Microwave recommendations?

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#2585869 15-Oct-2020 12:06

So after singing the praises of Sharp microwaves in this very thread 18 months ago, our one decided to sh!t itself yesterday and is no longer heating. Assume it’s not even worth getting this looked at?

So likely we’re in the market for a new one, and fast (not having it working really shows how many times a day we use it!)

At this stage top of the list is one of the following two LG models, based on this brand now dominating the top of Consumer’s test and reinforced by positive comments on GZ. Most important, I’ve checked that they have the critical feature of an instant start - while it’s a 30s one rather than the minute of Sharps, this is still a better option than a Panasonic!

https://classic.pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=4275297

https://classic.pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=4275294

So keen on hearing recommendations for mid-sized inverter turntable non-Panasonic models.
Thanks in advance.

networkn

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#2585871 15-Oct-2020 12:10

We replaced our Sharp with LG NeoChef (largest they did) and we have liked it so far. I still overall, don't think the more recent versions of Microwaves we have had heat food as evenly, and for a reason that I can never determine clearly, items heated don't seem to 'retain' heat well. I can't really explain it better than that, but it's a frustration.

Paul1977

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#2585916 15-Oct-2020 13:28

We recently bought a Sharp R395EBS for purely cosmetic reasons as it was the best match we could find to our oven (which it sits directly above). We liked the LG NeoChef, but the 42L was a bit big, and the 23L or 25L was too small.

The timer on it get's used more than anything else, and that's actually a few more button presses than ideal (or so the missus tells me - I use my phone for setting a timer when I need to). Other than that it only gets used for reheating things.

I was just perusing this thread and there was talk about sensors being good. This one says it has a humidity sensor - is that the same thing?

jonathan18

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#2585931 15-Oct-2020 14:06

Thanks for the posts.

The LGs are large so I’ll need to be sure they do fit if that’s what we go for.

The Sharp you’ve got is a more modern and sexier version of the one that we have (had?) and, apart from the small inconvenience of it breaking down, it was an excellent machine. From my perspective, that type of sensor works well - generally I was happy with the sensor-based heating options, but feel if I was to rate any feature most important it would be ensuring it was an inverter-based model.

Eva888

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#2586034 15-Oct-2020 19:49

I love my Sharp microwave with Grill and Convection. Got it when it was on sale at Briscoes for under $300. It has a metal turntable. I use it to grill cheese on toast and to heat bread rolls I use the convection setting and it heats and crisps the outside perfectly. I also use it on combi to cook a split chicken laid flat which takes around 40 minutes. Much faster than the regular oven and makes a brown crisp skin. It has elements top and bottom.

jonathan18

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#2586035 15-Oct-2020 19:55

Yeah, last time we bought one I debated about the merits of a combi unit like that; would save using the oven sometimes, for sure...

Happy with the functioning and looks of the LGs, but have to admit to being worried about their bulk - being larger than our current Sharp, there'd be only 2cm space either side within the space, certainly a lot less than the recommended 10cm in the instruction manual!

Should this be enough reason to not purchase this model and look for something smaller? Given it looks like inverter models are somewhat more fussy (and potentially shorter-lived) I am a little bit hesitant. That said, they're not the most expensive appliance...

neb

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#2586084 15-Oct-2020 22:55

scuwp: We only use ours for heating stuff up, so cheapest does the trick.

That's the perfect microwave, it has exactly two controls, power level and time, both rotary dials. I can heat or cook anything in the time someone with a fancy digital microwave takes to remember which combination of buttons need to be pushed to get the result they want. This one cost me $59 at the Warehouse ten years ago, still going strong.

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neb

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#2586088 15-Oct-2020 23:07

danepak: Is it possible to get a microwave, which keeps the pizza crisp? My reheated pizza always feels soft

Breville have a neat microwave + crisper tray combi which you can use for pizza, as well as stuff like roasting veges, but it's pretty pricey, around the $500 mark. Can't remember the name but knowing Breville it'll be something like The Crisper Tray Microwave.

neb

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#2586089 15-Oct-2020 23:09

danepak: I like our new Sharp microwave.
Only thing which annoys me a bit, is that when it's stopped heating, it still sounds like it's heating. Goes on for approx 20 secs, before it's quiet.

Panasonics do this too, and it's really annoying. My $59 Warehouse special for some reason doesn't, while a $1,000 high-end one does.

neb

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#2586090 15-Oct-2020 23:11

networkn:
If anyone wants a Panasonic ST665B let me know :)

Just looked at a photo of one, there's no handle to loop the rope through when you push it over the side of the dinghy so I'll pass :-).

Blurtie

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#2586162 16-Oct-2020 09:15

jonathan18:

Yeah, last time we bought one I debated about the merits of a combi unit like that; would save using the oven sometimes, for sure...

Happy with the functioning and looks of the LGs, but have to admit to being worried about their bulk - being larger than our current Sharp, there'd be only 2cm space either side within the space, certainly a lot less than the recommended 10cm in the instruction manual!

Should this be enough reason to not purchase this model and look for something smaller? Given it looks like inverter models are somewhat more fussy (and potentially shorter-lived) I am a little bit hesitant. That said, they're not the most expensive appliance...

We've had the LG Neochef for approx 2 years now, and it looks like we've got the same sorta clearance that you'll have. I too was a bit concerned about not meeting the recommended spacing but I haven't noticed any issues so far. In saying that, we very rarely use longer than a 3 minute cycle to heat stuff cos that's all it needs.. In times where we have used it for a longer period - such as defrost mode, it'll sometimes switch on the 'cool down' mode at the end if it needs to, so I guess it's doing what it's meant to. Only time will tell if it's dying a slow death due to the limited spacing.

We had a small Sharp MW previously and got the LG mainly because of the size/power output. It's streets ahead of our old MW and we're very happy with it.

jonathan18

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#2586170 16-Oct-2020 09:28

Blurtie:

We've had the LG Neochef for approx 2 years now, and it looks like we've got the same sorta clearance that you'll have. I too was a bit concerned about not meeting the recommended spacing but I haven't noticed any issues so far. In saying that, we very rarely use longer than a 3 minute cycle to heat stuff cos that's all it needs.. In times where we have used it for a longer period - such as defrost mode, it'll sometimes switch on the 'cool down' mode at the end if it needs to, so I guess it's doing what it's meant to. Only time will tell if it's dying a slow death due to the limited spacing.

We had a small Sharp MW previously and got the LG mainly because of the size/power output. It's streets ahead of our old MW and we're very happy with it.

Thanks; that's given me the confidence to go ahead and get one of the LGs (the only difference between three different variations is the front: stainless, dark metal, or full glass).

Given my desire to avoid Panasonic models and that Samsung models don't appear to be inverter-based, the remaining options were limited unless I got another Sharp. Also, investigating the grill and/or convection models it seems like the ones below say $500 are substantially smaller in capacity and lower in power, which significantly hobbles its value as a microwave.

gjm

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#2586244 16-Oct-2020 11:49

I actually picked up an LG Neochef from Noels last weekend for $349, based on reading this old thread. No gripes at all yet...most of the time we just use the 30 sec quick start feature and press it a few more times if we need something cooked for longer. It is pretty big though - wouldnt like to have it just sitting on a counter top.

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jonathan18

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#2586250 16-Oct-2020 12:15

gjm:

I actually picked up an LG Neochef from Noels last weekend for $349, based on reading this old thread. No gripes at all yet...most of the time we just use the 30 sec quick start feature and press it a few more times if we need something cooked for longer. It is pretty big though - wouldnt like to have it just sitting on a counter top.

Was that the massive 56l model you bought? https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/home-appliances/kitchen-appliances/microwaves/lg-56l-neochef-microwave-oven-matte-black.html

The 42 litre ones are, relative to their interior size, pretty good; a bit larger than the typical Panasonic or Sharp mid-sized models, but when comparing exterior and interior volume it's a massive difference: The LG (42l) is 8% larger in exterior volume compared to the Sharp (34l), but that's a 24% difference in interior volume. As to how much difference that space makes...!

fe31nz

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#2586470 16-Oct-2020 23:34

neb:
danepak: I like our new Sharp microwave.
Only thing which annoys me a bit, is that when it's stopped heating, it still sounds like it's heating. Goes on for approx 20 secs, before it's quiet.
Panasonics do this too, and it's really annoying. My $59 Warehouse special for some reason doesn't, while a $1,000 high-end one does.

It is just running its cooling fan for a bit longer until it cools down enough.

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