Microwave ovens

[lottie dolly]

Need another one,seeing as the present one goes round and makes the noises,but no heat,having looked at several in the supermarkets,am not very impressed,i have always had one lined with stainless,the ones i have seen peeps use with the painted inside seem to peel of and rust,i have been concidering one with the oven and grill,from the point of view,to save money putting on the big fan oven,for the likes of crisping up jacket spuds/grilling/browning cheese ext on the top of a food dish.
Can anyone please advise on personal experience of using one of the combination ones,as to wheather it will be a waste of money,also how do you find the modern/painted ones are for inside wear,i use a microwave for lots of things,my older one,aprox 2.5 years old,started by shutting off for a while,when it was on for longer than 1/2 hour,
Looking forwards to hear what you have to say,thanks for looking

one site i looked on said off all the well known brands...origins china

[RedThorn]

Just to point out to people, an easy way to test if the microwave is keeping the radiation in

Place mobile inside,
close door,
DO NOT SWITCH MICRO WAVE ON.
Try and call mobile from another phone

If phone rings, radiation goes in therefore radiation will also spill out when microwave is on

[RedThorn]

I don't use combi function, but am very very happy with our LG one

[teakdesk]

Nice tip!


Never used any fancy functions on any microwave after the initial playing!

I find the Supermarket ones at about £50 are good value, last about three years and don't get too tatty at all during that time.

[gardening_gal]

Wouldn't entertain one with a painted interior, must be stainless.

In my experience, combi mics are a tad nosier than basic models, cheaper versions are worse for this. Useful to have the extra function(s) though.

I did some research recently as I'm considering purchasing and my vote is for a Sharp model. Few negatives and generally well regarded, many good reviews.

[RedThorn]

The painted inside is fine if you keep it clean, wipe up messes as they occur and don't use an abrasive cleaner

[Bill HH]

I have a Panasonic combination grill, oven and microwave, it really is the best thing since sliced bread. They ain't the cheapest but they are brilliant. I use the grill a lot, the oven occasionally and the micro all the time. Its dead easy to programme too. You are quite right to say painted ones are pants, even if you clean them well moisture gets in the joints etc.

[Fleurisa]

I've got one like Bill's, really good for everything and doesn't disintegrate inside. You should leave the door open after use so the inside can dry out and not go mouldy

[greenishfing]

We've had our cheapo about 12 years, not stainless. I never use it, but my husband uses it every day for making porridge and coffee.

I clean it at least once a week when I think to check on my husbands messiness. (I've decided he likes to breed bacteria)

It cost 30 odd quid originally and is still in good working order. I think it was asda's own brand

[arpoet]

I have an LG combi stainless inside. Had it about 6 years. grill and main oven were used a lot when we had the kitchen done. Its got a huge space and easy controls and easy to clean. And its made in the UK.

Have a look at Appliances Online. Had loads of stuff of them and they are top class.

Free Standing Microwaves ao.com

[Greenleaves]

We have a combi but never use it to its full potential

When I first read the title I thought you were starting a Dire Straits thread

[veggiechicken]

I wouldn't have a painted one - my Mum had one and the paint blistered.
I have a combi oven/micro/grill but I've never used the grill.
Think about the size of the interior - is it large enough for your usual cooking dish. Some of the supermarket ones are tiny.

[Alison]

We have one with a grill in but have never used it and can't imagine finding the oven bit any use as it would be so small. Actually don't use a microwave much at all now I think about it, occasionally to warm stuff up but more often just as a cupboard to keep the flies off think that are either cooling or defrosting.

Am going to have to ask though, what do you cook in a microwave for more than 30 mins, not sure I've ever used mine for even 10 mins.

[Bill HH]

I grill my sirloin steaks in mine, about 8 minutes per side, does sausages well to. The oven is good for cakes and anything you would cook in a conventional oven, but its best for small items because it saves having to heat a large oven just for a pie.
The three modes can be used in combination, so you could microwave something but have the grill on to brown it. Or a combination of oven and micro wave cooks very quickly, but I have to admit I haven't done this much as the procedure is beyond me, I need a ten year old lad to do it for me.
Also the chaos defrost is superb, much better than convention microwave defrost. It also tell you what to do next on the front panel.

It seems in our house every one wants a different meal so its useful to cook one thing in while the oven is occupied and the kitchen doesn't get so hot as when the normal oven is on.

[rary]

.

I clean it at least once a week when I think to check on my husbands messiness. (I've decided he likes to breed bacteria)

We have a non stainless steel Panasonic microwave had for about three years and use it for making porridge heating beans etc. also use it to sterilize soil(when some one is not there to catch me at it) and now use it to sterilize old flower stems heading for the compost bin as recently I had an infestation of white fly in my bin
It would also appear to be a self clean machine as every time I use the microwave oven it starts of clean