Well, I think most people these days contemplate this question before buying a microwave. I have a microwave at home. I use it for heating purposes but I don’t use it to make cakes or pizzas. I usually prefer a gas stove. I work in a food products company where baking dishes for checking out products is a big part. So that’s where I came across OTG, and since then I have been hooked on it. I love everything about it and even considered buying one for my home. But is it worth it? For me, it does. But before you consider buying a microwave or OTG, I am listing out the things to consider.
Features of Microwave Oven:
The Microwave Oven has been incredibly useful for me in terms of instant cooking and reheating food. I particularly appreciate its ability to quickly reheat leftovers, giving me the chance to reconsider discarding them!
What truly stands out about the microwave oven is its reputation for “instant” cooking and baking. It’s known for effortlessly preparing instant idlis, dhoklas, cakes, mug pizzas, mac n cheese, omelets, and more. It’s quite an impressive array of instant cooking possibilities!
Features of Oven Toaster Grill (OTG):
The OTG (Oven Toaster Grill) holds a special place in my heart when it comes to baking. This appliance is specifically designed for baking, toasting, broiling, and grilling food. It’s incredible how versatile it is – for instance, the rotisserie function works wonders in making kebabs and grilling various foods.
You can use OTG to make cakes, cookies, muffins, pizza, bread, sourdough, tarts, rotisserie chicken, baked fish/chicken, baked vegetables, kebabs, as well as baked snacks like samosas and cutlets.
Microwave Vs OTG: The Healthier Choice?
Microwave Oven operates using high-frequency electromagnetic waves, which explain its remarkable abilities in instant cooking and reheating. There’s a common belief that these high-frequency waves might not be beneficial for us, as they could render food somewhat radioactive, potentially leading to health issues like cancer. I find these claims far fetched in my humble opinion. Additionally, there’s concern that these waves might negatively impact the vitamins and nutrients in food. However, this article suggests an opposing viewpoint. The decision on whether to use a Microwave Oven rests with you.
Moreover, I’ve observed that thicker slices of food, such as larger chicken slices, take more time and power to cook thoroughly in a Microwave Oven. This is because the waves might not penetrate the insides of thick slices quickly enough, often leaving the center raw.
Baking/Cooking Time: Which one is better?
From my experience, when it comes to cooking, a Microwave Oven significantly outpaces an OTG in terms of speed. Additionally, modern microwave ovens, like the one I have, come equipped with separate modes for grilling and air-frying/low-oil frying. Some models also offer auto-cook menu options, enabling you to prepare food with pre-set cooking time and temperature settings. However, it’s worth noting that these features are not available in OTGs.
OTGs primarily excel in baking, toasting, grilling, and broiling food. They aren’t geared toward actual “cooking” processes. So, if that distinction is important to you, it’s something to consider when making a choice between the two appliances.
When it comes to baking, the time required for a recipe remains consistent in both appliances. However, the cooking time for other types of food may differ significantly between a Microwave Oven and an OTG based on my usage observations.
Can Microwave be used for baking cakes and pizza?
Absolutely, it’s possible – but with one condition: your microwave oven must have a mode that replicates the environment similar to that of an OTG. This mode, known as the Convection mode, is a game-changer. It allows you to bake cakes, cookies, pizzas, bread, and more, delivering results akin to those of an oven when used correctly. With this mode, you can explore baking various items, including vegetables, chicken, fish, and delightful baked snacks like samosas.
However, if a microwave oven lacks the convection mode, it falls into the category of Solo Microwave Ovens. In such cases, baking or grilling isn’t possible, but you can create instant mug cakes, biscuit cakes, and other quick items mentioned earlier in this post that don’t require the “baking” function. These types of microwaves are best suited for reheating or cooking a limited range of food items.
Typically, Solo Microwave Ovens are placed in the lower end of the price range. They serve as practical options for basic cooking and reheating food.
Can OTG heat food?
Certainly possible! However, there isn’t a designated mode specifically for reheating. It might take a bit of time, usually around 5-10 minutes, depending on the initial temperature of the food. Essentially, the food will start cooking again, following a similar process in a Microwave but at very high power. This underlies the concept behind mug cakes and instant biscuit cakes. The intense heat applied to these cakes initiates the cooking process, causing the cake crumb to form swiftly. This particular cooking method isn’t possible in an OTG.
Reasons to Consider an OTG:
1. Passion for Baking: If you love baking or aspire to explore various cakes, cookies, pizzas, and buns at home, an OTG is your go-to appliance. Your love for baking drives you like myself, and you eagerly await your next baking session.
2. Future Cake Business: Perhaps you’re contemplating a future cake business, whether as a side gig, part-time venture, or even full-time endeavor. In such aspirations, an OTG is an excellent choice to hone your baking skills.
3. Limited Food Reheating: If reheating food isn’t a common practice for you, or you’re comfortable reheating meals using the stovetop instead of a microwave, an OTG aligns well with your habits. This will give you wider option for grilling and baking stuff.
In these scenarios, investing in a good OTG is the ideal choice, tailored to your baking enthusiasm and specific food reheating preferences.
Reasons to consider Microwave:
1. Infrequent Baking: If baking cakes or cookies is a rare occurrence for you, happening only once or twice a month, or even less often, a Microwave Oven could be a more practical choice.
2. Frequent Food Reheating: Reheating food constitutes a daily routine for you, making the Microwave Oven a handy appliance for this purpose.
3. Cooking and Backup: You appreciate the convenience of cooking in the microwave oven occasionally, especially as a backup when you prefer not to cook on the stovetop.
4. Utilization of Advanced Modes: The availability of auto-cook and advanced modes, such as low-oil frying, in the microwave oven appeals to you. These features are likely to be more beneficial in your daily routine.
5. Electricity and Convenience: Lack of a stovetop or LPG cylinder connection makes cooking in a microwave oven hassle-free for you. However, it’s essential to note that daily use of the Microwave Oven might increase your electricity bills, which needs consideration.
Final thoughts:
I hope that this detailed comparison helps you in choosing the right appliance for your home.
If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments.
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This review is so simple and offers clarity. I have been contemplating buying a microwave for a few months. While I can’t say that I was confused between microwave and OTG, the review is certainly enlightening. I think OTGs were quite popular before few years but at present microwaves are trending. Have been seeing only microwaves ruling my friends and family’s kitchens. Do you know of some reliable microwave brand with significant warranty?
Take a look at this one from LG. I think it has all the features you need and reliability of LG is pretty good.
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09M7DH9LJ
Confused between a microwave and an OTG for weeks now! I mostly use my kitchen for quick meals, reheating leftovers, and making the occasional grilled sandwich. But lately, I’ve been getting more into baking, and I’m wondering if my regular microwave will cut it. From your post, it sounds like an OTG would be better for proper baking, but is it really worth getting one just for that? I don’t bake often, maybe once or twice a month. Would a convection microwave be a decent middle ground, or does it not match up to an OTG when it comes to things like cakes and pizzas?
A convection microwave could work if you’re only baking occasionally and your main priority is convenience. It offers a mix of functions microwave reheating, grilling, and basic baking in one appliance. But if you’re serious about getting perfect textures for cakes and pizzas, OTGs do a much better job since they distribute dry heat more evenly, similar to traditional ovens. Since you’re just getting into baking, I’d say stick with a convection microwave for now and see how much you actually use the baking function. If you find yourself baking more often, upgrading to an OTG later could be a better investment.
I love baking and honestly can’t do without my OTG I first tried using a convection microwave for cakes but was always disappointed Some parts cooked faster than others and I never got that perfect golden crust Switched to an OTG last year and wish I had done it sooner But I do miss how quick and easy a microwave is for other things If someone’s getting an OTG do you think it’s still worth keeping a microwave for reheating or can an OTG handle that too
OTGs are fantastic for baking, and I totally get why you made the switch. But yeah, an OTG isn’t the best at quick reheating since it works like a traditional oven, it takes time to preheat, and you can’t just pop in a bowl of rice and heat it in a minute like you would in a microwave. If you don’t mind waiting a bit longer, you can reheat food in an OTG, but it’s not as convenient. If you have the space and budget, I’d say keep both—microwave for speed, OTG for baking. But if you had to pick just one, it depends on what you cook more often. Do you use your OTG for anything besides baking, like grilling or roasting veggies? Some people get creative and use it for almost everything!