Microwaves: Wattage, Safe Containers and Cleaning
A microwave is the most-used and least-understood appliance in a Kenyan kitchen. Most of what goes wrong with one — uneven heating, exploded food, a cavity that smells — comes down to three habits, not to the machine.
Wattage: what the number means for you
| Output | Reheats a plate of food in | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 700W | 2–3 minutes | One or two people, a bedsitter, an office |
| 800–900W | 1.5–2 minutes | A family kitchen |
| 1000W+ | Under 1.5 minutes | Heavy use, larger households |
Capacity matters as much as power: 20 litres takes a dinner plate comfortably, which is what most households actually need. The Nunix 20 Litre Microwave, 700W with 5 Power Levels is the standard size for a small kitchen, and the power levels matter more than the headline wattage — defrosting and melting need low power, not short bursts at full.
The three habits
- Cover everything. Uncovered food dries out, splatters the cavity and then bakes on. A Microwave Food Splatter Cover with Base Plate and Handle keeps the moisture in the food and the cavity clean.
- Stir halfway. Microwaves heat unevenly by design. Stirring once does more than adding a minute.
- Pierce anything with a skin. Eggs, sausages, tomatoes, potatoes. Steam builds up inside and has to go somewhere.
What must never go in
- Metal of any kind, including foil and metal-trimmed crockery.
- Sealed containers and unopened tins — pressure has nowhere to go.
- Plastic not marked microwave-safe. Use a rated container such as a microwaveable BPA-free snack box.
- Nothing at all — running an empty microwave damages the magnetron.
Cleaning it in five minutes
Half a lemon in a bowl of water, four minutes on full, then leave the door shut for five. The steam softens everything baked on, and it wipes out with a cloth — no scrubbing, no chemicals near food surfaces. Do it fortnightly and the cavity never reaches the state that needs scraping.
Where to put it
A microwave needs clear air around the vents and a counter it is not fighting for. If counter space is tight, a 2 Layer Microwave and Multipurpose Storage Rack lifts it and gives back the space underneath.
Frequently asked questions
What wattage microwave do I need?
700W is fine for one or two people; 800–900W suits a family. Power levels matter more than peak wattage for defrosting.
Why does my food heat unevenly?
Microwaves heat in patterns, not uniformly. Stir halfway through and let the food stand a minute before eating.
How do I clean a microwave without chemicals?
Steam it: half a lemon in a bowl of water, four minutes on full, door shut for five, then wipe out.
Can I put plastic containers in the microwave?
Only ones marked microwave-safe. Others can warp and leach — use a rated BPA-free container instead.
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