microwave - turntable or flat

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hangon

397 posts

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#173491 25-May-2015 16:33

wife is looking for a new microwave, mid size stainless.

the reviews so far seems to be every brand is unreliable compare to what they produced 10 years ago...

been comparing Panasonic NN-SF574S (27L flat n wide, high 200's) and NN-ST671SQPQ (32L turntable, low 200's)

external dimension are quite close, assuming the flat one needed more internal space for components.

review on ST671SQPQ over OZ is dire, while SF574S appears relatively new, the previous gen flat microwave was not well received either.

anyone had first hand opinion on either for these? thanks.

p.s. if you are happy or unhappy about bosch dish washers (stainless!), I'm all ears too.

SepticSceptic

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#1311442 25-May-2015 17:01

Erk, quite a few SF574S catching fire !! Surprised that there's no product recall ... but I digress, other than get something other than a Panasonic MW, as both those models seem to have bad reviews ... great TV's, - microwaves, not so good ...

I have a Sharp MW, that's being going sort-of-strong for the last 15 years. LCD display long since died, but I know the defrost and cook settings, other functions I don't think 99% of users actually use ...

frankv

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#1311503 25-May-2015 18:30

Don't know what brand we have, but it's *round* inside. That is so damn sensible I've got to recommend looking for one.

JWR

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#1311513 25-May-2015 19:03

I have a Panasonic NN-CF770M (Microwave, Convection, Grill) flat (no turntable) oven.

I like it a lot.

You can put a really big heavy dish in it and it is relatively easy to clean.

The only downside, for me, is that the microwave isn't as powerful as many cheaper machines.

However, that is probably as much related to having convection/grill and limitations on how much current a standard plug can supply.

I also, have a cheaper turntable Panasonic for nuking small things fast.

I use both ovens about equally, everyday.

mattwnz

20141 posts

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#1311522 25-May-2015 19:18

I think microwaves like sharp, panasoinc etc are much the same. I wouldn't bother with the non turntable type. The oldest types were like this, and I don't think they rate well for cooking evenness.

I have bosch S/S model. It is not as good at washing as the asko. Also it dents quite easily. The coating on the trays is also not great, one of the prongs on the tray came off, and was rusty at the join, and some of the coating tops on the prongs are coming off. Also there was a problem with the powder dispenser, which wouldn't stay closed. You can however buy replacement parts for this problem. But not bad performance and is over 5 years old, and is used daily. Certainly a lot better then the F&P , where things come out wet.

Dunnersfella

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#1311542 25-May-2015 19:39

Flatbeds are superior in my mind... I guess I say that, because I have had both styles and currently have the flatbed.
Cleaning is simple with the flatbed, you don't have a plate / carousel to break. Note if the microwave is dirty, the tracks from the carousel will grind on the microwave cavity causing corrosion / potential for arcing.

hangon

397 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1311612 25-May-2015 20:58

I have a Sharp MW, that's being going sort-of-strong for the last 15 years. LCD display long since died, but I know the defrost and cook settings, other functions I don't think 99% of users actually use ...

in the same boat!

our sharp is still heating leftovers after some 15 years, LCD died like probably more than 10 years ago, but it's so easy we don't really need one...

in our household, things produced more than 10 years ago, are still working. around 10 years ago started failing left and right, just like thing produced in last few years...

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1311680 25-May-2015 22:20

Dunnersfella: Note if the microwave is dirty, the tracks from the carousel will grind on the microwave cavity causing corrosion / potential for arcing.

We have this problem with ours, it seems like the enamel inside is not very hard as it's also bubbled at the top. I haven't seen any arcing though.

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mattwnz

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#1311690 25-May-2015 22:46

Dunnersfella: Flatbeds are superior in my mind... I guess I say that, because I have had both styles and currently have the flatbed.
Cleaning is simple with the flatbed, you don't have a plate / carousel to break. Note if the microwave is dirty, the tracks from the carousel will grind on the microwave cavity causing corrosion / potential for arcing.

They are certainly good poinst, although my last panasonic was about 25 years old, and although the turntable got chipped, there was no wear on the base. But you do need to keep them clean, especailly where the wheels are. .But the new panasonic I got wasn't really upto the same standard, as it is beginning to corrode inside at the joint and holes, although it is over 5 years old. Also had to have it magnatron replaced once, and it has lost a lot of power with the second one. I wouldn't buy another. Also have a small cheap sharp on I inherited, and find that one really good. One of the annoying thing about the new panasonic I got was that when you open the door, no light comes on, but it does come on when it cooks. While my old panasonic , the light did come on. When I called panasonic about it, they said that was the feature of the new model.

Niel

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#1311742 26-May-2015 06:50

I'd stay away from Panasonic, we have a few at work and they seem to last but have a few bad habits like turning on a cool down cycle when you close the door. We've had them for about a year or two and I still think it is turning on but instead it is just cooling down. Loved my Samsung and they have a nice sounding bell. For the past 3 or so years we've had a Whirlpool with grill. There are 2 models, we have the one that looks like a microwave where as the other (bigger?) one looks more like a mini oven. Just clean the inside after grilling or else you get oil/fat build up which can catch fire. Certainly our favourite microwave we've ever had, defrosting is super fast and that is the main use for a microwave (when you find one with a good defrost function). We got it from the Auckland Home Show for a bargain.

You can never have enough Volvos!

Niel

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#1311743 26-May-2015 06:51

Oh yea, you need a turn table due to how microwaves work or else you will never get an even heating.

You can never have enough Volvos!

alasta

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#1311753 26-May-2015 07:44

Niel: I'd stay away from Panasonic, we have a few at work and they seem to last but have a few bad habits like turning on a cool down cycle when you close the door. We've had them for about a year or two and I still think it is turning on but instead it is just cooling down.

I have always wondered why they do this? Why would you want your microwave to heat your food and then immediately cool it back down again?

I've had an LG for three years with no problems. I get what people are saying about declining quality but if this one only lasts another couple of years then I'll be happy with it given that it only cost me about $200.

MikeB4

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#1311756 26-May-2015 07:48

Our Panasonic does the cool down and it is displayed on the LCD that its in cool down mode. Food prepared in a microwave should always be left to sit to deenergize and the cool down does this. The effect on the food temp is minimal. The food tastes better for it.

alasta

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#1311757 26-May-2015 07:50

MikeB4: Our Panasonic does the cool down and it is displayed on the LCD that its in cool down mode. Food prepared in a microwave should always be left to sit to deenergize and the cool down does this. The effect on the food temp is minimal. The food food tastes better for it.

Thanks for that - I've learned something new today!

surfisup1000

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#1311759 26-May-2015 07:55

Niel: Oh yea, you need a turn table due to how microwaves work or else you will never get an even heating.

Not necessarily, my flatbed microwave has an internal mechanism which is supposed to scatter the microwaves so that you do no need a rotating plate.