You’ve probably noticed that there’s a kind of universal language when it comes to home appliances, no matter where you are in the world. The microwave symbols you see on your appliance tend to look remarkably similar from one brand to another. The idea, of course, is that they should be intuitive and easy to use. And yet, somehow, most of us end up using one or two buttons daily and completely ignore the rest. Which is a bit like buying a Swiss Army knife and only ever using it to open crisps.
The truth is, there are plenty of microwave functions that go unused, functions that could genuinely make your life easier. So let’s walk through them together, so you can finally get the most out of your appliance and stop guessing at the settings.
Microwave Symbols: The Clock
One of the clearest microwave symbols is the one used to set the time displayed on your appliance. It can also be used to hide the clock if you’d rather not have it staring at you from the worktop. The clock symbol is only relevant if your model has a digital display; if it doesn’t, the same symbol will indicate the timer function, which is far more useful every day.
The Timer
An essential microwave symbol, and one you’ll use constantly. It usually looks like a stopwatch or a clock with a slightly more sporty attitude. You’ll typically find two versions: if your model has a digital display, you select the timer and adjust the time using a dial; if not, the symbol will appear next to an arc showing the available cooking times.
Child Safety Lock
Using a microwave shouldn’t be dangerous, but all models come with a safety lock, partly to stop curious little hands from conducting unsupervised culinary experiments. Use it to lock the controls when the appliance isn’t in use. It’s usually represented by a padlock symbol.
Microwave Symbols: Defrost
This symbol indicates the defrost function, one of the most useful things your microwave can do, if you know how to use it properly. The classic icon is a snowflake, though you might also see a circular arrow or vertical wavy lines, depending on the model.
A word of advice: don’t defrost food for more than two minutes at a time. If something is very frozen, use several two-minute intervals. For larger pieces of food, give them a turn between each interval so they defrost evenly rather than cooking on one side while staying frozen on the other.
Your model may offer two defrost modes: by weight and by time. Use the time setting for smaller pieces and the weight setting for larger ones. Your user manual will include a handy table with recommended weights and times. It’s worth a look, because a 300g chicken breast and a cooked sea bream don’t exactly need the same treatment.
Microwave Symbols: Power Level
This symbol lets you set the power at which your microwave operates. Depending on the programme you’re using, different power levels serve different purposes.
Microwave power is measured in watts, and the wattage determines how quickly the appliance works. A microwave running at 600W heats food more slowly than one running at 900W. The maximum power in a standard microwave is typically between 800 and 900W. Models with a grill go up to 1,200W; microwave ovens can reach 1,750W; and those with a steam cooking function top out at around 1,200W.
How to Use the Power Levels
Here’s a quick reference guide:
- 90W — Slow defrosting for delicate foods; keeping things warm. Softening butter or melting chocolate without burning it.
- 180W — Gentle cooking; reheating rice. Quick defrosting.
- 360W — Melting butter. Warming baby food.
- 600–700W — Cooking vegetables and other foods, careful reheating, or cooking small portions.
- 850W — Quickly cooking and heating liquids and pre-cooked foods.
Tip: Covering your food with a lid or a plate helps retain moisture and prevents splashing while you heat or cook.
The Grill Function
One of the microwave’s special functions and one that genuinely transforms what the appliance can do. The grill function allows you to brown meat and fish, toast bread, and gratinate dishes, bringing your microwave considerably closer to oven territory. Its symbol is usually one or more wavy horizontal lines stacked at the top of the display.
You can actually do quite a lot with this function, like cook rice or even make eggs. We have collectively underestimated the microwave, and the grill function is part of the reason why. It can be used on its own for already-cooked food, or combined with other microwave functions for simultaneous cooking and browning.
One important note: keep an eye on things when using the grill. It works quickly, and there’s nothing more dispiriting than ruining a dish in the final moments.
The Microwave Function
The foundation of it all. Select your power level, press start, and off you go. This activates the electromagnetic waves that give the microwave its name. It heats and cooks the water molecules in your food across several layers at once. The difference with a conventional oven is that the oven heats the internal cavity of the appliance, so the heat gradually works its way into the food from the outside. Microwave waves, on the other hand, penetrate directly into the food itself from the very start, working across multiple layers simultaneously on the water molecules within. That’s also why it’s faster than a conventional oven. You will also come across microwave ovens, but we’ll cover those another time.
Microwave and Grill Combined
This symbol indicates that both functions are running simultaneously, allowing you to cook and brown or gratinate at the same time. At 350W, for instance, you can cook meat pies and gratins; drop it to 180W, and you can gratinate poultry while keeping the heat of the cooking process intact. Efficient and rather clever.
Other Functions
Depending on your brand and model, you may find additional features worth knowing about. At Teka, some genuinely interesting options might change the way you think about microwaves altogether:
Browning Plate. When you cook pizza or pastry in the grill or microwave oven, the base can end up a bit soggy. A browning plate solves this: the underside reaches high temperatures, leaving the crust golden and crunchy. It also works brilliantly for bacon, eggs, and sausages. A revelation, frankly.
AirFry. Just when you thought everything had been invented, along comes a microwave with an air fryer built in. And the results are genuinely impressive. Teka microwaves with AirFry come with preset programmes for frozen chips, onion rings, squid rings, nuggets, spring rolls, all at the touch of a button.
If you come across a symbol that leaves you completely baffled, the answer isn’t to avoid it indefinitely: it’s to check the user manual. You might discover a function that becomes indispensable. Give your microwave a chance to show you what it can really do for you.
Buying a New Microwave
Microwaves tend to last considerably longer than we expect. Today’s models offer greater precision, more even heating — nothing like the one in your office, unless you happen to work at Teka, of course — and features that were once the exclusive territory of ovens. If you’re thinking about upgrading, have a look at our buying guides for all the help you need.