Microwave Oven vs OTG

If you understand the differences between a microwave oven vs an OTG, your chances that you pick the right one for your kitchen increase. The best microwaves defrost, heat, and reheat food, though some offer convection and grilling as well. Similarly, an oven toaster griller (OTG) heats, toasts, and grills food, just as the name implies. As a result, the two appliances overlap slightly in usage. If you want to consider appliances that offer other functions, consider a microwave oven vs an electric oven.

Differences Between a Microwave and an OTG

Microwaves and OTGs include differences in heating method and usage, as well as cooking time. Additionally, microwaves seem more common than OTGs, also known as toaster ovens, though their popularity increases over time. Some consumers prefer having both devices in their kitchen since they cook using different methods and with different results. In particular, you may want a microwave for quickly reheating or preparing meals and a toaster oven for baking or grilling. For additional consideration, read our article on an air popper vs a microwave.

Variety in Cooking

Both microwaves and OTGs offer models with grilling and convection modes. Microwaves with grilling or convection must be set to the desired method before starting. In some cases, devices accomplish microwaving and grilling simultaneously, which further decreases cooking time. OTGs provide techniques for heating, grilling, and toasting without additional enhancement. However, they come in convection models as well. As with microwaves, convection mode may further decrease the meal preparation time from a traditional oven, either gas or electric. Consumers should consider which option fits their meal style better. That said, having a microwave drawer over a warming drawer may also fit other meal styles best.

Heating Methods

Electromagnetic waves with tiny wavelengths agitate the water molecules within your food in the microwave, which gives the device its name. As the meals become heated, the cooking time shortens because the appliance heats food from the inside. On the other hand, an OTG heats food from the outside through a heating device, called a heating coil, powered by electricity on the top of the miniature oven. Both kitchen appliances feature convection models that warm food more evenly when desired. After all, one of the biggest cons of microwaves remains its uneven heating, providing the perfect market for the convection microwave oven.

Faster Cooking

Professional chefs and professional bakers looking to cut their cooking time significantly consider microwaves and OTGs immensely important. A microwave can adjust the cooking time from an hour or more to a matter of minutes. As a result, these devices became popular when women began preparing dinner after work, and they also found a use for these devices with the introduction of frozen dinners. Toaster ovens reduce cooking times to ⅓ of the time a meal takes in a conventional gas or electric oven. In addition, when combining either product with convection, the cooking happens faster since the heat surrounds the food entirely.

Energy Efficiency

Microwaves and oven toaster grillers save a significant amount of energy compared to bulkier appliances. The largest part of this efficiency stems from the decreased time the device runs, allowing them to be still powerful enough to cook meals safely. However, the downside of efficient designs comes from the fact that they can only handle a certain amount of work each day. A microwave runs about 15-30 minutes before surpassing the expected usage. Microwaves and OTGs use about the same amount of energy.

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