Food - Drink
How To Easily Determine Your Microwave's Wattage
By ERICA MARTINEZ
Learning about a microwave’s wattage is essential as it equals power, which means the higher the wattage, the faster the cooking time. Often, it is listed inside the microwave’s door or on the serial number plate on the back, but if it’s not listed anywhere, use the “time-to-boil” test.
Measure a cup of water in a 2-cup measuring glass, add ice cubes and stir until the water is very cold. Discard the ice and pour out any excess water over one cup, then set the microwave on high for four minutes and watch closely to see when the water boils.
According to the USDA's guide, if the water boils in under two minutes, the microwave is likely 1000 watts or more, while two and a half minutes indicates 800 watts or more. Three minutes is an average-wattage microwave, 650 to 700 watts or higher, and over three minutes is 300 to 500 watts.