Do you ever get confused between Convection Microwave and OTG? If yes, then, worry not, we are here to help you out.
To understand the difference, one should, know
How microwave ovens work?
A microwave oven cooks using electromagnetic waves, having frequencies between 0.3 to 300 GHz, this frequency is called mircrowave frequency. Microwave frequency, interestingly, can be absorbed by water, fats, and sugars. So when the food is placed inside the microwave oven, the microwaves are absorbed by the food, which then gets heated up. Knowing that microwaves cook from inside out, the heat absorbed by fat, water and sugar start heating the food molecules and then the heat travels outwards thus warming up the food inside-out.
Metal, plastic, glass and ceramic do not absorb microwaves as they get reflected and hence the internal lining of microwave ovens is made up of metal.
Now looking into
How OTGs work?
OTGs, basically, convert electricity into heat with help of the nickel/ chromium metal alloys coils. Heat, is then absorbed by the food placed in the oven. The only drawback this appliance has, is that it takes a longer time to cook food and at times the food doesn’t even look cook evenly.
Microwave and OTG, both are ovens and do not require any additional setup. They just need to be plugged in a socket and they are good to go. Also, they are small in size hence are quite portable as well. OTGs are good for grilling meat, baking bread and delicious desserts, and toasting bread as well. Microwave ovens are efficient for cooking rice, heating food or defrosting food quickly. Microwaves consume less energy as it heats up faster than OTGs.
The table listed below will help you to understand the difference clearly.
| Criteria | Microwave Ovens | OTG |
| Heating | Heating is faster than any other type of oven | Heating is slow, as the electric coils take time to heat up. |
| Cooking Time | They take minimum time to heat up or defrost food. Even cooking can be done under 5 minutes (preset recipes) | OTGs take more time to cook food |
| Heat Distribution | Heat distribution is even. | Toasters do not have even heat distribution. There is no fan to circulate this heat. |
| Temperature Management | Temperature is taken care of, automatically. However, few microwave ovens allow users to regulate temperature as per their requirement. | Temperature need to be set manually. |
| Burners | Runs on electricity hence no burners required | They are equipped with heating coils for creating heat. |
| Uses | Used for heating and defrosting food, cooking or boiling as well | Used for toasting, grilling, broiling and especially for baking. |
| Benefits | These are affordable, easy to use and effective too. No additional oven is required, can be set anywhere on the countertop and plugged in. They consume less power to heat up. | They are cheaper but can only perform specific actions. They are ideal for roasting, toasting, and broiling. |
| Limitations | It is only useful for specific food items. Cannot bake or grill food items | Cannot defrost or boil food items. |
Microwave ovens and OTGs are quite economical. Based on your food preference you can buy either or both of them if need be.
Other Related Buying Guides
