UNDERSTANDING MICROWAVE WATTAGES: A QUICK GUIDE
Along with the functionality, design and type of microwave you choose for your kitchen, wattage plays an important role when searching for the ideal microwave to match your making. Wattage determines how much power your microwave will have in delivering consistently delicious meals. This microwave wattage guide can help you determine the wattage level that can work best for your cooking needs.
DOES MICROWAVE WATTAGE MATTER?
Yes, wattage dictates the cooking power of your microwave. The higher the wattage, the more power to cook your foods quickly. It also gives you more versatility in the types of meals you can prepare. A lower microwave wattage can reheat dishes, while a higher wattage cooks frozen foods or meals from scratch.
HOW DO I FIND MY MICROWAVE’S WATTAGE?
The best way to find your microwave’s wattage is to consult your user’s manual. If you don’t have the manual, look for a serial number plate on the door inside your microwave—the wattage will often be listed in that location.
| MICROWAVE WATTAGE | FUNCTION1 |
|---|---|
| 600–800 Watts | Reheat |
| 800–1000 Watts | Cook, reheat, defrost, crisp |
| 1000–1200 Watts | Cook, reheat, defrost, crisp, steam, air fry, grill, bake, broil, roast, convection |
1. Power levels and settings vary by microwave model and wattage
WHAT MICROWAVE WATTAGE DO I NEED?
The right microwave wattage for you will depend on how you use your microwave to make meals. Understanding the following wattage levels and how they cook food can help you choose. You can also explore microwave types, features and sizes to find the perfect microwave for your kitchen.
1. 600–800 WATT MICROWAVES
Microwaves that have 600 to 800 watts are on the lower wattage end, yet can handle smaller meal prep tasks such as cooking frozen meals, warming up drinks or reheating leftovers. Keep in mind that they may take longer to heat food than a microwave with a higher wattage.
2. 800–1,000 WATT MICROWAVES
With 800 to 1,000 watts, you can expand your menu as some microwave models come with additional features that include defrosting, reheating and cooking. In fact, most microwave recipes typically require 1,000 watts for versatility and consistent cooking results.
3. 1,000–1,200+ WATT MICROWAVES
On the higher wattage end, a microwave with 1,000 to 1,200 watts and above has more power to deliver larger, complex meals. With some microwave models, you can steam, air fry, grill, bake, broil and even roast foods without a stove or oven. Select KitchenAid® microwaves with a 1,200-watt convection element allow baking at temperatures up to 450°F.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MICROWAVE WATTAGE?
In general, a microwave with 1,000 watts may offer you versatility and convenience when making your favorite dishes. Microwave recipes tend to call for 1,000 watts to achieve consistently delicious results in preparing homemade meals.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HIGH WATTAGE MICROWAVE?
Microwaves with a wattage at or above 900 watts are usually considered in the high range. They can cook quickly, thoroughly and generally come with additional microwave power levels and settings.
EXPLORE KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES
KitchenAid® microwaves offer versatility with a wide selection of wattage levels, functions, styles, sizes and colors. Select models have features like convection cooking and Crispwave™ Technology that give you the flexibility to create delicious homemade meals in a fraction of the time. Explore a variety of KitchenAid brand microwaves to find the right fit for your making and meal-prepping needs.
