Serious microwave buying advice needed please...

Richdog

Richdog

Richdog

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Hi guys, the time has come to replace my old behemoth of a microwave with something more modern. I only ever use my current one to defrost or reheat, and it does both jobs badly. I have seen reviews of new ones that are a million miles away with what you can do, with many of them being a valid and energy-saving oven-alternatives that produce well-cooked food much quicker than conventional ovens (mine takes 15 mins just to warm up to 200c).

I want to cook roasts, lasagnes, pizzas etc etc as well as have even microwave reheating and defrosting.

I am looking for:
  • Combination microwave/grill/convection oven
  • At least 28L capacity or thereabouts to fit a full roast oven dish in there
  • Some nifty cooking presets for baked potatoes etc
  • Heats up quickly preferably and circulates the hot air
  • £300 max price
I have seen the Samsungs with Hotblast seem well rated, as well as the Panasonics.

Can anyone please make some recommendations for me? :)
 
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Make sure the space you plan to put it is big enough as most combination ovens are much bigger than a standard microwave. We have had one for years now and for me the best bit is using it for baked potatoes as you can get an almost oven baked one in 25 minutes using the microwave and oven in combination.
 
Raymond Lin said:
I like ones that is a flatbed.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/cooking/microwaves/panasonic-nn-cf778sbpq-combination-microwave-stainless-steel-03990881-pdt.html?istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istItemId=mrqmrpl&istBid=tztx&srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~0111 (PLA) SDA MICROWAVE OVENS~All Microwaves~Exact&mctag=gg_goog_7904&kwid=GOOGLE&device=c&ds_kids=92700041771452321&tgtid=0111 (PLA) SDA MICROWAVE OVENS&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZ3kBRCnARIsAIuAV_RDNZ5EJIfZvGKoQ87JR0vVv62RfJamVxi2nZMvsrzhZkZFzwIK-NEaAji9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic...FeG0IKqETLlPOKoUVYQaAkicEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
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Hmm even with inverter technology reviews still say that flatbeds without a turntable do not cook evenly... https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk...61/panasonic-nn-cf778s-combination-microwave/ and https://www.amazon.de/Bauknecht-MW-...00R4HY10W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

There's not a turntable like you would get in a traditional microwave, which did appear to impact on the evenness of heating. Jacket potatoes were very soft on the bottoms but firm on top and chilled and frozen ready meals didn't get hot enough.
Click to expand...

At the moment my top ranking Microwave is this 33L behemoth, the Bauknecht MW 179 IN.

It's a few years old, but reviews are outstanding. https://www.google.com/search?safe=........0....1..gws-wiz.......0j0i19.61mhggqIFdA

pepp77 said:
Make sure the space you plan to put it is big enough as most combination ovens are much bigger than a standard microwave. We have had one for years now and for me the best bit is using it for baked potatoes as you can get an almost oven baked one in 25 minutes using the microwave and oven in combination.
Click to expand...
Which one do you have? :)
 
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i use a flatbed panasonic with inverter. i just flip my potatoes over halfway through cooking. whoever wrote that review is a moron clearly as it's a non issue.

but when using a microwave even with a turntable it does state you should mix the food halfway so turning them over halfway should be normal for all microwaves tbh.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Not heard of that brand at all, don't think its sold here in the UK.

Re - flatbed, almost all commercial kitchens use them as it's one less thing to break and if it's good for a restaurant, it'll be fine for home.
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Bauknecht = Whirlpool.

Regardless of whether a restaurant uses them or no, if multiple professional and user reviews say they do not heat evenly then for me it's still a potential issue (even if it's not a deal-breaker). :)
 
multiple folks in the family have serially purchased panasonics. https://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-nn-ct55jwbpq-combination-microwave-oven-white/p3519273
only issue is the dam noise from magnetron/fan/turntable .... so that would be a criteria for me.

...am sceptical that flatbed really improves heat distribution or machine reliability ... you just spin the wave in base of oven, rather than food, with wave at side ...
do they get to the top of the food as effectively !
turntable bearings do wear over time though, but, you have a guarantee ... what's the flatbed premium ?
looking - commercials have more (4) magnetrons https://www.nisbets.co.uk/panasonic-microwave-oven/j967
 
We've been using the Panasonic flatbeds for years, had the current one for 6 years and it's still going strong
Couldn't recommend them enough - no more round dishes just to fit in and spin, you can use all the space, in fact two level cooking is perfectly feesible
 
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