Inverter Microwaves, Convection Microwaves, Glass Benchtop Convection Ovens (Air Fryers)

GregMonarch on 17/11/2017 - 07:41

Some help please:

  • A standard microwave produces 100% power, but cycles the magnetron on and off during defrost. It also provides no browning ability, which is needed for say cakes and roast meat.

  • An inverter microwave produces a constant reduced power for defrosting, with no pulsing on and off.

Q1: An inverter microwave has no browning ability, correct?

Q2: Is any microwave energy produced by the magnetron during convection cooking of roasts/cakes? Or does a convection microwave work exactly the same as one of those convection glass oven/air fryers, in that a fan just blows hot air over a heating element?

Q3: Do all convection microwaves have a rotating platter? Or are some just a four-walled box where the food stays in one position?

Q4: Can you cook/is it better to cook, cakes and/or cupcakes in silicon baking trays in a convection microwave, or in a glass hot air oven?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • abb on 17/11/2017 - 09:02
    +1

    1. The inverter just allows the microwave to operate at different power levels, nothing to do with browning. You are correct.

    2. You can choose - microwave and/or convection in any combination (I have one with "grill" too, any combination of the three modes)

    3. "All" is a dangerous word to use. I'm sure at least one exists without it, but in general a home use microwave will have a rotating thing, although I think mine says not to use the glass plate in grill/convection modes.

    4. Don't know

  • tunzafun001 on 17/11/2017 - 09:39

    Q3: Do all convection microwaves have a rotating platter? Or are some just a four-walled box where the food stays in one position?

    A -Gf has a microwave that has no rotating platter. It is an inverter style. Only 550w …takes longer to cook. I can't tell any difference regarding cooking quality, just takes longer.

  • scrimshaw on 17/11/2017 - 12:14

    For anything requiring browning, I suggest a toaster oven (or just using your built in oven).

    I never use my built in oven, but I use my benchtop oven quite a lot. It's just a cheap $120 dollar sunbeam (model name: BT5350 ) from Good Guys.

  • GregMonarch on 18/11/2017 - 20:21

    Thanks. I guess the reason I'm asking is because convection microwaves cost more, but you can cook a roast chicken with vegetables, cakes, etc. in one. However roasting meat in one makes a mess and I really hate cleaning them. Also, I've never been able to get pork to crackle properly in in a convection microwave.

    My convection microwave needs repair or replacement. So I wondered if I could just get a cheap standard microwave just to defrost and reheat, then use a benchtop glass hot air type for the roasts/cakes. Because it's glass, I'm guessing it's easier to clean. But I don't know what the result would be (if cakes would burn on top), or if you're even able to get cakes/cupcakes out when done, etc.

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