1000W vs 1800W Commercial Microwaves: Which Should You Buy?
Start with the dish you use most and when you need it ready. A 25L 1000W flatbed is a practical choice for light-duty reheating where worktop space is tight. A 34L 1800W model makes sense if your dishes need a larger cavity and repeated heating is holding up service. If you need more room but don’t need the highest output, compare the 34L 1400W model too.
Compare three KRD flatbed microwaves
The smallest footprint of the three.
A 34L cavity with the middle power rating.
The highest output and deepest cabinet here.
| Model | Cavity and output | External size (W × D × H) | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCM251 | 25L, 1000W | 511 × 431 × 311mm | Individual portions and occasional reheating in a café, pub or staff kitchen. The listed cavity is 328 × 368 × 206mm; also check the opening and usable loading space. |
| PCM3414 | 34L, 1400W | 553 × 480 × 343mm | A larger cavity and more output than the PCM251 without moving to the biggest machine in this comparison. |
| DMD180-34LBSM | 34L, 1800W | 574 × 528 × 368mm | Repeated portion heating when the microwave is a regular part of service and there is space for the deeper cabinet. |
All three have a fixed flatbed, five power levels and up to three cooking stages. The PCM251 and PCM3414 offer a 10-programme mode or up to 100 in double-digit mode. The DMD180 stores up to 100 programmes.
Will 1800W save time in your kitchen?
Higher output can reduce heating time, but portion size, starting temperature, container and programme all matter. Use your most common dish to choose. A café warming one portion at a time may get more value from the smaller model; a takeaway with a queue at the microwave may value the higher output. Watts alone don’t tell you how many portions a machine can handle in a service.
Three checks before you order
Check the door opening as well as the usable floor space.
Allow room for the door to swing and for staff to load the dish.
- Measure the dish, not just the litres. Check your largest microwave-safe container fits through the door and sits in the usable cavity. Two machines with the same stated capacity may have different layouts.
- Measure the worktop. Allow for the door to open, the clearances in the manual and space for staff to load and unload. The DMD180 cabinet is 97mm deeper than the PCM251 before allowing for clearance.
- Check the electrical input. The wattages in the table describe cooking output. Compare the rated input and connection on the exact model with the available supply. See our electrical supply guide.
Shop commercial microwaves and use each product page for the current price, warranty and availability. Check delivery for your postcode before ordering.
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