Be it for baking cookies and cakes, cooking pasta and pizzas, or just heating food, both microwave ovens, and OTGs are extremely helpful and the two most indispensable appliances to have in the kitchen. However, as many people do not know the exact differences between Microwave Oven Vs. OTG, they might find it difficult to zero in on the one that is most suitable for them. The word oven is broadly used to describe most of the kitchen appliances that have a heat chamber to cook. But to be able to pick the perfect microwave oven or an OTG that best suits one’s needs, it helps to get some clarity on what they are, how they are different and the features they offer.
What Is a Microwave Oven?
A microwave oven works on the principle of heating the food using electromagnetic waves. The food placed inside the over absorbs the high-frequency waves that are produced and at different levels, get heated up or cooked. The electromagnetic waves include a spectrum of infrared rays and radio waves ranging between 300MHz to 300 GHz. It usually has less preheat time and has a turntable to distribute the heat evenly and cook the food. This appliance is mostly used for heating, re-heating, boiling, and cooking. The feature of instant cooking food items like idlis, dhoklas, pizzas, omelette, mac and cheese, and more is the selling factor for the best microwave oven in India.
What is an OTG?
OTG or Oven, Toaster, Grill is a smaller version of a conventional over. Microwave Oven Vs. OTG : An OTG works on the principle of using coils to produce heat and cook the ingredients placed inside it. For equal distribution of heat through all the layers of the food, there is a fan present inside that channels it through the cooking/baking space. The thermostat and the timer present in the OTG help control the temperature. It takes a relatively long time to preheat due to the coils present and hence it impacts the cooking time. As the name suggests, this appliance can be used to bake, roast, and grill a variety of dishes like kebabs, chicken, fish, tarts, sourdough, bread, muffins, pizza base, cakes, and cookies.
Microwave Oven vs OTG: Comparing Features
1) Mode of Heating and Distribution
A microwave oven uses electromagnetic waves to cause the food particles to oscillate and heat up and distribute equally using a rotating plate. The heat distribution is more even and consistent.
An OTG uses electric coils to heat the inside of the oven which in turn cooks/bakes the food. It uses fans to distribute the heat evenly. The heat distribution is less even.
2) Heating Time and Capacity
The best convection microwave oven in India is known for its quick heating features. Food gets reheated within 30 secs to 1 minute and preheating takes about 5 minutes. It uses high power.
An OTG takes relatively more time to preheat and usually does not have the option of defreezing or reheating. But the heat produced can cook and bake through any form of meat or batter. It uses less power.
3) Other Features
The best microwave oven brand in India usually has an auto-cook functionality. Containers like silicone, ceramic, and glass, except for metals can be used to cook the food. It is relatively heavy and difficult to shift.
An OTG does not have an automatic cooking option. Oven-friendly utensils made of silicone, ceramic, glass, and metal can be used to cook and bake the dishes. It is relatively light and easy to move around.
Finally, to pick the perfect microwave oven one must consider all the factors including its ease of use, maintenance, budget-price match, capacity, quality, and best use.