Perfectly Panasonic
Written: Oct 14 '00 (Updated Oct 15 '00)
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Pros: Large Capacity; Truly Multi-Function
Cons: Large Footprint
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| pogomom's Full Review: Panasonic Luxury Size Microwave Ovens |
From Nightmare to Nirvana
No rational human being plans to purchase two new microwaves in a single year. Circumstances beyond my control turned me into an expert on microwave ovens and a frequent shopper at Sears Brand Central.
This past March, I wrote a glowing review on my newly purchased Kenmore® Countertop Microwave (Model 60502) with Windmill fan feature. My not-so-ancient Goldstar® microwave passed away after one small internal fire. The accidental arson is attributed to a nameless user defrosting a package of meat without removing the clearly marked label reminding the user to “REMOVE BEFORE MICROWAVING.”
Recovering from the aggravation of cleaning up after a minor flare up contained within the oven, we trekked twenty-some miles to the nearest mall. Our quest became a new, improved and possibly asbestos lined microwave oven. The Kenmore® Countertop Microwave fit our budget, kitchen and needs. Eight months of constant utility proved our purchase a wise one.
Then, as if in tribute to the Goldstar® or perhaps a simple reenactment, the Kenmore® Countertop Microwave burst into flames during a routine popcorn cycle. While standing at the sink, the smell of scorched popcorn permeated the air just before the house filled with clouds of black smoke. Equal Half, in a state of pure panic, opened the oven door and tossed the flaming bag onto the counter beside me. Within thirty seconds of pressing the “Popcorn” button, the bag and oven blazed.
Dear Reader, I remain eternally grateful to both Arm and Hammer® Baking Soda and a handy kitchen fire extinguisher. The smoking appliance settled into post mortem without a whimper or a sigh. We cleared the house of smoke with help of fans and the faint odor of smoke seems to fade a bit every day.
The next morning, calmer and more able to speak in a normal tone, I began a series of phone calls to Sears Brand Central. My first attempt provided me with the 1-800-4-REPAIR line. The nice person at Repair Central informed me that they do not repair flaming microwave ovens. Instructed to dial the local store, I ended up with the direct line to store’s manager. I explained the circumstances leading up to our shish kabob of an oven and dutifully waited for a return call.
A second call to the hotline brought results. Frank, the Sears Appliance Manager listened to my story and responded favorably. Almost favorably, he mentioned a possible charge for usage of approximately twenty dollars. I mentioned that my house, my husband, my dog and I could easily have died in a massive fire attributed to the oven. He promised to call back after checking for stock availability of the same model Kenmore® Countertop Microwave.
Five minutes later, the phone rang and Frank informed me the oven was available. Better yet, the usage charge did not apply to the possibly faulty microwave. Instructed to return the charred oven to their Pick Up and Return Kiosk, then go to the Brand Central area to pick up a new oven, I headed for Sears.
The crew at the Kiosk (I love that word) rebelled at having to keep the smoky smelling returned item in their little haven but agreed once Frank’s name was bandied about by a frustrated me. Finally free of the odiferous object, I marched to the appliance center and prepared to take home a brand spanking new version of the old microwave.
Sanity returned when I realized that my luck rarely holds for more than a few fleeting moments. Sure, the old Kenmore® was a lemon; all the sales people and repair technicians swore this was the first they heard of the problem we encountered. Still, the thought of even a chance repeat performance made me think twice. (That and the fact that this nightmare occurred on Friday the Thirteenth brought about a new clarity of thought.)
Logic sent me to the wall of microwaves on display. A sales representative approached asking if I happened to be the woman who spoke with Frank. That was I! I explained my trepidation about taking home the same model and she kindly explained the features of the other models. The white Panasonic® Luxury Full Size Inverter™ Microwave Oven with One-Touch Sensor Cooking, Model NN-S960WA, looked like it won the best of breed. The sixty-dollar price difference seemed minimal for the upgraded features, larger capacity and brand name.
I asked for the exact difference in purchase price. The extremely kind sales person informed me that due to the circumstances, it would be an even exchange. I rejoiced, we shook hands and I headed back to the Kiosk (there’s that word, again.) For the litigious among you: Yes, I know I could have sued Sears - but why bother? I received great customer service, no one was hurt and Equal Half now avoids my kitchen. Who could ask for anything more?
The Out of Box Experience:
· Panasonic® Luxury Full Size Inverter™ Microwave Oven (White)
· 16-inch Tempered Glass Turntable
· Operating Instructions
· Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty – One Year Parts and Labor – Five Years on the Magnetron Tube
Tech Specs:
· Power Source – 120V, 60 Hz
· Power Consumption – 120 Amps, 1,400 W
· Output – 1300 W
· Outside Dimensions – 14” x 23 ¾” x 19 ½”
· Oven Capacity – 11” x 18 ½” x 18 ½” (2.2 cubic feet)
· Weight – 36 pounds (16.4 kg)
Features, Features, Features:
· Display Window: Instructions scroll at the user’s choice of speed for easy operation. Medium Speed works well for the uninitiated. The LCD display is large enough for even bifocal wearing chefs to read without glasses.
· Oven Capacity: This whopper of an oven interior measures 2.2 cubic feet. The oversized turntable easily holds two eight-inch luncheon plates, bowls or a 13” x 9” casserole with room to spare.
· Inverter™ Cooking: This is Panasonic’s patented method of delivering "true" high, medium and low power levels for complete, even cooking. The wattage utilized at the High setting (10) is the full 1300 load. When choosing Medium, for example, the output reduces to a true 650 Watts.
· Quick Min Pad: Each press of the Quick Min Pad equals one minute of cooking time, up to ten minutes.
· Timer Pad: Allows more exacting options for cooking by seconds, minutes or weight depending upon what other feature is in use. In all cases, the Timer Pad is used with the number pad.
· Sensor Pads: Sensor Reheat, Breakfast, Lunch/Snack, Side Dish, Dinner, Inverter Turbo Defrost, Popcorn (by weight), and the five menu Keep Warm pad supply ease of use for even the least experienced microwave cook. Each setting encompasses several sub-settings providing additional fine-tuning for sensor cooking. For example: The Keep Warm pad helps keep a certain variety of foods warm for up to thirty minutes. When using this feature, the user chooses between pie, gravy, stew, casserole or mashed potatoes. I tried it and it worked well enough to be trusted for future utilization.
The Inverter Turbo Defrost worked faster than expected. My first attempt at defrosting involved frozen chicken parts. I punched in the weight and checked the progress halfway through the defrost cycle. The chicken parts appeared more than half way defrosted so I used the More/Less pad to decrease the amount of time programmed for the process.
Our first experiment cooking with the Panasonic® Inverter™ Microwave Oven also turned out a winner. Equal Half’s beloved Stouffers’® Macaroni and Cheese served as the sacrificial lamb. I located Frozen Entrées on the Lunch/Snack sensor menu and compressed the Start pad. Several minutes into the operation, two beeps and the display informed me that it was time to “Stir Your Entrée.” Minutes later, the frozen casserole steamed to perfection met its end in the person of my happy hubby.
Oddly, the directions for larger frozen entrées state: For larger frozen entrées, where the directions state for the entire film cover to be removed, do not vent or remove film cover to ensure the sensor will detect accurately for complete cooking. Being a creature of habit, I vented the film cover and the oven’s sensor compensated.
Additional testing with other microwavable foods provided equally positive results. I found the wonderfully expressive display a real boon; especially delightful is the message, “Enjoy Your Meal!” accompanying the beep notifying of the completed task. The tutorial messages are user programmable via the Function pad. Other easily programmed functions include:
· Language Choice
· Lb/KG Choice
· Word Speed
· Menu Action (On/Off)
· Child Lock (On/Off)
· Beep (On/Off)
· Reminder Beep (On/Off)
· Daylight Saving Time (On/Off)
· Clock (On/Off)
· Demo Mode (On/Off)
The learning curve for the Panasonic® Luxury Full Size Inverter™ Microwave Oven is steeper than the old Kenmore® or Goldstar® models. Still, with the detailed Instruction Booklet and the wonderful menu prompting us along the way, use of the appliance’s many functions quickly became second nature.
Okay Regis, This is My Final Answer:
One main consideration when purchasing a microwave oven is space. Where will the new timesaving tool reside? In the case of the Panasonic® Luxury Full Size Inverter™ Microwave Oven with One-Touch Sensor Cooking, Model NN-S960WA, this is a major consideration. This is a larger than normal countertop appliance requiring an additional three inches for ventilation on each side and one inch on top. For anyone with countertop real estate to spare, this is a wonderful microwave oven. For those with limited space, consider one of Panasonic’s smaller models with similar features. I see a huge difference between the Panasonic® Luxury Inverter™ Microwave and previously owned models by other manufacturers. The Panasonic® is a superior product. For this family, the Panasonic® Luxury Full Size Inverter™ Microwave Oven with One-Touch Sensor Cooking is a marriage made in heaven. Enjoy Your Meal!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 169.00 (Retail Price at Sears)
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pogomom
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About Me:
Web/puter person who, disguised as mild-mannered Pogomom, offers unsolicited opinions to all she encounters.
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