My 1981 GE microwave is still up and running. Original owner, survived 2 oversea moves… I thought I would replace it when it broke, but it is still doing great.
@labcat647, I have a Kenmore microwave from my parents, which according to the manufacturer plate was made in 2008; Still works, but the turntable periodically stops and goes, they do not make things that last anymore. .
I have a GE with a dial (love the dial, as opposed to pushing buttons for a time) that was bought in 2004 and is still running. I admit, the magnetron failed once (I replaced it myself with a used one from eBay for $60) and the top door switch failed (I repaired that myself also for $0). The only thing I don't like about it is the dial goes in 10 second increments instead of 5. Lots of times I want 15 or 25 seconds on something, but no can do.
@@evcass69 - Panasonics are notoriously bad. My parents are on their 3rd one. Purchased originally from Costco, they keep replacing them for free. The one they have now works, but the interior light has failed.
Gotta say -- I like the Inverter tech: I've found it has a better time with liquids (especially that morning coffee -- standard microwaves tend to scald/give a funny taste, I've found.) and seems to give me a more consistent melt on butter (haven't had it pop once :) .) Also does great to partly thaw out frozen treats like frozen fruit smoothies and milkshakes -- I set it to 10% power and within 4 minutes it's back to a tasty, palatable consistency. The model I own is a Panasonic Genius Sensor 1250W -- very similar to the one shown briefly @3:46. Standard cooking it seems to do a great job, too. Can't say I've ever toasted coconut in it, but then I haven't expanded my usage to the point you folks have :)
I truly think the testers tried to use "old school" techniques in the inverter units. Inverter units are way better once you understand the different cook techniques
@@hyfy-tr2jy maybe that's true. but considering 99% of people don't even know how to use the pizza button (wtf does that do?) they're not going to learn how to use some new inverter technique.
@@gregbyrne6909 Honestly it's not much to know outside what a microwave user already might want to know. At face value, all it is is a microwave that can actually kick out half-power, as opposed to the norm which has to fudge it by the "nuke and pause, nuke and pause" method. As for the pizza, etc. buttons? They're usually (USUALLY) for the folks that don't know or want to know what the power level controls are. :)
@@gregbyrne6909 does the pizza button on microwave ovens work? Mine doesn't have such a button and I find microwaving any bread type food will easily result in a tough cardboard texture so you end up cutting the cooking time and accept warm pizza instead. They now go in the air fryer or toaster oven to reheat with perfect results.
I'd love to see a roundup of microwave-convection/airfry/toaster combinations. There's several options on the market, including Breville's Combi Wave, as well as a few models by Samsung, Toshiba, and Galanz, each with different pluses and minuses.
**BEWARE!** I bought a Toshiba microwave 13 months ago, thinking I was getting a quality product from a reputable company. Big mistake! Twice now, the microwave has turned itself on, creating a serious fire hazard. Toshiba told me to get it repaired due to the potential for injury or property damage-UNACCEPTABLE! I will NEVER purchase another Toshiba product again. I own multiple Toshiba items and am absolutely furious. Their new portable hard drive making weird chirping noises is the cherry on top of this disastrous experience! The hard drive's incessant, strange sounds indicate yet another quality control failure. A supposedly reliable storage device, it leaves me questioning its durability and data integrity. Don't waste your money on Toshiba products!
I gotta say, I love my IKEA 700 watt microwave. It’s old school with two dials instead of buttons and a bell instead of the annoying electric beep when cooking is done.
We’re on our second Panasonic inverter microwave, and I am totally satisfied with it. I do enjoy the inverter technology and the sensor features of it. It’s large enough to do just about anything too.
I truly think the testers didn't understand the different cooking style of inverter units. If they used old school techniques, yes you get bad results, but once you understand how inverter tech changes how you cook it gets way better results
@@BooBaddyBig It’s just the way it drops the power level. Rather than using full power and shutting of power with a timer, inverters lower the wattage so rather than intermittent radiation of full power, you get a steady stream of lower power.
I had a Sharp Carousel that lasted between 30-35 years with constant use. It finally gave out Thank you for this article. Now I know what I will but to replace it.
We have a Sharp Carousel that's got a date on the back of Jan 2002 and it's in daily use, of course. The lights for the timer are mostly out so it's hard to read remaining time, otherwise just starting to give out 21 years later. Will replace with same.
Light duty commercial microwaves are priced similar to your test winner. The one we have rotates the magnetron instead of the plate so it's easier to clean and buttons are programmable both with respect to power and time.
@@allanwind295 - Great, but that thing is $800 in Canada. I bought a tiny Danby, 10 yrs ago, as an emergency microwave when my main one was waiting for parts. I paid $60 for it and it works fine for heating my coffee and other assorted reheating tasks. I can't imagine spending $800 for a countertop microwave. Amana used to make some of the first consumer microwaves (1967). All stainless and/or chrome, inside and out, called the Radarange. I didn't know they were still around.
I ended up getting the Breville. It should be noted that Amazon says it's 900W, the one I got says 1350W on the back ... yet most microwave instructions I've seen are for 1500W+ microwaves. So, everything takes longer. It's been good for me since I tend to burn things in the microwave. Using a dial gets super annoying to set the time for anything above five minutes. And, it holds one thing at a time. So, if you reheat the entree, then the side dish, then the starch, by the time you've heated full-on leftovers, the first thing you heated up is going to be cold ... so we've found we're better off serving plates and heating each one at a time. I wouldn't've thought that the winner would be small and slow to cook, but we love it for all the other reasons they gave.
who else wish a microwave self clears the leftover time? there are way too many monsters who put in a set amount of time but take their food out before it ends and leave the time still on it...
@@knndyskful simple. Have the “Cook Time” button clear whenever a timer was already there. You could also have it triple beep after 5min, and flash the screen and/or light on/off with a 10sec countdown, timer clears after countdown and displays time.
The Breville microwaves excel in Consumer Reports predicted reliability ratings but received poor marks for performance - particularly for evenness of cooking and defrosting performance. I've also had problems with the build quality of several Breville products over the last few years - particularly with knobs and switches that feel flimsy and fail. Call me old fashioned, but I think given the basics, the most important "luxury feature" of a microwave today would be RELIABILITY. All the special cooking modes, Alexa-voice-control, wifi-connections, beep-muting, and soft-closing doors in the universe can't help if the thing stops working after a year.
Yup! The sharp microwave oven is just good and easy to use and I think it's the best design on the panel, simple. I use the low watt version to melt butter and chocolate. It's just perfect, slick and easy to clean.
My 21 year old Emerson 1100W 1.0 cft still going strong. I've had it so long I know exactly how long to cook anything I eat and yes I do drop the power level on some things.
Have used my grandmother's first mircowave for the last time before whe sold her house and that thing was a beast. It was one of the first ever models, was HUGE, made in a wooden box and no turning table, but it heated SO fast and worked until the last minute. It would still work but there was no palce to keep it, sadly
My little Sharp's carousel finally stopped turning last week after 32 years, yes you read that correctly. My folks bought it for me in 1992 when my now 36 year old daughter was 4! It still heats, but without the turntable it's too uneven now. That's what brought me here to watch this video today.
I paid under $50 (inc tax) for the smallest MW my local Walmart sold. I wanted it for heating up food in hotel rooms on road trips with the grandkids. I liked it so much I set it on my kitchen counter at home and use *it* daily instead of my built-in, which is a bit too high for me to easily reach in and remove food without having to resort to a step stool. I ❤that handy little thing.
Well, my household is in a rabbit hole of Microwave research BECAUSE I still have my teeny tiny .9 one I bought at Walmart 11 years ago! I love the little thing, but we have outgrown it. It still heats things up nicely, but It does seem to struggle from time to time (now). But good to see others had a similar experience with little Walmart microwave ovens.
@@MZ49309: I've noticed that my little Walmart mw oven is a bit slower to heat things than my larger mw, which I guess has higher wattage. Doesn't matter to me really....I'm retired, cooking for one, and have plenty of time to wait an extra minute for my coffee or leftovers to reheat. 😊
I did the same when my main unit died and I was waiting for parts. I've used it a few times, and also lent it to a friend whose microwave died. It's quite tiny and I paid $60 with tax. It's a great spare appliance. I never thought about bringing it on road trips. Good idea. Might be good for camping too, with a battery/inverter pack.
This particular Breville model gets an overall score of 50 out of 100 by Consumer Reports, notably only getting 2 out of 5 for heating evenness and defrosting evenness. They test heating evenness by microwaving a dish of mashed potatoes and then taking temperature readings throughout to see if there are uneven temperature spots. To me this is very important as I bought the Panasonic model that Costco carries (also 2 out of 5 for evenness) and I had definite cold spots in frozen meals I made. I don't think your macaroni test adequately covers the evenness issue as well as their tests and am surprised you're recommending this model when it performed so poorly on that metric. I ended up purchasing an LG model MSWN1590L that received a 5 out 5 for heating evenness and it did dramatically better than the Panasonic, and presumably the Breville. (The particular model number really matters because there is another LG model that looks very similar but ranks dead last and gets a 1 out of 5 for heating evenness.)
@@OMGWTFLOLSMHI've had their microwaves, washer and dryer, TVs, for years and they have been super reliable so far. they did have an issue with their fridges from about 2016 to 2019, a problem with the compressors, but since 2020 that has been resolved on anything since then.
I love the inverter technology on our Panasonic, before that oven I used a series of vintage Amana Radar ranges with digital controls, these were the best when microwaves first got popular, these worked so well because their cycling of the Magnatron was quick, after no longer being able to get a vintage Amana we picked a large Panasonic with Inverter and sensor and it is so great to use and does cook even small amounts gently and delicately, if you chose the right power level.
I just bought a Panasonic Inverter with Genius Sensor and came hoping she would say it had benefits. I bought it because our Sharp Carousel is only 1000 watts and the instructions on a pot pie I made recently said not to cook in a microwave less than 1100 watts.
I just recently replaced my 15 year old microwave that went kaput. Got one (@ the local Walmart) without the fancy tech but with sensor menus that's a little bigger than my old one, so my regular plate would properly fit. I just use it for reheating food.
I had to buy a new microwave last year, and I chose a countertop variety rather than replace the expensive drawer-style machine I inherited with the kitchen. Plus, I LOATHE drawer microwaves; I want to monitor my food cooking from countertop height, not aggravate my bad back by doubling over to stare into the drawer microwave's window! Plus, I always fear that I'm tugging too hard at the drawer when it opens. Anyway, I chose a countertop model with Smart Inverter technology: The Toshiba ML-EM45PIT(BS), with 1.6 cubic feet of interior space and 1250 watts. It heats liquids wonderfully quickly, so I'm thrilled with it. I've also found the 10% power level increments really useful for properly cooking soups at a longer, slower rate. This is also the first microwave I've owned with a sensor reheat feature. I find it quite convenient for getting foods warm, no matter how cold (or frozen) it is. However, I consistently need to top off the sensor reheat process with 1 minute on high to make foods piping hot. It's no big deal, though; this two-step process is still far simpler than constant guesswork and trying to memorize optimal cook times for each food.
You missed one very important point, the wave. It's a wave that cooks your food. Do not place your food in the center of the rotating dish. put it a bit to a side. What happens is you will not have single points of heat next to cold ones. the waves penetrate your food about an inch or 2-3 cm deep.
Interesting. I know when I reheat meat in mine (when I'm too lazy to use my sous vide), it makes the meat rubbery, even when set to lower power. I might try an inverter model next, after more research.
Excellent, helpful info, thanks! Discovery=Positioning large, metal objects, like pots & pans, very close to the side with the magnetron will cause you great panic and possibly damage whatever. Think “magnets & steel!” We have that Sharp microwave and it works well, but next time, I’ll look for the Breville model.
Are there any good combo convection (toaster) oven/microwaves? A friend has one and says he likes it, but I wonder if there are any compromises for the combo units.
I have one and used the convection once. It splattered all over, was a pain to clean so I took it apart and I removed the burner element. Problem solved. Never again.
My 1997 Sharp Carousel Model R-330AK gave an AMAZING 27 year run!! However, yesterday it emitted so much steam when I warmed my salmon cake and mushroom spinach cauliflower rice on 1 minute 38 seconds it looked like it was smoking but didn’t smell like smoke at all so I’m assuming it was just a HUGE amount of steam. Didn’t feel safe so I’m looking for a replacement. Getting another Sharp Carousel. $160 1100 watt now. I just now noticed it said “SENSOR COOKING” on the panel in 1997! so I’m confused why she said it was NEW technology. I never used the sensor cooking option, got it in college w/no cooking skills, used it just to reheat food and never changed. Hope they make ‘em like they used to!
Different kind of "sensor" your is a temperature sensor for food as it is cooking, the new tech. is a moisture sensor that adjusts time and power based off of released humidity and knows when the food is finished, or optimal for eating.
My Breville Combi-Wave Microwave lasted 2 years and 10 months before it quit. It just trips the home circuit breaker now when trying to use it. The soft close feature stopped working correctly after year 1. I have a few other Breville products and im starting to wonder about the longevity of those as well.
I cant speak to the Breville Microwave in this review (was going to order after watching, but then read many test results and it they all score it very low)...but I can say that Breville makes a good Toaster Oven. I use the Smart Oven Pro multiple times a day and it has been going strong for years. Probably going to upgrade to the air fry version if mine ever poops out.
I had an OTR Magic Chef microwave for about seventeen years, and I heat EVERY cup of coffee I drink. I must have opened and closed the door and started it a million times! Its main control board finally failed and I couldn't get a new one. Got my money's worth out of it, for sure! I actually liked it better than the new one.
OK I'm probably not the first to point out that with ubiquitous leds there seems to be no attention to lighted panels for the elderly and visually challenged! Honestly how much easier can it get to be INNOVATIVE!!!!!!! Yet I haven't seen one goddamned unit with it. Maddening with all the stupid that passes as NEW AND EXCITING 😮
We have an LG microwave we bought it 2020 and haven't had any issues with our 2.4 & 5g service when we run it. It cooks very evenly! Our old microwave always made the wifi unusable in our house when it was on. The problem after 3.5 - 4 years is the display started disappearing (which was noted when we bought it in the reviews) and just last week our microwave door became extremely hard to open, which is why I came looking for a new model. The LG has a 10 year warranty on something, but I am waiting to hear about the fix for the display and the door. On a separate note, we have an LG TV that is about 6-8 years old it is always has a problem staying connected to Wi-Fi. We have moved the Wi-Fi router and have different TV brands, and the LG is the only TV with connection issues. I'm looking to move away from LG completely.
I'm personally a huge fan of Panasonic's inverter microwaves, and also very sad you can't get over range models in the USA for some reason. They are great for reheating and precision heating once you get a hang of what power your unit puts out. When reheating it works best to do a stair step approach so you can keep your food from drying out or over cooking, 10s high, 15-20s med-high, 1m:30s ish low. Excite the water then let the system keep the general heat as it convects through the food without drying the surface of moisture. Then for things like butter you can choose a slightly longer run time with a lower power and not have popping butter but a nice fully softened stick rather than a puddle. I'll die on the inverter hill, just wish I didn't have to look into importing from Canada if I want to replace my over the range non inverter unit that I'm stuck with now.
I have a strong hunch the team didn't understand how Inverter units function and used "traditional" techniques so no wonder they didnt like the results
We have one, and I like it, but I have a strong suspicion that they jam Wi-Fi more than traditional microwaves do because it's continuously transmitting, whereas the older ovens only cook on half the mains phase, and Wi-Fi is able to use the other half.
@@BooBaddyBig Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean, and maybe I'm wrong. But I dont think the on-off cycles is anywhere near that rapid. I think it's literally several full seconds on, then off. You can hear it kick in and out during a cook cycle.
@@necrojoe A traditional microwave even when it's on full power is heating/transmitting only half the time, 10 milliseconds on, 10 milliseconds off (other cycle times are available in NA), and Wi-Fi can use those short off times but it loses half the bandwidth. The inverter microwaves are AFAIK on almost the whole mains cycle, so they're smaller.
The best thing about the LG Neo Chef and the reason I bought it is the extra tall plate connection. I've had it for years now and the plate has not once disconnected from the turning apparatus. I don't know about y'all but if the plate falling off the track and the annoying process of getting it back on irks you as much as me then check it out.
i have an old one with just two dials: one for a mechanical timer and one for power (with an option for defrosting), i don't see why it should need buttons
You'll change your mind once you use one with sensor cooking. I was hestitant at first. But I've gotten really great results consistently using the feature. The Japanese have perfected microwaves due to their widespread use in hot food vending machines.
sensor cooking. but you've got to make sure it uses the steam sensor, otherwise its just preprogrammed power and time settings in the form of a bajillion buttons.
Once again, people with disabilities are ignored. Those who are blind/low-vision rely on tactile buttons to cook. Dials work great if you have properly working eyes that can see your dial selection.
I think the buttons we're referring to here are the purpose-driven ones like "Popcorn," "Pizza," and "Snack." they appear to be fairly arbitrary, and with little to no documentation (even in the manual) it seems superfluous. Numbered buttons are great for me when I'm trying to nuke a cup of coffee or teawater in the dark at night, so yes, I get the need for them when visually impaired. As for the dials, I was referring to a microwave from 1981, and enrico said their current one was old, too. Dials on microwaves are the minority at this point.
@@evcass69 - My parents are on their 3rd Panasonic. Not sure which model, they get them from Costco and they keep failing. The current one has no interior light now. It seems Panasonic uses inferior parts, but I've repaired a few microwaves. Used parts are cheap and easy to source on eBay. It's safe, as long as you discharge the high-voltage capacitor properly.
We had a older 1000 watt microwave that finally quit. It could cook a bag of popcorn in 2:52. We replaced it with a new 1200 watt model. I tried to cook my popcorn but had to remove it at the 2:00 mark because it was smoking and smelled burnt. The correct setting for popcorn in the new oven is 1:40. Even at 1:50 it starts to overcook..
Our magnetron (I keep forgetting the name of this component, so I refer to it as the ‘flux capacitor’ ) failed in our Wolf drawer-style microwave oven after just over a year in service. Thankfully, it was still under warranty, so the company replaced the entire device. It could have been a huge expense, too.
I replaced my failed magnetron (GE). Bought used on eBay for $60 and it's 10 min job. Still going strong after 12 yrs. My last GE (over the range) had a failed magnetron too, replaced under warranty. Not sure I'd buy GE again, but the one I have now is 20 yrs old and still working. If it fails again, I may try this Breville. My GE has a dial, which I love and wouldn't buy without.
Plus the Breville Models or Sage as they are called in the UK i would avoid because there not built all that well . Seen the soft close door sometimes not work properly and you need to slam the door to shut it and the combi models have a notorious issue with there crisping/oven pan legs melting off to the point trying to get replacements is hard.
My wife is visually impaired and is in search of an over-the-range microwave that has large, soft-touch buttons or touch-screen to use. Any recommendations would surely be appreciated!
After my last modern microwave died at the tender age of four I un-retired the old Whirlpool. Wood grained cabinet and weighs about 50lbs. Apparently 1980 was the year microwaves peaked in reliability, because the thing keeps on going.
While I agree with almost everything here, I still find that handle-less variants to be more convenient to use. It's easier to open, and has a lower chance of you accidentally shifting the entire unit by accident when pulling
I think that is largely the issue with some ovens more than others. I have an older Emerson that has the handle and it's never been an issue. I think that if the oven is too light, this may be more an issue. The last oven I had, also an Emerson from the 1990's and was the older quick touch model that ended up sparking had the button you pushed to open the door so it got replaced with the red one I have now in 2005. The current oven has been a workhorse, basic, simple oven of 900W and is a midsized model, so not the smallest, nor the largest countertop model out there and it does have several presets, that I never used. Also has timed defrost and weight defrost, that I do you quite frequently when defrosting. It's a great oven overall and still chugging along at 18 years old.
Personally, I'd rather get non-skid feet with a door handle. I'm going to get gross for a moment, just a warning: in a push button like this, I once pressed too close to the edge, and my finger nail snagged the edge, and folded it back. Thankfully it was only a (pretty bad) broken nail a d a little blood, but it made me swear off thr recessed-style buttons forever. 😅
@@necrojoe i prefer the push button to handle as it's less unsanitary, but i always use my knuckle to push out of fear of your scenario (and least unsanitary)
Wish I had this guide when I bought my microwave. I got the strongest wattage and inverter tech - and I routinely cut the power or time down from what the recommendation is. C'est la vie!
Yes, things cook faster in a higher watt microwave. I consider that a big plus. Once you use it for a while, you can tell pretty accurately how much you should reduce the time.
I have a strong hunch that this team didn't fully understand how to use the microwaves with Inverter Technology. It is actually way better as you can actually dial down the intensity of the microwave. If your inverter microwave is a 1000W unit and you set it at "7" it is essentially a 700W unit and so on. It is way better. If you use it like a traditional one with cook times and settings, yes you will get bad results. If you adapt to the new way of cooking it is pretty foolproof
@@rickeys to be clear, he didn't say they didn't understand the principle behind the technology, but nay not have adjusted their recipes/tests to properly utilize this different technology. Though to be clear, I'm not sure what he means by that, as Panasonic's own manuals proudly proclaim that you don't have to do anything different to get the good results...
First time I've had this happen, but a lot i disagree with on this one. I switched to 1200w microwave with both sensor amd inverter tech. 1. Yes, the sensor is amazing 2. The inverter is amazing. I can now thaw a pound of hamburger in less than 5min. Old microwave and others i use at family homes take 10 plus minutes l. 3. 1200w is wonderful. I've never burnt food (sensor for reheat is amazing) when you want quick and efficient (like boiling or steaming) 1200w makes a huge difference vs. even 1000, let alone only 700. And guess what...you have a power button. It take two extra button pushes to turn it down to 70 or 80% if it's something that is more delicate.
I like the option to turn off the sound and the clock. My new GE has an annoying feature that displays FOOD if I've put something inside in advance and attempt to turn it on. I have to open and close the door to proceed. 😠
about 5 years ago remodeling newly acquired older house got all new appliances for kitchen and washer / dryer. chose whirlpool, (American brand) Michigan based etc. BUT the microwave..... Oh the microwave... Got the nicest fancy azz over the stove whirlpool microwave with steam sensing haba haba and even a metal rack to put stuff one on top of the other. Never used the metal thing a ma gig, (later found out from serviceman it was trash that would cause sparks and fire). Like I said serviceman... had it repaired twice with in a year year and a half the expensive part the magnatrometer went out along with the fancy button rich control board. Broke a few month after warranty expired needless to say total junk. Downstairs had a similar but simple version of basically same looking whirlpool microwave, a few timer and power on / off buttons that is it. never broke, got one for up stairs both still going. Moral of the story more fancy stuff more stuff to fail, break and money out of your pocket to the repair people and whirlpool for their parts.
@@ethanderagon7907 if you're in it just for popcorn make sure you buy a microwave with a sensor for popcorn if you don't want to stand by the microwave listening for pops ruclips.net/video/UiS27feX8o0/видео.html
It’s beyond me that people still boil their potatoes instead of cooking them in a microwave oven when making mashed potatoes.. The potatoes cook so much faster without any loss of flavor ! Use a potato ricer , pre heat the milk ( with the butter already melted in ) and you will be rewarded with the best mashed potatoes ever !
We have a non-WiFi version of that Sharp Carousel microwave oven, and it can also be installed as a built-in (which is how we have ours installed, replacing the old Whirlpool Gold that was in it since the house was built). It does a pretty good job at softening butter and melting chocolate. Plus the sensor cooking works well, if you don't use a cover. Also, from another vid y'all posted, it sounds like the magnetron in the Breville is from the same manufacturer as the ones used by Whirlpool (I recognized the sound it makes when it clicks on and off).
My 2004 stainless steel Sylvania microwave oven is still up and going, and it still almost looks brand new. Got it as display model at Canadian Tire for $45. I did have to add a few drops of glue many years later to the turntable motor internal donut shaped magnet (The magnet was spinning, but not the gear it was supposed to be attached to.). Other than that, someone had dumped their oven on the curb for disposal, so I grabbed it and removed from it all working parts that I thought that I might need in the future. I did eventually use these FREE parts to replace the door micro-switches and the main fuse after those switches were worn out and defective, which also had caused the fuse to blow. Total repair costs add up to about 5 cents. So that's about 0.264 cents per year.
PRO TIP: if you want uniform heating, arrange your food in kind of a donut shape instead of a heap or mound that's filled in the center. Microwaves penetrate much further than infrared (i.e., "heat radiation"), but not super far. The deposited power into the food decays roughly exponentially with depth in a cylindrical food item, which means most power ends up in the outermost layer and less in the center, leading to uneven temperatures. To have the temperature go up evenly through your food, the mass of food should have a similar shape - most of the food on the outside (of the circle that it makes while rotating) and then a gradual decrease inward with an (mostly) empty center. This allows more even temperature increases throughout the food. Easy to do with for example frozen veggies, etc.
I'm wondering if pull door handle vs. push button door opening is like the over vs. under toilet paper debate. I prefer the push button door opener. The pull door opening tends to pull the microwave towards you. I guess one could stick little blocks of something to the counter in front of the microwave feet to keep them from sliding.
When I get a new microwave, I'm going to get a push button, because my parents have had the handle on theirs pull through the frame due to the repeated stress of having to yank on the handle.
White may look good when new but in time most white plastic does yellow and look bad. Question. Why is internal lighting so poor? When watching for the point of boiling, it's often impossible to see inside clearly. Most still use a lamp, it cannot be impossible to illuminate a metal box can it??
I have 2 different Lg microwave,the Neochef countertop like they tested which is a higher wattage and inverter technology.And your standard over the range less wattage.And I can say for certain the inverter works amazing and i think there testing is a bit flawed.Frozen items definitely cook more evenly and thoroughly then a standard,I did the real test..Hot Pockets,all Pocket peeps know what I'm saying.And yes i have 2 microwaves i worked a long time at big box store forever and have a 2 story house and sometimes you're to tired to go downstairs😂
I've been using my big GE freestanding microwave for 15 years now and it still works just as good as when I bought it. If anything it can be too strong because every other microwave I've used in the workplace seems terribly weak by comparison. Mine can boil a cup of water in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
I have noticed, with my 1250W oven, that heating my 16oz mug of water for tea, on full power, only the top of the mug is hot to the touch. Maybe running it at 70 or 80% for a longer time would heat the water more evenly as conduction would be able to do its job better. Thanks ATK!
I have a full sized, 1100 watt inverter counter top style and love it. I have been cooking with microwaves since 1979, including turkeys and 9x13 lasagne. It can all be done, though there are better ways, it is nice to have. Just know what you need to have. the inverter is good for defrosting, without the scorched tips.
Usually the testkitchen does well, but this is one of those that seems questionable, favoring the Breville. This video is full of comments touting their admiration for Panasonics inverter tech, yet it wasn't recommended. How does America in the comments love it but your testers didn't?
I'd like to see a Panasonic microwave that the turntable stops at the same place it started, so if you heat a cup for 30 sec you don't have to reach into the back!
My 1981 GE microwave is still up and running. Original owner, survived 2 oversea moves… I thought I would replace it when it broke, but it is still doing great.
@labcat647, I have a Kenmore microwave from my parents, which according to the manufacturer plate was made in 2008; Still works, but the turntable periodically stops and goes, they do not make things that last anymore. .
I've gone through 2 Pannys in 5yrs. Very disappointed.
I have a GE with a dial (love the dial, as opposed to pushing buttons for a time) that was bought in 2004 and is still running. I admit, the magnetron failed once (I replaced it myself with a used one from eBay for $60) and the top door switch failed (I repaired that myself also for $0). The only thing I don't like about it is the dial goes in 10 second increments instead of 5. Lots of times I want 15 or 25 seconds on something, but no can do.
@@evcass69 - Panasonics are notoriously bad. My parents are on their 3rd one. Purchased originally from Costco, they keep replacing them for free. The one they have now works, but the interior light has failed.
My new GE, small microwave is blistering inside after only two years.
Gotta say -- I like the Inverter tech: I've found it has a better time with liquids (especially that morning coffee -- standard microwaves tend to scald/give a funny taste, I've found.) and seems to give me a more consistent melt on butter (haven't had it pop once :) .) Also does great to partly thaw out frozen treats like frozen fruit smoothies and milkshakes -- I set it to 10% power and within 4 minutes it's back to a tasty, palatable consistency. The model I own is a Panasonic Genius Sensor 1250W -- very similar to the one shown briefly @3:46.
Standard cooking it seems to do a great job, too. Can't say I've ever toasted coconut in it, but then I haven't expanded my usage to the point you folks have :)
I truly think the testers tried to use "old school" techniques in the inverter units. Inverter units are way better once you understand the different cook techniques
@@hyfy-tr2jy maybe that's true. but considering 99% of people don't even know how to use the pizza button (wtf does that do?) they're not going to learn how to use some new inverter technique.
@@gregbyrne6909 Honestly it's not much to know outside what a microwave user already might want to know. At face value, all it is is a microwave that can actually kick out half-power, as opposed to the norm which has to fudge it by the "nuke and pause, nuke and pause" method. As for the pizza, etc. buttons? They're usually (USUALLY) for the folks that don't know or want to know what the power level controls are. :)
@@gregbyrne6909 does the pizza button on microwave ovens work? Mine doesn't have such a button and I find microwaving any bread type food will easily result in a tough cardboard texture so you end up cutting the cooking time and accept warm pizza instead. They now go in the air fryer or toaster oven to reheat with perfect results.
How's the durability of that Panasonic been?
I'd love to see a roundup of microwave-convection/airfry/toaster combinations. There's several options on the market, including Breville's Combi Wave, as well as a few models by Samsung, Toshiba, and Galanz, each with different pluses and minuses.
**BEWARE!**
I bought a Toshiba microwave 13 months ago, thinking I was getting a quality product from a reputable company. Big mistake! Twice now, the microwave has turned itself on, creating a serious fire hazard. Toshiba told me to get it repaired due to the potential for injury or property damage-UNACCEPTABLE!
I will NEVER purchase another Toshiba product again. I own multiple Toshiba items and am absolutely furious. Their new portable hard drive making weird chirping noises is the cherry on top of this disastrous experience! The hard drive's incessant, strange sounds indicate yet another quality control failure. A supposedly reliable storage device, it leaves me questioning its durability and data integrity.
Don't waste your money on Toshiba products!
I gotta say, I love my IKEA 700 watt microwave. It’s old school with two dials instead of buttons and a bell instead of the annoying electric beep when cooking is done.
Wish ATK reviewed OTRT microwaves, need to replace ours.
We’re on our second Panasonic inverter microwave, and I am totally satisfied with it. I do enjoy the inverter technology and the sensor features of it. It’s large enough to do just about anything too.
I truly think the testers didn't understand the different cooking style of inverter units. If they used old school techniques, yes you get bad results, but once you understand how inverter tech changes how you cook it gets way better results
@@hyfy-tr2jy What specifically are you supposed to do differently? I ask because we have one here, and I haven't noticed.
@@BooBaddyBig It’s just the way it drops the power level. Rather than using full power and shutting of power with a timer, inverters lower the wattage so rather than intermittent radiation of full power, you get a steady stream of lower power.
i really liked my old Panasonic as well. I have a new Samsung in my new house and it is not as good.
@@TexasScout I mean, it does do that, but that's not the only difference.
"Chef Mike" is one of the most important kitchen tools. Thank you for the great advice!
The only way to cook bacon.
I had a Sharp Carousel that lasted between 30-35 years with constant use. It finally gave out Thank you for this article. Now I know what I will but to replace it.
We have a Sharp Carousel that's got a date on the back of Jan 2002 and it's in daily use, of course. The lights for the timer are mostly out so it's hard to read remaining time, otherwise just starting to give out 21 years later. Will replace with same.
We had a Sharp carousel that lasted 30 years! Don't make 'em like that anymore!
Light duty commercial microwaves are priced similar to your test winner. The one we have rotates the magnetron instead of the plate so it's easier to clean and buttons are programmable both with respect to power and time.
Could you please share what you have?
@@Tooradj Amana RCS10TS and it was $388.74 when I bought it 7 years ago. Current price ~$560. We use it often and have had no issues.
@allanwind295 Thanks for the quick response
@@allanwind295 - Great, but that thing is $800 in Canada. I bought a tiny Danby, 10 yrs ago, as an emergency microwave when my main one was waiting for parts. I paid $60 for it and it works fine for heating my coffee and other assorted reheating tasks. I can't imagine spending $800 for a countertop microwave.
Amana used to make some of the first consumer microwaves (1967). All stainless and/or chrome, inside and out, called the Radarange. I didn't know they were still around.
I ended up getting the Breville. It should be noted that Amazon says it's 900W, the one I got says 1350W on the back ... yet most microwave instructions I've seen are for 1500W+ microwaves. So, everything takes longer. It's been good for me since I tend to burn things in the microwave. Using a dial gets super annoying to set the time for anything above five minutes. And, it holds one thing at a time. So, if you reheat the entree, then the side dish, then the starch, by the time you've heated full-on leftovers, the first thing you heated up is going to be cold ... so we've found we're better off serving plates and heating each one at a time. I wouldn't've thought that the winner would be small and slow to cook, but we love it for all the other reasons they gave.
who else wish a microwave self clears the leftover time? there are way too many monsters who put in a set amount of time but take their food out before it ends and leave the time still on it...
Yes! Thank you, I’m always hitting the clear button at work bc no one either lets the time run out or clears the time
This is my roommate to a T lmao it’s one of my pet peeves having to live with him
@@knndyskful simple. Have the “Cook Time” button clear whenever a timer was already there.
You could also have it triple beep after 5min, and flash the screen and/or light on/off with a 10sec countdown, timer clears after countdown and displays time.
Yes. My husband is a monster.
I believe they call this a first world problem.
The Breville microwaves excel in Consumer Reports predicted reliability ratings but received poor marks for performance - particularly for evenness of cooking and defrosting performance. I've also had problems with the build quality of several Breville products over the last few years - particularly with knobs and switches that feel flimsy and fail. Call me old fashioned, but I think given the basics, the most important "luxury feature" of a microwave today would be RELIABILITY. All the special cooking modes, Alexa-voice-control, wifi-connections, beep-muting, and soft-closing doors in the universe can't help if the thing stops working after a year.
Yup! The sharp microwave oven is just good and easy to use and I think it's the best design on the panel, simple. I use the low watt version to melt butter and chocolate. It's just perfect, slick and easy to clean.
Lisa does the best reviews. Over complicated is the worst! Thank you for your hard work.
are you calling out Project Farm?
My 21 year old Emerson 1100W 1.0 cft still going strong. I've had it so long I know exactly how long to cook anything I eat and yes I do drop the power level on some things.
Have used my grandmother's first mircowave for the last time before whe sold her house and that thing was a beast. It was one of the first ever models, was HUGE, made in a wooden box and no turning table, but it heated SO fast and worked until the last minute. It would still work but there was no palce to keep it, sadly
The best microwaves are the ones that don't break in a couple years regardless of the make or features.
Good luck with that. All brands have failures.
I had a Magic Chef OTR for seventeen years, heating every cup of coffee I drank. Got my money's worth out of that one!
My Whirlpool of 17 years just died. And it technically still works but the switch to turn off/on is confused.
@@OMGWTFLOLSMH Mine Ignis is from 1996, stil working. Use it every day.
My little Sharp's carousel finally stopped turning last week after 32 years, yes you read that correctly. My folks bought it for me in 1992 when my now 36 year old daughter was 4! It still heats, but without the turntable it's too uneven now. That's what brought me here to watch this video today.
I paid under $50 (inc tax) for the smallest MW my local Walmart sold. I wanted it for heating up food in hotel rooms on road trips with the grandkids. I liked it so much I set it on my kitchen counter at home and use *it* daily instead of my built-in, which is a bit too high for me to easily reach in and remove food without having to resort to a step stool. I ❤that handy little thing.
I bought a little RCA branded m/w at Walmart for around $50 about 13 years ago and it's still as good as new. It gets used daily quite a few times.
@@pkguy3: Gee, that's great. I hope my little mw lasts that long. I also use mine several times a day for quick warm ups. ☕🍕
Well, my household is in a rabbit hole of Microwave research BECAUSE I still have my teeny tiny .9 one I bought at Walmart 11 years ago! I love the little thing, but we have outgrown it. It still heats things up nicely, but It does seem to struggle from time to time (now). But good to see others had a similar experience with little Walmart microwave ovens.
@@MZ49309: I've noticed that my little Walmart mw oven is a bit slower to heat things than my larger mw, which I guess has higher wattage. Doesn't matter to me really....I'm retired, cooking for one, and have plenty of time to wait an extra minute for my coffee or leftovers to reheat. 😊
I did the same when my main unit died and I was waiting for parts. I've used it a few times, and also lent it to a friend whose microwave died. It's quite tiny and I paid $60 with tax. It's a great spare appliance. I never thought about bringing it on road trips. Good idea. Might be good for camping too, with a battery/inverter pack.
I have this very Breville microwave and I freakin’ love it!
This might be random but you don’t know how much I needed this review!! Thanks! 😊
But it's NOT a 'review' of anything!!
This particular Breville model gets an overall score of 50 out of 100 by Consumer Reports, notably only getting 2 out of 5 for heating evenness and defrosting evenness. They test heating evenness by microwaving a dish of mashed potatoes and then taking temperature readings throughout to see if there are uneven temperature spots. To me this is very important as I bought the Panasonic model that Costco carries (also 2 out of 5 for evenness) and I had definite cold spots in frozen meals I made. I don't think your macaroni test adequately covers the evenness issue as well as their tests and am surprised you're recommending this model when it performed so poorly on that metric. I ended up purchasing an LG model MSWN1590L that received a 5 out 5 for heating evenness and it did dramatically better than the Panasonic, and presumably the Breville. (The particular model number really matters because there is another LG model that looks very similar but ranks dead last and gets a 1 out of 5 for heating evenness.)
LG, is junk IMO. I've owned two LG appliances (fridge and monitor) and they both failed. Never again. Lots of complaints online about LG.
@@OMGWTFLOLSMHI've had their microwaves, washer and dryer, TVs, for years and they have been super reliable so far. they did have an issue with their fridges from about 2016 to 2019, a problem with the compressors, but since 2020 that has been resolved on anything since then.
I love the inverter technology on our Panasonic, before that oven I used a series of vintage Amana Radar ranges with digital controls, these were the best when microwaves first got popular, these worked so well because their cycling of the Magnatron was quick, after no longer being able to get a vintage Amana we picked a large Panasonic with Inverter and sensor and it is so great to use and does cook even small amounts gently and delicately, if you chose the right power level.
Exactly! Try poaching an egg in a non-inverter microwave. It's not pretty! Mine's a Panasonic, too.
Me too. My inverter microwave cooked so much more evenly without cold spots or overcooked edges.
I just bought a Panasonic Inverter with Genius Sensor and came hoping she would say it had benefits. I bought it because our Sharp Carousel is only 1000 watts and the instructions on a pot pie I made recently said not to cook in a microwave less than 1100 watts.
@@garyroland9266 - You bought another microwave to cook a specific pot pie? Seems a bit extravagant.
I just recently replaced my 15 year old microwave that went kaput. Got one (@ the local Walmart) without the fancy tech but with sensor menus that's a little bigger than my old one, so my regular plate would properly fit. I just use it for reheating food.
I had to buy a new microwave last year, and I chose a countertop variety rather than replace the expensive drawer-style machine I inherited with the kitchen. Plus, I LOATHE drawer microwaves; I want to monitor my food cooking from countertop height, not aggravate my bad back by doubling over to stare into the drawer microwave's window! Plus, I always fear that I'm tugging too hard at the drawer when it opens.
Anyway, I chose a countertop model with Smart Inverter technology: The Toshiba ML-EM45PIT(BS), with 1.6 cubic feet of interior space and 1250 watts. It heats liquids wonderfully quickly, so I'm thrilled with it. I've also found the 10% power level increments really useful for properly cooking soups at a longer, slower rate.
This is also the first microwave I've owned with a sensor reheat feature. I find it quite convenient for getting foods warm, no matter how cold (or frozen) it is. However, I consistently need to top off the sensor reheat process with 1 minute on high to make foods piping hot. It's no big deal, though; this two-step process is still far simpler than constant guesswork and trying to memorize optimal cook times for each food.
I like the extra buttons they help a lot especially the melt butter feature
You missed one very important point, the wave. It's a wave that cooks your food. Do not place your food in the center of the rotating dish. put it a bit to a side. What happens is you will not have single points of heat next to cold ones. the waves penetrate your food about an inch or 2-3 cm deep.
Inverter is a must. Wouldn’t use one without. You can reheat proteins and get perfect results.
Interesting. I know when I reheat meat in mine (when I'm too lazy to use my sous vide), it makes the meat rubbery, even when set to lower power. I might try an inverter model next, after more research.
I'd like to see a comparison specifically about combination convection, air fry, microwaves
I'm a fan of the minute buttons "express cook". Just 1 button operation👍. Works well w a lower power microwave.
Excellent, helpful info, thanks! Discovery=Positioning large, metal objects, like pots & pans, very close to the side with the magnetron will cause you great panic and possibly damage whatever. Think “magnets & steel!” We have that Sharp microwave and it works well, but next time, I’ll look for the Breville model.
You put COFFEE in the microwave? James Hoffman would like to have a word with you.
Awesome video. Really helped me know what to look for in my next one
Are there any good combo convection (toaster) oven/microwaves? A friend has one and says he likes it, but I wonder if there are any compromises for the combo units.
I have one and used the convection once. It splattered all over, was a pain to clean so I took it apart and I removed the burner element. Problem solved. Never again.
My 1997 Sharp Carousel Model R-330AK gave an AMAZING 27 year run!! However, yesterday it emitted so much steam when I warmed my salmon cake and mushroom spinach cauliflower rice on 1 minute 38 seconds it looked like it was smoking but didn’t smell like smoke at all so I’m assuming it was just a HUGE amount of steam. Didn’t feel safe so I’m looking for a replacement. Getting another Sharp Carousel. $160 1100 watt now.
I just now noticed it said “SENSOR COOKING” on the panel in 1997! so I’m confused why she said it was NEW technology. I never used the sensor cooking option, got it in college w/no cooking skills, used it just to reheat food and never changed. Hope they make ‘em like they used to!
Different kind of "sensor" your is a temperature sensor for food as it is cooking, the new tech. is a moisture sensor that adjusts time and power based off of released humidity and knows when the food is finished, or optimal for eating.
My Breville Combi-Wave Microwave lasted 2 years and 10 months before it quit. It just trips the home circuit breaker now when trying to use it. The soft close feature stopped working correctly after year 1. I have a few other Breville products and im starting to wonder about the longevity of those as well.
I cant speak to the Breville Microwave in this review (was going to order after watching, but then read many test results and it they all score it very low)...but I can say that Breville makes a good Toaster Oven. I use the Smart Oven Pro multiple times a day and it has been going strong for years. Probably going to upgrade to the air fry version if mine ever poops out.
I had an OTR Magic Chef microwave for about seventeen years, and I heat EVERY cup of coffee I drink. I must have opened and closed the door and started it a million times! Its main control board finally failed and I couldn't get a new one. Got my money's worth out of it, for sure! I actually liked it better than the new one.
Who makes models with a long warranty or generally lasts at least 5yrs? I've had control panel failures on two Panny NN-SN766S in the past 5yrs.
Thanks for this review, it was very useful. Now i know what to look for when i go shopping dornone this weekend
Those beeps! uhggg! I love Breville too but I also guessed the price correctly!😍
Yeah, the beeps drive me nuts. Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.... STFU!!!
OK I'm probably not the first to point out that with ubiquitous leds there seems to be no attention to lighted panels for the elderly and visually challenged!
Honestly how much easier can it get to be INNOVATIVE!!!!!!!
Yet I haven't seen one goddamned unit with it. Maddening with all the stupid that passes as NEW AND EXCITING 😮
Which microwave does not interfere with home wifi (2g/5g)?
We have an LG microwave we bought it 2020 and haven't had any issues with our 2.4 & 5g service when we run it. It cooks very evenly! Our old microwave always made the wifi unusable in our house when it was on. The problem after 3.5 - 4 years is the display started disappearing (which was noted when we bought it in the reviews) and just last week our microwave door became extremely hard to open, which is why I came looking for a new model. The LG has a 10 year warranty on something, but I am waiting to hear about the fix for the display and the door.
On a separate note, we have an LG TV that is about 6-8 years old it is always has a problem staying connected to Wi-Fi. We have moved the Wi-Fi router and have different TV brands, and the LG is the only TV with connection issues. I'm looking to move away from LG completely.
can you look into commercial microwaves that don't have a turn table?
I'm personally a huge fan of Panasonic's inverter microwaves, and also very sad you can't get over range models in the USA for some reason. They are great for reheating and precision heating once you get a hang of what power your unit puts out. When reheating it works best to do a stair step approach so you can keep your food from drying out or over cooking, 10s high, 15-20s med-high, 1m:30s ish low. Excite the water then let the system keep the general heat as it convects through the food without drying the surface of moisture. Then for things like butter you can choose a slightly longer run time with a lower power and not have popping butter but a nice fully softened stick rather than a puddle.
I'll die on the inverter hill, just wish I didn't have to look into importing from Canada if I want to replace my over the range non inverter unit that I'm stuck with now.
I have a strong hunch the team didn't understand how Inverter units function and used "traditional" techniques so no wonder they didnt like the results
We have one, and I like it, but I have a strong suspicion that they jam Wi-Fi more than traditional microwaves do because it's continuously transmitting, whereas the older ovens only cook on half the mains phase, and Wi-Fi is able to use the other half.
@@BooBaddyBig Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean, and maybe I'm wrong. But I dont think the on-off cycles is anywhere near that rapid. I think it's literally several full seconds on, then off. You can hear it kick in and out during a cook cycle.
@@necrojoe A traditional microwave even when it's on full power is heating/transmitting only half the time, 10 milliseconds on, 10 milliseconds off (other cycle times are available in NA), and Wi-Fi can use those short off times but it loses half the bandwidth. The inverter microwaves are AFAIK on almost the whole mains cycle, so they're smaller.
@@BooBaddyBig what does WiFi have to do with your microwave?
The best thing about the LG Neo Chef and the reason I bought it is the extra tall plate connection. I've had it for years now and the plate has not once disconnected from the turning apparatus. I don't know about y'all but if the plate falling off the track and the annoying process of getting it back on irks you as much as me then check it out.
i have an old one with just two dials: one for a mechanical timer and one for power (with an option for defrosting), i don't see why it should need buttons
You'll change your mind once you use one with sensor cooking. I was hestitant at first. But I've gotten really great results consistently using the feature. The Japanese have perfected microwaves due to their widespread use in hot food vending machines.
sensor cooking. but you've got to make sure it uses the steam sensor, otherwise its just preprogrammed power and time settings in the form of a bajillion buttons.
Sounds simple enough -- like my parents' Amana RadarRange from when I was a kid.. I miss that old microwave :)
Once again, people with disabilities are ignored. Those who are blind/low-vision rely on tactile buttons to cook. Dials work great if you have properly working eyes that can see your dial selection.
I think the buttons we're referring to here are the purpose-driven ones like "Popcorn," "Pizza," and "Snack." they appear to be fairly arbitrary, and with little to no documentation (even in the manual) it seems superfluous. Numbered buttons are great for me when I'm trying to nuke a cup of coffee or teawater in the dark at night, so yes, I get the need for them when visually impaired.
As for the dials, I was referring to a microwave from 1981, and enrico said their current one was old, too. Dials on microwaves are the minority at this point.
I would be interested to hear what you have to say about convection microwaves.
How about a budget option? Anything good under $100?
😂
You serious?
@@MAGACOPP Yes I am. Why?
My Panasonic with inverter technology and sensor cooking is the best I’ve ever used. Not planning on changing to anything else anytime soon.
I've gone through two NN-SN766S's in 5yrs. Good luck.
@@evcass69 - My parents are on their 3rd Panasonic. Not sure which model, they get them from Costco and they keep failing. The current one has no interior light now. It seems Panasonic uses inferior parts, but I've repaired a few microwaves. Used parts are cheap and easy to source on eBay. It's safe, as long as you discharge the high-voltage capacitor properly.
Seriously, I just want to know which brands let you silence the [bleeping] beeping! I will give them all of my money!
I have the Breville. It allows us to silence the beeping.
@@lindagilbraith5644 Oh awesome! Thank you!
Pretty sure many microwaves have that! You hold down the 0 button or something I think. Try to find your make, model + search up a manual to check.
We had a older 1000 watt microwave that finally quit. It could cook a bag of popcorn in 2:52. We replaced it with a new 1200 watt model. I tried to cook my popcorn but had to remove it at the 2:00 mark because it was smoking and smelled burnt. The correct setting for popcorn in the new oven is 1:40. Even at 1:50 it starts to overcook..
Our magnetron (I keep forgetting the name of this component, so I refer to it as the ‘flux capacitor’ ) failed in our Wolf drawer-style microwave oven after just over a year in service. Thankfully, it was still under warranty, so the company replaced the entire device. It could have been a huge expense, too.
I replaced my failed magnetron (GE). Bought used on eBay for $60 and it's 10 min job. Still going strong after 12 yrs. My last GE (over the range) had a failed magnetron too, replaced under warranty. Not sure I'd buy GE again, but the one I have now is 20 yrs old and still working. If it fails again, I may try this Breville. My GE has a dial, which I love and wouldn't buy without.
@@OMGWTFLOLSMH Wow! I’ll remember this - thanks! BTW, I like your user name.
Why no mention of flatbed microwaves that rotate the emitter instead of the food?
What do you do with all the appliance you buy, or get to test? Thanks ;0)
Plus the Breville Models or Sage as they are called in the UK i would avoid because there not built all that well . Seen the soft close door sometimes not work properly and you need to slam the door to shut it and the combi models have a notorious issue with there crisping/oven pan legs melting off to the point trying to get replacements is hard.
Is the cycle on and off a newer way of choosing a power level? Mine from 1991 doesn't do this. That's why I dont want to give it up for a new one.
My wife is visually impaired and is in search of an over-the-range microwave that has large, soft-touch buttons or touch-screen to use. Any recommendations would surely be appreciated!
i cant believe im watching this video to buy my mom a microwave..
I really have been wondering how the breville 3-1 microwave does compared to the best pick...
Any one here know?
After my last modern microwave died at the tender age of four I un-retired the old Whirlpool. Wood grained cabinet and weighs about 50lbs. Apparently 1980 was the year microwaves peaked in reliability, because the thing keeps on going.
I clicked as fast as I could! Microwave oven is top tier tech. I want one that doesn't make any beeping sounds!
I LOVE the detail that you are going into how a microwave works. Thank you so much for posting this information!
Thanks!
While I agree with almost everything here, I still find that handle-less variants to be more convenient to use. It's easier to open, and has a lower chance of you accidentally shifting the entire unit by accident when pulling
This is very true. My aunt has one with a handle and it often moves when you open the door
I think that is largely the issue with some ovens more than others. I have an older Emerson that has the handle and it's never been an issue. I think that if the oven is too light, this may be more an issue. The last oven I had, also an Emerson from the 1990's and was the older quick touch model that ended up sparking had the button you pushed to open the door so it got replaced with the red one I have now in 2005.
The current oven has been a workhorse, basic, simple oven of 900W and is a midsized model, so not the smallest, nor the largest countertop model out there and it does have several presets, that I never used. Also has timed defrost and weight defrost, that I do you quite frequently when defrosting. It's a great oven overall and still chugging along at 18 years old.
Personally, I'd rather get non-skid feet with a door handle. I'm going to get gross for a moment, just a warning: in a push button like this, I once pressed too close to the edge, and my finger nail snagged the edge, and folded it back. Thankfully it was only a (pretty bad) broken nail a d a little blood, but it made me swear off thr recessed-style buttons forever. 😅
I have this Breville and the handle opens the door easily without shifting the oven.
@@necrojoe i prefer the push button to handle as it's less unsanitary, but i always use my knuckle to push out of fear of your scenario (and least unsanitary)
Wish I had this guide when I bought my microwave. I got the strongest wattage and inverter tech - and I routinely cut the power or time down from what the recommendation is. C'est la vie!
Yes, things cook faster in a higher watt microwave. I consider that a big plus. Once you use it for a while, you can tell pretty accurately how much you should reduce the time.
I think more testing needs be done as comparing brand name models. 🤔👍
Finally a test for me!
I have a strong hunch that this team didn't fully understand how to use the microwaves with Inverter Technology. It is actually way better as you can actually dial down the intensity of the microwave. If your inverter microwave is a 1000W unit and you set it at "7" it is essentially a 700W unit and so on. It is way better. If you use it like a traditional one with cook times and settings, yes you will get bad results. If you adapt to the new way of cooking it is pretty foolproof
It was practically in the beginning of the video when she described inverter technology just as you did.
@@rickeys to be clear, he didn't say they didn't understand the principle behind the technology, but nay not have adjusted their recipes/tests to properly utilize this different technology. Though to be clear, I'm not sure what he means by that, as Panasonic's own manuals proudly proclaim that you don't have to do anything different to get the good results...
Inverter microwaves are the best.
inverter, shminverter
IDK, they seemed to explain why they didn't like it pretty well. Why have it at all if every time you need to manually dial down the power?
The link to the Sharp microwave is not working
Im quite happy with simplicity
First time I've had this happen, but a lot i disagree with on this one. I switched to 1200w microwave with both sensor amd inverter tech.
1. Yes, the sensor is amazing
2. The inverter is amazing. I can now thaw a pound of hamburger in less than 5min. Old microwave and others i use at family homes take 10 plus minutes l.
3. 1200w is wonderful. I've never burnt food (sensor for reheat is amazing) when you want quick and efficient (like boiling or steaming) 1200w makes a huge difference vs. even 1000, let alone only 700. And guess what...you have a power button. It take two extra button pushes to turn it down to 70 or 80% if it's something that is more delicate.
I like the option to turn off the sound and the clock. My new GE has an annoying feature that displays FOOD if I've put something inside in advance and attempt to turn it on. I have to open and close the door to proceed. 😠
about 5 years ago remodeling newly acquired older house got all new appliances for kitchen and washer / dryer. chose whirlpool, (American brand) Michigan based etc. BUT the microwave..... Oh the microwave... Got the nicest fancy azz over the stove whirlpool microwave with steam sensing haba haba and even a metal rack to put stuff one on top of the other. Never used the metal thing a ma gig, (later found out from serviceman it was trash that would cause sparks and fire). Like I said serviceman... had it repaired twice with in a year year and a half the expensive part the magnatrometer went out along with the fancy button rich control board. Broke a few month after warranty expired needless to say total junk. Downstairs had a similar but simple version of basically same looking whirlpool microwave, a few timer and power on / off buttons that is it. never broke, got one for up stairs both still going. Moral of the story more fancy stuff more stuff to fail, break and money out of your pocket to the repair people and whirlpool for their parts.
That was an interesting report.
Thanks Lisa!
Pro Tip- Give us links that work. The Sharp microwave link doesn't work.
Does it fit a standard popcorn bag through all stages of popping without stalling the turntable?
Literally the only reason I'm in the market for a microwave
@@ethanderagon7907 if you're in it just for popcorn make sure you buy a microwave with a sensor for popcorn if you don't want to stand by the microwave listening for pops
ruclips.net/video/UiS27feX8o0/видео.html
Yes - I have this Breville and have had no issue with popcorn bags getting stuck.
It’s beyond me that people still boil their potatoes instead of cooking them in a microwave oven when making mashed potatoes.. The potatoes cook so much faster without any loss of flavor ! Use a potato ricer , pre heat the milk ( with the butter already melted in ) and you will be rewarded with the best mashed potatoes ever !
The link for the Sharp comes up "Page not found."
This came at the perfect time…been shopping for a microwave and couldn’t decide which to go with
Lisa is the GOAT❤
Sensor cooking is a new feature? My microwave had this feature 15 years ago.
I stand corrected. By definition a Megnetron is a vacuumtube. I thought it was a solidstate device.
We have a non-WiFi version of that Sharp Carousel microwave oven, and it can also be installed as a built-in (which is how we have ours installed, replacing the old Whirlpool Gold that was in it since the house was built). It does a pretty good job at softening butter and melting chocolate. Plus the sensor cooking works well, if you don't use a cover.
Also, from another vid y'all posted, it sounds like the magnetron in the Breville is from the same manufacturer as the ones used by Whirlpool (I recognized the sound it makes when it clicks on and off).
My 2004 stainless steel Sylvania microwave oven is still up and going, and it still almost looks brand new. Got it as display model at Canadian Tire for $45. I did have to add a few drops of glue many years later to the turntable motor internal donut shaped magnet (The magnet was spinning, but not the gear it was supposed to be attached to.). Other than that, someone had dumped their oven on the curb for disposal, so I grabbed it and removed from it all working parts that I thought that I might need in the future. I did eventually use these FREE parts to replace the door micro-switches and the main fuse after those switches were worn out and defective, which also had caused the fuse to blow. Total repair costs add up to about 5 cents. So that's about 0.264 cents per year.
If it doesn't have an add 30 second button on it I don't want it
Lisa's 🤷♀️ at 5:50 made my day. 😀
I've been using the SENSOR feature for at least ten years. Love the SENSOR feature.
I'm watching this after zapping a mug of coffee LOL
Coffee just can't be hot enough for me...☕
PRO TIP: if you want uniform heating, arrange your food in kind of a donut shape instead of a heap or mound that's filled in the center.
Microwaves penetrate much further than infrared (i.e., "heat radiation"), but not super far. The deposited power into the food decays roughly exponentially with depth in a cylindrical food item, which means most power ends up in the outermost layer and less in the center, leading to uneven temperatures. To have the temperature go up evenly through your food, the mass of food should have a similar shape - most of the food on the outside (of the circle that it makes while rotating) and then a gradual decrease inward with an (mostly) empty center. This allows more even temperature increases throughout the food. Easy to do with for example frozen veggies, etc.
And also put it off center, there's a dead spot so you would want to avoid putting anything dead center
So happy to see someone say this. I’m always trying to explain it to folks.
Just got rid of my mw. I found my air fryer handles all my needs.
I'm wondering if pull door handle vs. push button door opening is like the over vs. under toilet paper debate. I prefer the push button door opener. The pull door opening tends to pull the microwave towards you. I guess one could stick little blocks of something to the counter in front of the microwave feet to keep them from sliding.
When I get a new microwave, I'm going to get a push button, because my parents have had the handle on theirs pull through the frame due to the repeated stress of having to yank on the handle.
Make 1 that cleans itself.
I was disappointed that *Panasonic* wasn’t chosen as the best. But I guess *Sharp* will do as long as it’s not manufactured by Galanz or Midea.
Fyi the Sharp smart link didn't work
White may look good when new but in time most white plastic does yellow and look bad.
Question. Why is internal lighting so poor? When watching for the point of boiling, it's often impossible to see inside clearly. Most still use a lamp, it cannot be impossible to illuminate a metal box can it??
I have 2 different Lg microwave,the Neochef countertop like they tested which is a higher wattage and inverter technology.And your standard over the range less wattage.And I can say for certain the inverter works amazing and i think there testing is a bit flawed.Frozen items definitely cook more evenly and thoroughly then a standard,I did the real test..Hot Pockets,all Pocket peeps know what I'm saying.And yes i have 2 microwaves i worked a long time at big box store forever and have a 2 story house and sometimes you're to tired to go downstairs😂
I've been using my big GE freestanding microwave for 15 years now and it still works just as good as when I bought it. If anything it can be too strong because every other microwave I've used in the workplace seems terribly weak by comparison. Mine can boil a cup of water in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
I have noticed, with my 1250W oven, that heating my 16oz mug of water for tea, on full power, only the top of the mug is hot to the touch. Maybe running it at 70 or 80% for a longer time would heat the water more evenly as conduction would be able to do its job better. Thanks ATK!
Yeah but let's talk about popcorn and low power vs high power 😉
I've got an LG and not even sure how to set the power level.
I have a full sized, 1100 watt inverter counter top style and love it. I have been cooking with microwaves since 1979, including turkeys and 9x13 lasagne. It can all be done, though there are better ways, it is nice to have. Just know what you need to have. the inverter is good for defrosting, without the scorched tips.
Usually the testkitchen does well, but this is one of those that seems questionable, favoring the Breville. This video is full of comments touting their admiration for Panasonics inverter tech, yet it wasn't recommended. How does America in the comments love it but your testers didn't?
I'd like to see a Panasonic microwave that the turntable stops at the same place it started, so if you heat a cup for 30 sec you don't have to reach into the back!