Microwave Ovens Offering a Full 12 Inches Inside

Having ample interior space in your microwave oven is crucial for easily fitting and cooking larger dishes. Many standard microwaves top out at around 1 cubic foot of capacity, limiting what you can cook. But for home chefs that regularly cook for groups or make sizable recipes, a microwave with a full 12 inches of depth can be a game changer.

Whether you often cook for potlucks or meal prep for your family, having those extra interior inches can revolutionize your microwave cooking.

The Benefits of a 12-Inch Deep Microwave

Here are some of the biggest advantages microwaves with 12-inch depth offer compared to standard models:

• Fit larger dishes and pans - With 12 inches to work with, you can fit most dinner plates, casserole dishes, and 9x13 baking pans inside. No more trying to angle plates or having food spill over the edges.
• Accommodate bigger food items - Large roasts, whole chickens, and hefty casseroles can cook comfortably without needing to be cut down to size first.
• Cook for groups and gatherings - When cooking for potlucks or big family meals, you can make sizable batches using your 12-inch microwave.
• Reheat hefty leftovers - Those half pans of lasagna are no match for a microwave with a foot of interior depth. Easily reheat hearty portions.
• Defrost large items - Defrost a stack of burger patties or a big cut of meat rapidly in a spacious 12-inch cavity.

While standard microwaves top out around 1 cubic foot of capacity, many 12-inch models offer 1.5 to 1.7 cubic feet of cooking space. That extra room makes a noticeable difference in what you can cook and reheat easily.

Efficiency and Convenience

In addition to fitting more inside, 12-inch microwaves can also save you time and provide more convenient cooking. Features like:

• Higher wattages for faster heating
• Built-in sensors to automatically adjust cook times
• Inverter technology for continuous cooking power
• Interior lights so you can view your food's progress

All contribute to getting your dishes cooked perfectly with less guesswork. Higher wattages around 1000-1200W mean you spend less time waiting for food to heat. And cooking features like inverter tech and auto sensors eliminate annoying interruptions to stir or flip food.

Even Heating and Safety

With the extra cubic footage to heat, a 12-inch microwave needs smart design to ensure thorough, even cooking. Features like turntables and multiple power levels distribute heat throughout the cavity. This prevents cold spots and makes sure food cooks uniformly, an important safety measure.

The deeper interior can also lead to higher temperatures during cooking. So quality 12-inch microwaves will be equipped with safeguards like:

• Auto shutoff to prevent overcooking
• Cool-touch exteriors to avoid burns
• Child safety lockouts

With large batches of food inside, safety features give peace of mind your microwave won't overheat. And cool-touch sides make removing hot dishes safer.

Review of Top 12-Inch Deep Microwave Models

Now that we've covered the benefits, let's look at some stellar microwaves showcasing full 12-inch depth:

GE Profile Countertop Microwave Oven

• Cubic Feet - 1.7
• Power - 1150 watts
• Depth - 12 inches
• Features - Auto and time defrost, turntable, interior light

With 1150 watts of power, the GE Profile model PG975 Ispex27

The roomy 1.7 cubic foot stainless steel interior easily fits a 9 by 13 casserole dish or up to a 14 inch pizza. The auto and time defrost features make quick work of defrosting meat and poultry safely.

Reviewers love the versatility of cooking large batches of food. Its high power and quality earn it an average 4.5/5 star rating.

LG NeoChefTM Countertop Microwave Oven

• Cubic Feet - 1.7
• Power - 1000 watts
• Depth - 12 inches
• Features - Inverter tech, auto cook, easy clean interior

The LG NeoChef LMC1735ST provides a spacious 17 inches of interior height along with its 12 inch depth. With LG's inverter technology, it maintains continuous heating power instead of pulsing heat.

Cooking presets and auto adjusting sensors take the guesswork out for reheating, defrosting, and popping popcorn. Reviewers love the easy oven-like results from its convection microwave combo cooking.

Panasonic Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology

• Cubic Feet - 1.6
• Power - 1200 watts
• Depth - 12 inches
• Features - Inverter tech, turbo defrost, auto programs

Panasonic's own inverter tech in the Genius Prestige model NN-SD975S provides perfectly even cooking with no cold spots. Its 1.6 cubic ft. stainless interior comfortably fits a full-sized dinner plate.

The turbo defrost function uses its inverter power to defrost foods like meat and poultry quickly while preventing edges from cooking. Reviewers mention it rivals more expensive models with great performance.

How to Shop for the Right 12-Inch Microwave

Once you decide that a 12-inch microwave will best suit your cooking needs, here are some useful tips for choosing the right model:

Measure Cabinet Depth First

Take measurements of the depth in the cabinet space where you plan to install it. While most 12-inch microwaves are around 15 inches deep themselves, confirming you have depth to spare ensures a good fit.

Consider Necessary Power and Watts

Higher wattages between 1000-1250W allow for faster reheating and cooking in bigger microwaves. Consider the wattage needed for the types of tasks you'll use it for.

Compare Cubic Foot Capacity

While depth is 12 inches, interior height can vary and affect overall cubic footage. Compare size specs to find the right fit for your dishes.

Review Available Cooking Modes and Functions

Auto settings, inverter or convection tech, and defrosting modes make cooking far more convenient. Choose options suiting your cooking needs.

Check Budget and Pricing

With extra size and more features, 12-inch models come at a higher price point. Expect to spend $250-400, with smart features inflating costs.

Read Reviews of Brands and Models

Researching reviews ensures you get the right match of quality, performance, and reliability. Top brands like GE, LG, and Panasonic are known for quality.