The first commercially available microwave ovens were produced in the 1950s but it wasn't until Amana introduced the Radarrange in 1967 that microwave ovens really took hold. Today, it's estimated that 90% of American homes have a microwave oven in the kitchen. When it comes to cooking quickly and efficiently, they can't be beat. With this in mind, they are great for reheating pizza, thawing frozen foods, popping popcorn, and much more.

In addition to saving time, a microwave oven also saves energy. It can eliminate a tremendous amount of wasted energy in the kitchen, from the energy needed to preheat a conventional oven to the waste involved in heating a kettle of water when all you need is a cup.