Find Your Wattage and Change Your Power Level

Step 1: Find Your Microwave's Wattage

Wattage is your microwave's horsepower. Most home microwaves fall somewhere between 700 and 1,200 watts, and the higher the number, the faster your food cooks. A recipe written for 1,000 watts will undercook in a 700-watt microwave and overcook in a 1,200-watt one, which is why every Anyday recipe adjusts its cook times to your wattage.

Where to look

The number is almost always printed somewhere on the microwave itself. Check these spots, in order:

• Inside the door. Open it and look along the door frame or the inside wall for a sticker.
• On the back or side. Look for the rating plate, the label with the model and serial numbers.
• In the owner's manual. It's usually listed under specifications.
• Online. Search your model number (from the rating plate) plus "specifications," or find the manual on the manufacturer's site.

Seeing two numbers? Use the output wattage, which is the cooking power. The input wattage is what the microwave draws from the wall, and it's always higher.

No wattage listed?

Try looking up your model number online. It's usually printed on the same rating plate, inside the door or on the back.

If that still doesn't work, the USDA recommends a time-to-boil test to estimate it:

• Fill a 2-cup glass measuring cup with cold tap water and a handful of ice cubes, and stir until the water is ice cold.
• Remove the ice and pour off the extra water so exactly 1 cup is left.
• Microwave on full power for 4 minutes, watching through the window to see when the water starts to boil.
• Let it stand for a minute before you reach in, since the water will be very hot.

Here's how to read the result:

It's an estimate, not a precise reading, but it's close enough to pick the right chart and recipe times.

Put your wattage to work

Once you know your number, choose it on any Anyday recipe and the cook times update automatically. If your exact wattage isn't listed, pick the closest one and start with the shorter end of the time range. You can always add more time, but you can't take it away.

Step 2: Change Your Power Level

Every microwave defaults to full power (Power Level 10, also called 100% or High). Cooking everything that way is like cooking everything on the stove at full blast. It's great for boiling water and steaming broccoli, but some grains bubble over, fish turns tough, and eggs get rubbery. Lower power levels are the microwave's equivalent of simmering on the stove.

How power level actually works

On most microwaves, a lower power level doesn't make the microwaves weaker. It turns them on and off in cycles. At power level 5, the microwave runs for roughly half of each cycle and rests for the other half, which gives heat time to spread through the food.

Inverter microwaves (often labeled "Inverter" on the door) work differently. They deliver a steadier stream of lower power instead of cycling on and off, which is especially handy for delicate jobs like softening butter or steaming custard.

How to change it

The button is usually labeled Power, Power Level, or Cook Power. Most microwaves use one of two sequences:

• Time first: Enter your cook time, press Power, then press a number from 1 to 10. Press Start.
• Power first: Press Power, choose your level, then enter your cook time. Press Start.

If one doesn't work, try the other. Microwaves with a dial usually have a separate power knob or a Power button you press before turning the dial. If yours still won't cooperate, search your model number plus "power level" to find the manual's instructions.

How to tell it worked: On a regular microwave, you'll also hear the hum change as it cycles on and off. (Inverter models stay quieter and steadier, so it's harder to tell just from sound.)

Translate any recipe

Microwaves label power levels differently. Use this to translate:

Troubleshooting

• The rice bubbled over: drop the power level by one next time, and always use a Deep Dish for grains.
• It's not done when the timer goes off: add time in short bursts, or bump the power level up by one.
• My microwave only shows percentages: use the table above. 40% is the same as power level 4.
• I can't find a Power button at all: some models hide it inside a menu or behind a "Time Cook" button. Search your model number plus "power level" for the manual.