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With so many microwaves on the market, it may be hard to choose the right one for your kitchen. That’s why our team of professionals tested 21 microwaves to find the best microwaves with stainless steel interior.
Each microwave we tested had something unique, but of course, if you want the most advanced microwave available you should go for the Panasonic NN-SD372S which uses inverter technology. On the other hand, a more simple yet spacious and reliable unit like the Farberware FMO11AHTBKB could save you some money.
But you’ll be surprised to find out the very best stainless steel interior microwave we selected, which is a remarkable appliance with many functions. If you’re curious about which microwave this is, keep reading below!
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Editor’s Choice
|
Sharp ZSMC2242DS
|
10
|
Check Current Price |
|
Most Versatile
|
BLACK+DECKER EM036AB14
|
9.5
|
Check Current Price |
|
Best Value For Money
|
Panasonic NN-SD372S
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
|
Best Seller
|
Farberware FMO11AHTBKB
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
|
Budget Option
|
GE JES1095SMSS
|
9
|
Check Current Price |
The Best Microwaves With Stainless Steel Interior
Table of Contents
Have you noticed that almost all microwaves nowadays are made of stainless steel? Sure, sometimes you come across microwaves that are labeled stainless steel but are only partly made of it, but there’s no doubt the market of microwaves is going in that direction.
That’s because stainless steel appliances are the best investment you can make for your kitchen. They’re durable, sturdy, easy to clean, and do not absorb food odors, so you don’t have to worry about funny smells filling your house.
If you’re planning to purchase a stainless steel microwave, you’re making a great choice! But which model should you go for? Since it’s hard to choose a microwave with so many options available, we compiled this list of the best microwave ovens with stainless steel interior.
In case you still have doubts after going through our list, read our final section on how to choose a microwave with a stainless steel interior, which may clear some of your doubts.
Sharp ZSMC2242DS
- Easy to use
- Powerful
- Large oven
- Perfect for popcorn
- Sensor Cook
- Loud beeper
- Visibility of the control panel
When it comes to quality microwaves, Sharp surely shares the top spot in the market with other well-known brands. We already talked about the Sharp ZSMC2242DS model as one of the best microwaves under 200$ currently available.
This model is perfect for families, as it features a capacity of 2.2 cu. ft. which is large enough to fit even the biggest plates and probably works just fine as a pizza oven as well.
One of the main characteristics to take into consideration about the Sharp ZSMC2242DS is its 1200 watts of power. This microwave is very powerful, so it will cook your food to perfection, but if you’re not careful you may overdo it, so make sure to read the instruction manual and know how to use each function properly.
We also mentioned how great this microwave is for popcorn lovers. In fact, the Sharp ZSMC2242DS is among the best microwaves for popcorn because it features several options to pop the kernels.
On top of that, this microwave has a special Melt/Soften option for ice cream, chocolate, butter, cheese, or your favorite popcorn/food toppings. It goes without saying this microwave is perfect for your snacks!
The Precise Sensor Cook function will make your cooking life easier by automatically detecting the time and power needed based on the type and weight of the food.
A similar feature is found in the Auto Defrost function, thanks to which you’re guaranteed the best results when defrosting your food because it automatically regulates the power based on the time or weight of the item.
A little sour note, the design of the control panel. Despite being very clear and well-thought-out, the dark colors and the lack of retro-lightning might make it hard to read in a low-light environment.
For its price, we believe the Sharp ZSMC2242DS would make a great investment and an awesome addition to your kitchen.
BLACK+DECKER EM036AB14
- Easy to clean
- Large oven
- Powerful
- Elegant design
- Easy to use
- Noisy
We have yet to find a BLACK+DECKER microwave we don’t love. This brand makes sturdy machines that are easy to operate and pleasing to the eye. They’re a guarantee of quality and efficiency, and the BLACK+DECKER EM036AB14 is further proof of that.
The most surprising thing about this microwave is how compact it looks for the internal capacity it has. In fact, it features a large 1.4 cu. ft. oven in stainless steel that is easy to clean and doesn’t retain any odors.
The BLACK+DECKER EM036AB14 isn’t as powerful as the Sharp ZSMC2242DS, but only falls shortly behind with its 1000 watts. And we need to admit that it makes the best use of its wattage, as it is more powerful than expected.
However, all of this power translates into a little more noise than the average microwave. We noticed that the turning table can be noisy sometimes, as well as the door. The beeper is loud, but nothing too annoying. Surely, if this unit had a lower wattage it would make a great microwave for boats.
The control panel features Express Cook and all the functions dedicated to popcorn, vegetables, pizza, and defrost. This model has 10 power settings and also a child lock feature to prevent unsupervised use.
With its compact size and its medium weight, the BLACK+DECKER EM036AB14 is the most versatile microwave in this list and also one of the most affordable.
Panasonic NN-SD372S
- Perfect for small kitchens
- Lightweight
- Inverter technology
- Turbo Defrost
- Easy to clean
- Dial control
- Low visibility of the control panel
Without a doubt, the Panasonic NN-SD372S is the most stainless steel microwave out of all the stainless steel microwaves we tested. It’s clear at first glance, thanks to its shiny surface all over, which makes it really easy to clean.
We already reviewed this model when we talked specifically about the best Panasonic microwaves not long ago. At the moment, Panasonic has the upper hand in the microwave market because it’s the pioneer of inverter technology.
Why are inverter microwaves so sought after? It’s simple: a normal microwave works through the intermittent release of energy, which can sometimes leave cold spots on food or not heat it throughout. Inverter microwaves release energy without breaks so that the food is cooked to perfection.
When we say the Panasonic NN-SD372S is the best value for money, we really mean it, in fact, it’s really affordable despite being a microwave that uses such advanced technology.
The Panasonic NN-SD372S is quite small and lightweight, so it’s perfect for small kitchens, cabins, college rooms, or the office break room. It can also become a portable microwave for your holidays.
The 0.8 cu. ft. stainless steel interior seems larger than it looks on paper, and you can fit a full-size plate in there with no problems. This unit uses its 950 watts well, and as a result, you get a low-wattage microwave that heats food like a more powerful machine.
Remarkable features of this microwave include the Turbo Defrost, perfect for last-minute meals, and the Keep Warm function, thanks to which you can keep your food in ‘perfect shape’ until you’re ready to serve it.
This microwave makes us travel to the past thanks to its vintage dial control, through which you will be able to set whatever time you wish for, down to seconds. In order to master this microwave, it’s recommended to read the manual carefully.
Since we mentioned how overall shiny the Panasonic NN-SD372S is, we also need to mention that this pleasant and elegant design is a double-edged sword, because the control panel becomes difficult to read when the light in the room shines directly on it, or if it’s too low.
However, if you’re careful to place it in the right spot, you can only be greatly satisfied with this microwave with a stainless steel cavity.
Farberware FMO11AHTBKB
- Accurate heat settings
- Large capacity
- Elegant design
- Special popcorn settings
- One-touch cooking
- Noisy
Among the countertop microwave ovens with stainless steel interior we reviewed, the Farberware FMO11AHTBKB is one of the lightest, so it’s easy to move around or bring with you when needed.
With its 1.1 cu. ft. of capacity and its 1000 watts, this microwave is somewhere between a low wattage, one-person microwave, and a family unit. It may not seem like it, but the oven of this microwave is quite spacious, although if you need to fit specific plates you may want to check the size in advance.
The Farberware FMO11AHTBKB comes in 5 different colors. We tested the traditional stainless steel one because it’s the one that fits best in any room. Its sleek and elegant design is bound to catch your eye, and both the exterior and the interior are very easy to clean.
This microwave ditches the more common release button for an old-fashioned door handle. We believe this to be a great choice since door handles are sturdy and more reliable. However, because of its reduced weight, the microwave might budge if you use too much force when pulling the door open.
The control panel shows both the Express Cook section, useful for easy and quick cooking and the 6 cooking programs. Among these, we want to make a special mention of the popcorn option, which proves very accurate.
The only downside of this otherwise amazing product is the noise. The Farberware FMO11AHTBKB can be noisy while operating because of its fans, and there is no mute option to use for the beeper, which can be a downer for a late-night snack or if you share a small room.
We already featured this product in our article about the best microwaves under 150$. Indeed, the Farberware FMO11AHTBKB proves once again to be a great investment.
GE JES1095SMSS
- Low wattage
- Compact
- Dedicated reheat option
- Economical
- Low visibility of the control panel
We mentioned GE low wattage microwaves in many of our articles and we continue to recommend products from this brand because they always prove to be solid and reliable units that you will use for a long time.
Many people are on a budget when buying this kind of appliance, and we absolutely didn’t want to leave any customers out so we included in this list two economical microwaves that have nothing to envy to other more expensive products.
One of these microwaves is the Farberware FMO11AHTBKB, and the other is the GE JES1095SMSS. Although the smallest in both capacity (0.9 cu. ft.) and wattage (900 watts), we were surprised at how well this microwave works.
It heats food very evenly for its power as we rarely found any cold spots. Cooking is really easy because the control panel is clear and intuitive, despite the not-so-eye-friendly design.
This microwave has a dedicated button for the sole reheat function, which will probably be the one you use the most. Other than that, it features all the most popular functions for pizza, popcorn, vegetables, beverages, and of course a dedicated Auto Defrost button that goes by time and weight.
We believe that the GE JES1095SMSS is worth more than the price it currently has, so if you get it now it’s certainly a bargain.
How to choose a microwave with stainless steel interior.
There are many microwaves with stainless steel interior on the market, and while this is an important detail to consider before purchasing a microwave, the final choice should be made after evaluating other specifics.
We all have our personal circumstances to take into consideration before buying a microwave, but usually, the main characteristics to compare are capacity, wattage, and price.
Capacity
A small microwave like the GE JES1095SMSS or a big one like the Sharp ZSMC2242DS? Do you need it for your dorm or for your kitchen? How many people are in your family? Do you live alone?
These are all questions you need to ask yourself before buying a microwave. The capacity of the oven is a key element because a family will need a bigger oven to heat more things at once, while a large capacity is not needed in a microwave that goes in your office.
A smaller microwave is a lighter microwave that can fit even in a small kitchen. Large microwaves usually require a lot of countertop space and have many additional functions that are meant to replace traditional ovens as well.
Your flatware plays a role as well. If you use dishes of a certain size, you need to be mindful of the measurements, because even a microwave with a medium-size capacity might not fit full-size plates.
Wattage
Higher wattage means a more powerful machine, but is it always necessary? If you use your microwave mainly to reheat leftovers, do you really need a 1200 watts unit?
The truth is, powerful doesn’t always mean better. This is another characteristic to pay attention to. Powerful microwaves can heat things faster, but can also burn them faster if you’re not careful enough. Unless you’re actually cooking whole meals with your microwave, you probably don’t need anything over 1000 watts.
In some situations, a lower wattage is mandatory, for example when you’re choosing a microwave for your boat.
But even when you use it at home, you need to be mindful of the expenses. Going for microwave under 1000 watts like the Panasonic NN-SD372S means saving up on your energy bills.
Price
It would be great if we could shop without being mindful of the prices around us, but that’s not the case for most of us. Whether we like it or not, the price plays another key role when we choose what to buy.
Kitchen appliances can sometimes be especially expensive and this is true with microwaves as well, especially the latest models which feature many functions.
When you’re on a budget, it may not be easy to trust a cheap microwave and it’s definitely hard to find something that is a good value for the money.
That’s why when we test our microwaves we keep a special eye on the price. How well does this microwave work for the price it has? Is it worth the expense? Could a cheaper machine do better?
These are all questions we ask ourselves during our testing period. That’s why you can trust that the economical microwaves we select for our list, like the Farberware FMO11AHTBKB, go well beyond what you would expect looking at their price tag.
He likes to call himself a ‘tech freak’ and if you ask him anything about whatever tech-trend is on these days, he will likely go on for hours.
Apart from his passion for technology, Lucas has worked in an appliance store for many years and is also an over-enthusiastic foodie.
He considers his job at ConsciousEating a ‘dream come true’ because it allows him to explore the two things he loves the most in the world: technology and food.
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