Microwave Oven Review

Microwave ovens provide a unique opportunity in the commercial kitchen to perform a variety of tasks. From actually steaming and cooking food, to defrosting, rethermalizing and reheating foods, microwave ovens are a real gem in any kitchen. They are also perfect for cooking smaller items like baked potatoes, heating up soups, or warming up dinner rolls and breads. They have a small footprint, can be plugged in anywhere, do not require ventilation and do not heat up the area around them, making them suitable for any environment, from large commercial kitchens to food trucks and concession stands. With today’s technological advances enabling microwave ovens to feature multiple integrated functions, there are numerous microwave ovens on the market available for venues looking to expand their menu options. 

Versatile and .multifunctional, microwave ovens aren't just for heating up food anymore. Some microwave ovens, such as the Amana commercial microwave oven described below, uses multiple heating methods to enable cooks to bring food from the freezer straight to the table, without compromising on texture or appearance. If you are looking to add a microwave oven to your cooking arsenal, be sure to take into account how much you will be using it, what types of foods you plan on using it for, as well as output and speed requirements. 

	Panasonic NE-3280 Sonic Steamer Microwave Oven	Amana RC30S2 3000 Watt Programmable Stainless Commercial Microwave	Amana HDC182 Stackable 1800 Watt Stainless Commercial C-Max Microwave
Price	$5,337.71	$3.912.75	$1,876.50
Power	3200 watts	3000 watts	1800 watts
Size	21-1/16"W x 13"D x 9-7/8"H cavity	16-1/2"W x 21-5/8"D x 13-1/2"H	13.5"H x 16.75"W x 22.75"D
Warranty	3 year parts, labor, and magnetron	3 year full warranty	3 year full warranty
Heating Method	Steaming or Microwave	Microwave	Microwave
Special Features	5 power level options 16 programmable memory pads See-through drop-down door	11 power levels Can program up to 100 menu items  4 stage cooking option with one-touch programming  User friendly controls Heavy volume use	Stackable Dimensions fit a standard half-sized pan Lighted see-through door 4 cooking stages options
Best Use	Venues offering steamed items Preliminary heating for service	High-volume settings such as schools, healthcare facilities, cafeteria/buffet operations	Fast casual and other restaurant kitchens requiring basic microwave use
Comments	High quality and powerful  Good option for venues with many steamed menu items	Afforable and powerful  User friendly Easy to maintain	Affordable and powerful Stackability convenient for small kitchens Extensive warranty