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If the Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B were any easier it, you’d always think it was Sunday morning. With this delightful creation you get a super-easy to use microwave that’s also offers great value for money and with a flatbed design that makes it very straightforward to clean.
The Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B is a microwave that shows the renowned British manufacturer at the top of its game. To say this microwave is easy to use would be a wild understatement. The control panel features 4 buttons. In case you missed that let me repeat; it features four (4) buttons. 1 – Microwave, 2 – Defrost, 3- Stop/Cancel and 4 – Start are all the buttons you’ll ever need to get the most out of this beauty.
A widely stated stat is the fact that 98% of Britain’s microwave users only ever reheat or defrost their food. That means there’s a lot of microwaves out there that have way more features than people actually need. The fact that users cannot stop raving on about how easy to use this Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B is speaks to this fact.
If you are like most of people using microwaves for purely reheating and defrosting purposes but want a nice straightforward interface then this is the unit for you.
To use the microwave for example, you press the Microwave button until the time you need is reached. The timer jumps in 30 second intervals until you get to 5 minutes at which point it increases by 1 minute up to a maximum of 60 minutes.
Alternatively if you just press and hold the button from the start it will skip through the minutes much faster until you reach the time you need. Once you have the time you require, you press the Microwave button again and then hit the Start button for the machine to come at full power. As simple as that.
The Defrost button works in exactly the same way though at an appropriate power for defrosting.
If you need to pause a cooking cycle you simply hit the Stop/Cancel button once. If you need to stop the cycle completely you press the Stop/Cancel button a second time.
The great thing about the Easi microwave is that you only ever need to really worry about the time you want for heating or defrosting your food. There are no fancy programmes for auto cooking based on the weight of food you have no clue about.
Not only is this model easy to use but even more importantly it does its job quickly and efficiently. At 800Watts it is a nice and powerful microwave meaning your food will get heated and defrosted quickly. This is something you see mentioned time and again from users.
As well as cooking your food quickly the flatbed design and crucially Russell Hobb’s diamond shaped cavity mean that your food is also heated evenly. The diamond cavity helps to distribute the microwaves more evenly within the cooking chamber resulting in a food that is heated evenly with no cold spots.
As this is a flatbed design (i.e. no turntable) it means you get more space than you would with a traditional microwave. With a 23litre capacity in total in addition to the flatbed design, you can get larger and more awkward shaped dishes into the microwave for heating and defrosting purposes. 23litres is big enough for a small family but not too big for a single person or a couple.
Our Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B review would not be complete without mentioning the flatbed design and how much easier it is to clean than otherwise would be the case with a turntable design.
As we’ve come to expect from Russell Hobbs, the RHEM2301B looks great. The door has an elegant mirror finish which gives it a real sleek and modern feel. Though mirror finish doors can be difficult to keep clear of finger print smudges, this unit elegantly avoids this issue with the door handle meaning you won’t need to touch the mirror when opening and closing the microwave.
Overall the Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B cannot be rated highly enough. It is a wonderfully intuitive microwave that focuses on making your life as easy as possible and gets the most important aspects of the microwave (heating and defrosting) just right. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, cooks very well and offer excellent value for money.
If the Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B were any easier it, you’d always think it was Sunday morning. With this delightful creation you get a super-easy to use microwave that’s also offers great value for money and with a flatbed design that makes it very straightforward to clean. It’s why its our number #1 pick for best flatbed solo microwave.
The Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B is a microwave that shows the renowned British manufacturer at the top of its game. To say this microwave is easy to use would be a wild understatement. The control panel features 4 buttons. In case you missed that let me repeat; it features four (4) buttons. 1 – Microwave, 2 – Defrost, 3- Stop/Cancel and 4 – Start are all the buttons you’ll ever need to get the most out of this beauty.
A widely stated stat is the fact that 98% of Britain’s microwave users only ever reheat or defrost their food. That means there’s a lot of microwaves out there that have way more features than people actually need. The fact that users cannot stop raving on about how easy to use this Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B is speaks to this fact.
If you are like most of people using microwaves for purely reheating and defrosting purposes but want a nice straightforward interface then this is the unit for you.
To use the microwave for example, you press the Microwave button until the time you need is reached. The timer jumps in 30 second intervals until you get to 5 minutes at which point it increases by 1 minute up to a maximum of 60 minutes.
Alternatively if you just press and hold the button from the start it will skip through the minutes much faster until you reach the time you need. Once you have the time you require, you press the Microwave button again and then hit the Start button for the machine to come at full power. As simple as that.
The Defrost button works in exactly the same way though at an appropriate power for defrosting.
If you need to pause a cooking cycle you simply hit the Stop/Cancel button once. If you need to stop the cycle completely you press the Stop/Cancel button a second time.
The great thing about the Easi microwave is that you only ever need to really worry about the time you want for heating or defrosting your food. There are no fancy programmes for auto cooking based on the weight of food you have no clue about.
Not only is this model easy to use but even more importantly it does its job quickly and efficiently. At 800Watts it is a nice and powerful microwave meaning your food will get heated and defrosted quickly. This is something you see mentioned time and again from users.
As well as cooking your food quickly the flatbed design and crucially Russell Hobb’s diamond shaped cavity mean that your food is also heated evenly. The diamond cavity helps to distribute the microwaves more evenly within the cooking chamber resulting in a food that is heated evenly with no cold spots.
As this is a flatbed design (i.e. no turntable) it means you get more space than you would with a traditional microwave. With a 23litre capacity in total in addition to the flatbed design, you can get larger and more awkward shaped dishes into the microwave for heating and defrosting purposes. 23litres is big enough for a small family but not too big for a single person or a couple.
Our Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B review would not be complete without mentioning the flatbed design and how much easier it is to clean than otherwise would be the case with a turntable design.
As we’ve come to expect from Russell Hobbs, the RHEM2301B looks great. The door has an elegant mirror finish which gives it a real sleek and modern feel. Though mirror finish doors can be difficult to keep clear of finger print smudges, this unit elegantly avoids this issue with the door handle meaning you won’t need to touch the mirror when opening and closing the microwave.
Overall the Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B cannot be rated highly enough. It is a wonderfully intuitive microwave that focuses on making your life as easy as possible and gets the most important aspects of the microwave (heating and defrosting) just right. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, cooks very well and offer excellent value for money. It had to be our #1 best flatbed solo microwave and we think you’ll quickly agree.
The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is a great pick if you are want a sleek solo flatbed microwave that combines brilliant features with style. In addition it offers excellent value for money making it our 2nd best flatbed solo microwave.
This microwave is classy through and through. This starts with the black mirror finish which looks very polished and will have you purring in delight every time you look at it.
With 800 Watts of cooking power, your food will get heated and cooked very quickly. The RHFM2363B comes with 5 power levels giving you plenty of flexibility when selecting the appropriate power level for cooking and heating your food. One of these is an excellent defrost function which comes in handy if you store your food in the freezer regularly and ever forget to take it out in good time.
Whilst the mirror door gives the RHFM2363B a brilliant appearance it does mean that visibility during cooking is reduced. Nonetheless it gives the machine a high grade look that is likely to upgrade most kitchen work-tops.
The model comes with a 23 litre capacity which will work perfectly for everyday cooking and heating needs around the home. This capacity would suit most households whether single occupancy or those with a family as its big enough to take good sized dishes for a family but not too big to feel wasteful for one person.
There’s a child lock which is very handy if you have kids as it ensures that when its on the controls cannot be changed and the machine activated.
The flatbed design though is the real standout feature. If you regularly cook large dishes in the microwave, a flatbed machine can accommodate them where as the old style turntables can’t take them as easily.
The flatbed technology can also mean that your dishes are more evenly heated. This is particularly the case with the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B model due to its diamond cavity. The diamond cavity structure provides more even distribution of the microwaves by improving the reflection of the microwaves inside the machine. This means food is cooked more evenly reducing the chance of those annoying cold spots on your meals. This should save you time as well as energy.
As with any appliance, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of. The first is relates to the mirror finish on the door as fingerprint marks are easier to see. This will mean it needs more regular wiping down. Although not a deal-breaker, it is something to keep in mind.
In addition, the machine will need to be placed at least 20cm from a wall so keep this in mind when considering where it will need to be placed.
Overall however, the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is a fantastic flatbed solo microwave. If you want a machine that combines power, elegance and excellent value for money than look no further.
The Panasonic NN-SF464MBPQ is our second choice for best flatbed solo microwave and is a fantastic choice for a flatbed microwave if you are after something slightly bigger than the 23L offered by the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B.
This fantastic unit is equipped with Panasonic’s inverter technology giving you evenly cooked food with less power usage than conventional microwave ovens. Your food will come out evenly cooked with no annoying cold spots. The inverter technology allows you to control the power to get your food exactly how you need it.
This is a solo microwave(take a look here if you’re after the best flatbed combination microwaves)meaning there’s no grill or oven function. This would suit a household that uses the microwave predominantly for heating and defrosting food rather than cooking complex meals. It would also work well for meals such as rice, pasta, jacket potatoes and the like.
The inverter technology coupled with 1000Watts of power means you can rely on this microwave to cook your food quickly and evenly.
To allow you take full advantage of the ample power on offer, the Panasonic NN-SF464MBPQ comes equipped with 5 power levels from gentle defrosting through to cooking full on dishes.
It has a generous 18 auto programmes which gives you a wide range of choice when it comes to making your food exactly how you like it without any of the guess work. This is a wide range of auto programmes that you do not see very often, if ever, in other models and includes options for soup, chicken breasts as well as 3 defrost settings.
The control panel is touch operated which makes the unit feel all the more slick alongside the overall neat design. This combined with the stainless steel silver finish gives it a modern feel that would be welcomed in most kitchens.
The stainless steel finish also makes cleaning quite easy as you can just wipe down the flat surface. The flatbed base also makes the job of cleaning relatively easy.
The flatbed design means there is no turntable leaving with you with much for space for large awkward dishes that otherwise would not fit.
This model also features a child lock which is particularly useful if your family includes young children.
You’d have to look hard for drawbacks to this machine and the best you’d come up with is possibly a slightly dim LED light when in operation but this really is scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Overall this is an excellent choice for a flatbed solo microwave. It will cook your food nice and evenly, it’s easy to clean and looks great. It ticks many boxes and had to be selected as one of only 3 for our pick for the best flatbed solo microwave.
If you like your food cooked in the future then you’ll love the high grade Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ premium combination microwave oven. This microwave oven does absolutely everything you could expect from a high grade model but then adds an element of luxury to its presentation and execution.
One of the most advanced combination microwaves oven on the market, the NN-CF873SBPQ is a real high grade if you have the budget.
It has a 1000W inverter microwave alongside an excellent convection oven and a 1300W quartz grill. This machine really does have it all covered when it comes to the cooking needs of your household. With this model you can microwave, roast, bake and grill your way to the perfect dinner.
When you’re trying to make multiple dishes with an oven, the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ will have you covered. It has a brilliant convection oven allowing you to cook on two levels at the same time letting you get dinner made for the whole family in one go. This is one of many reasons why it’s on our list for the best microwave oven for family of 5.
The convection oven works by circulating heated air evenly around the interior of the microwave. Unlike conventional ovens where you need to rely on the air rising, by passing hot air over the food it cooks more evenly across all levels and in a much faster time-frame.
To make the most of the versatility you have with cooking options, the model comes with an enamel shelf, a wire shelf and a glass shelf.
The Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ has a flatbed design which means there is no turntable, unlike the traditional microwaves. Doing away with the turntable leaves you with far more space inside the microwave meaning you can fit larger sized dishes and more awkward shapes into the unit with ease.
In total you are dealing with a 32Litre capacity unit which gives you a good amount of space for catering to your family.
You’ll enjoy the modern feel of the touch operated control panel, even if you may need to read up on the various icons. The touch panel is incoporated to the ultra slick glass front door. The exterior really does look like it has been designed with luxury in mind and the overall feel of the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ is likely to attract attention in your kitchen for its looks as well as its cooking prowess.
When it comes to easy cleaning, this unit also delivers. The back and top surfaces use ‘Catalytic Self Cleaning Plates’ meaning once you are done cooking, you can simply take a cloth to the grease on these surfaces and wipe them away. The sides of the oven have an easy to clean top coating all of which meaning cleaning the microwave is much easier task than traditional ovens. These features combined with the flatbed design make cleaning a much more straightforward prospect.
Overall the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Premium Combination Oven is a fantastic microwave oven . It combines a highly effective convection oven with a grill as well as a flatbed microwave with a sleek and modern design. There are less expensive alternatives on the market that may not do everything quite as well but if you’re budget can stretch this far then this definitely one to look at.
The brilliant Sharp R959SLMAA is our top pick for the best microwave for family of 5. If you’re looking for a high capacity microwave with excellent features that’s easy to use then this is it.
The Sharp R959SLMAA is by far the best microwave for a family of 5that we have come across. Its extra large 40 litre capacitymeans you can easily cater to the needs of your household and make large dishes with no trouble.
In addition the large size means it can take large dinner plates with no problem. It’s easy to see why it’s been chosen best microwave for family of 5.
We’ve also seen great reviews noting how well suited this model is for families of 5. Best microwave for family of 5? Absolutely!
This awesome machine is a combination microwave, oven and grill all in one brillaint device. This will give you lots of versatility in your cooking.
This 900W machine comes with 5 power levels giving you lots of options when cooking. At the same time you also have access to 8 preset cooking modes taking the guesswork out of getting your food exactly how you want it. These include options for cooking pizza, ready meals, rice/pasta and cake.
The 900W grill is equipped with quartz technology. The quartz heating elements get hot very quickly making them perfect for cooking and browning foods such as pizzas, grilled cheese sandiches and sausages.
The convection oven can reach temperatures up to 250°C. With ten different temperature settings ranging between 40°C and 250°C, you’ll have plenty of options for making the perfect meal for your family of 5.
To help you get the most out of your various functions the Sharp R959SLMAA also has a combination (“COMBI”) mode allowing you to combine the microwave with either the grill or convection oven. This reduces cooking time and also means your food can come out with a crispy brown finish.
Quite helpfully instructions pop up on the control panel screen prompting you take action as it’s needed.
The silver trim finish gives this unit a real smart feel.
The Sharp R959SLMAA is designed for use on counter-tops or for built-in installation, rare versatility.
Whilst this is definitely our first choice for best microwave for family of 5, due to its large capacity and size it does mean that it takes up a lot of space.
So if you are tight for space in your kitchen then you may need to look elsewhere like the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ Slimline below or checkout our picks of the best flatbed microwaves for another option.
Quite helpfully thought the minimum clearance above the oven unit is 13cm which compares well to a lot of other microwaves which need at least 30cm. This should give you some more flexibility if you are tight for space in your kitchen.
There is also an installation kit available from Sharp that allows the oven to be fitted within a kitchen unit. The oven also has an energy save mode allowing you to save on electricity when the oven is not in use.
The Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ Slimline Combination Microwave Oven is our pick for best microwave for family of 5 with small kitchen as well as our number 2 pick for the best microwave for family of 5.
It combines lots of cooking space with a microwave, oven and grill. In addition you also get a well thought out design that saves you lots of counter-space. That’s why this is the best microwave for a family of 5 with a small kitchen.
This is a 3-in-1 combination microwave, oven and grill – giving you everything you need for cooking for your family all in one great appliance. The combination is a great space saver as well as money saver.
One of the best things about the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ is the inverter technology. Most conventional microwave ovens use a method of cooking which means the power is at 100% all the time and simply alternates between on and off during a cycle.
With Panasonic’s inverter technology on the other hand, the power is steady. For example if you set it to 50%, the power will be maintained at that level for the whole time.
This precise power controls results in foods cooked exactly how you want them and much more evenly.
The technology also means you do not have to deal with cold spots when heating food and defrosting is done a lot more efficiently.
It also cooks and heats foods much more quickly than a conventional microwave oven. These benefits are all evident with the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ.
At 1000Watts you will also have a very powerful microwave oven that can have your food cooked quickly.
In conventional microwave ovens the cooling fan is located at the back of the machine. In the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ, the fan has been moved to the top of the oven resulting in a much smaller footprint (39.5cm depth). This leaves you with far more countertop space perfect for smaller kitchens. It also goes along way to making this model the best microwave for a family of 5 with a small kitchen.
Internally Panasonic have found a way to give you more space as well with a 34cm turntable meaning you can get even the biggest of dishes into the oven.
Overall you get 27Litre cooking capacity. If you have a large family (then this is one of the Best Microwave for Family of 5, it can also accomodate food for 7 or 8 people). This is one of the key reasons we think this is the best microwave for a family of 5 with a small kitchen.
The machine comes equipped with plenty of pre-set cooking programmes including a kids menu to encourage healthy eating. You simply enter the weight of the food and the oven does the rest.
Quite helpfully the control panel is wipe clean meaning even if it does get smudged or grubby whilst using, its an easy job to wipe it down.
In all we think the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ would make a great addition to your kitchen especially if you have a large family but are tight on space.
The Panasonic NN-SF464MBPQ flatbed microwave oven is our pick for best flatbed microwave for family of 5 and our 3rd pick for best microwave for family of 5.
This excellent model is equipped with Panasonic’s inverter technology giving you evenly cooked food with less power usage than conventional microwave ovens. Your food will come out evenly cooked with no annoying cold spots. The inverter technology allows you to control the power to get the food exactly how you want it
The inverter technology coupled with 1000Watts of power means you can cook your food quickly and evenly.
Quite helpfully the Panasonic NN-SF464MBPQ comes equipped with 5 power levels from gentle defrosting through to cooking full on dishes.
It has an incredible 18 auto programmeswhich gives you a wide range of options when it comes to making your food exactly how you like it without any of the guess work.
The control panel is touch operated which makes the unit feel all the more slick alongside the overall neat design. This combined with the stainless steel silver finish gives it a modern feel that would be welcomed in most kitchens.
It also makes cleaning quite straightforwardas you can just wipe down the flat surface. The flatbed base also makes the job of cleaning relatively easy.
This is a solo microwavetake a look here if you’re after thebest flatbed combination microwavesmeaning there’s no grill or oven function. This would suit a household that uses the microwave predominantly for heating and defrosting food rather than cooking complex meals. It would also work well for meals such as rice, pasta, jacket potatoes and the like.
The flatbed design means there is no turntable leaving with you with much for space for large awkward dishes that otherwise would not fit.
This model also features a child lock which is particularly useful if your family includes young children.
You’d have to look hard for drawbacks to this machine and the best you’d come up with is possibly a slightly dim LED light when in operation but this really is scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Overall this is an excellent Panasonic product if you are looking for a flatbed microwave that will cook your food evenly and efficiently, is easy to clean and get to grips with. It is our pick for best flatbed microwave for family of 5.
If you like your food cooked in the future then you’ll love the high grade Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ premium combination microwave oven. The Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Premium Combination Flatbed Microwave Oven is our 4th pick for the best microwave for family of 5 and our top option for best microwave oven for family of 5.
One of the most advanced combination microwaves oven on the market, the NN-CF873SBPQ is a real high grade option for a family of 5 if you have the budget.
It has a 1000W inverter microwave alongside an excellenct convection oven and a 1300W quartz grill. This machine really does have it all covered when it comes to the cooking needs of your family of 5. With this model you can microwave, roast, bake and grill your way to the perfect dinner.
When you’re trying to make multiple dishes with an oven, the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ will have you covered. It has a brilliant convection oven allowing you to cook on two levels at the same time letting you get dinner made for the whole family in one go. This is one of many reasons why it’s on our list for the best microwave oven for family of 5. The convection oven works by circulating heated air evenly around the interior of the microwave. Unlike conventional ovens where you need to rely on the air rising, by passing hot air over the food it cooks more evenly across all levels and in a much faster time-frame.
To make the most of the versatility you have with cooking options, the model comes with an enamel shelf, a wire shelf and a glass shelf.
The Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ has a flatbed design which means there is no turntable, unlike the traditional microwaves. Doing away with the turntable leaves you with far more space inside the microwave meaning you can fit larger sized dishes and more awkward shapes into the unit.
In total you are dealing with a 32Litre capacity unit which gives you a good amount of space for catering to your family.
You’ll enjoy the modern feel of the touch operated control panel, even if you may need to read up on the various icons. The touch panel is incoporated to the ultra slick glass front door. The exterior really does look like it has been designed with luxury in mind and the overall feel of the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ is likely to attract attention in your kitchen for its looks as well as its cooking prowess.
When it comes to easy cleaning, this unit has you covered. The back and top surfaces use ‘Catalytic Self Cleaning Plates’ meaning once you are done cooking, you can simply take a cloth to the grease on these surfaces and wipe them away. The sides of the oven have an easy to clean top coating all of which meaning cleaning the microwave is much easier task than traditional ovens. These features combined with the flatbed design make cleaning a much more straightforward prospect.
Overall the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Premium Combination Oven is a fantastic microwave oven and sits well on our list of the best microwave for family of 5. It combines a highly effective convection oven with a grill as well as a flatbed microwave with a sleek and modern design. There are less expensive alternatives on the market that may not do everything quite as well but if you’re budget can stretch this far then this definitely one to look at.
The Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B solo microwave combines excellent build quality, lots of useful features, great performance and high user satisfaction to make it on to our list of best microwave for family of 5 as our pick for the best solo microwave for family of 5.
Coming in black and white options, it may not have the glitzy colours of some other models but what you get is powerful and reliable machine from a world-renowned German engineering brand.
This is a solo microwave (meaning there’s no oven or grill) and it does the job perfectly. This model would be best for a large families that need to mostly heat and defrost their food as well as cook items such as rice and potatoes.
With a 25Litre capacity it has a fairly generous capacity whilst a 315mm turntable means you can get large plates and dishes into the microwave. These features make it a great fit for families as well those looking for a solo microwave that’s larger than the average size.
The Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B is a powerful unit coming in at 900W which comes in handy when you need to quickly heat your food. It has 5 power levels which are easy to select with 5 clearly labelled corresponding buttons on the control panel (90, 180, 360, 600, 900 Watts). This gives you a great range in cooking flexibility from a low 90W which is recommended for defrosting delicate items to a blistering 900 W best for heating up liquids.
In fact the simplicity of the control panel is one of the best features of the Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B. You can tell it has been designed with making life as simple as possible. It comes with a retractable rotary know for making your selections.
It makes it easy if you’re just looking for a quick re-heat option but it also has 7 pre-set automatic programmes. These include options for cooking rice, potatoes and vegetables as well as defrosting meat, poultry and bread.
It is also equipped with a dial that allows you to select the weight of your food and let the machine do the rest.
Quite helpfully it also comes with a timer which can run up to 99 minutes which can be handy for dishes that need to be slow cooked. A nice added bonus for the settings is the fact this model has a memory function that will allow you to create your own program. This is pearticuarly useful if you have one dish you tend to cook or heat up regularly.
The control panel is equipped with an LED display which is clearly visible from meters away. It can also be used as a clock when not in use which can be surprisingly handy in the kitchen.
The great visibility also goes for the internal light which makes it easy for you to keep an eye on your food whilst it is cooking.
Another great benefit with this unit is the fact it comes with ample information and cooking guides to help you find the best ways to make the most of the power you are getting.
Something else you don’t often see is the possibility of changing the duration of the beeping when the timer comes to an end. You can choose a short duration of 3 beeps or a much longer duration of 30 beeps.
One thing to bear in mind for where you place the microwave on your kitchen counter is that it needs a minimum of 30cm clearance above the unit.
Overall the Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B is one of the most highly rated solo microwaves on the market and easily makes our list for the best microwave for family of 5 as the best solo option.
4-in-1 combination microwave, oven, grill and steam cooking
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Flatbed design for 29% more space than conventional turntable model
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Very spacious 27 litre capacity giving you plenty of space to cook
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The Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ is a great flatbed combination microwave that packs plenty of features including a unique steam cooking function.
The NN-DS596BBPQ is a 4-in-1 combination machine with microwave, oven, grill and steam cooking. The addition of the steam cooking function really makes it stand out as it not something you see everyday.
The steam cooking option can be used in the oven mode as well as the grill and microwave settings. This is a great setting as it allows you to keep your food moist whilst also reducing the time it can take to prepare dishes. Steaming is also a very healthy way to cook your food, particularly vegetables.
The flat base also makes it much easier to clean up spills and food splatter compared to conventional turntable models.
This Panasonic model comes with a handy ribbed tray (Pana-crunch pan). This fits the width of the machine and be used for the oven and grill.
The ribbed tray works particularly well in the combi mode. The microwave heat is absorbed by the base and used to cook the underside of the food. The grill cooks it from above resulting in food that is cooked evenly.
As you would expect from a well spec-ed Panasonic model, there are lots of useful auto cooking settings to help you make the most of your machine. In addition the inverter technology means food is cooked precisely without the need for constant re-heating.
Final Verdict: Given the price range (check the latest price on Amazon), this certainly not a budget option. However, if your budget can stretch this far then you will be getting a great machine that combines 4 appliances in 1 in an effective way. If you like the features but are slightly puff off by the price are however, put off by the price the Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ could be a great alternative. This has most of the same features aside from the steam cooking and should cost you less.
800 Watts of power for quick and convenient cooking with 5 Power Levels
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23 Litre Capacity
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Flatbed technology for increased cooking capacity and easy cleaning
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Excellent defrost function
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Diamond cavity structure provides effective microwave distribution for better cooking
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Dimensions: 51 x 43 x 31 cm
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The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is an awesome choice if you are looking for a sleek solo flatbed microwave that combines excellent features with style. It is also our pick for the best solo microwave for the money.
The black mirror finish to the front door looks very polished and will have you purring in delight every time you look at it.
With 800 Watts of cooking power, your food gets heated and cooked quickly. The RHFM2363B comes with 5 power levels giving you plenty of flexibility when selecting the appropriate power level for cooking and heating your food. One of these is an excellent defrost function which comes in handy if you store your food in the freezer regularly and ever forget to take it out in good time.
Whilst the mirror door gives the RHFM2363B a brilliant appearance it does mean that visibility during cooking is reduced. Nonetheless it gives the machine a high grade look that is likely to upgrade most kitchen work-tops.
The model comes with a 23 litre capacity which will work perfectly for everyday cooking and heating needs around the home.
There’s a child lock which very handy if you have kids as it ensures that when its on the controls cannot be changed and the machine activated.
The standout feature though is the flatbed design. If you regularly cook large dishes in the microwave, a flatbed machine can accommodate them where as the old style turntables can’t take them as easily.
The flatbed technology can also mean that your dishes are more evenly heated. This is particularly the case with the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B model due to its diamond cavity. The diamond cavity structure gives better microwave distribution by improving the reflection of the microwaves inside the machine. This means food is cooked more evenly reducing the chance of those annoying cold spots on your meals! This should save you time as well as energy.
As with any appliance, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of. The first is relates to the mirror finish on the door as fingerprint marks are easier to see. This will mean it needs more regular wiping down. Although not a deal-breaker, it is something to keep in mind. In addition, the machine will need to be placed at least 20cm from a wall so keep this in mind when considering where it will need to be placed.
Overall however, the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is a fantastic flatbed solo microwave. If you want a machine that combines power with elegance than look no further.
The Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ is one of the most impressive combination flatbed microwaves on the market and one of our topic picks. Our Panasonic flatbed combination microwave review will give you everything you need to know about the brilliant Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ.
There’s plenty to like about the Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ. It is sleek and precise from the exterior finish to the way it cooks your food. We especially like the well polished exterior which would be welcomed in most kitchen counters. The black and silver finish give it a real clean look.
The NN-DF386BBPQ is a 3-in-1 combination microwave giving you a microwave – oven – grill all in one appliance. This offers great flexibility when deciding the best way to cook and heat up your foods.
The pull down front door is a nod to more traditional ovens whilst also meaning you can cool down dishes on it. This is particularly handy if you have a smaller kitchen.
The flatbed design gives you plenty of space inside the machine (23 litre capacity). This means you have 30% more space than a traditional turntable microwave of a similar size, enough to fit in a 350 x 230 mm casserole dish.
Inverter Technology will mean that your meals are cooked and heated evenly throughout putting an end to repeated goes in the microwave trying to kill the cold spots. As well as being less annoying this will also mean less energy usage and more time for you.
To cook your food exactly as you need it, the NN-DF386BBPQ has six different cooking settings covering chilled or frozen meals, fresh or frozen vegetables and rice or pasta. To top things off it also has a built-in sensor that means you can cook food without having to enter the time, power level or weight.
The controls are super friendly and fairly easy to pick up. In the event that you do struggle however, the instruction manual is pretty straightforward to follow.
As you would expect with a flatbed design, cleaning the machine is quite easy as you can access the base with no trouble.
All in all this Panasonic model provides a fantastic flatbed combination microwave packed with plenty of features and also looks the part.
The bold black and silver finish gives the model a real high-end feel and would make a nice addition to most kitchens. Whilst the pull-down oven style door provides easy access for large dishes.
The Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 is one of the best machines available especially when you consider how much you get for the price you pay (Check the latest price on Amazon).
The Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 comes with non-slip feet leaving little danger of the microwave moving once you set it on your counter.
Something that may not be entirely to everyone’s taste is the white branded internal base though this certainly gives it a clean feel. In addition, the noise and vibration on some programs maybe something you notice but are not deal-breakers.
The buttons and controls are straightforward to use and won’t have you reaching for the instruction manual. There’s a handy child lock feature which will leave you secure in the knowledge that your children cannot accidentally use the microwave.
Final Verdict: Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861
Overall the Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 is a fantastic flatbed combination microwave with lots of features that will leave your happy you made the choice.
Flatbed microwaves work slightly differently to the traditional turntable technology.
In the classic turntable models, the microwaves were emitted from an antennae on the side of the machine. The waves bounced randomly inside the oven. This partly explains why some items would not always cook or heat up evenly.
In machines with flatbed technology, the microwaves are emitted from beneath the flatbed base via a rotating antenna.
The microwaves will still bounce around the inside but at slightly different angles to the traditional turntable.
Therefore cooking times between the turntable style and the flatbeds may differ slightly.
What Are Flatbed Microwaves?
As you may have gathered from above, flatbed microwaves are those that use flatbed technology rather than rotating turntables.
They are a relatively new technology which can sometimes mean they cost more than traditional models but prices are becoming more competitive as more machines hit the market.
Are Flatbed Microwaves Any Good?
The manufacturers of flatbed microwaves claim that there are two main advantages to this technology:
1 – There is more cooking space within the microwave as you the turntable is not taking up space
2 – They also claim that these types of microwaves cook more evenly.
There are also a few other notable additional advantages in flatbed microwaves. The most significant one is not having to clean the turntable which can often be tricky.
The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is a great choice if your looking for a flatbed microwave. It has a great sleek black mirrored finish coupled with 800Watts cooking power and a diamond cavity to cook more evenly and reduce the chance of cold spots.
The mirrored door finish gives the RHFM2363B a great appearance though visibility during cooking is reduced and fingerprints are easier to see. Nonetheless it gives the machine a high grade look that is likely to upgrade most kitchen work-tops.
With a 23 litre capacity this will be perfect for smaller households rather than large families. Though it would also do well for everyday heating and cooking purposes.
Easily the best feature though is the flatbed technology. If you need to regularly cook large dishes in the microwave, a flatbed machine can accommodate them where as the old style turntables can’t take them.
The flatbed technology can also heat dishes more evenly particularly so in this Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B model due to its diamond cavity. The diamond cavity composition gives better microwave distribution by improving the reflection of the microwaves inside the machine. This means food is cooked more evenly saving you the headache of reheating your food to get rid of cold spots.
As with any purchase, there a few drawbacks to consider. The first mentioned previously is that fingerprints are easier to see on the mirror finish door meaning more regular cleaning. Though this is hardly a deal-breaker, it is something to bear in mind. In addition, it will need to be placed at least 20cm from a wall so consider this as well as the dimensions (51 x 43 x 31 cm) when thinking about where it would go.
When all is considered however, the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is an awesome flatbed microwave if you’re looking for power, convenience and a sleek design.
The Panasonic NN-DF386 is one of the best machines on the market and our pick for the best flatbed combination microwave.
This model is sleek and precise from the exterior finish to the way it cooks your food.
ThiThe NN-DF386 is a microwave – oven – grill 3 in 1 combination which gives you a lot of flexibility for what you pay. The pull down front door gives it a more traditional oven feel whilst also allowing you to cool down dishes on it – useful for smaller kitchens.
The flatbed feature means there’s plenty of space inside (23 litre capacity), perfect for everyday use.
The Inverter Technology means that dishes are cooked evenly throughout avoiding unnecessary reheating.
To take care of all your cooking needs this model is equipped with six different cooking settings for chilled or frozen meals, fresh or frozen vegetables and rice or pasta. A particularly handy feature is the built-in sensor that means you cook food without having to enter the time, power level or weight.
The controls are very user friendly and straightforward to use. Nonetheless if you struggle the instruction manual has plenty of useful guidance.
The model also comes with a wire rack for the grill and an enamel plate for the oven.
The flatbed base makes cleaning very easy which is always a bonus.
This Panasonic model delivers a great all-round and versatile appliance that also looks brilliant.
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