# Without looking, do you know the wattage of your microwave? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 6, 2022, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082 "2022-12-06T06:00:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/22 "2022-12-06T14:50:47Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I wrote the wattage on the front of it. I did that ! Mine is 700W ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/23 "2022-12-06T16:13:32Z")
Ours is 700W, so we have to adjust any instructions. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/24 "2022-12-06T16:18:57Z")
I had to go to Amazon and look up my old order. I couldn’t find the information anywhere on the actual until. And since I know you all care, it’s 1100. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/25 "2022-12-06T19:47:21Z")
Don’t remind me - I just replaced my microwave (and got a back spasm that lasted a week as a result). Replaced an 1100W one with a 1000W one. I started paying attention when my old one popped the circuit breaker, although I’m pretty sure that was caused by something in the door. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/26 "2022-12-06T19:56:05Z")
I thought I did but I was wrong, I guessed 1500 but it was 1250. It’s a Panasonic and I’ve been happy with it. Had to learn about power levels to microwave popcorn without it burning though. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/27 "2022-12-06T19:57:33Z")
Reheating leftovers? Heating up prepared dinners you buy at Costco? I would say those two uses take up most of our microwave use. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/28 "2022-12-06T20:01:50Z")
I had no idea. We have a new “drawer microwave” from Wolf and liking it more than I expected. I looked it up just now, and learned it’s 950 watts. [Wolf 24" Transitional Drawer Microwave (MD24TE/S) (subzero-wolf.com)](https://www.subzero-wolf.com/wolf/microwave-ovens/24-inch-transitional-drawer-microwave) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/29 "2022-12-06T20:52:58Z")
I didn’t vote, but I do know the wattage of ours: Zero watts. We don’t have one 😛 ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/30 "2022-12-06T20:56:19Z")
I wasn’t 100% sure, but I thought it was about 1000 watts. Then I went and checked, and I was right; it’s 1000 watts (Yes, on mine at least it’s on the label inside the door). So I voted “yes”. Even though I had to go look to make myself 100% certain, I had it right before I checked. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/31 "2022-12-06T21:12:23Z")
900 watts, I know that mostly from the frozen vegetable steamer bags. For our meat and potato style meals, by the time I get home and prepare a protein and starch we’re either getting salad or a steamer bag. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/32 "2022-12-06T21:36:13Z")
I think I know it. Edit: Checked, yes I did, and the reason is obvious: [![](https://www.briscoes.co.nz/globalassets/productimages/briscoes/1080522_00/1080522_00_default_12.jpg?CatalogContentDetails-179297-600-600-75-0,0) ](https://www.briscoes.co.nz/globalassets/productimages/briscoes/1080522_00/1080522_00_default_12.jpg?CatalogContentDetails-179297-600-600-75-0,0) It also has a specification sticker just inside the door. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/33 "2022-12-06T21:49:40Z")
I figured mine was pretty powerful but it was also kind of cheap when we bought it (low end Panasonic). I guessed it was about 1300 watts figuring they probably don’t even go much higher than 1500 watts. Turns out, it’s 1500 watts. It heats things shockingly fast sometimes. Mrs. Charming and Rested and I had a series of terrible red (always red) Target models before this one. The clock went out after a few months but it just keeps plugging away after seven or so years turning our food into molten lava if we ask. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/34 "2022-12-06T22:58:38Z")
That drawer microwave is very cool. Ours is built in with the fan over the stove, meaning I have to stretch to see how things are doing. A drawer would also get me out of the way of the person using the stove top or oven when lots of cooking is going on. Hmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2022, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/35 "2022-12-06T23:13:05Z")
I really hope my husband isn’t reading this thread, or he’ll be lobbying for that 1500 watt unit. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/36 "2022-12-07T12:40:50Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Reheating leftovers? > > Heating up prepared dinners you buy at Costco? Leftover soup I would heat on the stove. Most other leftovers I take to work the next day for lunch. We do not buy frozen prepared dinners. Reheating pizza/chicken wings I would use the air fryer with the toaster oven a second choice. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/37 "2022-12-07T15:19:28Z")
It’s a small luxury in life to have hot water for tea in a few seconds, two bags of microwave popcorn in time one usually takes, or melted butter in 8 seconds. The only downside to the powerful microwave is that it is basically useless for defrosting raw meat or chicken. It will cook the edges without leaving enough time for the heat to seep into the middle. Of course, it’s generally bad to thaw in the microwave in any event, so it’s a downside I can live with. > [@kayaker](#): > > There’s nothing else I’d use a microwave to do that I couldn’t do better with another tool. I can reheat tea in the mug where I accidentally let it get cold. I can make hot chocolate in the mug I’m going to use to drink it without anything extra to clean up. I can make tea faster and with less energy wasted than heating it on the stove, so particularly in the summer when I’m paying to cool the house already, I save two ways. Prepared foods like soups, stews, or burritos can be reheated at least as well or better in the microwave with less attention. I can reheat something gravy and let it just sit in the microwave while I cook the fresh potatoes and chicken on the stove. I can make microwave popcorn with the touch of a button while I go to the bathroom before the debate starts; it’s not as good as homemade popcorn but it’s faster and easier to clean up. I can soften butter I forgot to leave on the counter before baking. Shall I go on? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/38 "2022-12-07T15:23:35Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Leftover soup I would heat on the stove. Most other leftovers I take to work the next day for lunch. We do not buy frozen prepared dinners. > > Reheating pizza/chicken wings I would use the air fryer with the toaster oven a second choice. This is why we don’t have a microwave. We have an air popper so don’t need one for popcorn. And we have a 13 year old living with us that lives on chicken nuggets and other things that work best in an air fryer. Reheated pizza in the air fryer \>\>\>\> reheated in microwave. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/39 "2022-12-07T19:00:19Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Another question would be, “Do you know how to check your microwave wattage?” It is often unlabeled. Ours has the wattage labeled on the back, but it’s on a higher shelf than I feel comfortable dealing with. So, we looked it up in the user booklet. Yeah, I have a magazine storage box that I throw the things in. They’ve come in handy several times. Of course, they’re online a lot now, too. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/40 "2022-12-07T19:45:00Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > with us that lives on chicken nuggets and other things that work best in an air fryer. Reheated pizza in the air fryer \>\>\>\> reheated in microwave. Air fryers have definitely taken over from the microwave for a lot of uses, especially certain frozen foods. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082/41 "2022-12-07T23:38:27Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Air fryers have definitely taken over from the microwave for a lot of uses, especially certain frozen foods. For me, the air fryer has mostly replaced the toaster oven for heating those kinds of foods. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-do-you-know-the-wattage-of-your-microwave/976082.md?page=3)