First off this is a VERY attractive appliance.The picture on the website does not do it justice, as weird as that may seem.It is substancial, well built, and looks and feels like something from a professional kitchen.Even though the measurements are documented, the oven just seems bigger.Personally, I think it's too big for a counter and would be best mounted into a unit.There could be some problems with mounting because you absolutely DO need the recommended space above, behind and to the sides - you can't get away with putting it up against anything if you plan on using the steam feature.
Good things:
The convention over works exactly as it should - I made a cake and it came out super-fluffy and perfectly cooked in and out, and very moist.Also made a sandwich and the bread was nice and crispy and the tomatoes inside were perfectly cooked.I made two chickens - one with the steam and one without.Both were good, but the one with the steam did get brown (lightly) and looked better, although they both tasted great and moist.
Microwave works fine.Downside is that there is no spinning wheel, so you have to stir and flip things around - AND - the microwave keeps stopping to tell you to do that.A bit annoying.
Although the job wheel feels very expensive and all the options are laid out well - I would prefer some buttons, espcially with the microwave.You can't just pop something in and start nuking.YOu have to press the microwave button and then use the wheel to go down one selection and then press enter and then use the wheel to spin to a time and then you can finally hit start.They should have moved that up one level to make it faster.
You get several well built pans and racks with this, which is very nice bonus.
The instructions are overwhelming, but when you actually go to use the oven, it makes sense.
Putting the water in for the steam function is very easy - a little box/cup thing comes out, you fill it and put it back in.done.
The auto sense microwave warming part works really well.I always want to doubt that it will work, but it actually does.
Overall it's a very intelligent unit, looks gorgeous and can completely replace your oven and microwave.Downside is that interface, which although it is slick, I don't much care for it and seems to require more thought than I care to put into microwaving something.
I would give it 4.5 stars because of that - but really it's a very nice oven.
One more thing - oddly enough, it does not put out excessive amounts of heat compared to your regular oven.You can open it during cooking and not get blasted by heat (although you should be careful).And cooking the chickens didn't heat up my whole kitchen or apartment like the oven usually does.The steam will kick up the humidity, but not that much.
Update - I wanted to add that I made a Flan recently and it came out perfectly.Usually I make it in a regular oven in a water bath.I skipped the water bath and just put it into the Sharp and chose convection oven - it came out perfectly cooked from edges to the middle!Anyone who has made a Flan will know how hard it is to get the center to cook correctly without overdoing the sides.I was pretty happy with this.
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Sharp SuperSteam Microwave OvenProduct Description: Sharp's new SuperSteam Oven offers a unique combination of the healthiest ways to cook, all in one versatile appliance: SuperSteam Convection, Steam, Convection and Microwave. SuperSteam Convection is a combination of two types of cooking: superheated steam and convection heat. Sharp uses state-of-the-art technology to superheat steam. Unlike conventional steam, superheated steam helps brown and crisp foods on the outside, while adding moisture to the inside. When combined with convection cooking, the results are exceptional. Foods that are good for you look and taste better than you ever expected. The AX-1200S can also be used for traditional steaming, for microwave cooking or as a convection oven for baking or roasting.
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This is the second GE unit I've had in this space. The first unit quit working after about 8 years ( probably an earlier model). I replaced it ~jan 2007 with this model since it fits exactly into the builtin space. Few months ago my wife pointed out paint is peeling on the top inside - right over the food. She was concerned that paint would drop into food. I called GE warranty today and was told - it out of warranty thus they won't fix it. Looks like I'll have to buy a new unit due to poor GE paint job and rigid warranty policies.
