What Should the Microwave Oven Output Power Be On?

High Power

• The highest power level on most microwave ovens is 10. This is the default setting and is often used for nearly all microwave cooking, including reheating cooked items. This results in overcooked food. The highest power setting is most suitable for cooking vegetables and poultry, boiling water and cooking tender cuts of beef and pork.

Medium High Power

• On most microwave ovens, medium high power is seven through nine. Power levels eight and nine, which are 80 and 90 percent of full power, respectively, are ideal for reheating most foods. Level seven is good for cooking foods that burn or scorch easily, such as dairy or eggs. It is also good for foods that need to cook more slowly, such as bread or cake.

Medium Power

• The medium power levels, which are four, five and six for most microwave ovens, are good for defrosting items and for slow cooking. Level six is good for cooking delicate meats such as fish or veal, as well as foods including pudding, custard or oatmeal that require time for evaporation in order to be completely cooked. Level five, which is one-half of full power, is ideal for roasting. Meats such as ham, whole turkey and chicken or beef and pork roasts should be cooked on level five. Power level four is ideal for thawing frozen meat. It is hot enough to defrost food without cooking it during the process.

Low Power

• Low power is one, two and three in the majority of microwave oven models. While three is used for slow roasting tough cuts of meat, two is ideal for warming and melting foods, such as butter or sour cream. It can also be used to slightly defrost frozen items, such as hard ice cream. Power level one is for keeping cooked items warm. Like power level two, it is also good for softening food like butter or taking the chill off of cold foods, such as fresh fruit.