I consider buying a kitchen appliance to be risky. The cost and labor involved to install means I am going to be stuck with whatever decision I make for years--unless I really mess up and have to replace it early. So I researched this purchase to death.
I replaced a worn out GE microwave/convection oven. Based on its performance and how we actually used the microwave, I decided to forget about any of the convection/speed cooking "bells and whistles" currently being offered. These features significantly increase the costs of the product, I question whether the features truly perform as marketed, and I am not sure they add value to our family. I decided to focus on (1) even microwave cooking, (2) convenience, and (3) aesthetics. That led me to this Panasonic model.
I am quite happy with this microwave. It isn't perfect, but it is a significant upgrade compared to our previous model.
The installation was easy, and instructions were good. I used my own longer screws to connect the bracket to the studs, but I am sure those provided are sufficient.
The microwave says "Genius" on the control panel. Genius may be a stretch but it has its strong points. Maybe it should say "Honors Student" or "Professor". The Sensor Reheat function works very well. Take something--anything--out of the fridge, put it in the oven, press Sensor Reheat, press Start, and it heats it very evenly without any thought by the user. My high school son, who is critical of almost everything at this stage in his life, uses this feature all the time. He recently said, "This is a serious upgrade," as he took his afternoon snack out of the oven. (I'd jokingly say that praise from him is as scarce as a Nobel Prize.)
The Inverter Turbo Defrost hasn't done a perfect job for me, but it gets the job done. Maybe a B, maybe B- grade. I defrosted 5 frozen half chicken breasts, following directions per owner's manual, including a rest period afterwards. The first problem is that the Inverter Turbo Defrost feature will not work unless the turntable is operating. A 9x13 baking dish fits into the oven, but it is too large to use with the turntable activated. So, it was difficult for me to spread out the chicken breasts. I packed the chicken into a 9x7x2.5 baking dish and it worked... but not completely evenly. Some frost and some signs of being actually cooked. Same results with other scenarios, but not as pronounced. It is still a valuable tool, but to fully execute a near-perfect defrost, I'd have to use power level and time manually, or maybe divide the frozen food into two batches. (Feeding my family a half-sized entree is not acceptable.)
The sensor cook feature... I have never been a fan of a microwave oven having a set list of items that it can cook with a push or two of button(s). What about the items that **I** want to prepare? It has "hot dog" and "frozen pocket sandwich," but doesn't have "burrito".;-) Maybe a burrito is #6, "frozen entree"? Well, it appears to be across the industry, so no use complaining. The popcorn feature works perfectly. i tried the rice option, and wasn't happy, but I might have done something wrong. We've observed what it is doing with power level and time and manually cooked things like the famous blue box of macaroni and cheese, etc., with very acceptable results. Lots of other possibilities here for a person to learn from the auto settings and copy using the manual capabilities, but I'd like to be able to program the 18 numbers myself.
One point... Panasonic attempts to make extensive use of lower power levels with its "automatic" features. So... it may take a relatively long time to cook something using sensor cook. I think the trade off is worth it in many situations, as the food is cooked quite evenly. Sometimes, a person may want to just "nuke" the item. This microwave cooks faster on full power than my previous microwave.
Another point... As I mentioned, the term "Genius" is on the control panel. But let's explore what a genius would do if a person handed them food and wanted it cooked. Would the genius ask each person how much the item weighed, time and time again? I think a genius would get a scale and weigh the items so he/she wouldn't have to ask each person. Wouldn't it be great if the microwave had an internal scale and didn't prompt the user for the weight?
Much of the work on the control panel is accomplished by turning the knobs. I was hesitant, at first. But it isn't a problem. I can no longer set the time for 22 seconds, as the scale jumps as you increase the time. For example, to get to 20 seconds, you turn the dial 12 "steps". 1-10 are one second apart, then the steps are five seconds apart. When you get to a minute, the steps are ten seconds apart, and so on. Whatever... it's different than a keypad but it works.
One feature that surprised me, and I really like? The sensor/menu, time/weight and start controls illuminate when they can be used in whatever process you are working on. When the start button can be pressed, a little blue light next to it lights up. Seems silly, but the control panel layout and lighting makes operation in the dark work just fine.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with this microwave. It is hard to believe that something that cooks food this evenly, looks this good and looks this solid is offered at this price. I think it is a steal given its abilities.
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Panasonic NN-SD297S 2-Cubic Foot 1200-Watt Stainless Steel Oven, StainlessProduct Description: Panasonic Prestige 2-cubic foot Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Oven-The-Range Microwave, one-touch sensor cook and reheat, 1200-watt of high power, inverter technology, inverter turbo defrost, dual blue ring programming dials for easy programming, blue LED readout, 12-inch turntable, 6-digit readout, half mirror door, 10 level power settings, menu sensor settings, interactive multi-lingual screen, more/less control feature, turntable on/off, Keep warm feature, popcorn Key, quick minute, delay start and timer, 120V, 4-Speed 420CFM, automatic movable louvers, 2-level lighting, stainless front and black wrap.
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This was extremely well-packed and so arrived with no damage of any sort.It took patience to put together, as there are many pieces while the directions and diagrams are not as clear as they should be.Once assembled, though, it is strong, sturdy and stable.I am sorry the shelves and drawer are particleboard, but that is to be expected in something this modestly-priced.Altogether I am very pleased with this item.It looks good, and it nicely holds the microwave, some pots and pans, and plenty of kitchen odds and ends while having a "small footprint".I'd recommend it to anyone who needs to add useful storage / work space to a smallish kitchen at a very reasonable cost.
