|
OTG |
Microwave oven |
| Heating by |
Electric coils |
Electromagnetic waves that cause food particles to oscillate |
| Heat distribution |
Less even |
More even |
| Heating time |
Relatively slow; 15 minutes approximately |
Quick; 5 minutes approximately |
| Power usage |
Low |
High |
| Auto-cook functionality |
Not available |
Available |
| Price |
More economical |
More expensive |
| Container options |
Glass, metal, silicone or ceramic |
Glass, silicone and ceramic but not metal |
| Weight |
Light; Easy to move around |
Heavy; Difficult to shift often |
| Best for |
Baking, toasting, grilling |
Simple baking and defrosting |
Can Microwave be Used As Oven?
The simple answer is yes; you can use your microwave as an oven. However, for that to be possible, you need to have a convection oven. In ovens that come with a convection mode, the appliance will behave like any regular oven, and can be used to bake bread, cakes, cookies, or anything else you would want to bake.
Factors to Consider Before Purchase
Now that you have learned the difference between an OTG and a microwave oven, you must also know about various factors to consider before purchasing either appliances. These aspects will help you buy an appliance that is best suited to your cooking needs.
The Science Behind Cooking
When cooking with an OTG, the heat is radiated by the coils and absorbed by the food. There is a fan present to distribute the heat, but most of the heat is dispensed directly below the coils. On the other hand, convection microwaves heat the water molecules present in food, thereby cooking it. A rotating plate and the microwaves ensure that the food is cooked evenly.
What to Cook
An OTG is best used for baking, toasting and grilling. You can bake cakes, grill meat and toast bread with ease. A convection microwave can perform all of these functions, along with being able to reheat, cook and de-freeze, which the OTG cannot.
Capacity
An OTG’s capacity may reach up to 60 litres, whereas convection microwaves reach a capacity of just 32 litres. So, for large batches of food, an OTG might be the better option. Additionally, the rotating surface in a microwave is quite small, which makes putting large dishes in it a problem. Moreover, though OTGs have larger capacities, they are much easier to handle owing to their light weight.
Temperature
The temperature range of both a convection oven and an OTG are almost the same, but the preheat time varies. Where an OTG can take up to 15-20 minutes to preheat, the convection oven only takes around 5 minutes. This can considerably decrease the cooking time.
Ease of Use
Convection microwaves have a digital display, which allows you to keep track of the temperature and time easily as compared to the knobs on an OTG.
Cost
The upfront cost of buying an OTG is around Rs. 10,000 for 42 litres, whereas a convection microwave costs around Rs. 16,000 for 30 litres. Although the upfront cost of an OTG is lesser, the energy efficiency of a microwave oven is greater. The microwave oven uses 20% less energy than an OTG, saving money in the long run.
Now that you know the difference between the two, pick the right one for yourself. Make a smart choice by breaking the cost of your microwave or OTG into easy installments with Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. Check your pre-approved offer and buy the appliance of your choice affordably.
SHARE
