Now that you’re living on your own, it’s time to begin investing in the right kitchen hardware. A microwave oven something you can’t live without, but how do you choose the right model?
Today, we’re looking at the Oster OGCMS311WE, a user-friendly microwave that can do a lot more than just heating up bowls and plates.
1.1-Cubic-Foot Heating Capacity
First, let’s take a look at how much food you can place inside the OGCMS311WE. It has a 1.1-cubic-foot capacity, which is just about the average size for a countertop microwave oven.
The turntable can accommodate serving plates up to 12 inches in width, with is definitely nice for those who want to reheat multiple leftover dishes at once. The OGCMS311WE’s overall size measures 16.1 x 21.25 x 11.8 inches while weighing around 35 pounds.
One-Touch Settings
On the touch-activated control panel, you’ll find four dark-gray buttons right above the numpad. These cooking presets allow you to cook potatoes and pop popcorn, as well as reheat pizza, hot drinks, and frozen dinners with just a single tap of a button.
The light-gray buttons on the right-hand side of the numpad let you set up the timer, choose between power modes, and set your microwave to cook, not just reheat.
Features
- 1.1 Cu Ft
- 1000W output
- 10 Adjustable Power Levels
- 6 Auto Cooking Menu Buttons (Popcorn, Potato , Pizza, Beverage, Reheat, Frozen Dinner)
- Speed and Weight Defrost
- Digital timer and digital clock
- Removable Glass Turntable
- Push Button
- Interior Light and Safety Lock
Defrosts by Time/Weight
The OGCMS311WE comes with two defrosting options—by weight or by time. If you don’t know how much your frozen chicken weighs, simply press the Defrost by Weight button, and the OGCMS311WE will automatically calculate how long it’ll take to thoroughly thaw your poultry.
The Speed Defrost button lets you choose how long you want to defrost your frozen foods in the microwave, though it can take multiple Speed Defrost sessions before the ice crystals are thoroughly melted.
Digital Timer and Clock
Like any traditional microwave oven, the OGCMS311WE relies on a digital readout to show users the remaining cooking/reheating time. There’s also a virtually useless digital clock that you’ll have to reconfigure every time you unplug the microwave oven.
White Exterior and Inner Lining
In terms of looks, the OGCMS311WE doesn’t deviate from other traditional microwave ovens. It’s an all-white appliance, except for the buttons and glass panel, that easily reveals any spills and stains on its exterior.
The inside of the microwave oven is also completely white, so you can easily spot splashes of old meat juices, soups, and coffee along the walls and base.
Small Buttons
The biggest problem people have with the OGCMS311WE is its tiny buttons. The different options are legible from up close, but it’s easy to mistake one button for another.
For instance, the Cook and Reset buttons next to the 0 on the numpad are pretty annoying, especially when you want to input 1-0-0 to reheat leftovers for one minute.
Verdict: How Awesome Is the Oster OGCMS311WE Microwave Oven?
Overall, the Oster OGCMS311WE is like any traditional microwave oven. It doesn’t come with any unique features, but it covers the bases, which is pretty much what anyone is looking for in a simple microwave.
The six preset cooking buttons are a nice touch, though most of the time, you’re going to rely on the numpad to manually input cooking and reheating times.
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Last Update: 2024-04-29 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
