This review is from: Samsung Counter Top Microwave, 1.1 Cubic Feet, Stainless Steel (Misc.)
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I’ve been using this product daily at least once since I received it. It is beyond incredible. Not only is it a superb microwave over (and very intuitive at that), it will also allow you to cook a pizza (on the crispy plate – both bottom and top at the same time, in less time than heating up your oven and cooking a frozen pizza the traditional way.
Really, this is much, much more than a microwave. It’s more a combination microwave/toaster oven. Using the supplied grill rack, you can easily cook and brown chicken, fish, pork and I would bet steaks too (but we reserve them for the gas grill). The upper grill bar is very similar to the broiler feature in a regular oven. While you cannot use the grill rack in combi (both microwave/grill) at the same time, it’s not a problem at all.
The crispy plate allows you to use both the grill and the microwave at once – vastly cutting down on time of cooking. For regular microwave needs, any microwave-safe cookware will do a fine job. For most microsafe dishes, you can also use the combi mode with no problem. Makes it perfect for cooking and browning casseroles or other dishes.
If it sounds like I am singing the praises for this microwave/grill/combi oven – you would be right, I am. I cannot recommend it enough. If I were to report a single negative, it would be the manual which is very light print for older eyes. Not really a problem though, as I found it online and can read it easily in the PDF format.
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This review is from: Samsung Counter Top Microwave, 1.1 Cubic Feet, Stainless Steel (Misc.)
Vine Customer Review of Free Product(What’s this?)
This microwave introduces elements most of us microwave users have not seen before. Besides the usual microwave capability at varying power levels, this microwave has a grill heating element at the top of the microwave which you can use independently of the microwave, or you can use the “Combi” function which uses the grill element + microwave at 30% power. There is a grill rack you place on the regular turntable that stands about 4.25″ high so your food is lifted close to the grill element on top. You also get a “crusty plate” that you put food on on top of the rack that gets well-heated to help crisp up the bottom of foods touching the plate.
– Cooking with Grill/Combi – One thing to note is you cannot change the temperature the grill element heats to. It doesn’t get as hot as I need to get the foods really crisp. For example, I tried the recommended settings for frozen pizza (Totino’s) and the result was a very lightly crispy crust – nowhere near the crispness from cooking in the oven. It did do a very good job cooking up crisp fish sticks from frozen. I was very happy with the way they came out. I was moderately happy with how the grill function managed to toast some bread. Though it was evenly browned, it seemed drier than toast out of a regular toaster. The grill element is good for drying things out, such as if making croutons. The grill element is only over the back half of the microwave. The food moves in and out from under the direct heat as the turntable rotates food around.
– Dish Size – The grill element juts out about 1.75″ from the ceiling of the appliance so there is less room for dishes when using the regular microwave. Your dishes need to be about 7″ high or less to fit. The turntable has a diameter around 12.5″.
– Other Comments – · There is a mesh lining to the door of the microwave but food is still viewable through it as the microwave cooks so I have no problem watching for spillovers. · This microwave has a +30 second button to easily add 30 seconds cooking time. · The ceramic interior retains heat well. I opened the microwave door 40 minutes after cooking something previously in “Combi” mode and felt a wave of warm air when I opened the door. I can see using this microwave as an excellent spot to leave dough to rise. · The door doesn’t open past 90 degrees so it may stifle access depending on your kitchen layout. · The grill element is not removable and makes cleaning the ceiling above the element a tad cumbersome. · There is no note on the display nor backlit button to indicate and help remind you when you’ve pressed the “Grill” or “Combi” button to use those functions. There are days when I am so absentminded that though I pressed a button a fraction of a second in the past, I can’t remember if I pressed it or not. Pressing “Grill” or “Combi” is pivotal if cooking with the metal grill rack in place since those settings do not use full microwave power. I would appreciate a reminder so I don’t constantly second-guess myself and have to clear/redo settings to make sure as to avoid the mayhem of setting off a full power microwave with metal inside.
I am loving the additional capabilities of this microwave. I sometimes wish for more variability in the “Grill” or “Combi” setting, but the settings provided are still useful and help me avoid firing up other bigger appliances to prepare my food.
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This review is from: Samsung Counter Top Microwave, 1.1 Cubic Feet, Stainless Steel (Misc.)
Vine Customer Review of Free Product(What’s this?)
First up – how well can it heat a cup of water. Pretty standard test for a microwave. I placed 8 oz of water in coffee mug and set it to 1 minute on high. To my surprise, the temp went from 63F degrees for 66F; not too good. Next was a re-heat of a dinner plate. I placed it in the microwave, selected “Re-heat & Dinner plate” and hit run. The count down clock showed 6:20. By 3:30 I pulled out the plate to check on it and it was already piping hot; too hot really. I had to let it sit for another 3 minutes just to cool down enough. If I had left it in there for the entire time, it would have been overly heated beyond use.
Lastly I made some bacon using the browning element. Here it really did a good job. Nicely cooked as you would expect, but browned to boot. Almost as good as coming off a cast iron skillet (almost). Better than a typical microwave for sure.
So 3 stars – maybe 4 but no more. I like the construction quality & ceramic coatings. However the quirky heating results left me wishing it was a better profiled oven.
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It’s a microwave, grill and combination oven all in one! Love it!,
Really, this is much, much more than a microwave. It’s more a combination microwave/toaster oven. Using the supplied grill rack, you can easily cook and brown chicken, fish, pork and I would bet steaks too (but we reserve them for the gas grill). The upper grill bar is very similar to the broiler feature in a regular oven. While you cannot use the grill rack in combi (both microwave/grill) at the same time, it’s not a problem at all.
The crispy plate allows you to use both the grill and the microwave at once – vastly cutting down on time of cooking. For regular microwave needs, any microwave-safe cookware will do a fine job. For most microsafe dishes, you can also use the combi mode with no problem. Makes it perfect for cooking and browning casseroles or other dishes.
If it sounds like I am singing the praises for this microwave/grill/combi oven – you would be right, I am. I cannot recommend it enough. If I were to report a single negative, it would be the manual which is very light print for older eyes. Not really a problem though, as I found it online and can read it easily in the PDF format.
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|Cooking so much more in this microwave,
– Cooking with Grill/Combi –
One thing to note is you cannot change the temperature the grill element heats to. It doesn’t get as hot as I need to get the foods really crisp. For example, I tried the recommended settings for frozen pizza (Totino’s) and the result was a very lightly crispy crust – nowhere near the crispness from cooking in the oven. It did do a very good job cooking up crisp fish sticks from frozen. I was very happy with the way they came out. I was moderately happy with how the grill function managed to toast some bread. Though it was evenly browned, it seemed drier than toast out of a regular toaster. The grill element is good for drying things out, such as if making croutons. The grill element is only over the back half of the microwave. The food moves in and out from under the direct heat as the turntable rotates food around.
– Dish Size –
The grill element juts out about 1.75″ from the ceiling of the appliance so there is less room for dishes when using the regular microwave. Your dishes need to be about 7″ high or less to fit. The turntable has a diameter around 12.5″.
– Other Comments –
· There is a mesh lining to the door of the microwave but food is still viewable through it as the microwave cooks so I have no problem watching for spillovers.
· This microwave has a +30 second button to easily add 30 seconds cooking time.
· The ceramic interior retains heat well. I opened the microwave door 40 minutes after cooking something previously in “Combi” mode and felt a wave of warm air when I opened the door. I can see using this microwave as an excellent spot to leave dough to rise.
· The door doesn’t open past 90 degrees so it may stifle access depending on your kitchen layout.
· The grill element is not removable and makes cleaning the ceiling above the element a tad cumbersome.
· There is no note on the display nor backlit button to indicate and help remind you when you’ve pressed the “Grill” or “Combi” button to use those functions. There are days when I am so absentminded that though I pressed a button a fraction of a second in the past, I can’t remember if I pressed it or not. Pressing “Grill” or “Combi” is pivotal if cooking with the metal grill rack in place since those settings do not use full microwave power. I would appreciate a reminder so I don’t constantly second-guess myself and have to clear/redo settings to make sure as to avoid the mayhem of setting off a full power microwave with metal inside.
I am loving the additional capabilities of this microwave. I sometimes wish for more variability in the “Grill” or “Combi” setting, but the settings provided are still useful and help me avoid firing up other bigger appliances to prepare my food.
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|Good, could be better.. 3.5 stars is accurate,
Lastly I made some bacon using the browning element. Here it really did a good job. Nicely cooked as you would expect, but browned to boot. Almost as good as coming off a cast iron skillet (almost). Better than a typical microwave for sure.
So 3 stars – maybe 4 but no more. I like the construction quality & ceramic coatings. However the quirky heating results left me wishing it was a better profiled oven.
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