950 Watt Vs 1100 Watt Microwave: The Right Microwave

When we surf the internet or go to the market to buy a microwave oven, factors like microwave wattage perplex us. Some microwaves are 950 watts, some microwaves use an 11000-watt capacity. These wattage variations of a microwave oven can significantly change our microwave experience.

What is the difference between a 950-watt microwave and an 1100 watt microwave? The basic difference between these two types of microwaves is the power they consume. An 1100-watt microwave will consume less power than a 950-watt microwave.

950-watt microwave consumes around 0.16 unit electrical power for a 10-minute cook. On the other hand, an 1100-watt microwave will take 0.18 units of electricity for every 10-minute cook.

This article will compare the 950 watts microwave and the 1100 watts microwave, and help you decide which one is right for you.

Watts Matter In Microwave Oven

Wattage is important when purchasing a microwave. The number of watts your microwave consumes determines how swiftly and thoroughly it can cook food. The better it works, the higher the wattage – or the number of watts per hour – you need.

Depending on the microwave, you’ll see a range of different wattages. The majority of microwaves are between 600 and 1200 watts. Bigger microwaves will usually have a higher wattage and cost more. Meanwhile, budget versions are commonly smaller and lower-wattage.

950 Microwave Wattage

This is the higher end of conventional microwaves. Water boils quickly, raw foods are fully cooked, and popcorn takes a short time to cook. Because most microwaves in this range include many settings to prevent burning your food.

LEARN MORE: What Is the Difference Between a Microwave Oven and an OTG?

1100 Microwave Wattage

Microwaves that are 1100 watts or less are closer to traditional ovens than microwaves that operate at a higher wattage. Restaurant microwaves tend to be in this range and above.

You can even safely cook raw meats in these microwaves if you follow the correct preparation methods. It’s a little too powerful for microwave dinners or reheating a plate of leftovers.

LEARN MORE: Panasonic Vs Sharp Microwaves

Lifespan Of 950 Watt and 1100 Watt Microwave

It is a general rule of thumb that a tool with a higher capacity will have a higher lifespan than the one with a lower. This is because the higher capacity helps to handle more stress and wear and tear.

For microwaves, an 1100-watt microwave will last longer than a 950-watt model as the 1100-watt version has more power to handle stress. However, it is important to note that other factors such as quality of construction also play a role in how long your microwave lasts.

Nonetheless, increased power can come with an increased risk of failure. That is why some manufacturers recommend that you only use a 950-watt microwave for light-duty tasks such as defrosting and reheating.

Most microwaves come with the 950-watt option and satisfy those who are looking for an affordable and energy-efficient microwave-based appliance.

They are also smaller in size, making them ideal for small kitchens or apartments to cook small foods. A short lifetime of 950-watt is the main downside that incites people to go for the 1100-watt counterpart.

1100-watt microwaves can be expensive and offer more features and power. Their high longevity can make them a better investment in the long run.

LEARN MORE: Over The Range vs Countertop Microwave

Cooking Time Comparison: 950 Watts Vs 1100 Watts Microwave

950-watt microwaves will take slightly longer to cook food than 1100-watt microwaves. This is because they are not as powerful and need more time to generate heat.

However, the difference in cooking time is usually only a few seconds. But it can be significant when cooking larger quantities of food. For this reason, if you are looking for a microwave to cook large meals for a 4-6 members family, we recommend choosing an 1100-watt model.

Convert Recipe for 950-Watt Oven to 1100-Watt Oven:

(Source: http://www.microwavecookingforone.com/Charts/)

Cooking Quality Comparison: 950 Watts Microwave Vs 1100 Watts Microwave

When it comes to cooking quality, there is not a significant difference between 950-watt and 1100-watt microwaves. Both models can cook food evenly and quickly.

However, if you are looking for a microwave that can handle large quantities of food or more heavy-duty tasks, we recommend choosing an 1100-watt or higher wattage model.

Most microwave ovens with higher wattage have inverter technology. Inverter microwaves provide a constant stream of power for the entire cooking time to avoid overheating.

This powerful microwave oven results in more even food cooking. Many 950-watt microwaves do not have this feature and may result in uneven cooking by putting meals in an uneven heat stream.

The aim of inverter technology is to provide a controlled and efficient power supply operating continuously at the same power to avoid overheating, loss of flavor and destroying food structure.

LEARN MORE: Infrared Cooking Vs Microwave Cooking

Even Cooking: 950-watt Microwave Oven Vs 1100-watt Microwave Oven

One of the main differences between 950 watts microwave oven and 1100 watts microwave oven is how evenly they can cook.

A 950-watt microwave oven will have a hard time cooking evenly because the power is not distributed evenly throughout the food. On the other hand, an 1100-watt microwave oven can cook more evenly as it has more power to distribute.

The uneven cooking of a 950-watt microwave oven is due to the fact that they have difficulty penetrating thick or dense foods.

This is because the 950-watt microwave oven emits a concentrated stream of microwaves that are designed to heat solid foods quickly. When these microwaves hit dense or thick areas of food, they can create hotspots where the food cooks too fast or unevenly.

1100 watt microwave oven emits waves that are less intense and more widely distributed. This means that they can more easily penetrate thick or dense foods, resulting in more even cooking.

950-watt microwave ovens are a great option for those who are looking for an affordable and energy-efficient appliance. They are also smaller in size, making them ideal for small kitchens or apartments.

A short lifetime of 950-watt microwave ovens is the main downside that incites people to go for the 1100-watt counterpart.

LEARN MORE: Convection Microwave Vs Grill Microwave

Cost Comparison: 950 Watts Microwave Vs 1100 Watts Microwave Ovens

950-watt microwave models are typically cost less than their 1100-watt counterparts. This is because they are less powerful and have fewer features.

However, the price difference is not significant and the extra features offered by 1100-watt microwaves may be worth the investment.

LEARN MORE: What Is the Difference Between a Halogen Oven and a Microwave Oven?

Running Cost of 950 Watts and 1100 Watts Microwave Oven

The running cost of a microwave is determined by three items:

• The wattage of the microwave
• How long does the microwave run
• The cost of electricity in your area

Microwaves with a lower wattage use less electricity per minute. The disadvantage is that microwaves with a lower wattage prepare food more slowly and inadequately. In some cases, a stronger microwave that cooks food more quickly may be less expensive.

The 1100 watt microwave ovens are the clear winner in saving overall running costs. Though they may initially cost more to buy, they will save you time and money in the long term.

LEARN MORE: Induction Cooker Vs Microwave Oven

Microwave Oven Wattage for Your Need

From different wattage ranges, the best wattage should fit your mostly cooked recipe. The wattage of 500 watts is not appropriate for a home microwave and over-the-range microwave setting.

Rather, people utilize these tiny, low-power alternatives to dehydrate food or quickly heat a drink or prepare popcorn on a daily basis.

It’s ideal for someone who only occasionally uses countertop microwaves with low power levels. These microwaves won’t have a lot of bells and whistles to cook various dishes or other sensors.

With a lower wattage range of 700 watts or wattage between 600-800 watts, you can cook anything from steaming to frying to reheating frozen dinners and making tiny foods. Heating beverages, such as tea and coffee, are superior in this range.

To ensure that the cuisine cooks all the way through, many recipes are designed for microwaves with at least 800 watts of power level.

A microwave wattage of 1000 watt microwave is great for large families and people who typically cook in microwave ovens or in convection microwaves and want to prepare food faster. They’re also good for big gatherings.

For someone who wants to play around with different cooking styles, frequently cook large meals, a full power drawer microwave with modern safety features can be a good choice. These high-wattage microwave ovens come in over the range of microwaves in the market.

The microwave you choose may be tailored to your family’s needs. Bigger and more powerful microwaves are frequently ideal to cook evenly and serve big families most recipes. This 1000 watt microwave also comes with a convection oven capacity.

LEARN MORE: Recirculating Venting Vs External Venting in a Microwave Oven

Conclusion

If you are looking for new microwave appliances that will last longer and can handle a wider variety of tasks, then an 1100-watt microwave is the better option. However, if you are looking for an affordable and energy-efficient appliance, a 950-watt microwave may be more appropriate.