Cooking modes are an important factor to consider when choosing an appliance. However, this is not necessarily the case with combination microwaves, as these machines can be quite similar to each other in terms of the modes they offer. More information on quality can be found in this old but still very helpful article from Harvard Business Review.

The heating category simply reflects the wattage; A is the least powerful and E the most. Categories further down the alphabet cook food faster. Turntable or flatbed This clever countertop cooking machine performs excellently across its full range of functions, including grilling, convection cooking and, of course, microwaving. It’s also worth noting that most combi microwaves are also similar in terms of their power and temperature ranges. Usually, there are only slight differences between models in the microwave wattage and cooking temperature ranges available. Countertop vs built-in combi microwaves The first is brand. Looking at the brand of the product is often a really good indicator for judging product quality. For example you’d expect a much higher quality product from a brand known for providing excellent quality than you would from an unknown or even a budget brand.Even on standby mode, your microwave will be using some energy. If you're concerned about energy efficiency, choose a model with an energy-safe mode that reduces how much power it consumes by turning off any digital displays. One of the highlights of this appliance is its enamel interior. Not only is the cavity impressively durable, it’s also very easy to wipe clean – a real help when you’re cooking lively ingredients within the relatively compact dimensions of a combi microwave. And the 220°C maximum convection cooking temperature should be more than a match for most recipes you’ll encounter – unless, perhaps, you’re a baker or pizza chef.

Seemingly simple, microwaves have come a long way since the days of pressing a button and waiting for the ping. Here are some of the key features to look out for when buying a microwave. Capacity The next step was to try and narrow down our search even more. So we’ve already looked the prices of products in the Microwaves category. Then we’ve also looked at the prices of products from Russell Hobbs. So this step combines the two and looks specifically at the price you’d expect to pay for Russell Hobbs branded products in the Microwaves category. Key specs – Functions: Microwave, grill, convection, combi; Max microwave power: 900W; Capacity: 40 L; Dimensions: 36.8 x 55 x 53.7cm

This generally varies from around 17L to over 32L. For larger households, look for at least 27L, but the turntable size and interior height are more important than capacity. To accommodate larger plates and bigger portions, the turntable diameter should be at least 30cm and the interior height more than 20cm. Size Cooking meals for family and friends or reheating large plates of food becomes simple and easy with 900 watts of microwave power and 10 auto cook menus. The true fan assisted oven acts exactly the same as a conventional oven which gives you the option of an extra cooking facility, for large dinner parties and family gatherings. Bear in mind, though, that this appliance requires a clearance of at least 30cm above the top of the oven. Countertop combination microwaves are freestanding appliances, designed to be situated on a kitchen work surface. They can be moved around as required. POWER - Boasting 900W of microwave power, this microwave can handle all of your cooking, reheating, and defrosting requirements

Only use microwave-safe containers and tableware. Ceramics, glassware and some plastics are fine but avoid anything metal. Solo microwaves and many combination microwaves feature a turntable that automatically rotates food to ensure even cooking. These can be removed for easy cleaning. Some models allow you to turn this feature off so it remains stationary. The brand of product you buy can vary in importance, from person to person. Some people will of course be much more particular about the brands they will use. Whilst others aren’t interested in the brand and are more interested in the overall quality or price of the product itself. Thankfully Russell Hobbs is a brand that many customers have grown to love over the years and is very popular for items in the Microwaves category. There’s a lot to consider before you buy a microwave, but we're here to help. You'll find plenty of advice in this guide, plus the microwaves that topped the GHI’s scrupulous tests. Of the 69 products, we discovered that 20 were more expensive and 48 were cheaper than Russell Hobbs 900W Combination Microwave RHM2574. Prices from Russell Hobbs

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The key to this appliance’s success is that its design seems equally well suited to all of its modes. The inside is nice and spacious, ideal for cooking a variety of foods. And getting up to cooking temperature is reliably speedy, whatever the setting, up to a maximum temperature of 250°C. Just before we get into the detail of analysing the price of this product, we want to briefly highlight the importance of setting yourself a budget before you spend too much time shopping around for a suitable product. It’s all too often that we get carried away when shopping and find ourselves buying a fantastic product, but probably actually overdelivers on what we need and therefore costs a lot more than we should have spent. So spend a bit of time looking around at the sort of price you can expect to pay for products in the Microwaves category and use that alongside your own financial situation to set yourself a budget.

Solo microwaves are the ultimate for simple tasks, but remember: high price and high wattage does not necessarily equal high quality. As you can imagine, pricing is one of the most important factors of any purchasing decision. We can find the perfect product for our needs, that fits the brief in every single way. But if it doesn’t fit our budgets, we simply can’t (or at least shouldn’t) buy it.

Key specs – Functions: Microwave, grill, combi, convection; Max microwave power: 900W; Capacity: 25 L; Dimensions: 31 x 51.3 x 50.9cm Give covered foods a vent for steam to escape. Pierce cling film a few times before heating or leave a small gap at one side. The outer edges cook the fastest, so stir food or rotate dishes during cooking to ensure even heating. Microwaves come in a range of sizes, from compact countertop models to larger machines, so consider how much kitchen space you can afford to give up. Some combination microwaves are double the size of their solo counterparts! Look at door size, too. Big doors that open wide make removing hot or heavy dishes much easier. Some combination models have a handy drop-down door. Clearance space