Which microwave? inverter tech?

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gzt

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#76097 28-Jan-2011 13:07

I am replacing a medium size microwave oven.

'Inverter' technology sounds like it will give more controlled cooking/defrosting. If nothing else it will eliminate that 'donk' sound every few seconds. Is there a downside?
Not every model uses it. Is this just new tech and a slow changeover, or are there other reasons?

Are there any benefits to getting a physically larger microwave?

Any thoughts on any aspect of microwaves are welcome.

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#432183 28-Jan-2011 13:27

I liked Panasonic, but our inverter one only lasted a couple of years. Got a sharp (non-inverter) as a replacement. Doesn't heat anywhere near as evenly as the Panasonic. Would probably get a Panasonic inverter again next time and threaten CGA if it failed after 2 years!

dolsen

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#432205 28-Jan-2011 14:04

Have a Panasonic inverter model. It's about 3 years old. As a microwave, it works really well, but, not at all impressed with the engineering of it on the basis it uses about 80W in standby, just to display the clock!
I have to turn it off when not in use as I don't want to pay ~$11.50/month, just to have a clock displayed.

I would have expected it to use 2-3W in standby mode, not 80W.

gzt

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#432209 28-Jan-2011 14:11

@dolsen - what did you use to measure that standby figure?

dolsen

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#432226 28-Jan-2011 14:36

gzt: @dolsen - what did you use to measure that standby figure?

An elto power meter. The current was consistent with 80W standby power usage, however, I suppose it is possible that the meter does not read accurately for the whole cycle (measure peak and average out over full cycle, when only part of the cycle is used). Might use a fluke dmm to measure the current it is taking and see how well they compare.

gzt

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#432399 28-Jan-2011 20:19

The comparison in current measurement between an Elto and a Fluke DMM will be very interesting.

My feeling is the Fluke will have a better sample rate, and better algorithms.

Even so, there are plenty of A/C power situations where volts x current does not equal watts. In fact, anything except a simple resistive load.

Dunnersfella

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#432442 28-Jan-2011 21:36

I have several friends who have Panasonic microwaves and they all like them, in particular the inverter models. They are specialed off from time to time, so grab one then?

gabba

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#432494 29-Jan-2011 00:39

We have a recently purchased (about 1 year ago) Panasonic. It replaced a Panasonic that had lasted around 20 years, and was going rusty!

Likes vs the old one: the size means you can put bigger plates in. Sometimes smaller plates get lost if they have spun round the back when you open the door!The inverter technology is good, and provides better heating

Dislikes vs the old one: The door only opens to a max of right angles to the microwave. The old one used to swing back to 180 degrees, so if you open the door on the new one too fast, it swings back and gets you. Plastic cover on the buttons is wearing thin, with some bubbles showing already - minor cosmetic flaw. I suspect this one won't be lasting me 20 years. Although it's supposedly nearly twice as powerful, it still makes the coffee in the same time.

Hope that helps

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tonyhughes

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#432503 29-Jan-2011 02:12

gzt: Are there any benefits to getting a physically larger microwave?

You can fit more food in one.

John2010

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#432705 29-Jan-2011 22:10

We have had a Panasonic inverter microwave for must be 8 or 9 years now. Prior to that we had a non inverter one and would never go back to one of those.

Because of the even cooking the inverter microwaves are much better than the non inverter ones if you are into cooking cakes in them - the heavier textured cakes such as chocolate, carrot, banana, etc all come out pretty much as well as if from a conventional oven (and much more quickly

)

Beavis

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#432727 29-Jan-2011 23:22

Inverter performs best. Also much lighter in weight as no bulky heavy power transformer. Only down side is a power transformer almost never gives trouble, a whole circuit board of electronics does. So you have to take your chances on that...

Mattv

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#432742 30-Jan-2011 02:02

Very happy with the more even cooking/defrosting of our Panasonic. Had a Sharp previously and there were some feature we liked better on it but would still prefer to buy an inverter again

gabba: Plastic cover on the buttons is wearing thin, with some bubbles showing already - minor cosmetic flaw.

Are you sure thats not the showroom/packaging protective film they ship with. Might peel right off and leave you a brand new looking touchpad.

gabba

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#432753 30-Jan-2011 08:42

gabba: Plastic cover on the buttons is wearing thin, with some bubbles showing already - minor cosmetic flaw.

Are you sure thats not the showroom/packaging protective film they ship with. Might peel right off and leave you a brand new looking touchpad.

LOL - Quite possibly. I'm one of those people who like to keep those protective plastic pieces on if they look ok. I figure that I'll take it off if it starts looking too bad and see what happens, but no point now in peeling it off while it's barely noticeable. I had seen someone else mention it as well, but perhaps they were also protective plastic freaks like me!

networkn

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#432758 30-Jan-2011 10:02

I would really like to hear back about the idle load on a panasonic please we need a new MW too and I am not paying $12 a month for a clock, esp when our power bill is $250 over summer with our water on gas!

dolsen

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#432765 30-Jan-2011 10:44

networkn: I would really like to hear back about the idle load on a panasonic please we need a new MW too and I am not paying $12 a month for a clock, esp when our power bill is $250 over summer with our water on gas!

I'll try and do it sometime today. It's a bit of a pain to do as you need to put the amp meter in line with the power cord.

illicit

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#432879 30-Jan-2011 17:47

You could re-purpose a short extension cord......

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