There's a trick to getting perfectly warm, evenly cooked food every time
Most people would tell you they’d be lost without their microwave. And while they’re likely telling the truth—the appliance is endlessly convenient, after all—they may not be using it to its full potential. Because let’s be real: How many microwave buttons are you actually using regularly? Do you use all of those preset cooking modes, or are you just inputting your own cooking time every time you pop in some food?
The thing is, those buttons are confusing. And even though we’re supposed to read those appliance instruction booklets from cover to cover, we’d venture to say that little manual is rarely even opened, let alone memorized or referenced on a daily basis. Still, if you’re skipping these buttons, you may be missing out on features that could make your microwave even more useful—and make both your leftovers and newly nuked food even more delicious.
To sort out this button conundrum, we spoke with home economist Paula Rhodes, who specializes in developing recipes for microwaves, and Steph Chen, the founder of Anyday, a cookware company designed specifically for use in microwaves. Read on to get the real deal on those microwave preset buttons—and find out how they just might transform your cooking for good.
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How do the preset buttons work?
Unfortunately, the preset buttons are not all-knowing, and there aren’t any scales, scanners or cameras inside the microwave. “These buttons are based on averages, like a typical portion size, starting at fridge temperature,” says Rhodes. That said, your standard portion size isn’t always going to align with what the microwave has been programmed for. “Food isn’t always ‘average’ or the same shape, which can affect cooking time, so the results can be off,” says Rhodes.
What’s more, different brands of microwaves will use different systems to determine the presets. “Some microwaves use a simple timer for presets, while others use more advanced sensors. For example, Auto Reheat or Auto Defrost might measure food weight, steam released or even surface temperature to decide when to stop,” explains Chen. “The challenge is, you don’t know which system your microwave is using, and even with the best sensors, it doesn’t know key details, like the thickness of your food, starting temp or whether you’re using a cover.”
Why don’t all microwaves have the same buttons?
“Honestly, it’s more marketing than science,” says Rhodes. “Every company wants to look different.” Indeed, including different buttons than a competitor is a great way for microwave companies to grab customers who may be looking for a preset for a specific food.
The bottom line: It’s another way for them to stand out on the shelf and share with you additional foods you can microwave … but it doesn’t make things any easier for the average person trying to decipher them.
What do the microwave’s most common buttons mean?
We’re about to give you the keys to the kingdom, my friend. Below, Chen explains what will likely happen if you press one of the following common microwave buttons, plus how to maximize your results for optimal taste and texture—and a few buttons you may want to just skip trying altogether. We have also included an estimated time for each button, so you’ll know how long your food will be cooking if you decide to use this feature.
Potato
According to Chen, this button is designed to cook one or more raw, medium baking potatoes. (Your microwave may ask you to input the number of potatoes you are cooking.) Since this is relatively simple, it will likely be just a set timer. That said, if you cook one potato successfully, choose potatoes that are the same size going forward to guarantee the same results.
Time range: 4–7 minutes per potato
Pro tip: “Pierce the skin first so [the potato] doesn’t burst,” advises Chen.
Popcorn
The Popcorn button will run a preset amount of time based on a standard 3.2-ounce bag of microwave popcorn.
Time range: 2–4 minutes
Pro tip: Don’t rely on the Popcorn button alone. “Listen for pops slowing to about two seconds apart, and stop then—even if there’s time remaining,” says Chen. The longer you let it go beyond that, the more burnt pieces you’ll end up with.
Pizza
“This is meant for reheating a slice or two, but it’s often too strong,” Chen says. Plus, reheating pizza in the microwave won’t restore a crispy crust.
Time range: 45–90 seconds per slice
Pro tip: “I always think reheating pizza is best on a pan, low heat, covered, so that it steams and crisps,” says Chen. If you have a bit more time, you could also pop it in the toaster oven or regular oven. “But if you use the microwave,” she adds, “use 50% to 70% power for gentler reheating and better texture.”
Frozen Dinner
Besides the Popcorn button, the Frozen Dinner button is probably the most self-explanatory: It assumes that you are heating a traditional, 10- to 12-ounce frozen entree.
Time range: 4–6 minutes
Pro tip: “Don’t microwave [your meal] in plastic,” says Chen. “It will release billions of microplastics into your food.” Instead, transfer the food into a glass dish with a lid before you microwave it.
Beverage
This preset is meant to warm a cup of liquid, but Chen cautions that if you set it and simply return when it’s done, your sip will likely be way too hot. Why? The microwave doesn’t know how big your mug is or how full it is.
Time range: 30–90 seconds
Pro tip: “I wouldn’t bother with this one,” Chen says. Instead, if you’re often reheating your coffee or tea, simply figure out the amount of time it takes to reach your preferred temperature and stick with that. Depending on your microwave and how cold your sip is, it will likely be somewhere between 20 and 60 seconds.
Soup
Similar to the Beverage button, the Soup button is meant to warm liquid. It will likely heat for longer since a bowl of soup is bigger than a mug of tea.
Time range: 1–2 minutes
Pro tip: Chen suggests stirring halfway through the time to ensure even cooking. Also, make sure the bowl is covered to prevent pops and splatters.
Defrost
This is one of the preset buttons that adjusts the power and sets a cooking time. “Defrost uses low power to thaw frozen food gradually,” Chen explains, adding that you will typically need to input the weight or volume of food as well.
Time range: 1–2 minutes per half pound of food
Pro tip: If you don’t know the weight or volume of your food, guessing can be difficult and can lead to overheating. That’s why Chen recommends estimating the weight and then entering half that, plus pausing often to flip the food or separate pieces as they thaw. Just be aware that this one is tricky, and many chefs actually steer clear of the defrost button.
Reheat
“This is a general setting for leftovers,” says Chen. “It often uses medium power.” High power can overheat the exposed portion of food while the middle or bottom remains cold, but medium power can heat food more gradually and evenly.
Time range: 1–3 minutes
Pro tip: “Cover the food with a vented glass lid for the best texture,” Chen says. This will create steam to support more even cooking.
Frozen Vegetable
The Frozen Vegetable button assumes you are putting a bag of frozen veggies in the microwave to cook. You may be asked to input the size of the bag, but the microwave won’t know what vegetables are inside it.
Time range: 2–4 minutes per cup
Pro tip: Just as with a frozen dinner, take the extra step to put the food in a microwave-safe dish instead of cooking it in the plastic bag. Chen also recommends microwaving for less time than the package calls for to avoid overcooking. Start with a minute or less per cup, and then check it.
Fresh Vegetable
This button is meant to cook raw veggies, but it’s impossible for the microwave to know what you are cooking or what size the pieces are.
Time range: 2–5 minutes per cup
Pro tip: “Cover with a vented glass lid, and undercook slightly—they’ll keep steaming after,” says Chen.
Which button is the most important?
This is going to depend on who you ask, but ironically, it’s none of the presets noted above. For Rhodes, it’s the “add 30 seconds” button. “I use it every day,” she says. “It’s flexible—you can always add more time, but you can’t un-cook something. Also, it often means you don’t have to hit the start button again.” If you’re worried that 30 more seconds is too long, you can always hit the button and then watch and check early; it will still be easier than setting the microwave all over again for 10 seconds at a time.
Chen says she also uses the “add 30 seconds” button frequently but thinks the most important and most often overlooked is the power level button. “Think of it like the knob on a stovetop: You wouldn’t cook everything on the highest heat,” Chen explains. “In the same way, lowering your microwave’s power lets food heat more evenly and gently instead of blasting it at full force. It’s the key to better texture and also necessary for cooking things like rice from scratch.”
What else should you keep in mind when using preset microwave buttons?
Here are some additional general tips from our experts to keep in mind when you’re using the preset microwave buttons or doing any cooking with your microwave:
- Use presets as a starting point. “Check your food often,” says Rhodes.
- Know that some presets are better than others. “Popcorn usually works OK since manufacturers assume you’re using standard microwave popcorn bags,” Chen says. “Others can be more hit or miss.”
- Stir, stir, stir. “While you’re checking, stir or rearrange the food for more even cooking,” Rhodes suggests.
- Learn your appliance. “Microwaves are not standardized like a conventional oven. Wattage and levels of power vary greatly. The cooking pattern of every oven varies,” says Rhodes. “Once you learn yours, you’ll know what works.”
- Cover your food. “A vented glass lid helps trap steam and heat evenly,” says Chen.
- Underestimate weight. If a preset button asks for the weight of your food, always guess on the low end. “Enter about half the actual weight so you don’t end up with overcooked food,” suggests Chen.
- When in doubt, start short and slow. You can always add more time, but you can’t un-explode a bowl of oatmeal.
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Sources:
- Paula Rhodes, founder of Salad in a Jar; email interview, August 2025
- Steph Chen, founder of Anyday; email interview, August 2025 and October 2025
