Written by Caitlin
Edited on
27 January 2025
·
13:10
How do you choose the right capacity for a microwave?
You're looking for a new microwave and want to know which capacity you need. This depends on what you want to prepare or heat up in the microwave. In this article, we'll tell you which capacity you need for which dishes.
Choose the capacity of a microwave
Whether you choose a built-in or freestanding microwave, it's important to think carefully about the capacity of your new product. It would be a shame of your oven dishes and baking trays wouldn't fit in your new microwave.
- What can fit in a small microwave?
- What can fit in an medium-sized microwave?
- What can fit in a large microwave?
Small microwave: up to 25L
Looking for a compact microwave? These usually have a capacity up to 25L. In a small microwave, you can fit a plate of lasagna, a bowl of tomato soup, or a ready meal. Carefully check if tall objects you often heat up fit in the microwave, such as a baby bottle. Make sure that the internal height is slightly higher than the bottle. Does the microwave have a turntable or grill? The height will be a bit lower.
Medium-sized microwave: 25 to 40L
A microwave with a 25 to 40L capacity is suitable for an oven dish with moussaka or mashed potatoes. Want to be sure that your favorite baking trays and oven dishes fit in the microwave? Measure them and compare the dimensions to the inner dimensions of the microwave. You can find them under the specifications on the product page. A wide microwave may have a large enough capacity for large dishes, but it might not be deep enough for an oven dish, for example.
Large microwave: from 40L
The larger the dimensions of your microwave, the more capacity it has in liters. In a large microwave with a 40L capacity or more, you can prepare large dishes. A whole chicken or large piece of meat, for example. You can also prepare a large or tall cake in a combi microwave. Does the microwave have a turntable? Make sure the baking tray has enough space to rotate.
Article by Caitlin
Microwave Expert.
