Fully featured / short documentation / No cookbook!!!

On it's category, I guess is (by far) the best deal you can get. I am very happy and so excited to explore new cooking horizons... However, the product is not THAT perfect, so I write this so you won't feel disappointed. The capacity is great, one of the best, you can put a 17' lasagna dish and it actually turns. It also looks SO neat and sleek. However, the users guide is very short and it is hard to figure out how to cook something not included in the preset options, unless you stick to the traditional ways, not taking full advantage of the speedcook new features. Basically you are on your own and you must be willing to burn out some food before you come into terms with the (great) features of this oven and get something nice and quick to eat. I'm kind of disappointed, after spending a thousand bucks (a lot of money for a product on this category), the oven doesn't include a complimentary cookbook, even a short one, and you have to ask for it separately (is free, though). My last appliance (kenmore micro/conv) came with a great cookbook, so I guess I'll have to stick to those recipes for the moment. Ventilation capabilities are truly remarkable, excelling the standards of a micro hood, but it is noisy. Bigger sizzle pan, steamer and racks would be appreciated, I mean, what's the point of having a 2.0 cu.ft. big fat oven (literally, is bigger than the standard microhoods) if the racks, pan and steamer are sized for an 1.5??? The oven doesn't steams in a special way, it just uses a tupperware steamer and microwaves, so don't be fooled, this is NOT a steam oven. A flowchart of the preset menus would also be appreciated, as it would be a LOUDER beeper (or even better, something more original and accurate to the looks of the product, like windows vista-ish rings or bells or something adjustable...). I'm kind of surprised that this oven looks super dooper hi-tech and yet doesn't let you program your own most used recipes or a delayed bake cycle (both features available on micro/convec decades ago). In most cases it doesn't even let you adjust specific weights or quantities of food... Still, I recommend this oven if you are willing to use all of its features, and believe me, it is loaded with them.

If you just want to heat coffee, make popcorn or mac & cheese, stick to something more suitable for your needs and you will save big bucks.

Don't misunderstand me, I am very very satisfied with my purchase, I am actually happy and I believe this appliance well worths its price (huge capacity+convection+grilling capabilities+great venting that actually works). I am only pointing out some details that could be useful for someone who considers buying this big toy and is researching for consumer's feedback.

The main reason I rated this appliance 4 star, instead of 5, is because the lack of information on the user's manual and a cookbook specifically for the features on this oven (would have loved to try something special the minute it was operational). Also because the small accessories that prevent you from taking advantage of the huge cavity.

[Tuesday, June 10, 2008]

Good microwave

This is a great microwave and I really like the features. Having said that I think a person could get a similar microwave for much less money. Prior to purchasing this I wondered what the steamer and sizzler was as there was not much information on these features. Turns out they are just a special dish. These two features certainly do not justify the several hundred dollars more than a typical microwave/convection. I have had the microwave three months now and have not even used either of the "special" vessels. The fan works very well and is very powerful. It stays on all the time during convection and sounds similar to a small jet airplane. Works great and it sounds like it should the socks off your feet. Overall I like the microwave/convection but would have bought a less expensive model knowing what I do now.
Just updating my review of this product. After a few months, the fan started vibrating producing an annoying noise. I wedged piece of wood next to the fan shroud to keep it from vibrating. Also wanted to note that November of 08 this microwave went out and no longer works. I am very disappointed in this product. I would also like to note that we are now using our nearly 30 year old Sharp microwave convection. We will be replacing the Whirlpool with a Kenmore or Sharp microwave/convection. Whirlpool products will not be part of my home in the future.

[Saturday, January 06, 2007]