Microwave ovens have become quite versatile over time. Some come with mouthwatering features in addition to their microwaving features. There is the convection microwaves, grill microwave oven, and various other types. So the question is what is grill microwave? And what makes it different from an average microwave ovens?
A grill microwave is a microwave that performs the functions of a grill thanks to the heating element installed in addition to its microwave functions. It can be used to grill vegetables or meat.
Grill microwaves are not very different from conventional microwave ovens except for its grilling feature. This feature comes with a control button usually on the microwave
In this article, we will discuss further about what this feature means, how to use it and what it can be used to prepare
What Are Grill Microwave Ovens?
A grill microwave does the work of a regular grill.
Your grill microwave ovens will cook your food inside thoroughly and make the exterior brown.
It produces the exact same effect as the broiler on a regular grill
How Does the Grill Function Work?
The grill mode is the function in microwave ovens that grills food. It gives the food a crispy look and ensures that the interior is properly cooked.
Fortunately, most grill microwaves come with the grill rack or tray. This gives the oven enough space to grill meat and other foods you want to grill.
The grill draws heat from the oven heating element. The grill tray is designed and placed closer to the heating element so that the heat will be able to reach the tray easier. The proximity causes the dishes to get brown and crispy.
The heating elements of a microwave grill is quite similar to a convection oven which is how it is able to easily perform the functions of a grill.
Differences Between Grill Microwave Ovens and Convection Ovens
Convection microwave ovens are quite common, some even more common than grill microwaves.
The major difference between the convection ovens and the microwave grill is its cooking methods.
Convection microwave ovens come with a fan. This fan works with the other functions in the convection microwaves to release hot air around the meal. The air is what cooks your meals to perfection.
Microwave grill on the other hand performs normal functions of a kitchen or outdoor grill. In convection ovens, you can try other cooking methods like baking, toasting and broiling. Especially if the oven comes with these functions.
Also Read: What is the difference between convection and inverter microwave oven?
Advantages of Grill Microwave
There are several benefits of to a grilling oven other than the fact that it opens up a new horizon for cooking.
Reduced Time
Since a microwave grill performs the functions of both a grill and a microwave, you can easily pick piece of chicken or beef directly from the freezer thaw in the microwave and then turn on the grill function to grill your chicken or beef.
Ease
You can put your oven microwave safe bowl in the microwave to grill your food. On the other hand, if you want to prepare a meal using a normal grill, you will usually have to put the food directly on the grill. Grill microwaves also have additional functionalities such as luxury glass doors, sensor heating and inverter technology.
Nutrient Conservation
A microwave grill is also a speedy way to prepare vegetables. You can easily grill your vegetables without pouring any oil. This helps to conserves the nutrients in the vegetables
Versatile Cooking Options
Traditional microwave ovens cook from the inside out and it largely targets the water content inside the meal.
Unfortunately, microwaving for too long rids food of its water content and can dehydrate it.
On top of that, reheating certain cold foods that are fried and baked on a traditional oven does retain the same texture and taste as the original.
Since a microwave grill oven acts as a regular broiler oven, you can heat the food from the outside-in. Thus you can crisp your food which is not possible on regular microwave ovens.
Combination Cooking
Some premium microwave grill ovens are literally multi cookers.
These microwave ovens tend to feature combination cooking whereby you can choose two different heating methods to automatically cook different kinds of foods ranging from pasta to vegetables and meat.
Some microwave grill ovens also come with a convection blower giving you three heating modes i.e grill, hot air and microwave radiation.
Can I Cook Pizza or Bake in My Grill Microwave Ovens?
Unfortunately a microwave grill cannot cook a pizza since pizza requires baking.
In the same vein, most pastries cannot be prepared using a microwave grill because they usually use a different cooking method.
In short, grilling microwave ovens can be seen a broiler oven with a heating element on the top. to bake, you need the heating element to be on the bottom.
However, if you are talking about reheating a leftover or a frozen pizza, then sure, you would be able to retain the original taste of the pizza or baked goods.
Also Read: Best Microwave Oven for Home Use
Features of Grill Microwave Ovens
Heating element
The grilling function is built like a regular oven or grill and has similar heating elements. The microwave grill usually has a metal tray that is used during grilling. This tray is designed to bring the food very close to the ovens heating elements so you can get the best out of your microwave grill.
Turntable size
Most microwave grill oven sizes range from 13 to 42 liters. Their turntable size on the other hand might not be what you’d like.
Smaller sizes of microwave like solo microwave usually have turntable diameters that are way too small to hold a dinner plate.
If you intend to get a microwave grill oven, chances are that you will use it to grill often, try to get one with a turntable diameter of at least 12 inches.
This turntable size will easily hold your roast or a medium sized standard pizza.
Also Read: Sizes of Microwave Ovens
Oven Wattage
The wattage of most microwave grill is around 800 to 1500 watts output.
It usually uses a little more power than the average microwave ovens and this will likely reflect in the price. Most oven costs are determined by the wattage of the oven.
Also Read: How many watts in a microwave oven?
Oven Grill Rack
A microwave grill usually comes with a grilling tray. You can easily get your meat or whatever you want to cook or to prepare closer to the heating elements using the grilling tray.
It looks like a normal oven tray and is used in the grilling section of the microwave.
Similar features
Most grill microwaves come with features similar to microwave ovens. They have controls and buttons to regulate the amount of heat that comes into the oven.
Aside from the other features that are present in both normal microwave ovens and grill microwave ovens. It also has other features like the oven tray and the grilling function present.
Price
Grill microwave ovens typically cost more expensive compared to normal or basic microwave ovens. This is majorly because it has 2 functions in 1. You can buy a grill microwave ovens for about $300 or more
What Can You Use Your Grill Microwave For?
You can use your grill microwave to prepare meats, chicken, beef, lamb, vegetables, burger, etc.
The grill is built in such a way that the meats are easily softened and will cook within the time stipulated by most recipes.
Use an oven thermometer to check the meats temperature to make sure it is properly cooked.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed what is grill microwave. A grill microwave is an asset because it performs double functions. The grill microwave can perform all the functions of your kitchen or outdoor grill.
When your regular oven or grill is faulty, a grill microwave will come in handy especially if you can afford one. Also, the fact that it is just a single oven makes it easy to cut costs and oven space.
The advantages of this microwave type cannot be overemphasized. Aside from its high costs, it is one kitchen appliance that can save you in a grilling emergency.
FAQs:
1. What is grill function in microwave?
A grilled microwave cuts down the time it takes for meats and breads to be prepared. Thanks to its Microwave Grill feature, with this technology, you can sauté and simultaneously cook meats without drastically losing taste or disassociating them, crust and breaded external layer structure.
2. Are grills in microwaves any good?
The Microwave grills are a fantastic invention.
The microwave grills appliances offer many new meal options for quick, simple, tasty - even nutritious! They save time, usually look fantastic, and, above all, they save on contaminated food.
3. What can you cook with a microwave grill?
You can cook food such as tacos, pizzas, and noodles that can taste and look much better when grilled with a barbecue. Some grills also have an oven feature that doesn't use the microwave!
4. Can you make toast in a microwave grill?
You can't toast in one because of how microwaves appliances operate. To make toast, you have to dry radiant heat; the water molecules are moving around and vibrating in the oven, but that does not mean that they escape and make the bread dry and have a rubbery feel.
5. Which is better Convection or Grill microwave?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preferences. Some people prefer convection microwaves because they cook food more evenly, while others prefer grilling microwaves because they create a crispy texture. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which type of microwave works best for them.