Microwave ovens are an incredibly handy cooking appliance, letting us zap up a hot meal in a matter of minutes. But surely this must use incredible amounts of electricity, right? Well you may be pleasantly surprised to know that it’s not nearly as costly as you might think. In this article, Canstar Blue takes a look at how much electricity a microwave uses to see what it could be adding to your bill.
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How much does it cost to use a microwave?
Using a microwave generally costs between 0.11c and 0.72c per minute depending on its power level and the rate you pay on electricity, according to Canstar Blue data.
Microwave power is measured in watts. It refers to the maximum output a microwave is capable of when cooking on high temperatures. Most modern microwaves are between 600W and 1300W. Generally speaking, the higher the wattage, the faster and more evenly it will cook.
Most microwaves will also include a power setting. The ‘High’ setting is usually the default, which, again, is the microwave’s maximum power output. Depending on the microwave’s functionality, this power level can be manually reduced.
As the table below suggests, microwaves operating on lower power levels are generally cheaper to operate per minute.
The cost of using a microwave by cooking times
| Setting | Power | Cost per minute | 2 minutes | 5 minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 200W – 399W | 0.11c – 0.22c | 0.22c – 0.44c | 0.55c – 1.10c |
| Medium / Low | 400W – 499W | 0.22c – 0.28c | 0.44c – 0.55c | 1.10c – 1.38c |
| Medium | 500W – 699W | 0.28c – 0.39c | 0.55c – 0.77c | 1.38c – 1.93c |
| Medium / High | 700W – 799W | 0.39c –0.44c | 0.77c – 0.88c | 1.93c – 2.20c |
| High | 800W – 1300W | 0.44c – 0.72c | 0.88c – 1.43c | 2.20c – 3.58c |
Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 25/09/2023. Average electricity usage rate of 33c/kWh based on single-rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347kWh.
What meals cost the most to cook in a microwave?
When we think of microwaving foods, there are likely a few favourites that immediately come to mind. Whether it be a microwavable meal, hot potato or just reheating some leftovers, there are a few staples of the old microwave that each and every one of us use and consume. But which of these meals will leave you the most out of pocket on your power bill? We investigate below.
The cost of microwaving popular food types
| Food | Cook time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Potato | 10 minutes | 4.40c |
| Frozen meat pie | 8 minutes | 3.52c |
| Microwave meal | 7 minutes | 3.08c |
| Reheating leftovers | 4 minutes | 1.76c |
| Softening butter | 6 seconds | 0.044c |
Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 25/09/2023. Average electricity usage rate of 33c/kWh based on single-rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347kWh. Microwave power assumed to be 800W.
Depending on your microwave settings and desired cooking times, these costs may differ for your household but as a general rule of thumb, foods like potatoes, frozen meat pies and microwave meals are likely to cost you the most in microwave running costs. Essentially, it is a no brainer – the longer you cook food for in the microwave, the more it is likely to cost you on your power bill.
Looking to reduce your energy costs? See if you could be paying less for power with one of these cheap plans
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
What’s the cost of leaving a microwave on standby?
Standby power can account for up to 3% of a household’s total energy costs according to the government’s Department of the Environment and Energy. So while unplugging the microwave alone won’t get you much closer to that European holiday you’ve been saving for, it is worth getting into the habit of unplugging all unused appliances wherever possible or, controlling usage through smart power boards or electricity usage monitors.
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