Speaking of microwaves...

[sudsmaster]

Costco just slashed $10 off their best Panasonic microwave, and I've been eyeing this model for several years now, to replace one I returned about seven years ago.

So the other day I decided to light the fuse and came home with a nice looking stainless front 1.6 cu ft Inverter Genius Prestige model with tactile control buttons that you can actually read in dim light. The one it's replacing has a very difficult to read gold on black membrane panel that's easy to clean but necessitated my making black on white Brother labels to stick on the controls. The old one still works and will probably wind up on the patio kitchen or in the workshop.

The new one looks much better over the stainless GE P*7 wall oven and beside the stainless KA sxs fridge...

Now let's see if I can find a photo...

 

[sudsmaster]

The panel...

 

[rp2813]

Rich, as you probably remember, I have the membrane panel model. I don't like the panel for all the reasons you described, but I do like the knob for manual setting of cook time. Now, if they made one with tactile and readable buttons that also had a knob, I would consider buying one of those.

I see some interesting selections on your panel there. So if you punch "Breakfast" does a list come up on the display, like oatmeal, bacon, etc?

 

[gansky1]

I have a knob and love it. This has to be my favorite microwave but I'm rather easy to please, we use it for nothing more than warming/re-heating. I like the knob for setting the time, but would prefer it weighted and more precise like a Marantz tuning wheel. It's powerful and fits into the space in the pantry cabinet so my functional needs are fulfilled but I would love to have a vintage microwave in the kitchen. There just wasn't room to commit to that amount of space to heat a cup of green beans.

I've always loved Panasonic electrics and have a few clock-radios, table radio, etc. from the 70's. My dream Panasonic microwave is one of the original sensor models "The Genius". NIB of course!

 

[sudsmaster]

Ralph,

The "Breakfast" option has selections like oatmeal, omelete, breakfast sausage. No bacon, but I suppose the sausage option might do.

I have seen the knob versions but they are all membrane panels behind the knob and I simply don't like the knob that much. I have an older Kenmore mwave with a knob for all selections, even start, and I don't care for it much, since it's too easy to change the selection to something you didn't want when you go to push in the knob for start. But it is a very good mwave otherwise - the only one I've ever had that has a sensor that detects heat (I think) as well as steam, so it can actually heat a cup of coffee to a drinkable temp if it starts out lukewarm. The Panasonic manual warns the beverage option is won't work properly with stuff that isn't room temp to start. The Kenmore also has a nifty rotating aluminum wheel next to the emitter that you can watch spin behind the plastic cover. Oh, and the plastic cover is another plus - easier to clean than the typical mica cover. But the Kenmore is not an inverter and I think inverters are superior.

 

[sudsmaster]

Panasonic does make some models that combine the tactile buttons with a wheel...

 

[brisnat81]

This is the one that we have. The top wheel sets the Power/Weight/Temp

The bottom wheel sets time.

Works a treat. My two complaints are that the display could be brighter, its just a little bit on the dim side and the beeps could be louder, if you've got the exhaust fan on, you wont always hear that its finished.

http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=4699

 

[tolivac]

I hope the Amana Radarange shown in this video-unfortunate end for the oven-happened to be in the back of bored trashmans tash truck!and look what happened!The Krusher!

http://www.youtube.com/user/iculafin#p/a/u/2/jeEA-Pr6_2s

 

[sudsmaster]

Looks like the garbage truck won.

 

[tolivac]

when I was looking at the pictures of that nice looking Panasonic "Inverter"-"Genius Prestige" microwave oven-wondered if the poor Amana one was a "victim" of being replaced by one of those beautiful Panasonic machines.I was also wondering if the Amana that was crushed was one of the "classic" ones Amana collectors would be looking for-yes remember those!Yes, sadly Amana lost to the Peterbuilt truck with a Heil RL compactor body.and the man that makes the videos says the trucks Hydraulics are "worn" out!Those can be easily repacked.-Seals replaced,pump rebuilt.

 

[spookiness]

i have a Panasonic

a cheaper one I'm sure, inverter 1250 watts with membrane controls, but I LOVE it.

I don't even bother setting a time anymore. All of the automatic functions work perfectly.