I am buy a convection/microwave over the stove oven. GE offers this oven in 110 or 220 models. The 220 model is advertized to cook twice as fast and cost nearly twice as much. My question is "Is there any other reason to buy the 220 version? does it use less energy? Is the amperage for the different cooking rates of any importance? etc.":)

Hi Harvey, yes it dose use less energy, If you'er microwave is 1500 watts @ 110 volts you would use 13.6 amps. If you'er microwave is 1500 watts @ 220 volts you would use 6.81 amps less Energy!

But the bigger question is how long you are willing to wait to eat?

Basically the answer to all you questions is no. I'm no cook (I can boil water) but I thought you cooked something at a certain temperature for a certain length of time. Without going into a long tirade about voltage, amperage and resistance, I'm sure a oven that size would be capable of generating enough heat to reach what ever temperature you need with 120 volts. No it will not be any cheaper to operate at 240 volts. However, it would probably require you to rewire for 240 volts.

Big-D could not be more wrong. Watts is the measure of power. Fifteen hundred watts is 1500 watts. Fifteen hundred watts at 120 volts (and it is 120 not 110) is 12.5 amps. Fifteen hundred watts at 240 volts is 6.25 amps. That is 12.5 amps on one leg for 120V and 6.25 amps on two legs for 240V. Watts is what you pay.