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What Power Level Is Defrost On A Microwave? Finding the right answer could dramatically change how you use your handy appliance.
Defrosting food is one of the best things about microwaves. Even if you forgot to take out that frozen soup before you left for work in the morning, you can still enjoy it after a quick defrost in the microwave.
The ideal power range for defrosting food is around 30%. This typically ensures that food is gently thawed.
The percentage (%) power level doesn’t mean you are restricting the power output (wattage) from your machine as that never actually changes. Instead it is the amount of “on time” in a given setting.
If you’re wondering how to get 30% power from your microwave, the handy tables below might help if you have a machine with power levels set from 1 – 10:
Power Level
Equivalent % On-Time
Best For
Level 1
10%
Warming up food
Level 2
20%
Gently defrosting large items around 2kg or less
Level 3
30%
Defrosting food and gently simmering items such as rice. Also good for slow cooking
Level 4
40%
Gentle cooking as well as simmering dishes and baking. Also good for food that contains dairy and gently cooking beef dishes as well as casseroles
Level 5
50%
Reheating leftovers and items that have previously been in the microwave but have come out hot on the outside and cool in the middle.
Level 6
60%
Dense foods such as cuts of meat.
Level 7
70%
Larger dense items.
Level 8
80%
Reheating foods with lots of water e.g. soups and stews.
Level 9
90%
Pasta, minced meat and fish.
Level 10
100%
Jacket potatoes
Best Microwaves For Defrosting
Read our reviews of the best flatbed combination microwaves if you’re looking for awesome microwaves with defrost functions.
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How many times can you safely reheat food in the microwave?
The handy convenience of your microwave can make it tempting to reheat your food whenever you need to.
This is especially the case with leftovers. Leftovers are great way to reduce waste in your home and save money.
Rather than having to spend more money and time preparing a new meal, you get to put yesterday’s work and money to good use today. And with the flavours having had time to settle – it might taste even better!
How many times can you safely reheat food in the microwave?
But how many times can you safely reheat food in the microwave? It is recommended that you do not reheat food in the microwave more than once.
The more times you cool and reheat food, the higher the risk of food poisoning. Treating your food properly is the best way to avoid food poisoning. Almost half of food poisoning cases come from what we consume at home so this is an especially important point to remember.
When it comes to reheating your food, make sure it is warmed up to 70°C for at least 2 minutes.
It should be hot through and through. Sometimes it may work best of you stop the microwave part way through and stir/turnover whatever it is you are reheating to make sure it is heated evenly. This is especially the case with things like soup.
When defrosting your leftovers make sure they are completely defrosted either in the fridge or microwave.
It is also recommended that you do not refreeze leftovers. If you have cooked a lot and would like to freeze it, you are better off splitting it into smaller portions. Then you can take out what you need rather than having to defrost all of it and then trying to refreeze the rest.
Best Microwaves With Defrost
Looking for a microwave with defrost? Take a look at our suggestions for the best microwaves with defrost capability below.
Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B – Best Flatbed Microwave With Defrost
The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is an awesome choice if you are looking for a sleek solo flatbed microwave that combines excellent features with style as well as a great defrost function.
The black mirror finish to the front door looks very polished and will have you purring in delight every time you look at it.
With 800 Watts of cooking power, your food gets heated and cooked quickly. The RHFM2363B comes with 5 power levels giving you plenty of flexibility when selecting the appropriate power level for cooking and heating your food. One of these is an excellent defrost function which comes in handy if you store your food in the freezer regularly and ever forget to take it out in good time.
The brilliant Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ is our pick for the best combination microwave with defrost functionality. It is sleek and precise from the exterior finish to the way it defrosts and cooks your food.
The NN-DF386BBPQ is a 3-in-1 combination microwave giving you a microwave – oven – grill all in one appliance. This offers great flexibility when deciding the best way to cook and heat up your foods.
Key Benefits
Brilliant defrost function
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3 Essential appliances in 1 – microwave, grill & oven
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Flatbed technology for increased cooking capacity and easy cleaning
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Large capacity (23 Litre), perfect for large dishes
Like all good things, at some point your trusty microwave will come to an end. You may be asking yourself when to get a new microwave? Planning ahead for a new appliance can help you get the best deal possible and give you time to do the necessary research to find what suits you best.
Below we take a look at 7 key indicators that you may need to get a new microwave.
When To Get A New Microwave?
Here are 7 signs that you may need a new microwave.
1 – You Are Hearing Strange Noises
If you are suddenly hearing strange new noises from your microwave it may be time to get a new microwave. Unusual sounds may be a sign that the components are struggling, worn out or damaged. Take a look at the turntable in the first instance to check there are no obvious obstructions. If you can’t see what’s causing the noises it may be time to shop around for a replacement.
2 – Sparks Are Flying
If you see any signs of sparks flying it’s time to shut up shop and move on to a newer model. Sparks are a bad sign and if you see any turn off the microwave immediately, unplug it and stop using it. The same goes for any smoke or burning smells coming from your machine.
3 – Your Food Is Not Being Cooking Properly
Consistently finding that your food is not being cooked or heated like your used to, may be a sign that your microwave is on the way out. It’s worth making sure the turntable is rotating as it should with no obstructions and that you haven’t accidentally changed your default power settings. If after a reset you’re still finding that food is coming out with random cold patches, it may be time to shop around.
4 – The Turntable Stops Spinning
If your machine is on but the turntable is not rotating then you may have a problem. Take a look to make sure the plate is set properly. If it’s still not operating then it may mean the motor that rotates the turntable has failed. This may be reason enough for you to consider your options as it could be costly to replace the motor.
5 – Your Door Won’t Fully Close
Your microwave door should always be completely shut when it is in operation. All the sealing around the door should always be intact. This helps to protect you from any radiation. If you notice damage to the door sealing or the door itself this may need your attention. If the door latch has broken that may be something that can fixed easily. However, if the issue is more severe, it could mean you need to look at a new machine; it’s simply not worth the risk.
6 – The Controls Are No Longer Responsive
The controls on your microwave are the gateway between what you want and getting your machine to comply. If you’ve noticed that your control panel is not as responsive as it used to be or is simply not responding, it may be time to get a replacement.
7 – Your Microwave Is 10 Years or Older
The average lifespan of a microwave is around 9 to 10 years. Once your machine reaches this sort of milestone you’ll probably be thinking about replacing it anyway but if not you should start preparing to get a new one. The likelihood is that if it hasn’t failed already, it is not far off.
Is It Worth Fixing A Microwave?
This may be a question you are asking yourself particularly if you were not planning on getting a new microwave anytime soon. You could look at repairing your microwave but in all probability the cost of the labour alone will probably come up to a good proportion of the cost of a new machine. This is before you take into account any replacement parts that might be needed. For this reason in most cases it makes sense to simply buy a new machine.
What power level is 1000 watts on a microwave? The long answer is it depends on the total wattage of your machine. The short answer is that it could be level 10 if your machine is a 1000 watts or lower if your microwave is a higher wattage model.
Check out the handy table below as a guide to the power level depending on the wattage of your machine. Before you delve into the table it is important to note that although we refer to power levels, the actual wattage of your machine never changes. Your microwave will typically run on and off until it has reached the desired power level.
What Power Level Is 1000 Watts On a Microwave?
Power Level
600 Watts
700 Watts
800 Watts
900 Watts
1000 Watts
1100 Watts
1200 Watts
Level 1
60 W
70 W
80 W
90 W
100 W
110 W
120 W
Level 2
120 W
140 W
160 W
180 W
200 W
220 W
240 W
Level 3
180 W
210 W
240 W
270 W
300 W
330 W
360 W
Level 4
240 W
280 W
320 W
360 W
400 W
440 W
480 W
Level 5
300 W
350 W
400 W
450 W
500 W
550 W
600 W
Level 6
360 W
420W
480 W
540 W
600 W
660 W
720 W
Level 7
420 W
490 W
560 W
640 W
700 W
770 W
840 W
Level 8
480 W
560 W
640 W
720 W
800 W
880 W
960 W
Level 9
540 W
630 W
720 W
810 W
900 W
990 W
1080 W
Level 10
600 W
700 W
800 W
900 W
1000 W
1100 W
1200 W
Table: What Power Level Is 1000 Watts On a Microwave?
Here is how it would work in practice: For example, if you microwave has a wattage of 1000 and you need to cook something at 700 watts then you would to select power level 7 or 70% of the power. 800 watts would be level 8 (80%), 900 watts level 9/90% etc.
Answering this question accurately could be the key to getting the most out of your microwave oven.
Microwaves don’t usually let you choose a specific wattage. Instead they will typically allow you to set a power level, most often between 1 – 10.
But as you can see with the handy table below, it is fairly easy to figure out what each power level equates to in terms of watts or at least get close.
To find the correct watts for a given power level, you can also use the formula below:
W at a Given Power Level = Total W Rating of Machine/Total Power Levels x Given Power Level
To find out what power level is 1000 watts on a microwave, the first thing you’ll need to do is find out the wattage rating for your own microwave.
This should be printed on the inside of the door or on the front of the machine. If that fails, check the instruction manual that came with the model. Most microwaves will range between 600 and 1,200 Watts.
Once you have the number, you can then work out the power levels. Or if, you’re wattage rating is listed on the table below, simply use that as a guide.
Some microwaves have power ranges e.g. High, Medium and Low that correspond to certain specific wattages. These may be detailed in your instruction manual.
What Is 50 Percent Power On Microwave?
Now that we have a general idea of how microwave power levels work it’s easier to address questions like – what is 50 percent power on microwave? 50 percent power on a microwave would correspond to the microwave being on full power for half (50 percent) the time you select. So, for example if you selected a 2 minute cycle on 50 percent power, the microwave would run at full power on and off for 1 minute.
What Power Level Is 1000 Watts On a Microwave?: Tell Us Your Thoughts
In need of a new microwave?
If you think you’re microwave may no longer be giving you what you need, take a look at some of our reviews for the best microwaves.
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Deciding between flatbed or turntable microwave is not a simple task! The answer to this will depend on what you plan to use it for and how much you want to spend.
We’ve taken a look at the pros and cons of the flatbed designs below,that helps you to get the clear difference between flatbed or turntable microwave. Hopefully this helps you make up your mind when making your purchase.
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What Are Flatbed Microwaves?
Let’s start by taking a quick look at what flatbed microwaves are.
Flatbed microwaves are those that do not have a turntable mechanism for cooking and heating your food. Instead they have a flatbed base with microwaves fed through a rotating antenna underneath the floor of the microwave.
As the flatbed microwaves do not have turntables, there is much more cooking space available inside. The extra space also means that you can fit in dishes that would otherwise be difficult in similarly sized turntable microwaves.
More Evenly Cooked Food
An oft stated benefit of the flatbed design over and above the turntable microwaves is that they tend to cook and heat food more evenly. This is often due to the technology used for cooking. For example the excellent Panasonic NN-SN686S counter top (Built-in inverter) microwave uses Inverter Technology to cook food much more evenly than a traditional turntable. This then means you don’t have the annoying hassle of constantly reheating your food to get rid of those cold patches at the bottom of your leftover pasta bake.
Easier To Clean
This is a big one for us. As there is no awkward turntable to work around as you would get in a traditional microwave, cleaning spills and splatters inside the cavity is much easier in a flatbed machine.
Cons:
The Cost
The main drawback for the flatbed design is that because the technology is relatively new, the models tend to be more expensive than the turntable alternatives.
This should improve as more models hit the market however, it can put some people off. The advantages that you get however, in comparison to the turntable models mean it is often worth paying the price if it suits your needs and meets your budget.
Best Solo Flatbed Microwaves: #1- Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S
The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S is our pick for the best solo flatbed microwave. It combines ultra-sleek design with lots of useful features. Above all else the flatbed design gives you lots of heating and cooking capacity.
Best Solo Flatbed Microwaves: #2 – Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave
The Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave is our 3rd choice for best flatbed solo microwave and it’s a great choice for a flatbed microwave if you need something slightly larger than the 23L offered by the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S.
It’s rare to find products as universally highly rated by usersas the Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave. It receives glowing reports across the board in terms of its performance, value for money, ease of use and style. And it’s easy to see why; it looks stunning and comes from a highly regarded brand.
Best Flatbed Solo Microwaves: #3 – Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B
With the delightfully easy Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B you get a super-easy to use microwave that’s also offers great value for money and with a flatbed design that makes it very straightforward to clean. That’s why its our number #1 pick for best flatbed solo microwave and a major difference between flatbed and turntable microwave.
Best Flatbed Combination Microwave – Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ
The Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ delivers a great all-round and versatile appliance that also looks brilliant. It features a microwave – oven – grill – steamer 4 in 1 combination which gives you a lot of flexibility all in the same machine.
Best Turntable Microwaves: #1 – Samsung MS23F301TAK/EU Solo Microwave
The Samsung MS23F301TAK/EU Solo Microwave looks like it has it all and it tons of very happy users tend to agree that it delivers. Not only does it resemble a cross between cutting-edge technology, design and luxury but it also cooks brilliantly as well according to many highly satisfied buyers. To top it all off it also offers brilliant value for money.
Best Turntable Microwaves: #2 – Toshiba MM-EM20P(WH)
Not content with making excellent TVs and laptops as well as a whole host of other well-loved appliances, Toshiba put their reliable touch on microwaves. The Toshiba MM-EM20P(WH) has a lot going for it and makes it onto our list as our #3 pick for the best turntable microwave.
By focusing on simplicity with little fuss, Daewoo have produced an absolute winner of a microwave. If you need a microwave that will cook, re-heat and defrost your food effectively, is easy to use and offers excellent value for money then look no further than the Daewoo KOR6M17R.
Best Flatbed Combination Microwave Reviews
Take a look at our full list of the best flatbed combination microwaves after knowing the difference between flatbed or turntable microwave for some more ideas on what to buy and what to look out for when making your choice.
So, these are our well-researched difference between flatbed or turntable microwave in 2023 from our experts.
Flatbed microwaves work slightly differently to the traditional turntable technology.
In the classic turntable models, the microwaves were emitted from an antennae on the side of the machine. The waves bounced randomly inside the oven. This partly explains why some items would not always cook or heat up evenly.
In machines with flatbed technology, the microwaves are emitted from beneath the flatbed base via a rotating antenna.
The microwaves will still bounce around the inside but at slightly different angles to the traditional turntable.
Therefore cooking times between the turntable style and the flatbeds may differ slightly.
What Are Flatbed Microwaves?
As you may have gathered from above, flatbed microwaves are those that use flatbed technology rather than rotating turntables.
They are a relatively new technology which can sometimes mean they cost more than traditional models but prices are becoming more competitive as more machines hit the market.
Are Flatbed Microwaves Any Good?
The manufacturers of flatbed microwaves claim that there are two main advantages to this technology:
1 – There is more cooking space within the microwave as you the turntable is not taking up space
2 – They also claim that these types of microwaves cook more evenly.
There are also a few other notable additional advantages in flatbed microwaves. The most significant one is not having to clean the turntable which can often be tricky.
The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is a great choice if your looking for a flatbed microwave. It has a great sleek black mirrored finish coupled with 800Watts cooking power and a diamond cavity to cook more evenly and reduce the chance of cold spots.
The mirrored door finish gives the RHFM2363B a great appearance though visibility during cooking is reduced and fingerprints are easier to see. Nonetheless it gives the machine a high grade look that is likely to upgrade most kitchen work-tops.
With a 23 litre capacity this will be perfect for smaller households rather than large families. Though it would also do well for everyday heating and cooking purposes.
Easily the best feature though is the flatbed technology. If you need to regularly cook large dishes in the microwave, a flatbed machine can accommodate them where as the old style turntables can’t take them.
The flatbed technology can also heat dishes more evenly particularly so in this Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B model due to its diamond cavity. The diamond cavity composition gives better microwave distribution by improving the reflection of the microwaves inside the machine. This means food is cooked more evenly saving you the headache of reheating your food to get rid of cold spots.
As with any purchase, there a few drawbacks to consider. The first mentioned previously is that fingerprints are easier to see on the mirror finish door meaning more regular cleaning. Though this is hardly a deal-breaker, it is something to bear in mind. In addition, it will need to be placed at least 20cm from a wall so consider this as well as the dimensions (51 x 43 x 31 cm) when thinking about where it would go.
When all is considered however, the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is an awesome flatbed microwave if you’re looking for power, convenience and a sleek design.
The Panasonic NN-DF386 is one of the best machines on the market and our pick for the best flatbed combination microwave.
This model is sleek and precise from the exterior finish to the way it cooks your food.
ThiThe NN-DF386 is a microwave – oven – grill 3 in 1 combination which gives you a lot of flexibility for what you pay. The pull down front door gives it a more traditional oven feel whilst also allowing you to cool down dishes on it – useful for smaller kitchens.
The flatbed feature means there’s plenty of space inside (23 litre capacity), perfect for everyday use.
The Inverter Technology means that dishes are cooked evenly throughout avoiding unnecessary reheating.
To take care of all your cooking needs this model is equipped with six different cooking settings for chilled or frozen meals, fresh or frozen vegetables and rice or pasta. A particularly handy feature is the built-in sensor that means you cook food without having to enter the time, power level or weight.
The controls are very user friendly and straightforward to use. Nonetheless if you struggle the instruction manual has plenty of useful guidance.
The model also comes with a wire rack for the grill and an enamel plate for the oven.
The flatbed base makes cleaning very easy which is always a bonus.
This Panasonic model delivers a great all-round and versatile appliance that also looks brilliant.
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