A microwave oven, often called a microwave for short, is a rectangular countertop appliance that cooks and heats food. A literal microwave, in the scientific sense, is an electromagnetic wave that is shorter than a radio wave but longer than an infrared wave. When applied to food, a microwave will agitate the water molecules contained within, producing friction and eventually heating your dish.

The stovetop, called a "hob" in the UK, is the horizontal portion of the stove that has burners upon which one situates pots and pans in order to cook food. Each burner has a knob that adjusts the level of heat, which is usually supplied via gas or electricity.

An oven is an appliance in which food is cooked in a heated, enclosed space. In most homes, the oven is powered by either a gas line or electricity, though originally, and still in many parts of the world, this cooking essential is fueled by burning wood, charcoal, or other substances.