Now we're cookin'!

This section is for the R-230 series of Sharp mid-range microwaves. My microwave is part of the series and even uses the same instruction manual. I wanted to point this out first so that there is no confusion!

There were many problems with where we used to live, so we went in search of another home. We found one closer to my husband's work, but still ‘reasonable' to our families. We fell in love with this old place and decided to move in. Unfortunately the house no longer had any of the major kitchen appliances and the ones I had from before were very old. Well, OK not so unfortunate because I was finally able to replace the 10 year old, 2nd hand microwave we had been using.

I wanted a microwave that was bigger than my old one- which was tiny- but still small enough to fit into the wall cabinet located in the kitchen. I only have one counter in my kitchen so the cabinet was the only location possible to place the microwave, however only a counter top model could be put there. My old microwave was a turn dial with no cook settings other than ‘high' and was very tiny inside: 10" wide, 8" deep and 7"tall.

My first step was to narrow down to below my price limit I had to spend. I realize that more expensive ones are more versatile, but I just needed a good, dependable microwave with a few extras (if possible). I decided to make my purchase at Wal-Mart because they had more of a selection $50-70 price range and the over all price of each microwave was lower than the other department store in my town.

After looking through all of the features between the models available, I decided to purchase the Sharp R-209B-K carousel counter top microwave, which is part of R-230 series. This microwave is considered middle range in size, but from what I understand this price is actually quite low for a microwave. Inside there is quite a bit of room, especially compared to the one I had: 12" deep, 11 3/4" wide, 8" tall and a 11 ½" diameter carousel plate. There are several features that helped push this model above others; I'll go through them for you.

The R-209B-K model has a one touch operating pad. With this you can eliminate having wonder heating times for: popcorn, heating a dinner plate, warming a beverage, baked potato, roll or muffin, cooking fresh vegetables, making popcorn, or even heating your coffee and tea. There are also buttons for express defrost and one minute. There is also a lock-out, complete range of power levels, multiple sequence cooking, clock, timer, audible signals, demonstration mode, and of course the carousel and digital display.

Most of the ‘one-touch' buttons can be multiplied. ‘Um, multiplied?' -you say? Yes, multiplied. Push the express defrost button once and the times is for .5 pounds, hit it twice and the time increases for 1 pound. You can increase the weight time up to for 4 pounds. This setting also stops automatically so you can turn and check your meats. A manual defrost is also capable through the use of lower power levels.

With the popcorn button you can cook 4 different size or styles of popcorn. Touch once for a regular bag of buttered popcorn or touch twice for a regular sized bag of light popcorn. Yes, they actually cook for different lengths of time, which my husband found out the bad way. He actually burned the interior of the oven with a bag of light popcorn left in for the length of a regular type. The burn came mostly off so I'm not too mad at him ;-) But it really pays to read the directions! Three and four pushes are for snack regular and light snack sized respectfully.

For the potato, roll/muffin, beverage and vegetable buttons have 2 settings each, the dinner plate has only one setting and the minute plus can be set up to 20 minutes with just that single button. Now yes, it would be a pain to hit that one button 20 times for 20 minutes, but a single button for 1 minute is much easier than four buttons- especially when you are dog tired or in a hurry.

The lock-out feature on this model is wonderful especially since my 2 ½ year old is getting into the ‘I want to touch everything and see if it will make noise or I can make Mama jump' phase. All I have to do is push clock, the number1, and start together for 3 seconds and viola the touch pad will not respond until the cancel sequence is pushed in. If you should happen to forget that you put the lock on this microwave will remind you; when you try to push a button the word ‘safe' is displayed.

There is a full range of power levels, which is especially nice when you are defrosting or if you are following a recipe or directions which require lower settings. How nice it is that I can finally make certain desserts and meals with my microwave when I have guests over for dinner! I used to have to cook everything on the stove or in the oven, but now I can have more items going at once which saves me total cooking time.

Along with the power levels is the multiple sequence cooking. This allows you to program in all the sequences you need for your item all at once instead of having to run back every time the power level changes. All you do is push in the time and power level for the first setting, then just push in the time and power level for the second part and hit start. You can program in as many time and power level changes you need to before you hit start.

The clock and timer are pretty self-explanatory, but I will say that they are very easy to program. All you need to do is type the time and push clock or timer and you have it programmed. I use the timer option every time I am baking so it gets quite a bit of use, especially this time of year.

If you are annoyed by, or have a need to eliminate, the audible beeps you can turn them off with just a simple sequence of buttons. I have never used this function, except to see if it does work on mine, but I know some people who hate hearing the beeps. If you are one who hates them, you don't have to worry about them with this model.

The demonstration mode is fun to use when you want to try out the different settings, but don't want to risk blowing up your microwave. This way you can test different functions to see if you got it right before you actually cook anything. The full keypad, all settings, and all functions work, but there is no power routed to the oven. This feature comes in very useful when having to show another how to different settings on your microwave as well.

The carousel is a plastic base with a glass plate on top. They come out of the oven easily for cleaning and go back in just as easily. The rotation direction changes each time you hit start and you can cook with out the base for stationary cooking- just put the glass plate back in.

This microwave cleans up well- mild soap and a cloth, but I do recommend using the lock feature when cleaning the touch pad. I mentioned before that my husband burned the inside of the microwave with popcorn, well it wasn't cleaned off right away which is why it has left a mark inside. Everything else that has ever splattered or charred to the inside has come off completely and easily.

I absolutely recommend this microwave to anyone who is looking for a new counter top model. It fits easily, is simple to use, and cleans up well - all of the extra functions aren't bad either. :-) I have had no problems at all with this microwave at all and am actually quite impressed with it. Happy cooking to you!