a selection of auto programs (to automatically set the weight and time for specific foods), digital displays and easy-to-use push-button or touch panel controls. 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. or Medium Good for warming dense foods, meals requiring a slower cooking time or that can’t be stirred. You can also use this setting for slow-cooking drier or bigger joints of meats such as ham or pork and whole poultry.