What are the Different Types of Microwave Oven?

The microwave oven, or call it the be-all end-all appliance for modern kitchens, was introduced to us in the 20th century. Since then, microwave ovens have gradually evolved into resourceful variants catering custom needs of commercial and domestic kitchens. Owing to their unprecedented functionality, you’ll find some type of microwave in almost all households across the country. 

The earliest form of microwave ovens were primarily used to cook simple meals and reheat leftovers. But with time, thoughtful modifications in their design enabled newer microwaves to grill, roast and bake alongside their primary usage. This variation in their versatility makes it all the more important for us to know all the available types of microwaves and their corresponding functions. 

Different types of Microwave Oven

Below, we discuss the most prevalent types of microwave ovens classified on the basis of their functionality. There are five types of Microwaves oven available in the market. They are:

  1. Solo Microwave Oven
    Ideal for basic cooking and reheating.
  2. Grill Microwave Oven
    Can be used to grill meat and veggies besides reheating
  3. Convection Microwave Oven
    Can be used for baking and grilling besides reheating.
  4. Over the Range Microwave Oven
    These are installed over the stovetop and double as a range hood
  5. Built-in Microwave Oven
    Meant to be installed in custom cabinetry cutouts. Needs no clearance 

1. Solo Microwave Oven

what is Solo microwave oven and its features

A standard microwave or a solo microwave is the most basic and elementary kind of microwave. These are usually manufactured to be placed over countertops. The magnetron produces high-frequency microwaves that excite water molecules in the food raising its temperature.  Most solo microwaves can also be used to defrost frozen food.

Solo microwave ovens are basically optimal for cooking simple meals or just reheating cooked food. Compared to other microwave ovens like grill or convection microwaves, solo microwaves are usually cheaper (as less as ₹5000) and so can be seen in many households.

Note that you cannot grill, bake, roast, steam or toast meals in a solo microwave.

2. Grill Microwave Oven

Grill Microwaves are a notch better than standard microwave ovens but a bit less versatile than their convection counterparts. These include a heating element at the top or bottom acting as a radiant heat source in addition to the magnetron that produces microwaves. 

The additional heating element enables grill microwaves to roast meat and vegetables as you could in a conventional oven. The only feature that limits a grill oven to be a good baking appliance is the absence of a fan to distribute the heat evenly. Owing to the additional functionality, grill microwaves are slightly costlier than standard microwave ovens. 

3. Convection Microwave Oven

what is Convection microwave oven

A Convection microwave is a fully evolved appliance that works as a standard microwave, a grill microwave and a convection oven (baking oven). Users prefer to buy a convection microwave model to avoid the expenses and hassle of owning these appliances separately. If you’re currently looking for one, here’s our hand-picked collection of the best convection microwave oven in India. These can be found in sizes of as less as 20 litres to as high as 40 litres. Small convection microwaves deliver more consistent results than their bigger counterparts, are cheaper and are ideal for average Indian families. We’ve reviewed some of the best microwaves selling under ₹10000 in India.

It has an integrated fan/ blower that forces the hot air effectively and evenly around the food and therefore eliminates temperature differences within the cavity. This even heat distribution enables it to bake cakes, bread, pizza and other baked goodies. You can heat, grill, brown and bake with a convection microwave. It has a defrost option too. 

To summarize, you can use a convection microwave to cook all that you’d use a standard microwave and a convection oven to cook otherwise. I’d advise viewers to opt for a model that has a heating element at the top and the convection fan in the rear of the cavity for optimal results.

4. Over the Range Microwave Oven

what is Combo wall microwave oven feature

An over-the-range, over-range or otr microwave is essentially meant to be installed over a gas or induction range. These may be standard microwaves or convection microwaves like the countertop configuration with some additional features.

Another set of features that set them apart is the vent fans and worktop lights. The vent fans in most models can be adjusted to vent smoke/odor outside the kitchen or to recirculate it within. Whereas the cooktop lights installed in the undersurface of the microwave account for adequate work surface illumination.

The factors that govern the price point of over-the-range microwaves include the nature and effectiveness of vent fans, inclusion of convection fans, cooktop light settings and other smart features. We’ve categorized some of the best-selling models in each price segment in our article; the 10 best Over-the-Range Microwaves of 2020.

Most over range microwaves come in standard 27″ or 30″ widths. Some people prefer to opt for an over the range microwave to clear some counter space while others to avoid installing a dedicated range hood. Also, users acclaim the functionality that an over-range configuration offers to their kitchens being installed at eye-level.

5. Built-in Microwave Oven

Best Wall Oven Reviews 2019

A built-in microwave is typically designed to be installed within the cabinetry giving a sophisticated and seamless look to the appliance wall of your kitchen. Being installed off the counter, these do clear a lot of counter space and add enhanced functionality to your kitchen. Built-in microwaves are often seen coupled with a traditional oven; better known as a wall oven microwave combo. Owing to a plethora of features to lookout for, it may become a tricky task to select one for your kitchen. If you’re having an appliance upgrade, you may use our guide and reviews of the best wall oven microwave combo sets in the market.

Built-in microwaves or Wall Oven, owing to the added convenience, are sold at higher prices than regular countertop or over-the-range models. Furthermore, installing a built-in microwave needs professional assistance adding to the initial investment. These also, may be found with standard microwave settings or convection settings like other configurations. 

6. Countertop Convection Oven

difference between grill and convection microwave oven

Convection ovens do not essentially work on the principle of microwaves or any other EM wave for that matter. I’ve only included these in my list to differentiate them from the convection microwaves which these are often confused with.

Inspired by the countertop configuration of microwaves, countertop convection ovens came into being for improved baking, grilling and roasting functions. As mentioned, these do not have a microwave source (magnetron) in their body; rather there’s a heating element at the top or bottom of the oven cavity. This heating element with the help of convection fans produces and distributes heat all around the cavity. These can be efficiently used to bake, crisp, brown, grill, roast and toast edibles unlike the solo microwaves.

Countertop convection ovens are ideal for kitchens that have a constricted layout and hence cannot fit in a regular built-in oven. Although countertop convection ovens cannot match the higher cooking capacities of wall ovens, these sure can be held accountable to roast an entire chicken or to bake 12-inch pizzas. If you’re looking or one, Breville BOV800XL is our favourite. 

To summarise, I’d say there’s no ideal pick for everyone. There’s so much that affects the suitability of a microwave or any other appliance for that matter to a kitchen. The most influential factors being your cooking requirements, space restrictions and of course, your budget. 


1. Can you bake in a Standard/Solo Microwave? 

Yes, you can. But we don’t recommend. A regular/standard microwave is often used to reheat previously cooked food or to cook simple recipes and not for baking. What prevents a standard microwave from being a good baking appliance is the presence of hot spots in the cooking cavity. On the hand, a convection microwave or a convection OTG for baking forces hot air in the cavity eliminating temperature differences. This provision leads to even an faster cooking hence better baking and roasting results. 

2. Can you bake in a Grill Microwave?

Yes, but you’ll probably get unevenly baked cakes. Grill Microwaves are essentially standard microwaves with an additional heating element at the top or bottom. This provision is, however, only beneficial for grilling, roasting or browning edibles. The radiant heating coils generate heat and rely on natural radiation to heat up the cavity. Baking results in such grill microwaves won’t be as consistent as dedicated OTG ovens or Convection microwave ovens that have a fan to distribute heat evenly.

3. Can you use metal in a Convection Microwave?

When a convection microwave is used on the microwave setting, it is highly recommended to NOT use a metal container to cook food items. The reason being, the metallic base will not allow the microwaves to penetrate through it and hence, the part in immediate contact with the metal plate will not be cooked properly. So, in basic terms, you’ll have an unevenly cooked meal if you use a metallic utensil to cook something in your convection microwave on the microwave setting. Whereas, on the convection setting, the source of heat is a radiant heating element which is amplified using the fans. Cooking on such a setting may not affect the evenness regardless of what the material of the utensil is. 

4. Is 700-Watt Powerful Enough? 

Recent high-rated microwave models average at around 1200 watt of power output which is clearly enough to cook you meals on the go. However, outdated models with a power rating of 700 watts or less may not be just as efficient. Not only will such microwaves take more time but also contribute to uneven cooking.  I’d recommend my readers to stick to threshold power rating value of 1000-watts to avoid any potential remorse when buying a new microwave. 

5. What’s the difference between Convection Microwave and Convection Oven?

A convection microwave and a convection oven are closely similar to each other except for one fact. Consider this as rule of thumb; every convection microwave is a convection oven but not every convection oven is a convection microwave. Alright, let’s break that down. A convection microwave is a regular microwave with a heating coil and a convection fan. Meaning, it includes a magnetron for microwaves, a heating element as a heat source and convection fans to facilitate effective distribution of heat in the cavity. Unlike this assembly, a convection oven does not have a magnetron and hence cannot produce microwaves. So, the only source of heat in a convection oven is the heating element at the top/bottom or both.

Personal Recommendations

I’d recommend a standard microwave to families that have simpler cooking needs or have a limited budget. You can find a standard microwave in as less as $100

A convection microwave, on the other hand, is perfect for people that often bake, roast, grill or brown their meals besides the regular microwave functions. Although a bit pricey than standard microwaves, convection microwaves bring a whole lot of additional cooking options to your disposal. 

If your kitchen layout is a bit constricted and you won’t appreciate another appliance eating any more of your counter space, you may opt for a built-in microwave

For augmented convenience in a built-in oven configuration, a wall oven microwave combo is the best bet for modern kitchens. 

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