5 Microwave Features that Can Ease Your Holiday Heavy Lifting

In this season of merry gatherings, we hope your cooking appliances are up to the task. As your stove boils water and your oven bakes your casserole, put your microwave to work to defrost the Cornish hens and, dare we say, cook some of the sides.

Microwaves do more than just warming up your leftovers and frozen dinners. With newer models offering high-tech features, we invite you to expand your worldview of culinary possibilities. You deserve the gift of streamlined cooking, and our catalog is brimming with microwave appliances, including built-in, countertop, over-the-range, and drawer versions.

Check out these 5 microwave features that are bound to make your holiday dinner party a stress-free ordeal.

As you can imagine, a large microwave can come in handy if you’ve got a tray of lasagna that could use some warming up. Sure, your oven can handle this job, but it takes up more energy to run—due to its smaller size, a microwave can save you on energy costs.

Size-wise, it should be noted that countertop microwaves can range from a smaller compact design at 0.5 to an extra-large model at 2.2 cubic feet, which is to say that microwaves are considered to have an above-average interior capacity starting at 2.0 cubic feet.

The Frigidaire Professional 2.1 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave (FPBM307NTF) can fit a whole chicken and more. In the spirit of easing your holiday heavy lifting, this extra-large microwave offers over 30 settings, sensor technology to automatically set cooking times and power levels, as well as an interior surface that enables easy cleanup for spills and splotches.

To learn how other microwave types’ standard dimensions compare (in addition to how you can safely prepare a whole chicken using this appliance), check out our blog.

Next on our list is quick defrost—also known as “auto defrost” on most microwave models. This microwave feature is an easy-to-use setting that can defrost up to one pound of meat, fish, or poultry in three minutes, without pre-cooking. It saves time, making this feature a home cook’s saving grace during this hectic season.

In addition to defrosting your entrees in a jiff, the GE® Profile™ 2.2 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave (JES2251SJ) comes with a variety of preset cooking options as well as a warming oven to keep prepared foods exceptionally warm and fresh before serving.

Did you know some microwaves don’t have a door at all? Some are designed to open at the pull of a drawer, giving your kitchen more room for creativity, as these types of microwaves are designed to be installed into your wall or island. With the added value of saving you countertop space for food preparation, a microwave drawer also lets you check or stir foods without removing the dish from the appliance.

The KitchenAid 23.88" Stainless Steel Under Counter Microwave Oven Drawer (KMBD104GSS) allows you to easily open and close the microwave drawer at the touch of a button, giving you effortless access even with your hands full. If you’re attempting a multi-course meal this year, this microwave comes with a Keep Warm function, delivering brief pulses of 50-percent power to keep your cooked foods warm without overcooking until they are ready to be enjoyed.

If you’re no culinary novice, then you’ve heard of convection settings. Now a feature in many mid-end kitchen ranges and ovens, convection mode heats food inside and out to seal in flavors and juices while browning, baking, and crisping the exterior of your foods to mouthwatering perfection. Well, what if we told you there are also convection microwaves on the market? That’s right—juicy turkey skins and golden mac and cheese bakes are just a couple of button clicks away.

With ample space to boot, the Maytag 1.9 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Over The Range Microwave (MMV6190FZ) evenly heats your foods, ensuring that your holiday ham is eaten the way it is meant to be enjoyed. If that’s not enough, this appliance helps prevent cooking smells from overwhelming your meals (and kitchen) with a charcoal odor filter that removes high-airflow aromas and steam.

In a case of “go big or go home,” we also have wall-oven-and-microwave combination appliances—working in tandem to save you time and be conducive to a more efficient kitchen design. With this appliance, there will be no need to scurry from one end of the kitchen to another so you can truly have all your holiday fixings roasting and toasting in one station.

Despite its 2-in-1 configuration, the GE Profile 26.75” Built-In Combination Convection Microwave/Convection Wall Oven (PK7800SKSS and PK7800EKES) doesn’t skimp on interior capacity. The microwave’s generous 1.7 cubic feet can still heat up your casseroles and trays of roasted veggies, and the upper oven controls are just as conveniently designed, with bonus settings like Beverage, Melt, Simmer, and Soften.

Our appliance experts at Spencer’s TV & Appliance are always working hard to ensure your days are merry and bright—no matter the season. Streamline your holiday cooking with our line of kitchen appliances, including cooktops, wall ovens, kitchen ranges, and microwaves. Call or visit any of our Arizona locations today!