QUESTION: My old microwave oven gave out and I need to decide which new one to get. I have used it mainly for just defrosting and warming in the past, but the new ones seem to do a lot more. What features are best?ANSWER: It sounds as though you are similar to most people when it comes to using a microwave oven. The early designs were effective for only defrosting, reheating and cooking hot dogs. People developed these usage patterns and perceptions and they are difficult to change.As you have noticed from your shopping for a microwave oven, the new models can do much more. Cooking an entire dinner with crispy, browned meats, moist vegetables, and desserts with flaky crusts is certainly possible with a new microwave oven.Even though a full-featured microwave oven may cost $100 more than a simple one for just reheating and defrosting, it may save you money overall. Microwave ovens use much less electricity than a standard range oven and they cook in much less time. By reducing the use of your range and oven, the utility bill savings can easily payback its greater initial cost.The first decision is whether you want a countertop model or an OTR (over-the-range) model. If you have plenty of counter space, a countertop model is less expensive and more convenient to use. You will also have the greatest selection of options and features.An OTR model is ideal for smaller kitchens. They do cost more initially and professional installation is often required. Many OTR models also function as an exhaust range hood. They can be vented back indoors if you do not have an outdoor vent duct over the range. Although it is not as effective as a dedicated range hood, it can eliminate the expense for both.A combination microwave oven with a convection cooking feature is excellent for cooking full meals. The convection function circulates hot air around the food to speed cooking and make it as crispy as in a standard oven. Some models, with a speed cooking feature, use halogen or quartz heating lights inside the microwave oven to brown foods when desired.A sensor-cooking feature is becoming common on more new microwave ovens.This senses steam or infrared heat from the food to determine when it is done and when to turn itself off. This is particularly helpful for your husband or children who may not be as familiar with proper cooking times.If you make many large casseroles that are too big to rotate on the turntable inside the microwave oven, select one with a turntable on/off switch. Another option is an OTR model with a reversing sliding tray to provide even cooking.Send inquiries to James Dulley, Butler Eagle, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

QUESTION: You recently wrote about solar-power landscaping lights. I was wondering if there is a way to use them for emergency lighting indoors? We don't need bright light, but just enough to get around.ANSWER: That actually is an excellent use of solar-powered lights.Intermatic makes some inexpensive models which are designed to be placed on a table or deck outdoors. The light output would be adequate.For this purpose, keep the light in the sun outdoors, but remove the bulb from the solar light so it does not come on each night. This will keep the battery charged. Snap the bulb in when you need emergency lighting.

QUESTION: My husband loves whipped cream on all desserts. I thought about buying a whipped cream maker instead of the aerosol cans at the grocery. I try to be an environmentalist, so which way is better?ANSWER: Both methods use cream and nitrous oxide gas. A large can of whipped cream from the grocery yields 112 tablespoons. An Easy Whip Half Pint maker (ISI North America, 800-447-2426, produces about 80 tablespoons from one gas cartridge.The empty can from the grocery weighs 130 grams and the Easy Whip gas cartridge weighs only 20 grams. For the amount of whipped cream produced, making your own whipped cream consumes less metal, no plastics, and you control the ingredients.James Dulley has a degree in mechanical engineering. His Sensible Home column appears in 400 newspapers.