Technology has
developed a lot from the days of the coal stoves to LPG Gas stoves. and
today, you have microwave ovens cooking
ranges, and OTGs in almost every kitchen.
The OTG has become an integral part of the homemaker’s arsenal.
Let us now see the
difference between the OTG and microwave oven that many people confuse to be
the same.
We shall also go
through a list of some of the best OTGs available in the market.
Finally, we have the
OTG Buying Guide that will help you through the process of acquiring the ideal
OTG depending on your requirements.
Difference between an
OTG and Microwave Oven
In simple terms, OTG
refers to Oven, Toaster, and Grill. The very name suggests that you
can use the OTG for three purposes. It can function as an over. You can also
use it for toasting and grilling.
Coming to the
microwave oven, it is a one-dimensional cooking appliance that cooks food by
heating it through convection.
The fundamental
difference between an OTG and a Microwave oven
OTG – Oven Toaster Grill |
Microwave Oven |
Performs three functions |
Basically cooks and heats the food |
Higher Capacity up to 60 litres |
Maximum capacity would be around 40 to 42 litres |
Low Power Consumption |
Comparatively higher consumption of power |
Professionals use it for baking as well |
Ideal for beginners to bake, reheat, and defrost |
Uses electricity for heating the coil and subsequently,
the heated coil is used for cooking food |
Uses microwave for heating the food |
Takes comparatively more time to cook your food |
Less time consumption |
Best for experimenting with different kinds of food |
Ideal for preparing simple dishes |
Auto Cook facility is not available |
Auto Cooking is possible |
Can use metal vessels in an OTG |
Metal vessels should not be used in a microwave oven |
Comparatively less expensive |
More expensive than an OTG |
Light in weight, hence easily portable |
Microwave ovens can be cumbersome |
Comes with mechanical controls, hence challenging to use |
Easy to configure because of LCD display panels |
Some of the best brands are Prestige, Morphy Richards,
Usha, and Bajaj |
Best brands include Morphy Richards, IFB, Electrolux, LG,
and Kenstar |
Purpose of the OTG
·
An OTG is useful for
carrying out various cooking activities.
·
Baking, toasting, and
grilling
·
Reheating and keeping
the food warm
·
Preparing barbecue
·
Professional bakers
prefer the OTG to a microwave oven
Best OTGs in
India
1. Morphy Richards 60
RCSS 60L OTG
Morphy Richards is a
leading OTG manufacturer in the world. This OTG comes with excellent features
such as
·
60-litre capacity with
an illuminated chamber and a mirror-finish door
·
Convection function
along with a motorised rotisserie
·
Crumb tray to enable
easy cleaning
·
60-minutes timer function
to prevent food from getting overheated or burnt
·
Time bypass or Stay-on
function to keep the food warm for a maximum of two hours
·
Power Consumption of
2000 Watts
·
2-year warranty on the
product
The Morphy Richards 60
RCSS OTG is an ideal appliance to have in your kitchen, as it can fulfil almost
all your cooking requirements. You can bake, toast, as well as grill your food
depending on the recipe.
The best aspect is
that you do not use much oil for cooking, thereby enhancing the food value.
The rotisserie feature
enables you to roast the perfect chicken. It is also possible to grill your
meat and vegetables, as well. The thermostat function ensures that you set the
temperature in advance. The convection feature enables uniform circulation of
heat and air inside the oven.
This OTG has a
capacity of 60 litres, thereby proving adequate for large-sized families.
2. Philips HD6975/00
25L Digital OTG.
Philips is another
popular brand of OTG that you can find in most of the Indian kitchens. Some of
its exciting features include,
·
Capacity of 25L making
it perfect for the ideal Indian family of four to five people
·
Bake, grill, and toast
your food with ease
·
A powerful OTG that
consumes 1500 watts
·
Optimum temperature
technology to enable uniform browning
·
One-touch 10-preset
menu and pre-heat facility
·
Timer with a 90-minute
cut-off feature
·
2-year warranty on the
product
Philips OTH comes with
digital controls for selecting modes, recipes, time, and temperature. The
one-touch pre-set menu makes it possible to cook a variety of Indian recipes
with ease.
This OTG comes with a
one-touch pre-heat option, as well. The Opti-Temp function ensures high quality
of browning and crispiness.
The Philips OTG is the
ideal one to prepare the best cakes and bread. It helps to toast your
foods to perfection, thereby reducing moisture and providing a high level of
crispiness. Grilling chicken and meat are extremely comfortable using this OTG.
The OTG comes equipped
with soft-turn chrome finish knobs to enable better handling. The chamber light
makes it easy to monitor the food while cooking. This OTG comes with various
accessories like drip trays, tongs, grilling rack, and baking tray.
3. Bajaj 2200 TMSS 22L
OTG
Bajaj is a reputed
name in the Indian market. It is synonymous with trust. Bajaj manufactures
various kitchen appliances, including OTGs. This 22L OTG comes with useful
features like,
·
22L capacity that
should be adequate for an ideal Indian family
·
Baking, Grilling, and
Toasting are possible on this OTG
·
Comes with useful
accessories like skewer rods, crumb trays, and rotisserie set
·
Consumes 1200 watts
·
Available with a
warranty of one year
Bajaj 2200 TMSS should
be your perfect kitchen companion, as it can cater to all your cooking
responsibilities. The user-friendly controls allow you to prepare delicious
meals without breaking a sweat. The design of the OTG adds glamour to your
kitchen, as well.
This OTG comes with a
thermostat capable of covering a wide range of temperature options up to 2500C,
thereby enabling you to cook a variety of recipes. The 60-minute timer allows
you to set the timer and continue with the other chores while the OTG carries
on with its responsibilities.
The heater element
selector helps you select the appropriate heating element depending on the
recipe and mode of cooking. This OTG comes with various accessories such as rotisserie
set, skewer rods, crumb and baking trays, and a pair of tongs.
Cleaning the OTG is
easy because the crumb tray collects the food pieces that fall off during the
cooking process. The motorised rotisserie is perfect for preparing your
barbecue.
It is a safe appliance
to have in the kitchen because it does not use open flame like your gas cooking
range.
4. Agaro Grand 30L OTG
Smaller Indian
families can invest in the 30L OTG instead of the models with larger capacity.
Performance-wise, there is not much difference because this Agaro Grand 30L OTG
is suitable for baking, toasting, cooking and also offers rotisserie functions.
·
Variety of functions
available
·
Six heating modes
·
Motorized rotisseries
with forks
·
Temperature adjustment
up to 230 degrees Celsius
·
Heat-resistant
tempered glass window with illumination
·
Auto shut-off with
buzzer
·
30L capacity
If you are looking to
host your child’s birthday party, this OTG should prove handy to prepare
delicious cakes, cookies, muffins, and even bake pizzas comfortably.
The benefit of this appliance is the auto shut-off function with a bell arrangement
that alerts you once the cooking is over. You can set the timing and
temperature levels and let the machine do its job.
One of the convenient
facilities available in this appliance is the easy-to-use mechanical knobs for
setting the cooking functions, timing, and temperature.
This appliance works
on convection technology and has a top and bottom heating
element to ensure uniform cooking. The motorized rotisserie is easy to use.
However, it can get hot inside the machine. Therefore, the machine offers a
handle to remove the rotisserie after cooking.
The inbuilt heating
elements are suitable for various cooking jobs like baking cakes, grilling your
chicken and meat, roasting, and much more. This appliance allows you to set the
temperature levels from 90 degrees to 230 degrees, depending on your recipe.
The 30L capacity
should prove ideal for small families. Pricing-wise, this OTG compares with the
best and is a handy appliance to have in your kitchen. However, it is not a
suitable appliance for reheating food because it does not work on microwave
technology.
5. Morphy Richards OTG
Besta 52L
This 52L Morphy
Richards OTG is the best appliance to have, especially when you have to cater to
a large number of guests. It comes with various functions like baking,
toasting, and grilling. Other features include,
·
Motorised rotisserie
for skewing your meat and vegetables
·
Temperature control
feature with a ‘Keep Warm’ function
·
Separate baking mode
·
Removable crumb tray
to enable easy cleaning
·
52-litre capacity to
cater to large families
·
Power consumption of
2000 watts
·
120-minute timer
·
2-year warranty period
Morphy Richards Besta
OTG comes with Smart Bake Technology to deliver the best possible results. Your
cakes, bread, and pizzas come out perfectly when you bake them on this OTG.
This OTG ensures even
distribution of temperature while grilling to ensure uniform cooking
of your vegetables and other food.
The temperature
control feature allows you to set a range of temperature for different foods
depending on the requirement. It comes with a 120-minute timer, whereby it can
cook continuously without any intervention.
Morphy richards OTGs
come with convection oven feature, as well to ensure proper cooking of your
food. Cleaning this OTG is easy because of the detachable crumb tray. The
motorised rotisserie is perfect for skewing meat and chicken.
6. Havells Air Oven
Digi
Using oil and ghee for
frying your food can be unhealthy because of its high calorific value. This
Havells Air Oven Digi is the ideal appliance to have as it fries your food
using hot air and minimum oil. Thus, your food turns out healthier.
·
Aero Crisp Technology
·
Nine pre-set auto
cooking modes
·
Adjustable temperature
and timing settings
·
360-degree air circulation
·
LED display
·
Auto shut-off and
timer setup functions
·
2.6L rotation drum or
rotisserie
·
4.6L non-stick
rectangular basket
·
Power Consumption of
1500W
The air oven works on
a unique technology by circulating hot air inside the appliance to provide
uniform cooking. However, it does not have separate upper and lower heating
elements. Therefore, the Havells Air Oven Digi is good for baking, roasting,
and toasting but not suitable for reheating cooked rice.
As this Oven does not
have separate heating elements, you have to flip over the bread and rotis for
uniform cooking regularly. However, it is a good appliance to have in your
kitchen because it does not use oil for cooking.
This appliance comes
with nine pre-set auto cooking options. Though the display shows only eight,
you can include the rotisserie arrangement as the ninth
option. The pre-set options should cater to almost all your regular cooking
jobs. However, you can adjust the temperature and timings manually to suit your
specific demands.
This air oven is a
suitable appliance for frying, especially chips and French fries, without using
oil. As a result, they look crispier and crunchier and taste much better.
Another good feature of this Havells Air Oven Digi is its low fan noise. The
heating element is on the upper side of the appliance and comes protected with
a wire mesh.
One should note that
the interiors can become hot. Therefore, it is better to use the
handles provided for removing the rotisseries and the cooking baskets. One of
the significant demerits is that it has limited capacity compared to the
traditional OTG.
Nevertheless, it is
suitable for making quick toasts and other breakfast items. Though it could
take some time to get used to the controls, this machine is a handy one to have
in your kitchen.
7. Borosil PRO 42L OTG
If you are on the
lookout for comfort, convenience, and joy in cooking, investing in an OTG is a
good option. The Borosil PRO 42L OTG comes with extensive functions to make it
one of the best OTGs in India under Rs 10000.
·
A range of exciting
functions, like convection, grill, rotisserie, bake, and toast
·
Uniform heating and
cooking
·
Motorized rotisserie
·
6-stage heating option
·
42L capacity
·
Temperature
adjustments up to 230 degrees Celsius
·
Timer setup up to 90
minutes
·
Illuminated chamber
·
Removeable components
The Borosil PRO 42L
OTG offers various features and is suitable for baking cakes, bread, cookies,
pizzas, and muffins. The rotating rotisserie feature is a welcome addition.
However, you should use the handle provided for the rotisserie to remove it
after cooking because it can get extremely hot.
While using this OTG
is easy because of the easy-to-use control knobs, cleaning the
appliance is not an issue. This OTG comes with a crumb collection tray to
collect the crumbs while cooking. All you do is remove the crumb tray using the
tray removing the handle and clean it. You can also wipe the insides with a
kitchen cloth.
The illuminated
42L chamber allows you to watch how your food is being cooked
uniformly. The control knobs help set the temperature, cooking modes, and
timing. Thus, you can set these controls and continue with other work while the
OTG completes its cooking job undisturbed.
As this OTG works on
the convection mode, the vegetables and meat become browner, whereas the sugar
caramelizes faster and efficiently. Thus, you save power. In addition, this OTG
comes with various attachments like a cooking tray, grill rack, handle for trays,
removable crumb tray, and a rotating rotisserie cum skewer to make it
comfortable and convenient.
There is no
need to rotate the bread for uniform toasting because of the heater
mechanism at the top and the bottom. In addition, this appliance has sufficient
space to accommodate two pans simultaneously. Though the controls are easy to
use, the appliance gets hot quickly.
8. Bajaj Majesty 1603T
16L OTG
Bajaj Majesty 1603T
OTG can prove to be the ideal kitchen mate for small families comprising of two
to three people. In spite of its small size, this OTG can perform all the
functions one can expect an OTG to do. Its features include,
·
16-litre capacity
·
Attractive design with
powder coated and stainless-steel body
·
Perform all functions
like baking, toasting, and grilling
·
Auto shut-off timer
for convenience
·
Set of accessories
including skewer rods, baking tray, grill rack, and pair of tongs
·
Thermostat to ensure
monitoring of the temperature
·
Energy consumption of
1200 watts
·
One-year warranty
Bajaj Majesty OTG is
the perfect appliance to cook a delicious and healthy meal for small families.
This OTG caters to all your baking, toasting, and grilling requirements.
The front panel
contains three distinct dials for controlling the temperature,
heating element, and timer to enable you to select the perfect settings. It
also helps to keep your food warm.
The cool-touch door
handle is a welcome feature that prevents unnecessary injuries when opening or
closing the OTG door.
Cleaning the OTG is
easy because the food
crumbs get collected on the detachable crumb tray. As this OTG is a compact
one, it becomes easy to place it anywhere in the kitchen.
The stainless-steel
body with powder coating makes for a sturdy design. It is a power-saving
appliance, as well because it consumes 1200 watts.
OTG Buying Guide
Purchasing the ideal
OTG for your kitchen requires you to do your homework correctly. A lot depends
on the size of your family.
It also depends on
whether you are a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian. Here are some
crucial points to note before selecting the perfect oven for your kitchen.
Capacity or Size
The OTG comes in
various sizes. A small family of up to three persons can opt for an OTG with a
capacity of 15 to 20 litres, whereas a medium-sized Indian family can choose a
30L OTG.
If your requirements
are substantial, it is always economical to select the 60L OTG.
Usage is important
OTGs come with or
without a rotisserie. If you plan to use the OTG for baking and cooking simple
food, you should choose an OTG without the rotisserie.
Professionals and
those who wish to prepare barbecue need to
invest in an OTG with a rotisserie. Usually, people who prefer
non-vegetarian food go for grilling options. However, it is also possible to
barbecue paneer and vegetables, as well.
The rotisserie is
nothing but a steel bar working on a motor system to enable perfect grilling.
It rotates to ensure uniform distribution of heat. It comes as a unique
accessory.
People with a
vegetarian preference or those who use the OTG for baking purposes alone can
opt for an OTG without the rotisserie.
Dimensions
The capacity or size
of the OTG determines the dimensions of the appliance. However, you
should ensure that your kitchen has enough space to place your OTG.
A vital point to note
here is that there should be sufficient space in front of and at the rear of
the OTG to allow free ventilation.
Power Consumption
When compared to a
microwave oven, the OTG consumes less power. The primary reason is that the
workload of an OTG is less in comparison.
A 15 to 20L
OTG will consume around 1200 watts, whereas the larger ones such as the 60L
OTG can consume up to 2000 watts.
Budget
The OTG costs
substantially less as compared to the microwave oven. Good quality OTGs are
available for as low as Rs 3,000. If you opt for better features, you can
purchase OTGs worth Rs 15,000, as well. In comparison, a standard microwave
oven costs nothing less than Rs 9,000.
Warranty
Usually, all OTGs come
with a specific warranty period. The higher the warranty period, the better
should be the overall quality of the appliance. It is an ideal reflection of
the manufacturer’s confidence in the product quality.
Now that we have gone
through the basics, we shall proceed with the features available in OTGs.
Features of an OTG
An OTG can come with various
features depending on the cost and usage. A professional might look for
additional features whereas a regular homemaker might not need an OTG with
advanced features. Here are some standard features available on OTGs.
Timer
Usually, OTGs come
with timers that allow you to set timings up to 120 minutes. However, it
depends on the brand model. The timer function is useful when you multitask.
You can set the timer according to your requirements. The OTG will switch off
automatically.
Temperature
Control
The temperature
setting is a crucial aspect of the OTG. It depends on the type of food you wish
to prepare. Generally, an OTG will have a temperature setting in the range of
500C to 2500C. The temperature control knob helps you to set the required
temperature of the inner chamber.
Accessories
Depending on the type
of OTG you purchase, it comes with the following accessories
Baking Tray
The baking tray comes
into use when you bake cakes, cookies, biscuits, bread, and pizzas. It is also
useful for roasting and cooking non-vegetarian food like chicken. Vegetables
can also be baked on the baking tray. It is a handy tool for reheating food, as
well.
Crumb Tray
Every OTG will have a
crumb tray. The primary function of the crumb tray is to collect the crumbs and
keep the floor of the OTG clean. It becomes easy to remove the bits if they
collect on the plate rather than on the floor of the OTG.
Grilling Rack
The grilling rack
comes handy for toasting and baking your cakes, cookies, and muffins. You can
also place large slices of vegetables, fish, and chicken on the grilling rack.
The OTGs come with an option of placing the baking tray above the grilling or
wire rack.
Rotisserie
Usually, people
preferring non-vegetarian food go for rotisserie sets. It is basically a steel
rod that is useful for cooking meat and preparing a barbecue. A rotisserie set
comprises of skewer rods, rotisserie forks, rotisserie rod, and a rotisserie
removal tong.
Skewer Rods
Skewer rods are thin
rods used for making kebabs, paneer cubes, vegetables, chicken, and tikkas. The
skewer rods are grilling options.
Pair of tongs
The temperature inside
an OTG can be extremely high enough to burn your skin. You need a pair of tongs
to pull out the baking tray from the OTG. All OTGs come with this feature.
Mode of Operation
·
The baking option
ensures that the bottom heating element functions to its full capacity.
·
The convection option
entails that both the bottom and top heating element heats you to ensure
uniform cooking.
·
The rotisserie option
allows the preparation of a barbecue.
·
The mode selector
saves you the trouble of adjusting the temperature manually every time.
Heating Element
Selector
An OTG comes with two
heating elements situated at the top and the bottom, respectively. You can use
the heating element selector according to your requirements. For example,
baking would require the use of the bottom heating element, whereas grilling
needs the functioning of the top heating element. You can use both the heating
elements for toasting.
Frequently Asked
Questions about OTGs
1. What are the best
OTG brands available in India?
Various OTG brands are
available in India. The best ones include Morphy Richards, Prestige, Philips,
Usha, Lifelong, and Bajaj, among others.
2. Is it necessary to
pre-heat an OTG before use?
Every recipe needs
cooking at a specific temperature. It is imperative to set the temperature at a
particular level before baking your cookies or cakes in the OTG. This process
is known as pre-heating the OTG. Generally, it does not take more than 10 to 15
minutes to pre-heat the OTG. It is advisable to use an oven thermometer to
determine the exact temperature before using the OTG.
3. How is an OTG
different from a microwave oven?
An OTG is an oven,
toaster, and grill combined. On the other hand, a microwave oven is better
equipment to cook food. It uses convection technology whereas an OTG uses
heating elements for cooking food. One can grill food in a microwave oven,
provided you opt for a specific grill microwave oven. Such appliances are
comparatively more expensive. On the pricing front, an OTG is considerably
cheaper than a microwave oven
4. Which is the better
appliance for baking a pizza, a microwave oven or an OTG?
The specific purpose
of an OTG is to bake. Convection over can never offer the same results as an
OTG when it comes to baking pizzas. However, a microwave oven can do a quicker
job than the OTG. On the quality aspect, an OTG is much better in comparison.
5. Is an OTG a safe
appliance to use?
Yes, an OTG is a safe
appliance provided you exercise the necessary caution. Use a pair of OTG tongs
to remove the utensils from an OTG. The temperature can be extremely high
inside an OTG. Remember to use OTG-safe utensils, as not all glass or ceramic
tools are OTG safe.
6. How much power does
an OTG consume?
It depends on the
usage and capacity of the OTG. A large-sized OTG can consume an average of
around 2000 to 2400 watts.
7. How do you clean an
OTG?
It is advisable to use
the crumb tray every time you cook food in an OTG. The primary function of the
crumb tray is to collect the crumbs and prevent it from falling on the OTG
floor. It becomes easy to remove the crumb tray and clean it separately. As far
as cleaning the OTG is concerned, wait for it to cool down before using a fresh
piece of cloth to clean the OTG interiors. Do not use metal scouring pads for
cleaning the OTG interiors. Disconnect the OTG from the mains before cleaning
it.
8. Is it necessary to
wear gloves when using the OTG?
Insulated oven gloves
protect your skin from getting burnt. Use gloves to remove the utensils from
the interiors. A pair of tongs can also prove handy in this regard.
9. Can we use glass
utensils inside the OTG?
Yes, you can, but you
should use glass or ceramic utensils are OTG-safe.
10. How much air space
is necessary for ventilation?
Ideally, you should
have at least four inches of free space on all the sides of the OTG. It helps
in easier circulation of air.
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