Morphy Richards Mico Microwave Toastie Maker: How It Works, Timings and Verdict
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The Morphy Richards Mico Microwave Toastie Maker is a hinged case with heat-absorbing plates that turns any standard microwave into a toastie maker: around 3–5 minutes in total at 900W, with a flip halfway, and no preheating. It makes a genuinely toasted, crisp-edged sandwich, though not quite as evenly golden as a good electric sandwich toaster.
Quick answer: Buy the Mico toastie maker if you cannot use a plug-in toastie maker (student halls, offices, caravans, tiny kitchens) or simply want one less appliance on the worktop. If you have the space and a socket, an electric deep fill model such as the Breville VST041 gives a crisper, better-sealed toastie.
The Mico is part of Morphy Richards' Mico range of microwave cookware. The toastie maker is sold in the UK under model codes 511644 and 511643. If you are comparing it with other microwave toastie makers, our best microwave toastie maker guide covers the alternatives. This page is a research-led guide based on Morphy Richards' instructions, retailer specifications and published reviews; we do not claim lab testing.
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How the Mico toastie maker works
A microwave on its own makes bread soggy, because it heats the water inside the bread rather than browning the surface. The Mico gets around this with plates coated in a material that absorbs microwave energy and gets very hot, much like the silvery sleeve in a microwave pie or pasty. Morphy Richards calls this its Heatwave Technology. The hot plates sear the outside of the bread while the microwaves melt the filling.
Because the plates heat from the moment the microwave starts, there is no preheating and nothing to plug in. The outer casing is plastic with handles that stay cooler than the plates, and the case clips shut to hold the sandwich in contact with both sides.
| Feature | Morphy Richards Mico Toastie Maker |
|---|---|
| Model codes | 511644, 511643 |
| Capacity | One sandwich |
| Weight | Around 0.5kg |
| Preheat | Not required |
| Cleaning | Parts listed as dishwasher-safe |
| Typical price band | Usually £15–£25 |
Mico toastie timings by microwave wattage
Morphy Richards' suggested timings are based on a 900W microwave, cooking on one side, then flipping the whole Mico over and cooking the second side. The 700W, 800W and 1000W rows below are our starting-point estimates scaled from those figures, not official numbers. Microwaves vary, so start at the lower end and add 15–30 seconds if needed.
| Browning | 700W (estimate) | 800W (estimate) | 900W (manufacturer guide) | 1000W (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 2 min 30 s, flip, 1 min 15 s | 2 min 15 s, flip, 1 min 10 s | 2 min, flip, 1 min | 1 min 50 s, flip, 55 s |
| Medium | 3 min 10 s, flip, 1 min 55 s | 2 min 50 s, flip, 1 min 40 s | 2 min 30 s, flip, 1 min 30 s | 2 min 15 s, flip, 1 min 20 s |
| Well done | 3 min 50 s, flip, 2 min 30 s | 3 min 25 s, flip, 2 min 15 s | 3 min, flip, 2 min | 2 min 45 s, flip, 1 min 50 s |
Your microwave's wattage is usually printed on a label inside the door or on the back. The Mico should always be used on full power in microwave-only mode. For a wider table covering electric, pan and air fryer methods, see how long to cook a toastie.
How to use the Mico, step by step
- Prepare the bread. Two slices of standard sandwich bread. Lightly butter the outsides if you want more colour; it is optional on the non-stick plates.
- Add the filling. Keep it to an even, thin-to-medium layer and leave a small border. Grated cheese melts faster and more evenly than sliced.
- Close and clip. Place the sandwich in the Mico, close the lid and secure the clip.
- Cook side one. Place in the centre of the turntable and cook on full power for the first time in the table.
- Flip. Using the handles (and an oven glove if needed), turn the whole Mico over and cook for the second time.
- Rest and open. Leave it for about 30 seconds, then open carefully: steam and molten cheese will be very hot.
Our general guide to using a microwave toastie maker covers safety and common fails in more detail, and microwave toastie recipes lists fillings that suit the shorter cooking time.
Watch out: Never use the Mico in an oven, under a grill or on a microwave's grill or combination setting. Do not run it empty, and do not put any extra metal (foil, metal skewers) inside. Follow the instructions supplied with your model if they differ from this guide.
Best and worst fillings
The Mico cooks fast, so fillings need to heat through in four or five minutes. Cheese, ham, tuna mayo, cooked chicken, pesto, thinly sliced tomato and spring onion all work well. Our cheese toastie recipe is a good first test.
Avoid thick layers of cold, wet filling such as straight-from-the-fridge baked beans or chilli, which can leave the centre lukewarm and the bread soggy. Warm them first, drain well and use less than you would in a deep fill electric machine. Sugary fillings like jam or chocolate spread can scorch on the hot plates, so keep them away from the edges.
Cleaning and care
Let the Mico cool fully, then separate the parts and wash in warm soapy water or the dishwasher. Morphy Richards lists the parts as dishwasher-safe, though hand-washing with a soft sponge is kinder to the non-stick surface. Never use metal utensils or scourers on the plates, as a damaged susceptor coating will brown unevenly. For stuck-on cheese, soak for ten minutes before washing.
Mico vs an electric toastie maker
| Mico microwave toastie maker | Electric sandwich toaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Preheat | None | Around 3–5 minutes |
| Total time | Around 3–5 minutes | Around 6–9 minutes including preheat |
| Browning | Good, less even at the edges | Even, crisp, sealed triangles |
| Space | Fits in a drawer | Needs worktop or cupboard space |
| Halls-friendly | Usually, if there is a shared microwave | Often banned in bedrooms |
| Capacity | One sandwich | One or two sandwiches |
For a deeper look at cost, speed and results, read microwave vs electric toastie maker. Students should also see our best toastie maker for students guide.
Pros, cons and verdict
- No preheat and no plug
- Small and light enough to keep in a drawer or desk
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Works in most standard microwaves
- One toastie at a time
- Browning less even than an electric model
- Timing needs adjusting to your microwave
- Not for combination or grill modes
The Mico toastie maker does exactly what it promises: a hot, toasted sandwich from a microwave in a few minutes. It is the best answer for anyone who cannot use a plug-in machine, and a useful extra for office lunches. If you have the choice, an electric model is still better for a perfect golden toastie. Our Morphy Richards toastie maker page covers the brand's electric options, and Argos often stocks the Mico alongside other microwave models.
FAQs
Do you need to preheat the Mico toastie maker?
No. Morphy Richards designs it to be used without preheating. Put the sandwich in, clip it shut and start the microwave.
Why is my Mico toastie soggy?
Usually the filling is too wet or too thick, or the cooking time is too short for your microwave's wattage. Drain wet fillings, use less, and add 15–30 seconds to each side.
Can I make two toasties at once in the Mico?
No, it holds one sandwich. Cook them one after another; the second may need slightly less time as the plates are already warm, so check it early.
Is the Mico toastie maker allowed in student halls?
Most halls ban plug-in cooking appliances in bedrooms, but a microwave accessory used in a shared kitchen is usually fine. Check your accommodation's rules to be sure.
Is "Mico" a separate brand?
No. Mico is Morphy Richards' name for its microwave cookware range, which also includes other microwave cooking accessories.