Ever wonder what your trusty microwave is up to? This kitchen superhero uses electromagnetic waves to heat up or cook your favorite meals in a flash. Smaller microwaves sip on about 500 to 800 watts, while their bigger cousins can gulp down anywhere from 850 to 1800 watts, depending on their model. On average, a modern microwave likes to hang out around the 1200-watt mark.
Ready to see how much it costs to zap your snacks? Click "calculate" to find out the energy consumption for a microwave running at 1200 watts for 30 minutes a day.
