Product Description
2.2 cuft "Prestige", 1250 Watts of High Power, One-Touch Sensor Cooking/Reheat, Stainless Fingerprint Resistant Face and Wrap, Dial Control with Blue LED Operation Guide for easy Programming, Half Mirror Door, 6-Digit Display, Keep Warm/More-Less Control, Popcorn Key, Multi-Lingual Menu Action Screen, Inverter Turbo Defrost, Quick Minute,
Customer Reviews
Great oven, but pricey
This is a terrific oven:
* Huge on the inside, very space-efficient on the outside. The turntable is 16.5" (42cm), and has 9.5" (24cm) vertical interior clearance. I was even able to mount this above our 24" built-in oven by modifying the trim kit.
* The "Inverter" technology really works. Everything cooks evenly without hot-spots. Consumer reports gives top marks for similar Panasonic ovens, and I can see why.
* The "Sensor" technology (measures steam) is usually reasonably accurate. So far we have not burned anything. Popcorn is perfect.
* The controls are intuitive, and the dial simplifies use.
* The front panel is uncluttered, and does not show fingerprints.
Issues:
* Expensive
* You can't "add time" once the oven starts (though this would seem easy to implement with the dial).
* We have owned this for one month of heavy use, but some reviews indicate long-term reliability problems.
* The description is incorrect: the dial is fixed, and does not "pop-out" on this model.
You get what you pay for!
We've had this microwave for several months now, after replacing an old one that was having trouble (which 1/4 of the plate that it decided to heat on any given day was apparently determined by the phases of the moon, or possibly sun spots).
First of all, this is a good size microwave. If you are upgrading from a smaller one, be sure to check the dimensions listed in the product description before ordering.
It's very well built. It gives the impression that it's probably going to last forever. All of the buttons, the dial, the door and its release mechanism are all very solid. The inner rotating tray and the rotation mechanism that it sits on are also well done -- even with a really lopsided load, the rotation of the tray remains smooth.
The performance of this microwave has been stellar. As mentioned in another review, the Popcorn mode is perfect -- I have yet to see a single burnt piece come out of a bag. The "Sensor Reheat" mode has been spectacular for me as well. Just put the food in, and press the button. I use it all the time for leftovers, and wow! As a matter of fact, just yesterday I used it to reheat a plate that included ground beef, mixed vegetables, and a large amount of mashed potatoes -- nothing was overdone, and the mashed potatoes were hot all the way through!
The unit itself is quiet -- it probably operates at about a third of the volume of my old one (admittedly, that's not saying much). My girlfriend thinks it's hilarious that the display says "Enjoy Your Meal" after it finishes heating.
There are a number of features that I haven't tried, since I haven't had a need for them yet. If I end up using one of these features in the future, I'll update this review with the new info.
All in all, it's a great machine. Easily the best microwave I have ever owned. It's expensive (mine was an open box item at a local retailer, purchased for $179), but the capabilities (and the distinct sense that it will last forever) make it a worthwhile investment.
A Microwave Oven for the 21st Century
Microwave Ovens: they entered the early days of this century as commodity items, having been referred to for the last two decades as microwaves (which they are not), rather than microwave ovens (which they are). Yet, there was room for improvement, and this oven fills the bill. The inverter technology that these Panasonic ovens employ provides an amazingly sophisticated employment of microwave technology in the modern day kitchen. Defrosting, while not perfect (nothing other than slow defrosting in the refrigerator, or moderate defrosting under water or on the countertop, is going to beat if for subtlety), is quite good. As for the programmed cooking of a myriad of food items -- I don't believe it can be beat! Honestly, to have this appliance cook rice to perfection with the application of only three "button pushes" was a more than pleasant surprise. Highly recommended!
Product Description
