Two Ways to Get More Out of Your Microwave: Breville Compact Wave Soft Close and Anyday Everyday Set

Introduction

If your microwave only reheats leftovers and revives cold coffee, you are not getting much out of it. Modern microwaves have become genuine cooking tools, and microwave-specific cookware is growing right alongside them. Two products stood out in our testing: the Breville Compact Wave Soft Close microwave and the Anyday Everyday Set, a cookware line backed by chef David Chang that promises to cook complete meals in the microwave. Here is what we found.

Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave

The Breville Compact Wave Soft Close was our top pick after putting a wide range of microwaves through their paces. The headline feature is in the name: the door handle has a soft close mechanism, so it glides shut instead of clunking, and you never have to karate-chop a stubborn button. It is a small touch that makes the microwave feel considered rather than cheap.

The controls are another highlight. There is a dedicated power button that steps down from 100% to 50% and lower in single presses, a simple dial for setting seconds or minutes, and clearly colored green go and red stop buttons. Compared with models cluttered with vague presets for “kids meals” or “healthy cooking,” this straightforward layout is exactly what you want.

On the practical side, the brushed finish resists fingerprints and smudges, which keeps the microwave looking clean on the counter where stainless and black glass models quickly look grubby. Small feet lift it slightly off the counter, so the door can open over a potholder or towel sitting in front of it without jamming.

What to Look For in a Microwave

A few lessons from our testing apply to any microwave purchase. Look for moderate wattage in the 900 to 1,000 watt range. It is tempting to buy the most powerful model, but high-wattage units mostly help you overcook food faster. Instead, learn to use lower power percentages; you can always add time, but you cannot undo an exploded stick of butter.

Size matters too. Models around 0.9 to 1 cubic foot hit the sweet spot. Bigger units take up enormous counter space without offering much more usable interior, while a 0.7 cubic foot compact is fine for smaller households. Inside the oven, the turntable rotates food through the microwave wave pattern, and we saw less scorching when food was placed slightly off center rather than dead center. Stirring, flipping, and turning food also helps even out heating, since microwaves only heat the outer half inch or so directly and the rest warms by conduction.

Getting More Out of Your Microwave: Simple Techniques

The microwave is a surprisingly capable vegetable steamer. Place broccoli in a bowl with a cover, a plate, or a vented steamer lid, run it for about four minutes, and you have a quick side dish that takes care of itself while you cook the rest of the meal. Season it, or use it as parcooked broccoli for a stir fry so the texture comes out right. We also liked that this microwave displays “end” when finished and keeps showing it until the door opens, so you never discover yesterday’s food sitting inside.

Corn on the cob is another easy win. Either husk it completely and wrap it in plastic, or leave it in its own husk and set it right on the turntable. Five minutes produces perfectly steamed corn, with no giant pot of boiling water and nothing to pour out afterward; allow up to ten minutes for multiple ears, and always start low and check.

Microwave Cooking Isn’t Just Reheating

Beyond vegetables, the microwave handles jobs that would otherwise take extra pans and prep time. It works well for frying shallots or onions, and for drying out eggplant or mushrooms before cooking them to remove excess moisture. And yes, you can bake in it: mug cakes made with just a mug, a whisk, and a bowl come out warm, gooey, and molten, especially if you let them rest for two minutes so carryover cooking finishes the center.

Anyday Everyday Set: Microwave Cookware for Full Meals

The Anyday Everyday Set includes four pieces in different sizes, and if you want to buy just one, the large shallow dish is the most versatile. You do not strictly need dedicated cookware to microwave food, so we were skeptical: was this a gimmick? After comparing it against a regular Pyrex bowl with a plate on top and classic CorningWare, we were genuinely impressed.

The construction is what sets it apart. The thick frosted borosilicate glass is more shatter-resistant against temperature swings, such as setting a hot dish on a cold surface. A rounded, microwave-safe stainless steel rim surrounds each dish with a silicone gasket inside, creating a tight seal that keeps moisture in and produces noticeably more moist, tender food than a rickety Pyrex bowl and plate. The pop-up handle on the lid doubles as a steam vent, and the rounded rim design is specifically engineered for microwave use; metal can work in the microwave when edges are rounded and intentionally designed, though we do not recommend putting metal in a microwave unless it is designed for it.

In use, the cushioned lid handle makes the dishes easier to handle than hot bowls with loose lids, and the frosted finish adds grip. The set also comes with a steady stream of recipes from the company, many of them surprisingly cheffy. Chicken wings are the standout example: melt Dijon mustard, honey, red pepper flakes, curry powder, and butter cubes together in the dish, toss in the wings, vent the lid, and run it for seven minutes. The result was genuinely delicious, and cleanup is easy since the dishes are dishwasher-safe.

Buying Advice

Choose the Breville Compact Wave Soft Close if you want a well-sized, easy-to-use microwave with intuitive controls and a finish that stays clean. Add the Anyday Everyday Set if you want to push microwave cooking further, with sealed, steam-driven cooking that turns out whole meals, not just reheated sides. Together they cover both halves of the equation: a better machine and better tools for it.

Conclusion

Microwave cooking has quietly become worth revisiting. With moderate wattage, simple controls, and a few good techniques, a quality microwave handles steaming, parcooking, and even desserts with ease, and purpose-built cookware like the Anyday set makes full meals realistic. Both picks earned their recommendations in testing.