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Home appliances
If you only reheat and defrost, a solo microwave does everything a convection one does for a third of the price. If you want to bake, nothing below convection will work.
Quick answer
Solo for reheat; convection for baking.
20–30 L cavity; check turntable diameter.
700–900W with multiple power levels.
Auto-cook menus are optional, not essential.
In the shop
Read these off your phone at the counter. The answer tells you more than the price tag.
1.“Is this solo, grill, or convection — and can it actually bake?”
A good answer: Only convection bakes. A grill model browning food isn't the same thing.
2.“What is the usable cavity size, and does a standard plate rotate freely?”
A good answer: They should let you test with a real plate before you pay.
A few questions about your situation, not about the product.
Add one short need not covered above.
Answer all 2 questions to see the spec sheet to shop with.
The sticker price is one part of owning a microwave oven. Adjust the numbers to your own usage and tariff to see the electricity cost a star rating actually translates to.
Units per year
180 kWh
Cost per year
₹1,440 (≈$17)
Cost over 5 years
₹7,200 (≈$86)
Often more than the price difference between two models.
Convection and grill modes run longer and cost more than plain reheating. Estimates only — actual consumption varies with ambient temperature, settings and unit condition. USD values are approximate.
Every new appliance already carries a brand warranty. An extended plan or AMC only adds value where it covers the parts that actually fail, with on-site service in your city — so read the cover, not the discount.
Ask these five questions
Usually not covered
Rule of thumb: a plan is rarely worth it if it costs more than ~15% of the product price, if the item is cheap to repair locally, or if the brand's own service network in your city is already strong.
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Buy it locally
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Solo heats only; grill adds a browning element; convection adds a fan-oven for baking and roasting.
Why it matters
This single choice decides price and usefulness more than any other spec.
What to check
Convection microwaves bake fine but small — a 30 L cavity fits one 8-inch cake tin.
Internal cavity volume.
Why it matters
20 L suits 1–2 people reheating; 25–30 L needed for family dishes and baking trays.
What to check
Check the turntable diameter against your largest dish.
Heating output and how finely you can dial it down.
Why it matters
800W+ reheats quickly; multiple levels matter for defrosting without cooking edges.
What to check
Cheap models offer only 3 power levels — poor for defrosting.
Stainless steel vs ceramic-coated interior.
Why it matters
Steel and ceramic clean easily and resist Indian masala stains; painted cavities chip.
What to check
Ceramic cavities scratch less and are worth a small premium.
Inverter varies power continuously instead of pulsing on/off.
Why it matters
Gentler reheating without rubbery edges; better for milk, curd and defrosting.
What to check
Rare in budget models; check the spec sheet, not the badge.
Solo 20 L units to 30 L+ convection with rotisserie.