A microwave is quite possibly the most convenient appliance in your kitchen. You can make popcorn, heat up leftovers, and defrost food. The possibilities are almost endless and take minutes. At Abt, we carry several makes and models with many special features. Before making a final decision on purchasing your microwave you should be aware of what size and color will suit your needs. You should also keep in mind any special features you are interested in. To help you on your search for the perfect microwave refer to our Microwave Glossary below.

When purchasing a microwave you should be aware of the specific types of microwave ovens. There are five basic types of microwave ovens: Countertops, Built-ins, Under the Cabinet, Over the Range, and Drawer microwave ovens. Countertop ovens are the most common, their size ranges from .8 cubic foot to 2.2 cubic foot capacity. Over the Range microwaves are built under cabinets, above a range. They have ventilation and lighting underneath and can be vented to the outside or re-circulated with the use of a charcoal filter.

Size and Capacity are of great importance when shopping for a microwave. Capacity is the size of the interior of the microwave, or the cooking space available. Size refers to the dimensions of the microwave (Height, Width and Depth). For more information on size and capacity, see our Glossary.

Have you ever thought of baking a cake, or Roasting chicken in your Microwave? Now you have the option. With our microwave/convection ovens you can now Microwave, Bake, Combination or Broil.

Auto Defrost
This preprogrammed feature lets you automatically defrost meat, poultry, and seafood, by entering the weight.

Auto Cook Menu
Choose the type of dish and the serving size, and cook many of your favorite foods without adjusting cooking times and power levels.

Auto Reheat
This feature allows you to reheat foods by simply pressing the Auto Reheat key and entering the number of servings.

Avantium
GE's newest Over the Range microwave technology. It combines microwave energy, oven heat and quartz energy for fast convenient cooking

Child-Lock Out
A feature on some microwaves that allows you to lock the control pad so that children won't be able to activate the microwave without supervision. Most child-locks require a pass code or touch command.

Convenience Cooking Control
This feature is only available on some models. Convenience cooking controls are preprogrammed controls that let you cook common foods, like popcorn, potatoes, roasts, and more. Similar to Auto Cook.

Convection Oven Microwaves
Are microwaves that have a built in heating element and a fan which shortens traditional cooking time. By utilizing "Combo" cook, food can be done in half the time.

Conventional Microwave Ovens
Cooks with microwave energy only.

Control Display (electronic control vs. manual)
Each make and model varies when it comes to control display. Most are electronic keypads that operate at a touch of a button; others include manual controls which have to be turned like a rotary dial to operate.

Cooking Power (watts)
Cooking power is noted as wattage. Wattage often ranges from 600 to 1300 watts depending on the brand and model. The more wattage a microwave has the faster it cooks and heats.

Delay Start
Allows you to start cooking food at a later time.

Door Clearance
Is the actual clearance you have when the microwave door is wide open.

Express Cook
This feature preselects time-cook food at a touch of a button, usually on maximum (high or 100%).

Family Size
Is in reference to the size of some microwaves. Family size ranges from 1.2 to 1.6 cubic feet and has wattage ranging from 1000 to 1300 watts.

Full size
Is in reference to the size of some microwaves. Full size is larger than a Family size but not by much. Full size ranges form 1.8 to 2.2 feet and has wattage around 1200 watts.

Inverter Turbo Defrost (Available only on Panasonic Microwaves)
Inverter Turbo Defrost™ lets you defrost foods up to 49% faster than the powerful auto defrost feature. This advanced microwave sequencing system uses the Inverter low power delivery system to distribute microwaves with appropriate combinations of regularity and irregularity, with no standing time. This means that your food can be defrosted all the way through. Not available on all makes and models

Multi-Lingual Menu Action Screen/ Function Key
Whether you speak English, Spanish, or French, the menu action screen scrolls step-by-step cooking instructions in all three languages.

Oven Rack
Some microwaves include a cooking rack that is placed inside the microwave to elevated food; this allows you to cook more than one thing at the same time. Should only be used with large quantities of food.

Inverter Microwave Technology
Conventional microwave ovens operate on only one power level. When you program them to cook at lower levels, they "pulse" delivery of 100% power and remain idle the rest of the time. Panasonic Inverter Technology allows for true multi-level power settings, similar to a "Dimmer" switch on a light. The consistent delivery of microwave energy also helps delicate foods to simmer without overcooking the edges and surface.

Popcorn Key
The popcorn key lets you pop a single bag, usually 3.5 oz., of prepackaged microwave popcorn automatically.

Turntable
Turntable microwaves have an actual turntable in the microwave that rotates food while it cooks, this allows food to cook evenly and more efficient. The turntable is usually made of glass.

Trim Kits
Available for some countertop microwaves. A trim kit surrounds the microwave to give it a built in appearance.

Sensor Cooking
Sensor cooking customizes the power level and time for each food. This customizes your reheating and cooking functions for various foods.

Quick Minute
Use the quick minute feature to set cooking times in multiples of one minute or to add minutes to a current cooking session.

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