Complete Microwave & OTG Buying Guide
Simple guide to choosing between microwave and OTG. Compare solo, grill, convection microwaves vs OTG for your kitchen needs.
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Key Factors to Consider
Appliance Type
Solo for reheating, convection for all-in-one, OTG for serious baking
Right Capacity
20-25L for small families, 25-30L for medium, 30L+ for large families
Sufficient Power
900W+ for microwaves, 1500W+ for OTGs - affects cooking speed
Key Features
Auto-cook menus, child lock, timer - enhance convenience and safety
Space Planning
Measure counter space and ensure proper ventilation clearance
Brand Service
Choose brands with good local service network for repairs
Budget Guide
Under ₹10,000
Solo microwaves, basic grill microwaves, small OTGs
₹10,000 - ₹20,000
Grill microwaves, small convection, quality OTGs
₹20,000 - ₹35,000
Large convection microwaves, premium OTGs
Above ₹35,000
High-end convection, large OTGs with inverter
Choosing between a microwave and OTG doesn’t have to be confusing. This simple guide tells you exactly what to look for based on your cooking needs and family size.
🍳 1. Choose your appliance type
Pick the Right Appliance
Each type serves different cooking needs - from basic reheating to serious baking and everything in between.
✅ Solo Microwave - Best for reheating and basic use
- • Most affordable option
- • Perfect for reheating and defrosting
- • Simple operation and energy efficient
- • Ideal for bachelors and couples
💰 Grill Microwave - Adds grilling and browning
- • Can grill sandwiches and kebabs
- • Combines microwave speed with grilling
- • Good value for versatile cooking
- • Cannot bake cakes or bread
🎯 Convection Microwave - All-in-one solution
- • Can reheat, grill, bake, and roast
- • Faster than OTG for most cooking
- • Space-efficient single appliance
- • Best choice for most families
🍰 OTG - Perfect for serious baking
- • Best baking results and texture
- • Large capacity for big batches
- • Authentic oven-like cooking
- • Cannot reheat food quickly
👉 Quick Choice: Solo for reheating, Convection for all-round cooking, OTG for serious baking.
📏 2. Pick the right capacity
Capacity Selection
Choose capacity based on family size and cooking habits - too small means multiple batches, too big wastes space.
👤 Small (15-20L)
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Perfect for: 1-2 people
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Best use: Basic reheating
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Price: ₹5,000-12,000
👨👩👧 Medium (20-30L)
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Perfect for: 3-4 people
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Best use: Regular cooking
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Price: ₹10,000-25,000
👨👩👧👦 Large (30L+)
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Perfect for: 5+ people
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Best use: Heavy baking
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Price: ₹18,000-45,000
📐 Capacity Formula
Simple Rule
Family size × 7L = Minimum capacity
Example: 4 people × 7L = 28L minimum
Real Usage
Add 5-10L if you bake often
Better to have extra capacity than too little
👉 Sweet Spot: 25-30L works for most families - enough capacity without being too big.
⚡ 3. Power and performance guide
Power Ratings Matter
Higher power means faster cooking - but also higher electricity bills. Find the right balance.
⚡ Microwave Power
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700-900W: Solo microwaves, slower cooking
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900-1200W: Grill/Convection, faster results
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1200W+: High-end models, quickest cooking
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Recommendation: 900W+ for regular use
🔥 OTG Power
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1200-1500W: Small OTGs, basic baking
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1500-2000W: Medium OTGs, good performance
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2000W+: Large OTGs, professional results
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Recommendation: 1500W+ for regular baking
🕐 Cooking Speed Comparison
Reheating (1 plate of food)
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Microwave: 1-2 minutes
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OTG: 10-15 minutes (with preheat)
Baking (Small cake)
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Convection: 25-30 minutes
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OTG: 35-40 minutes
👉 Power Rule: For daily use, choose 900W+ microwave or 1500W+ OTG - they cook faster and save time.
✨ 4. Essential features to look for
Smart Features for Better Cooking
Modern features make cooking easier and safer - but focus on ones you'll actually use.
Auto-Cook Menus
Pre-set programs for common dishes - rice, popcorn, cake, pizza
Child Lock
Essential safety feature to prevent accidents with children
Timer & Display
Digital display shows time, temperature, and cooking progress
Auto Shut-off
Turns off automatically when cooking is done - prevents overcooking
✅ Must-Have Features
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Digital Timer: Essential for accurate cooking
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Child Lock: Safety first, especially with kids
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Auto Shut-off: Prevents burning and accidents
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Interior Light: See cooking progress clearly
💰 Nice-to-Have Features
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Auto-Cook Menus: Convenient but not essential
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Rotisserie (OTG): For whole chicken cooking
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Multi-stage Cooking: Advanced programming
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Inverter Technology: More even heating
👉 Feature Priority: Timer and child lock first, then auto-cook menus. Skip fancy features you won't use.
⚖️ 5. Microwave vs OTG comparison
Head-to-Head Comparison
Each has strengths and weaknesses - choose based on your primary cooking needs.
🚀 Convection Microwave Wins
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Speed: Much faster reheating and cooking
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Convenience: One appliance for all cooking
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Energy: More efficient for small portions
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Space: Compact and fits anywhere
🎯 OTG Wins
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Baking Quality: Better texture and browning
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Capacity: Larger sizes for big families
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Durability: Longer lifespan with maintenance
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Price: Lower cost for large capacity
🔄 Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Convection Microwave | OTG |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ⭐⭐ Poor |
| Baking Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent |
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Fast | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Capacity | ⭐⭐⭐ Up to 32L | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Up to 60L |
| Price (25L) | ⭐⭐⭐ ₹20,000+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ₹12,000+ |
👉 Simple Choice: Convection microwave for convenience and speed, OTG for serious baking and large families.
💰 6. Budget and value guide
Smart Budget Planning
Consider total value including features, durability, and running costs - not just the initial price.
💡 Under ₹15,000 - Budget Range
Best Options
- • Solo microwaves (15-20L, 700-900W)
- • Basic grill microwaves (18-20L)
- • Small OTGs (16-25L, 1200-1500W)
- • Basic features and manual controls
What You Get
- • Good for light cooking and reheating
- • 2-3 year lifespan with regular use
- • Basic build quality but functional
- • Limited warranty and service
Best for: Students, bachelors, occasional use
💎 ₹15,000 - ₹30,000 - Recommended Range
Best Options
- • Grill microwaves (20-25L, 900-1100W)
- • Entry convection microwaves (20-25L)
- • Quality OTGs (25-35L, 1500-1800W)
- • Digital controls and auto-cook menus
What You Get
- • Perfect for most family cooking needs
- • 5-8 year lifespan with proper care
- • Good build quality and reliability
- • Decent warranty and service support
Best for: Most families, regular cooking ⭐
⭐ ₹30,000 - ₹50,000 - Premium Range
Best Options
- • Large convection microwaves (28-32L)
- • Inverter technology models
- • Premium OTGs (35-45L, 2000W+)
- • Advanced features and smart controls
What You Get
- • Excellent for heavy cooking and baking
- • 8-12 year lifespan expectancy
- • Premium build quality and performance
- • Extended warranty and priority service
Best for: Large families, cooking enthusiasts
👑 ₹50,000+ - Luxury Range
Best Options
- • High-end convection with smart features
- • Commercial-grade OTGs (45-60L)
- • Steam cooking and combination modes
- • Premium materials and design
What You Get
- • Professional cooking results at home
- • 10-15+ year lifespan with premium build
- • Maximum features and convenience
- • Premium support and extended warranties
Best for: Professional kitchens, luxury homes
👉 Value Rule: ₹15,000-30,000 offers the best balance of features, quality, and price for most families.
✅ 7. Quick buying checklist
Your Microwave/OTG Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you choose the perfect appliance for your kitchen needs.
✅ Appliance Type & Capacity
✅ Power & Performance
✅ Essential Features
✅ Installation & Purchase
Ready to Buy Your Perfect Kitchen Appliance!
You've got all the knowledge needed to make a smart choice that'll serve your cooking needs perfectly.
❓ 8. Frequently asked questions
Common Questions Answered
Get quick answers to the most common questions about microwaves and OTGs.
Q: Should I choose microwave or OTG for baking?
A:
For occasional baking, convection microwave is perfect. For serious baking with authentic textures and crusts, choose an OTG. OTGs provide better browning and crisping for cakes, cookies, and bread.
Q: What capacity do I need for a family of 4?
A:
For a family of 4, choose at least 25-30L capacity. Use the formula: 4 people × 7L = 28L minimum. If you bake frequently, go for 30L+ for better convenience.
Q: Is convection microwave better than OTG?
A:
Convection microwaves are faster and more versatile for daily use. OTGs provide better baking results and are more suitable for serious bakers and large families. Choose based on your primary need.
Q: Can I use metal utensils in microwaves?
A:
Never use metal in microwave mode as it can cause sparks and damage. Some convection microwaves allow metal in convection mode only. Always use microwave-safe glass or ceramic containers.
Q: How much power consumption should I expect?
A:
Microwaves consume 900-1200W, OTGs use 1500-2000W. However, microwaves cook faster, so daily electricity usage is often similar. OTGs use more power but for shorter durations when baking.
Q: Are auto-cook menus really useful?
A:
Auto-cook menus are helpful for beginners and ensure consistent results for common dishes like popcorn, rice, and reheating. Experienced cooks often prefer manual control for better customization.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing based on price alone - may not meet cooking needs
- Ignoring capacity requirements - leads to multiple batches
- Overlooking power ratings - results in slow cooking
- Not measuring counter space - appliance may not fit properly
- Skipping warranty consideration - no support when repairs needed
Expert Tips
- For daily reheating: Solo microwave is most cost-effective
- For all-round cooking: Convection microwave offers best versatility
- For serious baking: OTG provides authentic results and better texture
- Capacity rule: Family size × 7L = minimum recommended capacity
- Always leave 6 inches clearance around appliance for ventilation
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