Is a 700 Watt Microwave Good

Is a 700 watt microwave good for real life? I asked this on a cold Ohio day in my shop.

Big GE or Whirlpool ovens blow the fuse here. A small Black and Decker unit heats cold food fine.

It fits in tight New York flats or cold Midwest workshops. It draws fewer amps. You just need more time for a hot lunch.

Is a 700 Watt Microwave Good for Everyday Use?

So, is a 700 watt microwave good for everyday use? I ask myself this every time I move. Last fall, I lived in a tiny Chicago flat. Space was tight. My small 700W oven sat right in the corner. For simple daily cooking, it works great. I use it to heat up old pizza, warm my cold coffee, and fix quick snacks. Yes, it is slower than a big 1000W model. But for light tasks, it does the job with no fuss.

What a 700W Microwave Handles Well

Here is what this little machine does best:

• Reheating leftovers: Yesterday’s pasta or hot soup comes out great.
• Cooking popcorn: The lower heat cooks kernels slowly. I never smell burnt popcorn anymore. It is a huge win!
• Defrosting meat: Thaw frozen chicken gently. The edges do not turn gray and rubbery.
• Warming drinks: My morning tea often gets cold. This fixes it fast.
• Cooking frozen dinners: Just give it a few extra minutes on the clock.
• Steaming veggies: Fresh broccoli turns bright green and soft in a bowl of water.

Where It Feels a Little Weak

Let us be honest. It is not perfect for all tasks. Here is where it struggles:

• Boiling lots of water: You will stand there waiting. A lot.
• Thick frozen foods: Big blocks of ice-cold food take way too long to heat.
• Big family meals: It is just too small to feed a hungry crowd fast.
• Crispy recipes: Do not expect a nice crunch on your food.
• Heavy daily cooking: If you cook every big meal in it, you might get annoyed.

Who Usually Loves a 700W Microwave

Some folks really love these smaller ovens. They are a perfect match for:

• College students in tight dorm rooms.
• Singles or couples who just need a quick heat-up.
• RV owners out on the road.
• Office breakrooms where space is small.
• Small apartment kitchens.

Sometimes, slow cooking actually helps. One rainy Friday night, I tossed a frozen burrito in mine. I used to burn these all the time in my old, huge oven. But the 700W unit cooked it evenly all the way through. No hard, dry crust on the edges. Funny enough, my cheap late-night snack tasted so much better.

Are 700 Watt Microwaves Worth It?

So, are 700 watt microwaves worth it? Yes, they really are. If your needs are simple, they are great. They fit perfectly when your kitchen space is very small.

Why People Buy Them

I have bought a few of these over the years. Here is why I like them:

• They cost a lot less money.
• They take up very little room.
• They pull less power from the wall.
• They easily slide onto tiny kitchen counters.
• They rarely pop the breaker on old wiring. (I really hate testing blown fuses in the dark!)

The Trade-Off

But there is a catch. Time is the biggest downside. You often have to add more time to your cook cycle. Think twenty to fifty percent more time than a big 1000W model.

That extra minute feels so long. I still remember standing in a chilly Seattle rental at midnight, feeling starving while staring through the dark glass at my frozen mac and cheese. My stomach grumbled while the plate slowly spun. Yes, the wait can feel very long.

Is a 700W or 800W Microwave Better?

Friends often ask me, ” Is a 700W or 800W microwave better? For most homes, an 800W unit is the sweet spot. It cooks your food a bit faster. But it still stays small and cheap.

700W vs 800W Quick Comparison

Feature	700W Microwave	800W Microwave
Cooking Speed	Slower	Faster
Energy Use	Slightly lower	Slightly higher
Best For	Light daily use	Daily meal prep
Frozen Meals	Needs more time	Better heat power
Price	Often much cheaper	A little more money

Should You Upgrade?

If you eat a lot of frozen meals, get the 800W oven. You will love how much faster it is. I hate waiting for food when I am tired after a long day.

But if you just warm up leftovers and heat your morning coffee, save your cash. A 700W unit works just fine for that.

Is a 700W Microwave Too Weak?

So, is a 700W microwave too weak? Not really. It is just slower.

Many folks think low watts mean bad quality. That is not true at all. A lower-watt oven is not a bad machine. It simply pushes out less cooking power. You just need to know what it can handle.

Signs It Is Strong Enough for You

This small oven is a great fit if:

• You mostly reheat cold food from last night.
• You only cook small portions on small plates.
• You have a little patience to spare.
• You rarely try to cook raw foods in it.

Signs You Need More Wattage

Sometimes, you just need a bigger beast. Look for more power if:

• You cook large family meals every day.
• You eat rock-hard frozen meals all the time.
• You do heavy meal prep on weekends.
• You want super-fast cooking speeds.
• You boil large pots of water very often.

Can a 700 Watt Microwave Boil Water?

Can a 700-watt microwave boil water? Yes, it sure can. But it will test your patience. It takes much longer than higher-watt models.

Typical Boiling Time

Here is a quick look at the clock:

• 1 cup of water: around 3 to 4 minutes
• 2 cups of water: around 5 to 6 minutes

I learned a funny lesson about this. One hot Tuesday afternoon in Phoenix, I wanted to make quick iced tea. I put my thick ceramic mug in the oven. When it finally beeped, I grabbed the cup barehanded. The mug felt oddly cool to my skin. But the water inside was bubbling and scorching hot! Microwaves are very sneaky like that. Always check the water before you take a big sip.

How Long Does It Take to Cook Food in a 700W Microwave?

How long does it take to cook food in a 700W microwave? You must add extra time. Most food boxes are made for a big 1000W oven. I learned this the hard way on a cold Monday in Denver. I just wanted a quick hot snack. The box said three minutes. Three minutes later, I took a bite. The center was still pure ice! I was so mad.

Common Cooking Times

Here is a quick guide I use for my favorite foods:

• Potato: One medium potato takes 7 to 10 minutes. It gets nice and soft.
• Broccoli: Fresh broccoli needs 4 to 6 minutes. Add a splash of water to make good hot steam.
• Hot Pocket: These take 3 to 4 minutes. The cheese finally melts, warm and gooey.

How Much Time Should I Add for a 700W Microwave?

I use a very simple rule in my kitchen. Just add about 30 percent more cooking time than the box says.

If the instructions say 4 minutes for a big 1000W oven, start with 5 to 5½ minutes in your 700W microwave. You can always add more time if the food is cold. But you cannot uncook a burnt meal!

Microwave Wattage Explained Simply

Let us keep microwave wattage explained simply. Think of watts like the engine in a car. More watts mean more cooking power. A bigger engine cooks food faster.

Common Microwave Wattages

When you shop for a new oven, you will see three main power levels:

• 600 to 700W: Basic, small models. Great for tight spots.
• 800 to 900W: Mid-range models. Perfect for daily meals.
• 1000 to 1200W: Full-size ovens. Made for big families.

Best Wattage for Microwave Use

The best wattage depends on your daily life. Here is what I tell my friends:

• 700W: Pick this for light use and reheating small plates.
• 800 to 1000W: Pick this for most normal homes and daily cooking.
• 1100W and up: Pick this for heavy cooking and huge frozen meals.

How to Figure Out Microwave Wattage

People often forget what wattage they own. It happens all the time. I fix my own home units a lot, so I check labels daily. One rainy Tuesday in a dusty Texas garage, I felt totally stumped. I needed to test an old oven. But I had no clue how strong it was.

Easy Ways to Find Microwave Wattage

You do not need to guess. Just look for the clues. Here is what I always do:

• Check the sticker inside the door: Open the door wide. Look for a small white label on the frame.
• Look on the back panel: Spin the heavy unit around. Read the metal tag on the back.
• Read the owner’s manual: That little paper book holds the true answer.
• Search the model number online: Just type the brand and numbers into your phone.

How Many Watts Is a Microwave Usually?

Most normal home ovens fall between 700W and 1200W. Those tiny, compact ovens you see in college dorms are usually 700W.

What Is the Power Consumption of a 700 Watt Microwave?

A 700W microwave pushes 700 watts of heat into your food. But the actual wall power draw is slightly higher. Some energy is lost as light and fan noise while the machine runs.

Estimated Electricity Use

I always try to keep my home utility bills low. These small units are perfect for that goal. Here is a quick look at the power use:

• If used for just 15 minutes daily, the monthly energy cost is very low.
• It pulls far less power than a warm space heater or a hot air fryer.

That smaller energy use is a huge perk. It is one big reason why renters and RV travelers love them so much.

Can I Plug a 700 Watt Microwave Into an Extension Cord?

Can I plug a 700-watt microwave into an extension cord? I get asked this a lot. The best answer is no. It is a bad idea unless you use a thick, heavy-duty cord made just for big appliances.

Safer Option

Always plug your oven right into a wall outlet. Do this whenever you can. It is the safest way to heat your food.

Why Extension Cords Can Be Risky

Thin cords just cannot handle the steady power flow. Here is what can go wrong if you use a cheap cord:

• Overheating: The thin wire gets way too hot.
• Voltage drop: Your oven gets less power. Your food takes even longer to cook.
• Fire hazard: Hot rubber can melt and start a fire.
• Tripped breakers: The power will snap off. You will stand there in the dark.

I learned this the hard way. One muggy Thursday in an old Florida rental, I made a foolish mistake. I used a cheap, thin white cord to reach a wall plug. I just wanted to heat up some old soup. Halfway through the cook time, I touched the cord. It felt hot and soft, kind of like warm taffy. My heart jumped right into my throat. I yanked the plug out fast. I felt so silly and nervous. Trust me, I never did that again!

Which Microwave Is Best?

People always ask me, ” Which microwave is best? I tell them the simple truth. The best microwave is just the one that fits your real cooking habits.

I remember standing in a bright, loud home store in Dallas last Saturday. The hum of huge fridges was so loud. My buddy was staring at a massive wall of shiny glass doors. He felt totally lost and stressed out. He turned and asked me what to buy. Instead of giving a quick answer, I smiled and told him to think about his actual daily routine first. Then I asked whether he really wanted to cook huge meals or simply melt some cold cheese after a long day.

Choose 700W If:

Grab the smaller 700W unit if these sound like you:

• You want to save your hard-earned cash.
• You have very limited space on your counter.
• You mostly reheat cold food from last night.
• You live all by yourself in a small place.

Choose Higher Wattage If:

Step up to a stronger, higher-wattage oven if:

• You cook fresh meals very often.
• You have a big, hungry family to feed.
• You want much faster meals after a long workday.
• You use real microwave recipes to bake or steam daily.

Final Thoughts on 700 Watt Microwaves

So, is a 700-watt microwave good in the end? Yes, it really is a good fit for many people. The compact design helps save both money and counter space while using very little electricity. For simple cooking and everyday reheating, it works like a reliable kitchen companion.

The only tradeoff is needing a little extra patience during cooking times. I sat in my quiet Boston kitchen last Sunday morning. The cold rain tapped hard on the clear glass window. I watched my hot oatmeal spin slowly in the soft yellow light. The machine made a low, steady hum. I felt so hungry.

But honestly, that one extra slow minute is not bad at all. It gave me just enough time to open the messy drawer. I finally dug around and found my favorite missing fork right before the loud beep!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 700 watt microwave good for frozen meals?

Yes, a 700 watt microwave works well for frozen meals. You just need to add a few extra minutes to the timer. Your lunch will heat up fine.

Will a 700W microwave cook pizza slice?

It can warm up a pizza slice very fast. The crust stays soft, and the cheese gets nice and gooey. It takes less than one minute to get hot.

Can you pop corn in a 700 watt microwave?

Yes, it pops kernels slowly and evenly. You will not burn the bag or smell bad smoke. It makes a great warm snack for a cozy movie night.

Does a 700 watt microwave save on power bills?

Yes, it draws very little power from your wall. This makes it a great choice for old homes, small flats, or camper vans on long road trips.

Is a 700 watt microwave slow to heat soup?

It takes a bit more time than a big oven. But it heats your soup very evenly all the way through. Just stir it once so it gets hot fast.