Imagine trying to reheat a giant Thanksgiving turkey or fit a whole casserole dish into your microwave. Does your current microwave feel a little… small? If you’ve ever found yourself wishing for more space, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with choosing a large microwave because there are so many to pick from, and it’s hard to know which one will actually fit your needs and your kitchen.
Finding the perfect large microwave can feel overwhelming. You worry about it taking up too much counter space, or not being powerful enough for bigger meals. But what if there was a way to cut through the confusion? This post will help you understand what makes a large microwave a good choice. We’ll explore the features that matter, so you can stop guessing and start cooking with confidence.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what to look for. We’ll break down the different sizes, power levels, and helpful functions. Get ready to discover how a properly chosen large microwave can make your meal prep and reheating easier than ever. Let’s dive in and find the right fit for your kitchen!
Our Top 5 Large Microwave Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Large Microwave Detailed Reviews
1. Toshiba ML-EM62P(SS) Large Countertop Microwave with Smart Sensor
Rating: 8.8/10
The Toshiba ML-EM62P(SS) is a large countertop microwave that packs a lot of power and smart features into its stainless steel design. It’s built for busy households and makes cooking and reheating a breeze. Its generous 2.2 cubic feet of space means you can fit large items, like a whole chicken or a big pizza, making meal prep much easier for families.
What We Like:
- Its huge 2.2 Cu. Ft. capacity is fantastic for cooking big meals or reheating leftovers for a crowd.
- The 1200W power heats food quickly and evenly.
- The smart humidity sensor takes the guesswork out of cooking with its 6 automatic preset menus.
- Auto-Defrost takes the stress out of thawing meats, poultry, and fish.
- It’s super easy to use with helpful features like a one-pound auto defrost and a mute option for quiet operation.
- The ECO mode helps save energy, which is great for your wallet and the planet.
- The position memory turntable ensures your food is always in the right spot when the cooking is done.
- A child safety lock adds peace of mind for families with little ones.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it has many features, some users might find the 6 auto menus to be a bit limited if they cook a wider variety of dishes.
- The large size, while a pro for capacity, might take up significant counter space in smaller kitchens.
This Toshiba microwave is a powerful and smart addition to any kitchen, especially for those who need ample space and helpful cooking presets.
2. TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft
Rating: 8.8/10
The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS is a 1.2 cubic foot countertop microwave that brings smart cooking and convenience to your kitchen. Its 1000-watt output power means it heats food quickly and evenly. This microwave is designed to make your cooking experience easier with its smart sensor technology, multiple auto menus, and user-friendly features.
What We Like:
- The smart humidity sensor automatically adjusts cooking time and power. This helps prevent overcooked or undercooked food.
- It has 6 preset menus for popular foods like pizza and vegetables. This saves you time and guesswork.
- You get 10 power levels for lots of cooking options. You can also use the clock and kitchen timer.
- Defrosting is easy by weight or time. The one-touch start lets you cook for 1-6 minutes instantly.
- The mute function is a great feature. You can turn off the buzzer by holding the “8” button for a few seconds.
- It has an ECO mode to save energy.
- The interior is easy to clean.
- The 12.4-inch glass turntable is large enough for most dishes.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it has 6 preset menus, some users might want even more options.
- The external dimensions are fairly standard, but it still takes up a decent amount of counter space.
The TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and smart microwave. Its helpful features make cooking and reheating simple and effective.
3. TOSHIBA ML4-EM22PAIT(SS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Sensor Cook
Rating: 8.8/10
The TOSHIBA ML4-EM22PAIT(SS) is a large countertop microwave that offers a lot of power and features for busy families. Its stainless steel design looks sleek in any kitchen. This microwave is built to handle big meals and is easy to use, even for quick snacks.
What We Like:
- The generous 2.2 cubic feet of space easily fits large dishes and multiple servings, perfect for big families.
- The Origin Inverter technology ensures food cooks evenly without cold spots, making reheating and defrosting much better.
- Smart Sensor Cook automatically adjusts cooking time and power, taking the guesswork out of meal preparation.
- Six automatic menus make cooking popular items like popcorn or potatoes simple with just a touch.
- The 1200-watt power output cooks food quickly and efficiently.
- The Two-Step Child Lock is a great safety feature that prevents little hands from accidentally starting the microwave.
- The 16.5-inch removable turntable is large enough for big plates and is easy to clean.
What Could Be Improved:
- The external dimensions are quite large, so make sure you have enough counter space before buying.
- While the sensor menus are helpful, learning to use all the features might take a little practice.
This TOSHIBA microwave is a powerful and convenient appliance for any large family. It simplifies cooking and offers peace of mind with its safety features.
4. TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor and Position Memory Turntable
Rating: 9.2/10
The TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven offers a spacious 1.6 cu. ft. capacity and powerful 1200W heating. Its sleek black stainless steel finish looks great in any kitchen. This microwave is designed for convenience with smart sensor cooking and a handy position memory turntable.
What We Like:
- The smart sensor menus take the guesswork out of cooking. They automatically adjust cooking time and power for common foods like pizza and potatoes, ensuring better texture.
- Its large 1.6 cu. ft. capacity and 13.6-inch turntable easily fit a 13-inch pizza, making it great for families. The one-touch popcorn button is a nice touch.
- The innovative position memory turntable is a smart feature. It always returns the turntable to its starting spot, which makes removing dishes safer and easier.
- It comes with many useful features like auto defrost, fast cooking, memory settings, and a child safety lock. You can also turn off the buzzer sound by pressing the “8” button for a few seconds, which is great for quiet mornings.
- The stylish black stainless steel design adds a modern and elegant look to your kitchen.
What Could Be Improved:
- The keypad has a protective film that needs to be removed before the first use, which might be missed by some users.
This TOSHIBA microwave is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering both style and smart functionality for everyday cooking needs.
5. Farberware Countertop Microwave 1000 Watts
Rating: 8.5/10
The Farberware Countertop Microwave 1000 Watts, 1.1 Cu. Ft. is a powerful and convenient kitchen appliance designed for modern living. Its 1000 watts of power ensure quick cooking, while its 1.1 cubic feet capacity provides ample space for most meals. This microwave is a smart choice for smaller kitchens, apartments, or dorm rooms, offering full-sized cooking capabilities in a compact design. The sleek stainless steel finish not only looks good but also makes cleaning a breeze.
What We Like:
- It boasts 1000 watts of power for fast cooking.
- Ten power levels and multi-stage cooking offer great control.
- Six one-touch options, like popcorn and pizza, make cooking simple.
- Defrosting by weight or time is super handy.
- The 1.1 cu. ft. size is perfect for small spaces.
- The LED display with a timer and clock keeps you on track.
- Interior LED lighting lets you see your food easily.
- A child safety lock provides extra security.
- The stainless steel exterior is easy to clean.
- Farberware is a trusted brand for family meals.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might prefer more advanced smart features.
- The cord length could be longer for more placement options.
This Farberware microwave is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering both power and convenience. It makes preparing meals quick and easy for busy individuals and families.
Choosing Your Perfect Large Microwave: A Buyer’s Guide
A large microwave is a kitchen workhorse. It can heat up leftovers, cook meals, and even defrost meats quickly. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? This guide will help you find the best large microwave for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
Size Matters
Large microwaves are, well, large! They typically offer more than 2 cubic feet of interior space. This is great for cooking bigger dishes, like a whole chicken or a large casserole. Measure your counter space before you buy to make sure it fits.
Wattage Power
Wattage tells you how powerful the microwave is. Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most large microwaves have 1000 watts or more. This power helps food cook evenly and quickly.
Turntable and Size
A turntable is a rotating glass plate. It spins your food to cook it evenly. Make sure the turntable is large enough for your biggest plates. Some very large microwaves have a removable turntable, which can make cleaning easier.
Cooking Presets and Functions
Many microwaves come with special buttons for common foods. These are called presets. You can find buttons for popcorn, pizza, baked potatoes, and more. Some microwaves also have convection cooking. Convection cooking uses a fan to circulate hot air, so it can bake and roast like a regular oven.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Look for a microwave with a simple control panel. Buttons should be easy to read and understand. A smooth interior makes cleaning simple. Many large microwaves have a non-stick interior coating.
Important Materials
Most microwave interiors are made of stainless steel or enamel-coated metal. Stainless steel is durable and looks good. Enamel is easier to clean. The exterior is often stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel looks more high-end. Plastic is usually more affordable.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Brand Reputation
Well-known brands often make reliable microwaves. They also tend to offer better warranties. Do some research on different brands before you decide.
Build Quality
A sturdy build means the microwave will last longer. Check the door hinge and the control panel. They should feel solid and well-made. A microwave that feels flimsy might not hold up well over time.
User Reviews
Read reviews from other customers. They can tell you about their experiences with a specific microwave. Look for comments about cooking performance, ease of use, and reliability.
User Experience and Use Cases
A large microwave is perfect for busy families. You can cook meals for everyone at once. It’s also great for people who like to entertain. You can reheat large dishes for parties. If you often cook large recipes, a big microwave will save you time and effort. It can also be useful for defrosting large cuts of meat quickly. For those who enjoy meal prepping, a large microwave makes reheating multiple meals a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the biggest size for a large microwave?
A: Large microwaves usually start around 2 cubic feet. Some can be even bigger, offering more space for cooking.
Q: How much wattage do I need for a large microwave?
A: Aim for 1000 watts or higher. This ensures your food cooks fast and evenly.
Q: Is a turntable necessary in a large microwave?
A: A turntable is very helpful. It spins your food for even cooking. Most large microwaves have one.
Q: What is convection cooking in a microwave?
A: Convection cooking uses a fan to circulate hot air. It allows your microwave to bake and roast foods, just like a regular oven.
Q: Are stainless steel interiors better than enamel?
A: Stainless steel is very durable and looks sleek. Enamel is often easier to wipe clean.
Q: How do I know if a large microwave will fit my counter?
A: Always measure your counter space before buying. Also, check the microwave’s dimensions to ensure it fits.
Q: What are preset cooking options?
A: Preset options are buttons that automatically set the cooking time and power for specific foods, like popcorn or pizza.
Q: Can a large microwave replace my oven?
A: Some large microwaves with convection features can do a good job of baking and roasting. However, they usually can’t replace a full-sized oven for very large meals or for things like roasting a Thanksgiving turkey.
Q: How do I clean a large microwave?
A: Most large microwaves have smooth interiors that are easy to wipe down. You can use a damp cloth and mild soap. For tough spots, steam can help. Place a bowl of water with lemon slices inside and heat it for a few minutes.
Q: What is a good warranty for a large microwave?
A: A good warranty typically covers parts and labor for at least one year. Some brands offer longer warranties on specific components.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.