Need a new microwave

[Roger Feeley]

Dave,
I'm a big fan of the encoder knob. Our microwave is really easy to use.

There's an "add 30 seconds" button. I push that to get cooking started. Then there is a knob that I can use to increase or reduce the time. If I want a minute, I skip the knob and just push the 30 second button twice. The knob is smart enough that as the time increases the number of seconds represented by one click on the knob increases also.

When I'm setting the clock, I push set time button and use the encoder knob to set the time. Easy.

[Dave Zellers]

As to inverter tech: We've had a countertop Panasonic 1200w inverter unit for about 3 years. The inverter thing is the bomb. 30% power is literally 30% power, NOT full power for 3 seconds then 7 seconds 0 power... it does make a difference!

Very good to know. Thanks! I figured as much but it’s good to hear from an experienced user.

[Dave Zellers]

Dave,
I'm a big fan of the encoder knob. Our microwave is really easy to use.

There's an "add 30 seconds" button. I push that to get cooking started. Then there is a knob that I can use to increase or reduce the time. If I want a minute, I skip the knob and just push the 30 second button twice. The knob is smart enough that as the time increases the number of seconds represented by one click on the knob increases also.

When I'm setting the clock, I push set time button and use the encoder knob to set the time. Easy.

What the heck is an encoder knob? Now I feel like I need one but don’t know what it is. And believe me this is not the first time I’ve felt this way.

Are you from the future?

[roger wiegand]

Very good experience with Panasonic. We used them in the lab where they got probably 10X the usage they would have gotten in a home and they held up fine through many years of use. Quieter than some others, as well.

[Frank Pratt]

On the other hand, I went through 2 Panasonics in less than 10 years.

[Jim Becker]

When our older Panasonic gave up the ghost last year, I purchased a new one...just a hair larger than the previous model, but with the same essential button arrangement. Very satisfied.

[Dave Lehnert]

I just buy a $50 unit, use it till it stops.
Never put much thought into it. I just use one to heat things up not so much to cook.

[Rod Sheridan]

We’ve owned a Panasonic over the range inverter one for 5 years.

I really like the unit, the variable power is very handy.....Rod

[David L Morse]

Another satisfied Panasonic inverter owner here. We've had ours for about 3 years now. As others have pointed out the evenness of the reduced power settings is noticeable. Once the correct settings are determined you can reheat dishes containing viscous liquids (gravy etc.) with little or no spatter and cook high protein liquids (oatmeal, grits) without foam overs. Thawing frozen foods is more even too.

[Dave Zellers]

Very much appreciate all the input from everyone.

We decided to go with Panasonic with inverter tech and hope we avoid the dreaded H98 error code we read about in the reviews.

A very good chat- Thanks!

[Brian Elfert]

I didn't know about the inverter microwave until I read about it here. I hate how say 50% will still blast the food at full power. The food will snap and crackle while the power is on and then nothing while the power is off. I just figured all microwaves do that.

[Roger Feeley]

What the heck is an encoder knob? Now I feel like I need one but don’t know what it is. And believe me this is not the first time I’ve felt this way.

Are you from the future?

its a knob. Our microwave is a
GE model pvm9215sk1ss

my feeling is that we are naturally wired for an analog world. Maybe that makes me an anachronism but I’m much more comfortable with an analog input than a digital one. The main control on our microwave is a single knob that takes on different roles depending on what you are doing. Setting the clock? Use the knob. Setting cook level? Knob. Setting the cook time? Knob. Setting the timer? Knob.

for me the other end of the spectrum are those control pads with about a thousand buttons.