Are you in the market for the best retro microwave but don’t know where to start? Do you remember the good old days when microwaves were just big, boxy things that took up a lot of counter space? Well, forget all that! The best retro red microwaves are sleek, stylish, and chic – perfect for any kitchen! With so many different colors and designs to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your home. So why not ditch your old microwave and add some retro style to your kitchen? Check out our selection today!
Perhaps you’re looking for a model that has a little bit of vintage charm. In either case, we’ve got you covered. Our team has put together a list of the best retro microwaves picks on the market today. Whether you’re looking for something small and compact or something with more bells and whistles, we’ve got you covered. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Our Top Picks
What Is A Retro Microwave?
A retro microwave is a countertop oven that provides convection heating along with all the standard features of a traditional microwave. The difference between this product and other microwaves lies in the design, which emulates that of an electric range or stovetop.
Retro microwaves are often called multi-function microwaves because they not only cook food quickly but can also be used for simmering, boiling, searing, browning, and reheating. Many models come with additional options like pizza settings, beverage buttons, and even air fryer modes.
Reviews of The 7 Best Retro Microwave in 2023
Here are the top-rated retro microwaves to buy.
Top 1. Galanz GLCMKA07RDR-07 Red Microwave Oven
Galanz GLCMKA07RDR-07 Microwave Oven is an Amazon Choice for the best retro microwave that you should not pass up. This item is available in a variety of fashionable and eye-catching colors. The microwave has a retro design, lovely colors, and a retro vibe that will complement any kitchen, small apartment, or dorm room. This space-saving design is made of long-lasting stainless steel and is simple to clean.
This countertop microwave has a capacity of 0.7 cu ft and a power rating of 700 watts. It also has six heat settings that you may adjust to match your unique demands, as well as the ability to perfectly thaw food. The accurate countdown time is displayed on the LED display, making it simple to keep track of time. The device also has a comfy handle and an inside light that allows you to see what’s going on. When the process is finished, it will beep to let you know.
This device is ideal if you have little children at home. It features a safety lock feature that assures the product does not injure children during cooking. It will also lock the programs you’ve chosen until they’re finished, keeping you safe while you use them. Because of the 360-degree rotation, food is uniformly heated and defrosted.
Technical details
- Item Weight: 23.1 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 17.9 x 13.8 x 10.3 inches
- Capacity: 0.7 Cubic Feet
- Power (Watts): 700 watts
- Material: Metal
Pros
- You can select from a variety of fashionable and eye-catching colors.
- Retro-style design, beautiful colors, and nostalgic aspects
- A capacity of 0.7 cubic feet and a power output of 700 watts.
- Six different heat levels to choose from on-demand.
- The Safety Lock feature
Cons
- The faint LED display
Top 2. Nostalgia RMO4AQ Countertop Microwave Oven
The Nostalgia RMO4RR Microwave Oven is the best retro microwave with an excellent vintage design. Every line in the design evokes retro colors, which works well with these homes. The frosted glass piece is constructed in a charming oval shape, rather than the square pattern prevalent in current goods. Despite the price disparities, you may choose from five traditional and eye-catching hues with this product.
This traditional design has a spacious 0.9 cubic foot capacity that can hold a variety of foods. This microwave, with its 800 watts of electricity, can quickly reheat or thaw food. This product can be adjusted with a number of various cooking parameters. It allows you to customize 12 pre-programmed cooking settings, giving you more possibilities than any other gadget.
It also has a delay timer with a variety of settings for heating popular foods like popcorn, potatoes, and pizza to perfection. The digital clock and LED display are easy to operate and clearly depict the several cooking options. It has a heat-resistant glass turntable that allows the food to cook up more quickly and evenly.
Technical details
- Item Weight: 28 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 15 x 11 inches
- Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet
- Power (Watts): 800 watts
- Material: Stainless Steel
Pros
- Impressive nostalgic design
- 5 wildly different color possibilities
- 12 pre-programmed cooking settings
- A spacious 0.9 cubic foot capacity
- A delay timer provides a number of possibilities.
- Digital clock with an LED display that is simple to use
Cons
- The cooking time is longer than that of other items
- When opening the door, it has an obnoxious sound
Top 3. Winia WOR07R3ZEL Retro Blue Microwave
The Winia WOR07R3ZEL Retro Microwave has a small footprint and takes up little room on your kitchen counter. It’s not only a useful culinary tool, but it’s also a thoughtful gift for friends on important occasions. The receiver will be delighted by its lovely appearance and vibrant hues. The product also comes in a number of colors, including four ultra-trendy pastel tones.
Classic lines are represented not only in color but also in every design detail. The wooden finish on this compact handle is both classic and effective against heat. The oval-shaped frosted glass is different from what is already available. It has all of the functions of a modern device, despite the classic qualities. The small capacity of 0.7 cubic feet and high efficiency of 700 watts satisfy the needs of little amounts of food.
It has five built-in Auto Cook settings that allow you to quickly cook and reheat a variety of dishes and beverages. By predicting the weight and adjusting the weight accordingly, this best retro microwave can quickly defrost your favorite meals in two ways. To improve reheat efficiency, the CRS concave reflector system employs Dual Wave technology.
Technical details
- Item weight: 23.8 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 12.7 x 10.6 inches
- Capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
- Power (Watts): 700 watts
- Material: Stainless Steel
Pros
- Compact design and does not take up too much space
- Diverse choices with 4 extremely trendy pastel colors
- A compact handle with a wooden finish is both classic and effective against heat.
- 5 Auto Cook menus are available
- 2-way defrost capability
- CRS concave reflector system uses Dual Wave technology to increase heating efficiency
Cons
- Slower heating time than other products
Top 4. COMFEE’ CM-M091AGN Retro Microwave
COMFEE’ CM-M091AGN Retro Microwave is one of the Amazon Choices for the best retro microwave with over 15,000 ratings. This is a cute product with a cute design. It’s similar to Winia WOR07R3ZEL Retro Microwave and would make a great present. It comes in five stylish colors, but we recommend the eye-catching retro green color, which is quite popular. The general design as well as the details, like the knob or the handle, are exceedingly classic.
Classic style with a variety of modern functions that may be used in any kitchen. It has a volume of 0.9 cubic feet and a power output of 900 watts. This product comes with 9 pre-programmed menus that include popular items including popcorn, veggies, meat, pizza, potatoes, soup, and warm-up drinks and leftovers.
This product has a mute function, a brilliant LED digital display, an ECO mode, and an exceptionally user-friendly control panel. Even if you don’t need to open the door, interior lighting assists you to see. The 360-degree glass turntable is easily removed and cleaned. A timer and a child safety lock are also included.
Technical details
- Item Weight: 26.85 Pounds
- Product Dimensions: 19.09 x 15.41 x 11.51 inches
- Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet
- Power (Watts): 900 watts
- Material: Stainless Steel
Pros
- Diverse choices with 5 trendy colors
- 0.9 cubic feet capacity and powerful 900 watts of power
- 9 preset menus
- Mute function, bright LED digital display, and easy-to-use control panel.
- The 360-degree glass turntable is removable and easy to clean
- Includes timer and child safety lock
Cons
- Long operating time
- The buttons are not sensitive and require a lot of force
Top 5. COSTWAY Microwave Oven
The COSTWAY Microwave Oven is likely to be the correct choice for any classic kitchen, continuing with a product with an exceedingly gorgeous design. Green tones from the past are soft but striking. The product is composed of steel, which is a strong and lasting material. The product features gleaming handles, knobs, and buttons that are exceptionally sturdy. Even when the door is closed, the integrated frosted glass and inside lights make it easy to view.
There are five different power levels in this device. Depending on your demands, this microwave oven may accept a range of cooking sizes. It allows you to swiftly thaw food, reheat leftovers, and prepare snacks. The food is evenly heated thanks to the removable glass 360° turntable. You may set the power level and time up to 60 minutes using two knobs and two buttons that are exceptionally easy to use. The countdown time is displayed on the LED display.
Technical details
- Item weight: 26 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 19.5 x 14 x 11 inches
- Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet
- Power (Watts): 900 watts
- Material: Steel
Pros
- The retro green tone is gentle but still eye-catching
- 5 power levels
- Removable glass 360° turntable for easy cleaning
- 2 knobs and 2 buttons are extremely simple to use
- LED display shows countdown time
- Child safety lock
Cons
- There is an annoying noise when operating
Top 6. ROVSUN 20UX33-L Microwave Oven
The ROVSUN 20UX33-L Microwave Oven adds a classic touch to your kitchen while maintaining modern functions. This microwave has a sleek and traditional design with a nostalgic and adorable appeal that will make it stand out in any room. It’s little and doesn’t take up a lot of room. The door handles are chrome-plated and provide a sleek appearance. It also comes in a number of colors, including three retro-inspired hues.
This product has a 0.7 cubic foot capacity, four pre-programmed cooking settings, and a bright LED display, making it very easy to operate. It has five power settings, with 700 watts being ideal for heating or boiling. This microwave also comes with eight pre-programmed cooking menus for popular recipes. The 360-degree glass turntable is easily removed and cleaned. It is secure because it has a child lock feature. It will beep to alert you when the heating procedure is complete.
Technical details
- Item weight: 25.9 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 15.5 x 12.2 inches
- Capacity: 0.7 cubic feet
- Power (Watts): 700 watts
- Material: Glass, Steel
Pros
- Beautiful vintage design and sleek nostalgic look
- It’s little and doesn’t take up a lot of room.
- Chrome-plated door handles with a sleek look
- Three eye-catching retro colors
- 8 default cooking menus for popular dishes
- Child safety lock
Cons
- Small capacity
- Glass turntable has poor heat resistance
Top 7. Z ZTDM Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
The design of the Z ZTDM Retro Countertop Microwave Oven is comparable to that of other best retro microwave selections. This product has a soft retro blue tone that is nevertheless contemporary. The overall design, as well as the small elements such as the knob and handle, are quite traditional. This item is not only great for keeping warm, but it also makes a great housewarming present.
In any kitchen, this classic style with a variety of modern functions can be used. It has a volume of 0.7 cubic feet and a 700-watt power output. This product includes 8 pre-programmed menus with popular foods like popcorn, pizza, potatoes, soup, warm-up drinks, and leftovers.
This product includes a mute button, a dazzling LED digital display, and an extremely user-friendly control panel. Interior lighting can help you see even if you don’t need to open the door. The turntable’s 360-degree glass surface is simply removed and cleaned. There is also a timer and a child safety lock.
Technical details
- Product Dimensions: 18×14×10 inches
- Capacity: 0.7 Cubic Feet
- Power (Watts): 700 watts
- Material: Stainless Steel
Pros
- Beautiful vintage design and a sleek nostalgic appearance
- Compact in size and take up little space
- 8 pre-programmed cooking plans for popular foods
- Lock for children’s safety
Cons
- Complicated user manual
Buying Guide: The Best Retro Microwave for Your Kitchen
The following are some factors to consider when buying the best retro microwave:
Size of the Appliance
If you live alone or in a small family, then you would probably want to purchase a smaller unit instead of a larger one. Smaller appliances cost less compared to their bigger counterparts so it makes sense for you not to spend too much money on something that will just take up space from your kitchen.
However, if you have plans of cooking food in bulk or for large families, then it is also recommended that you buy a bigger appliance because it saves energy by distributing power. In addition, big units tend to last longer than smaller appliances.
Power
many people these days are favoring units with higher wattage because, although it uses more electricity, the time needed to cook food is lessened. In addition, energy-saving appliances have been on the rise as environmental consciousness becomes a growing concern for some. The only downside of this trend is that food usually takes a lot longer to be cooked using such appliances.
If you want your microwave’s power use to fall into the low energy consumption category but still retain high cooking speed, then going for 900 watts will be a good choice. On the other hand, if you want cooking speed to be slow and have lower electric bills at the same time, then 750 watts would be a better pick.
Controls
Some appliances come with a number of cooking options while others may only offer you the basic on/off switch. What’s more, there are also microwaves that have LED displays and digital timers that make it easier for you to monitor them while they’re in use. Generally speaking, advanced features come with a higher price tag but then again it does not hurt to get one if your budget permits it.
Decor
While some people would love their microwaves to be bulky and leave a huge footprint in their kitchens, others prefer sleeker designs so as not to overwhelm the aesthetics of their homes. In addition, since new models come out every now and then from kitchen appliance manufacturers, you can always choose from various styles without having to worry too much about making a huge investment.
Energy Efficiency
If you are aware of the different types of cooking techniques that come with different appliances, then it would be best for you to choose one that runs on electricity. Although it is pricier in the long-term compared to gas models, this will save you more money in the future by using less energy.
Reputation
Not all brands are reputable when it comes to manufacturing quality kitchen appliances so make sure you do thorough research before buying anything from them. Look at customer feedback or expert reviews online and see if their products have won many awards already. If there was an instance when they had problems delivering their promises, then it would also be helpful to know more about that as well.
Warranty
Appliances tend to depreciate in value as time goes by so it would be best for you to invest only in those with long-term warranties. This way, if there are problems with your unit after a few years of use, at least you can avail of it free of charge because the manufacturer is confident about their product’s durability and performance.
Maintenance costs
Consider getting a unit that does not require a lot of work from you when it comes to cleaning. Many people do not like complicated appliances because they have too many parts that could affect their functionality or they may end up using components that cannot be washed using common dishwashing products. In addition, some microwaves come with glass turntables while others have plastic ones.
While the former is more expensive to replace, it would also be easier for you to clean after use. On the other hand, microwave ovens with plastic parts only need a mild soap solution to get rid of stains without damaging their material or integrity.
Advantages of The Retro Microwave
Microwaves are very commonplace in today’s kitchens, but people rarely give them serious thought. Microwave ovens should be an important purchase for anyone buying a new kitchen appliance. They can even make life easier for those with microwaves already!
Fast cooking
Microwaves cook foods quickly using microwave radiation to agitate water molecules inside the food. This excites the molecules and produces heat that cooks the food from within. Microwave heating is most efficient when the time and power are used to match how much energy is needed to heat each part of the food evenly through – unlike conventional ovens where uneven distribution is common. Microwave ovens typically use 50% less energy than a standard electric or gas oven. A microwave will typically cook food in 1/4 to 1/2 the time it takes for a conventional oven.
Convenience
Microwaves are instant, so there’s no preheating, defrosting, or waiting around. They also have better safety features than standard ovens – they are difficult to burn yourself on because they only get warm, not hot. Microwaveable plastics (like TV dinners) contain water molecules that heat up when exposed to microwave radiation – this heats up your food without microwaving the plastic packaging too! Microwave ovens can be used almost anywhere you can plug into an outlet; including boats, planes, and caravans! The speed that you can reheat foods makes them ideal for anyone with a busy schedule.
Energy efficient
Microwaves use around 50% less energy than electric or gas ovens. They’re also more controllable in terms of how much energy they use – the time and power used to cook food can be controlled directly by the user, unlike an oven which tends to fluctuate when switched off and on.
Microwave heating is most efficient when it matches how much energy each specific food needs to heat through evenly – this means microwaves are great for cooking specific portions at a time! Most traditional recipes can be adapted to microwave cooking with little difficulty (just reduce the overall cooking time). Microwave ovens work well for small-scale baking (e.g. cupcakes) but are less effective for larger baking.
Better cooking quality
Microwaves cook food evenly with minimal temperature gradients – the heat they produce is more direct than that of a flame or hotplate. Metal pans are not required if cooking in the microwave. There’s also no need to worry about burning yourself on a hot stovetop! Microwave ovens are great for reheating soggy, overcooked foods since they tend to heat food more uniformly. Since microwaving bypasses the Maillard reaction (browning) you can cook lighter foods with less fat and salt, which reduces your risk of high blood pressure.
Ease of cleaning
Cleaning the inside of standard ovens can be challenging because grease or food can easily spill onto the heating element, making it difficult to clean. Microwaves are typically much easier to clean since they have no exposed heating elements.
Safety
Microwave ovens are well insulated and do not heat up significantly when in use, so there’s little risk of burning yourself – providing you don’t open the door too early! Microwaves are also designed to shut off if the internal temperature gets too hot for safety reasons (you usually need to cook something at least 3 minutes before this happens).
How To Clean The Retro Microwave?
Before starting with the actual cleaning process, you have to prepare yourself and your microwave for this. Firstly, it is necessary to unplug the oven from the socket. This step is extremely important because there are some parts of your oven that can be dangerous if touched while plugged in. Also, you should remove all dishes, bowls, and other kitchen utensils that are present inside your microwave before beginning the cleaning process. It can be hard to clean around these items after microwaving, so they have to be removed beforehand!
First of all, you should open your microwave door and place a bowl or a plate inside which you will use later on as a container for water. You can also use any other kind of container that is suitable for this purpose (e.g., a mug) – its size doesn’t really matter but it has to be enough large so that it won’t fall out from the oven afterward while still being small enough not to take too much space inside your oven during microwaving.
Next, pour some water into the bowl until its level reaches about one-third of how high your oven’s cavity can go. Then, add in some lemon juice (or any other acidic liquid that is usually present in your kitchen) and mix it with water using a spoon or similar kitchen utensil.
After you have mixed all of the ingredients together, close your oven door and leave it closed for about 15 minutes to allow these substances an opportunity to react effectively with one another. This is a very important step that shouldn’t be skipped because it allows mixing different chemicals together at room temperature rather than causing chemical reactions to happen while microwaving which could lead to poisonous byproducts being formed in addition to steam which causes further messes.
While leaving these substances inside your microwave, you should check back on them occasionally during these 15 minutes – this would make sure that they haven’t spilled over or dried out prematurely after microwaving started! But even if they do, you should still be able to rectify these problems by simply adding some water and/or lemon juice again before microwaving them further.
After the 15 minutes have passed, it’s time to start microwaving your mixture! This is a very simple step that shouldn’t require any explanations because its purpose is evident from the title of this article alone. Just set your microwave power level so that it matches how intensively you want your oven’s cavity to heat up with – I recommend using maximum power level but always check for boiling or steaming if you use lower power levels as well!
In case there are spillovers / dry surfaces after removing the bowl again, just add some more water into your oven or clean them out separately afterward. This should be enough to ensure that your oven cavity is thoroughly cleaned and ready to use again!
How To Maintain The Quality of The Retro Microwave?
Microwave ovens are extremely helpful tools that can be used to heat or cook just about anything from leftovers to frozen foods, but only if the appliance is in proper working condition. If you’ve been using your microwave for a while now and notice food isn’t heating as quickly as it used to, or there seems to be a lack of power when cooking certain items, you may want to investigate how sustenance is being heated before assuming the microwave itself is at fault. Here’s what you need to look out for:
Food containment
Some individuals use plastic containers like Tupperware inside their microwaves to heat up various types of food. While this idea sounds good on paper (no risk of dish burns thanks to those containers’ insulation), the downside is that plastics may warp or melt over time.
Using metal
Contrary to popular belief, microwaves do have a hard time “seeing” through metallic containers, so if you’re looking for any remnants of aluminum foil or other metals within your food, chances are you’ll find them. Metal pans are not recommended for use inside microwave ovens as they may cause sparks upon removal after being heated. Similarly, metal utensils should be used with caution as well because holding on to them too long can result in burns.
Storing your microwave oven
Placing appliances as these near heat sources result in a higher risk of damage or fire due to overheating. Microwaves should ideally be stored in areas away from cooking appliances and fireplaces because if the housing overheats, it may catch fire.
Moving your microwave
Microwave ovens should never be transported when in use since there is a chance the internal water lines may burst due to changes in pressure. If you move and decide to take your unit with you, make sure you unplug it first and wait about an hour before moving it again.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning of food spills inside the oven’s interior with soap and water is okay, but those who want to kill germs (and remove odors at that) can do so by placing a cup or bowl with lemon juice or white vinegar inside the microwave along with the appropriate amount of water. After five minutes, remove the liquid and wipe off the oven’s interior to clear away grease or debris.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To acquire the most valuable information, follow the commonly asked questions about the best retro microwave.
What are the five things you should never put in the microwave?
Here are five of those things:
1. Metal: Putting metal in the microwave may not be as dangerous as putting metal into your car’s engine but it is definitely not worth the risk due to possible injuries and damage to the appliance itself.
2. Glass: Even though glass is made of inert material that doesn’t react under normal cooking conditions, microwaves will heat it rapidly, causing it to break or crack when you remove the container from the microwave oven. This may cause injuries to hands, face, and other body parts particularly if you are not careful enough while removing the container from inside the microwave.
3. Aluminum Foil: Putting aluminum foil in a microwave oven should be avoided because it reflects microwaves which can lead to sparks inside the appliance’s cavity. While this does not pose any danger of fire hazard due to lack of oxygen, people have reported being injured after removing metal trays where was cooked covered with aluminum foil.
4. Iron: Iron does not react under normal cooking conditions but it can cause sparks inside a microwave oven when heated for extended time periods. Many people have reported cases of iron objects catching fire due to heating in a microwave oven.
5. Plastic Containers: Do not heat plastic containers that contain items such as milk, soups, sauces, and yogurt because they may melt or leak from the container causing possible burns on hands as well as other body parts around those areas. It is safer to heat those kinds of foods with their own covering or paper wrapping which you can dispose of after use rather than putting them in a disposable plastic container.
What are the instructions for using a microwave?
Let’s go over some specific safety guidelines for cooking with the best retro microwave:
- Do not use metal dishes or utensils that might spark or scratch glass because it may cause your oven to explode.
- Be aware of food odors because they absorb well in the oven and their distinctive smells can linger long after cooking even if you do not smell them while cooking.
- To avoid contaminating nearby foods, be sure to thoroughly clean any spills within 15 minutes of making them.
- You should also keep your microwave exclusively for cooking meals and never use it as an alternative to a standard stove.
What makes a microwave spark?
Metal objects placed in a microwave oven will usually heat up and then stay hot as long as they’re inside the oven, just like you expect them to! However, if they’re not very good at reflecting microwaves (e.g., we’ve already established that metal objects will reflect them well), or something else causes them to heat up, such as friction from moving around as the microwave oven works. Well, those metal objects can start to melt and vaporize, and then they become really good reflectors of microwaves. That makes the sparks happen!
If you’re wondering why metal objects that come into contact outside of a microwave oven can sometimes cause sparks, that’s because in this case there will be friction along with the electromagnetic induction caused by electricity running through them. Just like when you rub your feet on the carpet and build up static electricity in your body if one terminal of the spark plug has enough current going through it.
Conclusion
The best retro microwave ovens are all going to be a little different. But, if you want the most reliable and durable model for your kitchen countertop, then we recommend that you buy one of these retro microwaves from our blog post. These models have been around for decades and they’re still in demand today because customers love them! If durability is what matters most to you when it comes time to make this purchase, then take a look at the list below before making any decisions on where to spend your money. We’ll update this page with more information as soon as possible so stay tuned!
The best retro microwave we highly recommend is the COMFEE’ CM-M091AGN Retro Microwave. It’s a perfect addition to any kitchen and can be found for around at a great price on Amazon.com with amazing capacity and amazing features!
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