Combination Microwave ovens

[admars]

We used to have a Sharp combination microwave oven, that last over 5 years, until at least one of the heating elements died, and so it didn't seem economical to repair when we could get a new one for not much more than the elements cost!

So, in August we bought a Belling BEL CTS211A, which we always thought was a bit cheap and nasty (£80, Currys' cheapest combination). every now and again the turn table doesn't work, and today missus went to use it, and it doesn't turn, or heat as a microwave, an oven, or a grill.

Curry's have a Kenwood reduced from 119.99 to 84.99, so would that be a better alternative ,or should we spend a bit more? Are Belling normally good and we were unlucky? My aunt recommended it, who works in Currys, I've never known her recommendations be bad before.

Cheers

Al

[Mick Fisher]

Curry's yuk!!

When I was involved in Domestic Appliance Servicing we encountered lots of Hoover Automatics where the brackets for the drum support (suspension) units were welded in the wrong locations. This had the effect of making the drum twist laterally bringing the front and rear edge of the drum to within half an inch of the case. Of course when the machine went into spin this caused the machine to jump about and the drum to strike the case, bulging it out quite dramatically.

There was no economical answer if the machine was out of guarantee.

All the machines that we encountered suffering from this fault were reported by their owners as having originated from Curries and although obviously "seconds" were reportedly sold as perfects. Incidentally they were not sold under the Hoover brand but were rebadged under a brand that was exclusive to Curries at the time. I'm afraid I can't remember what it was.

Draw your own conclusions.

[papa smurf]

check the fuse before you spend on a new one

[georgepomone]

If you only bought it in August surely it's still in the 12mth Warranty. If thats the case the problem is theirs to sort out.
George.

[Welshchris]

My parents had bad results with combination micro and ovens. They bought a Sanyo one and about 8 months on it died and was replaced and after another 6 months it died again.

They now have a basic microwave again and its almost 2 year old.

[joglynne]

I have a Panasonic Slimline Combi. I've had it for over 2 years, use it everyday in it's combi mode and wouldn't be without it.

A bit dearer (Argos £146.79) than the model you are looking at in Currys but worth the extra. You may find it cheaper if you dig around a bit.

http://reviews.argos.co.uk/1493-en_g...02/reviews.htm

Add ... just had a look at the paper work and I've had it for nearly 4 years. Boy does time fly.

[admars]

check the fuse before you spend on a new one

Could try that, but the display lights up, and lets you go throught the motions of pressing the buttons.

If you only bought it in August surely it's still in the 12mth Warranty. If thats the case the problem is theirs to sort out.
George.

thanks, yes I know, but I was wondering whether to swap it for another similar model, or spend a bit more, i.e. add the difference to get another Sharp, or a Panasonic. On another forum a few people recommended Panasonic, so I guess it is worth taking it back and adding a bit more money to get that Panasonic quotes above.

Cheers

Al

[progers]

Originally Posted by joglynne

I have a Panasonic Slimline Combi. I've had it for over 2 years, use it everyday in it's combi mode and wouldn't be without it.

Ditto here, panasonic is great, use ours every day instead of the big oven

[Graham M]

We've had 3 Panasonic Combi Oven/Grill/Microwaves and they've all died just out of warranty, I'm thinking the reason they're probably less reliable is the ammount of heat put out and probably metal fatigue, as even the outside casing gets very warm. We now have a standard Panasonic Microwave and it's lasted ages.

*goes to find some real wood to touch*

[NoKnowledge]

Anybody here with panasonics have any problems with the inverter technology panasonic use?

[papa smurf]

i have a delonghi combo -not too impressed doesn't seem to get hot enough , i always end up using the fan oven [main cooker] the delonghi just gets used as a microwave .
i also have an hitachi microwave had it since 1987 ish still as good as the day it was made, that wins on reliability for me .

[joglynne]

Originally Posted by NoKnowledge

Anybody here with panasonics have any problems with the inverter technology panasonic use?

No problems with the inverter technology (whatever that is ) with mine mine. I just know everything comes out cooked fine

The only slight criticism I can level at my slimline combi model is probably common to all combi's and that is the use of the grill element as part of the convection oven heating elements. If I am cooking a piece of meat for more than 25 minutes I have to remember to start it off upside down and turn it over half way through the cooking period if I don't want the top side to be too black.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by admars

Could try that, but the display lights up, and lets you go throught the motions of pressing the buttons.



thanks, yes I know, but I was wondering whether to swap it for another similar model, or spend a bit more, i.e. add the difference to get another Sharp, or a Panasonic. On another forum a few people recommended Panasonic, so I guess it is worth taking it back and adding a bit more money to get that Panasonic quotes above.

Cheers

Al

We have had a panasonic microwave for seventeen years and it has never broken down. The only thing I needed for it was a new bulb. I have a leak tester as well and it still operates within the normal scale.

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by NoKnowledge

Anybody here with panasonics have any problems with the inverter technology panasonic use?

No... what sort of problems are you having?

[Kymmy]

Nope, they're normally quite stable, great for stripping down and using them as 2ghz oscillators for transmission projects