For an 1,100-watt microwave, the math is a bit trickier: 800 watts is about 73 percent of the top output, so you may have to round down and set the power level to 7.

The power level button on the microwave is pretty self-explanatory; it adjusts the power level, which in turn adjusts how quickly your food cooks.

Why should you bother with the power-level button? Most people think of food that’s cooked in the microwave all coming out the same. But if you use the power-level button, that won’t be the case.

Additional Tips For Reheating Food In The Microwave There's more to heating leftovers in the microwave than reducing the power level. One option is to arrange the food so that it heats evenly.

Modern microwaves have loads of settings and features, so we tested four models of varying capabilities to see which one is most worth your money.