Difference between OTG and Microwave

Key Difference: OTG is short for oven, toaster and griller and is another name for toaster oven. OTG ovens are small electric ovens that resemble their big brother in many ways. They have front door, removable wire rack and baking pan. A microwave oven is a type of oven that uses microwaves to heat up food. Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic wave that is sandwiched between radio wave and infrared radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Ovens have been in existence since the discovery of fire. They play an important part to our livelihood and well-being. There are various different kinds of ovens that are available in the market that makes it easier to cook, heat up food and various other things. The oldest ovens required kindling, fire, manual temperature management and cooking. With the latest technology, ovens are now capable of doing these features automatically with just a touch of a button of a turn of the knob. There are various different types of ovens that are released for specific purposes for just baking or toasting. OTGs are useful when it comes to baking, broiling or cooking small quantities of food, while microwaves are faster to heat, warm up food and for specific types of cooking.

OTG is short for oven, toaster and griller and is another name for toaster oven. OTG ovens are small electric ovens that resemble their big brother in many ways. They have front door, removable wire rack and baking pan. The oven allows three features, as the name suggests, it can be used as an oven for baking, a toaster for toasting bread products and as a grill for grilling meat, vegetables and various other food items. These ovens are usually smaller than traditional ovens and are used for basic cooking, heat and grilling small quantities of food. However, for many people choice also depends on the how much food is cooked, how many people require serving, what needs to be cooked and what flavors must be included. Many people prefer to the large ovens because they claim that the larger space allows the meat to retain its juices, while the smaller oven makes the meat dry. This is similar with cakes and other baked goods.

OTGs are portable and small ovens and do not require any additional set-up. The ovens also use small amounts of electricity and are considered to be quite economical. The OTG ovens have coils made of nickel/chromium metal alloys that convert electricity into heat. The heat is then applied to the foods to heat the foods from the outside in. The OTG ovens are available with a timer, temperature knob, automatic timer (for some features such as toaster) and a knob for changing between different features. Some ovens may also offer additional cycles such as defrost cycle, though this depends on the make or the brand of the oven.

A microwave oven is a type of oven that uses microwaves to heat up food. Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic wave that is sandwiched between radio wave and infrared radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum and their frequencies range between 300 MHz (0.3 GHz) and 300 GHz. An interesting property of microwaves in this frequency is that they are absorbed by water, fats and sugars. However, they are not absorbed by plastic or metal. The microwave ovens run purely on electricity and do not require any additional set-up. It’s sort of plug-and-use equipment.

The first microwaves were invented following the World War II, using the radar technology that was developed during the war by Percy Spencer. The first microwave was named the ‘Radarange’ and was marketed in 1947 by Raytheon. However, at this time the technology was not yet perfected and the range was too huge to be used in homes and was only available for commercial purchase. It also required massive amounts of electricity to power, making it expensive to use. The modern microwave that we use, known as the countertop microwave’ was first developed in 1967 by the Amana Corporation, which was later acquired by the Raytheon.

Let’s try to simplify how the microwave oven actually works. When the food is place inside the microwave oven, the oven throws microwaves at the food. The microwaves are absorbed by the food, which is then turned into heat. Ever heard that microwaves heat the food from the inside out? Well, that is actually true. The waves that are absorbed by the fat, water and other substances inside the food start heating up the molecules of the food, the heat then travels outward, heating up the rest of the food. Notice, sometimes when frozen food is placed to heat in the microwave and it is not heated for a longer period of time, the inside will be warm, but the outsides are cold. That is because the heat has not yet travelled outside. The microwaves are not absorbed by plastic, glass, ceramic and metal. Metal actually reflects the microwaves; hence the internal lining of the microwave oven is made of metal. However, when you try to heat or cook food in metal pan, it basically just reflects the waves away from the food.

Microwaves and OTGs are both ovens that do not require any additional set up and are quite portable to use. They just require to be plugged and they are ready to use. OTGs are good for baking bread and desserts, while microwaves are better in terms of cooking rice, or heating up food quickly. Microwaves consume less power as it heats up faster, while OTGs can effectively grill meat and toast bread, which is not possible in a microwave oven. Both of these ovens are often found in many households together and have become a must-have in almost all kitchens.

 

OTG

Microwave

Runs on

Runs on electricity

Runs on electricity

Price

It is almost in the same range as the microwave. It is a plug-and-use appliance.

The price of the oven is quite economical. It does not require extra set up charges.

Uses

For toasting, baking, grilling and broiling.

Heating up food, cooking or boiling objects.

Heating

Heating is a bit as the electric coils take time to heat up.

Heating is the fastest of all ovens.

Cooking Time

Toaster ovens take a little while to cook, similar to conventional ovens.

Microwave ovens take the least amount of time to heat up food. It can also cook food under 5 minutes.

Economical

Toasters are economical as it works on electricity. It does not consume too much electricity. However, economical ability varies depending on the usage of the device.

Microwave is very economical. It works on electricity and only consumes power when heating up food. It does not require any additional power.

Heat distribution

Toasters do not provide even heat. They do not have a fan to provide even distribution. Toasters have more heat where the coils are.

Microwaves distribute heat more evenly as the food absorbs the microwaves and then turn them into heat. Heating may not be so even in thick, dense objects.

Temperature Management

Temperature is managed using temperature controls. The heat can be set to desired temperature, depending on what is going to be cooked.

Temperature is managed automatically. However, depending on the make, the microwave may allow the owner to change the temperature.

Burners

Toaster ovens have electric coils for creating heat.

No burners are required, only an electrical switch.

Benefits

Toaster ovens are similar to cheaper and more compact versions of conventional ovens. They are perfect for baking, broiling, roasting and toasting. It is also quite cheap compared to the big conventional oven.

Microwave ovens are cheap, effective and simple to use. They do not require professional set up, they can be set anywhere on a counter top and plugged in. They also use less power and energy to heat up food.

Limitations

Toasters can make only limited amount of food (for example, only small cakes can be made as the oven is small); takes time to heat up and cook. It also has uneven heat distribution. Toaster ovens are also unable to make foods such as rice or boiling.

Microwaves are effective for cooking, though they are not effective for creating some kinds of foods. They do not make crispy foods or for baking effectively.

Image Courtesy: warahappliances.com, walmart.ca

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