Which microwave? inverter tech?

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#432885 30-Jan-2011 18:23

I dont even know why they put clocks on them. I would rather they just shut off totally.

IMO the best microwaves are those with 2 knobs. I have no need for a baked potato button etc on the thing, and the flat panel controls are horrible to use and I have found have cracked on the last microwave..

Check the inside is stainless. So many microwaves have a stainless front (when was the last time _that_ ever rusted) but painted steel insides, which do rust. The one I found which had real buttons and a stainless inside was a cheapie, tiny hometech, and it has an element too for grilling things, but I have never used that since I have a benchtop pizza oven for my pizzas.

Last 2 microwaves have been biffed because of rust, so will see how long this one lasts for.

Another thing is that you cant leave the door open without the light running or turning them off, and if you have a clock you are less likly to air it out since you would have to reset the clock. This one just shows a : if I dont set the clock which is much better than the old one that would flash 12:00 and then when you had used it start counting time as if you had set it.

Richard rich.ms

mattwnz

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#432893 30-Jan-2011 18:48

richms:

Last 2 microwaves have been biffed because of rust, so will see how long this one lasts for.

I have never found the panasonic ones to rust, and they have white insides and a matt plastic like coating. I had a regualr one which lasted about 15 years. I them purchased an invertor one. It died after 2 years, and they said the magnitron had failed. I got it repaired under the CGA and it is still working today 2 years later, but it does seem to have lost some of it's power. Also the auto reheat function has never worked properly, it will always nuke the food. The stainless steel interiors can also rust, it is only high grades that are less likely. I would avoid the white plastic ones, as they go yellow .

With mine, the light doesn't turn on when the door is opened, it is only on when cooking. Panasonic told me that they were now designed this way, as I initially thought it was strange.

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#432896 30-Jan-2011 18:51

Not tried a panasonic, but after the first one rusted and I complained it, it seems they expect you to every time you have used it clean the whole damn thing out totally, without using any cleaning products.

Not had any sign of rust on the stainless one and its had all sorts of harsh stuff used on the surface inside it to get off the stuck on foods.

Richard rich.ms

gzt

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#432959 30-Jan-2011 21:53

I was thinking the switch mode type power supplies in the 'inverter' models have a lot more components than the older type, and (hypothetically) this could lead to a higher failure rate. Good to see the comments about the older ones still working.

Gabba: [...]The old one used to swing back to 180 degrees,[...]

I will almost certainly wall mount it, and the position above a bench on the right hand side, a 180 door would be ideal. All doors I have seen so far are 90 - I may have to rethink the kitchen layout.

other styles

Also saw a flat cavity inverter. No turntable, therefore larger area for plates and maybe multiple plates. Sounds great if it works well.

richms

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#432961 30-Jan-2011 21:55

I hate wall mounted microwaves. Even with a place to put one in the kitchen, it would still be on the bench where I can lift things out of it and put them on the bench to stir it etc. IMO them wall mounted at head height is a hazard if you slip on the dish getting it out, and I would never have one that high like I see in so many "designer" kitchens.

Richard rich.ms

dolsen

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#433028 31-Jan-2011 08:18

dolsen:
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.

Tried to check the power consumption of the microwave late last night, but, it appears the fuse in my meter has blown, so, won't be able to do this. It's a special safety fuse, not really easy to get.

I did recheck the power consumption using the elto power meter, but, not sure how accurate this is for the low power rating.

No load (clock) 69W
50% power 890W
100% power 1547W

It's an 1100W microwave.

SCUBADOO

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#433030 31-Jan-2011 08:30

dolsen: 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.

You had me worried about my Panasonic S555-WF inverter m/w oven standby power usage.

Just checked with my Watts Clever MS-6118 Power Meter = 3.2W - Phew!

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#433040 31-Jan-2011 09:13

richms: I hate wall mounted microwaves. Even with a place to put one in the kitchen, it would still be on the bench where I can lift things out of it and put them on the bench to stir it etc. IMO them wall mounted at head height is a hazard if you slip on the dish getting it out, and I would never have one that high like I see in so many "designer" kitchens.

Any bench space is the problem in my case, but your comment + the left hand hinge of every microwave on the market will inspire a kitchen rethink prior to purchase. ; )

richms: IMO the best microwaves are those with 2 knobs. I have no need for a baked potato button etc on the thing, and the flat panel controls are horrible to use and I have found have cracked on the last microwave..

Indeed. The knob positions make a simple and effective control interface and analog display in one. Design win.

How sophisticated/effective are microwave oven cooking programs?

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#433042 31-Jan-2011 09:16

dolsen and scubadoo, if you guys swap meters and get different results let me know : )

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SCUBADOO

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#433054 31-Jan-2011 09:45

gzt: dolsen and scubadoo, if you guys swap meters and get different results let me know : )

At least I obtain similar standby readings on my PCs, Notebooks, TVs, PVR, clock radios etc. etc.

FWIW

Panasonic S555-WF inverter m/w oven - standby

Just grabbed my Fluke 87 and breakout box = 236VAC X 13mA = c3W

richms

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#433343 31-Jan-2011 18:43

dolsen:
dolsen:
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.

Tried to check the power consumption of the microwave late last night, but, it appears the fuse in my meter has blown, so, won't be able to do this. It's a special safety fuse, not really easy to get.

I did recheck the power consumption using the elto power meter, but, not sure how accurate this is for the low power rating.

No load (clock) 69W
50% power 890W
100% power 1547W

It's an 1100W microwave.

If you have the old elto that took 2 batteries, thats consistant what I saw, the newer 3 battery one has a real metering chip in it and is good down to 3 watts or so, when it will just change to 0.

Richard rich.ms

thebender

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#433373 31-Jan-2011 20:16

networkn: esp when our power bill is $250 over summer with our water on gas!

(sorry, off topic)

Ouch ! - you hothousing some plants in that attic or something ? - that's pretty high.

richms

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#433383 31-Jan-2011 20:44

thebender:
networkn: esp when our power bill is $250 over summer with our water on gas!

(sorry, off topic)

Ouch ! - you hothousing some plants in that attic or something ? - that's pretty high.

IMO its low. I am on $430 here, no greenhouse operations just geek equipment and keeping cool and a poolpump. Sometimes cooking but not often.

Richard rich.ms

coolfu

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#439828 15-Feb-2011 14:43

I also recently bought a Panasonic inverter microwave, and my Elto (?) power meter measures the standby power usage at 70W.

But I found a review of the power meter which indicates it may not be accurate, producing a misleading 70W reading whereas it should be more like 3W:
http://steplight.com.au/power-meter-review/

dolsen

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#439839 15-Feb-2011 15:04

coolfu: I also recently bought a Panasonic inverter microwave, and my Elto (?) power meter measures the standby power usage at 70W.

But I found a review of the power meter which indicates it may not be accurate, producing a misleading 70W reading whereas it should be more like 3W:
http://steplight.com.au/power-meter-review/

Yeah, I've decided that the power meter is actually junk and not to be trusted. If I had the receipt, I'd be taking it back as not fit for purpose.

Based on all of the evidence, I will not be switching off the microwave when not in use, and, I retract my statement that the engineering of the Panasonic inverter microwave is not good. I will replace that statement with one that I'm not at all impressed with the engineering of the 2 button cell elto power meter...

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