The kitchen has seen a lot of innovation in terms of convenience in efforts to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of the modern world. Microwave ovens have come a long way from their humble beginnings, evolving into workhorses that offer more than just reheating. From reheating leftovers to preparing gourmet dishes, a quality microwave can make a world of difference. If you’re looking to add convenience to your kitchen and maybe even upgrade your culinary skills in the process, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we dive into the world of microwave oven cooking power, in particular, the ZLINE 30 in. 1.6 cu ft. Built-in Convection Microwave Oven (MWO-30).
By the time you finish reading this comprehensive review, you'll be better equipped to determine if the ZLINE MWO-30 is the right choice to add convenience to your kitchen. So, let's dive right in and discover what makes this microwave oven a standout kitchen appliance.
The most essential task of a microwave is simplifying meal preparation, so we’re digging deep into the MWO-30’s cooking capabilities. In our experience, a microwave with a wide array of cooking settings greatly enhances the versatility of the appliance and makes tackling a broader range of cooking tasks possible.
ZLINE MWO-30 Cooking Modes and Features:
Primary Cooking Modes:
Convection
- Roasting chicken and vegetables
- Baking cakes and cookies
- Reheating leftovers to keep them from becoming soggy
Broil
- Searing pork chops
- Browning vegetables
- Making scalloped potatoes
Microwave
- Quickly heating up leftovers
- Cooking frozen meals
- Softening butter
Specialty Cooking Features:
There are also a number of specialty cooking features like sensor cooking, reheating, defrosting, and rapid pre-heat setting to allow you to further fine-tune your selection.
Sensor cooking:
Takes the guesswork out of cooking by automatically adjusting the cooking time and power level based on the type of food and its moisture content. For example, you can use the sensor cook setting to cook popcorn, rice, or vegetables perfectly every time.
Reheat:
Reheats food evenly and prevents it from becoming overcooked or dried out. For example, you can use the reheat setting to reheat a bowl of soup, a plate of leftovers, or a slice of pizza.
Defrost:
Defrosts food safely and quickly without overcooking it. For example, you can use the defrost setting to defrost meat, poultry, or seafood.
Rapid pre-heat:
Preheats the oven quickly so you can start cooking sooner. For example, you can use the rapid pre-heat setting to preheat the oven for a frozen pizza or a casserole.
Wire Rack and Reversible Turntable:
ZLINE included a reversible turntable and wire rack to add versatility for baking, roasting, and grilling. The reversible turntable allows for even cooking by rotating the food as it heats, ensuring that there are no cold spots or unevenly heated areas in your dish. This feature is especially handy when reheating larger items or when you have multiple smaller dishes on the turntable. It helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout the food, resulting in more uniformly heated and better-tasting meals.
The wire rack, on the other hand, adds an extra dimension to your microwave's capabilities. It elevates food, allowing air to circulate around it during convection cooking, baking, and roasting. This not only promotes even cooking but also enables dishes like casseroles, baked goods, and roasted meats to achieve a golden brown and crispy texture. It effectively transforms your microwave into a multi-functional cooking tool, expanding its use beyond traditional microwave tasks.
ZLINE MWO-30 Power:
It’s a common misconception that the wattage of a microwave is the most important factor when considering cooking capabilities. In fact, other factors such as the microwave's size, interior design, turntable functionality, and additional features like sensor cooking can influence cooking performance just as much or more than wattage.
That said, the ZLINE 30" Microwave Oven comes equipped with a hefty 1000 watts.1000 watts is considered high cooking power for a microwave, which means it can generate and deliver energy to food quickly. When you're in a hurry or need to prepare meals or snacks swiftly, the 1000 watts of cooking power comes in handy and can be a time-saver.
On top of the wattage, ZLINE equipped their microwave oven with 11 different power levels. This variable power allows you to customize the cooking power to suit your needs, making it suitable for a wide range of recipes.
ZLINE MWO-30 Design/Finish:
We’d be remiss if we didn’t touch on the design and finish of the ZLINE 30" Microwave Oven. After all, that is still our favorite part of any kitchen appliance.
Aesthetically, the built-in design of the MWO-30 enhances the overall look of the kitchen. It seamlessly blends with the surrounding cabinetry, creating a cohesive look that caters to design preferences from rustic to modern. This integrated approach also increases the kitchen's visual appeal and can significantly impact its resale value.
This microwave oven is designed with luxury and style in mind. It's available in three different finishes, including Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel, and ZLINE's proprietary DuraSnow Stainless Steel. DuraSnow offers improved resistance to fingerprints, scratches, and smudges, which makes maintaining a sleek appearance over time much easier. There’s also the Autograph Edition MWO-30, which adds a Polished Gold, Champagne Bronze, or Matte Black accent handle.
One of our favorite appliance bundles in terms of aesthetics is the Microwave Oven and Wall Oven combo. The matching design and finish of these two appliances creates a sleek look that we’ve been hard-pressed to replicate with alternatives. This combo is also an efficient use of space and can be especially beneficial in smaller kitchens where every inch of counter space is precious.
Is the ZLINE 30” Microwave Oven (MWO-30) Good?
Yes, the ZLINE 30” Microwave Oven (MWO-30) is a fantastic microwave oven. With its array of cooking modes, features, and 1000 watts of power, is built from the ground up to meet modern culinary needs. If you need a convenient cooking solution, this is it.
Our endorsement of the MWO-30 goes beyond the technological capabilities. What truly sets this appliance apart, in our opinion, is its elegant design and finish. A touch of luxury and style makes cooking more enjoyable, even if your ultimate goal is to reduce the amount of time spent doing so.
So, whether you're a seasoned home chef ready to make your next masterpiece or someone looking for an alternative to a boring countertop microwave, we recommend the ZLINE MWO-30.
If you’re ready to add convenience to your kitchen with a microwave oven, call us at 1 (866) 212-9706 or book a consultation with one of our microwave oven experts!
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