Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Combination Microwave Review

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Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Combination Microwave Review

If you like your food cooked in the future then you’ll love the high grade Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ premium combination microwave oven. This microwave oven does absolutely everything you could expect from a high grade model but then adds an element of luxury to its presentation and execution.

Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Combination Microwave Review

One of the most advanced combination microwaves oven on the market, the NN-CF873SBPQ is a real high grade if you have the budget.

It has a 1000W inverter microwave alongside an excellent convection oven and a 1300W quartz grill. This machine really does have it all covered when it comes to the cooking needs of your household. With this model you can microwave, roast, bake and grill your way to the perfect dinner.

When you’re trying to make multiple dishes with an oven, the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ will have you covered. It has a brilliant convection oven allowing you to cook on two levels at the same time letting you get dinner made for the whole family in one go. This is one of many reasons why it’s on our list for the best microwave oven for family of 5.

The convection oven works by circulating heated air evenly around the interior of the microwave. Unlike conventional ovens where you need to rely on the air rising, by passing hot air over the food it cooks more evenly across all levels and in a much faster time-frame.

To make the most of the versatility you have with cooking options, the model comes with an enamel shelf, a wire shelf and a glass shelf.

The Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ has a flatbed design which means there is no turntable, unlike the traditional microwaves. Doing away with the turntable leaves you with far more space inside the microwave meaning you can fit larger sized dishes and more awkward shapes into the unit with ease.

In total you are dealing with a 32Litre capacity unit which gives you a good amount of space for catering to your family.

You’ll enjoy the modern feel of the touch operated control panel, even if you may need to read up on the various icons. The touch panel is incoporated to the ultra slick glass front door. The exterior really does look like it has been designed with luxury in mind and the overall feel of the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ is likely to attract attention in your kitchen for its looks as well as its cooking prowess.

When it comes to easy cleaning, this unit also delivers. The back and top surfaces use ‘Catalytic Self Cleaning Plates’ meaning once you are done cooking, you can simply take a cloth to the grease on these surfaces and wipe them away. The sides of the oven have an easy to clean top coating all of which meaning cleaning the microwave is much easier task than traditional ovens. These features combined with the flatbed design make cleaning a much more straightforward prospect.

Overall the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Premium Combination Oven is a fantastic microwave oven . It combines a highly effective convection oven with a grill as well as a flatbed microwave with a sleek and modern design. There are less expensive alternatives on the market that may not do everything quite as well but if you’re budget can stretch this far then this definitely one to look at.

Key Benefits

Cook on two levels at the same time with convection oven?
1000W microwave for fast and easy meals?
Large cooking capacity (32Litre)?
Flatbed design for easy cleaning?
Dimensions: D43.8cm x W49.4 cm x H39cm ?

Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Combination Microwave Review: Let us know what you think.

Best Microwave For Family Of 5: For Large Families

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Best Microwave For Family:

Best Microwave For Family
Best Microwave For Family Of 5

1 – Best Microwave For Family of 5 – Sharp R959SLMAA

The brilliant Sharp R959SLMAA is our top pick for the best microwave for family of 5. If you’re looking for a high capacity microwave with excellent features that’s easy to use then this is it.

The Sharp R959SLMAA is by far the best microwave for a family of 5 that we have come across. Its extra large 40 litre capacity means you can easily cater to the needs of your household and make large dishes with no trouble.

In addition the large size means it can take large dinner plates with no problem. It’s easy to see why it’s been chosen best microwave for family of 5.

We’ve also seen great reviews noting how well suited this model is for families of 5. Best microwave for family of 5? Absolutely!

This awesome machine is a combination microwave, oven and grill all in one brillaint device. This will give you lots of versatility in your cooking.

This 900W machine comes with 5 power levels giving you lots of options when cooking. At the same time you also have access to 8 preset cooking modes taking the guesswork out of getting your food exactly how you want it. These include options for cooking pizza, ready meals, rice/pasta and cake.

The 900W grill is equipped with quartz technology. The quartz heating elements get hot very quickly making them perfect for cooking and browning foods such as pizzas, grilled cheese sandiches and sausages.

The convection oven can reach temperatures up to 250°C. With ten different temperature settings ranging between 40°C and 250°C, you’ll have plenty of options for making the perfect meal for your family of 5.

To help you get the most out of your various functions the Sharp R959SLMAA also has a combination (“COMBI”) mode allowing you to combine the microwave with either the grill or convection oven. This reduces cooking time and also means your food can come out with a crispy brown finish.

Quite helpfully instructions pop up on the control panel screen prompting you take action as it’s needed.

The silver trim finish gives this unit a real smart feel.

The Sharp R959SLMAA is designed for use on counter-tops or for built-in installation, rare versatility.

Whilst this is definitely our first choice for best microwave for family of 5, due to its large capacity and size it does mean that it takes up a lot of space.

So if you are tight for space in your kitchen then you may need to look elsewhere like the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ Slimline below or checkout our picks of the best flatbed microwaves for another option.

Quite helpfully thought the minimum clearance above the oven unit is 13cm which compares well to a lot of other microwaves which need at least 30cm. This should give you some more flexibility if you are tight for space in your kitchen.

There is also an installation kit available from Sharp that allows the oven to be fitted within a kitchen unit. The oven also has an energy save mode allowing you to save on electricity when the oven is not in use.

Key Benefits

Extra large 40 litre capacity microwave ?
Microwave, convection oven, grill and combination?
Quick and convenient cooking with 900W of power?
Modern and stylish silver finish with a stainless steel finish?
Dimensions: Outside dimension-W55cm x H36.8cm x D53.7cm
Inside dimension W37.5cm x H27.2cm x D39.5.
?

2 – Best Microwave For Family of 5 With Small Kitchen – Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ Slimline

The Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ Slimline Combination Microwave Oven is our pick for best microwave for family of 5 with small kitchen as well as our number 2 pick for the best microwave for family of 5.

It combines lots of cooking space with a microwave, oven and grill. In addition you also get a well thought out design that saves you lots of counter-space. That’s why this is the best microwave for a family of 5 with a small kitchen.

This is a 3-in-1 combination microwave, oven and grill – giving you everything you need for cooking for your family all in one great appliance. The combination is a great space saver as well as money saver.

One of the best things about the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ is the inverter technology. Most conventional microwave ovens use a method of cooking which means the power is at 100% all the time and simply alternates between on and off during a cycle.

With Panasonic’s inverter technology on the other hand, the power is steady. For example if you set it to 50%, the power will be maintained at that level for the whole time.

This precise power controls results in foods cooked exactly how you want them and much more evenly.

The technology also means you do not have to deal with cold spots when heating food and defrosting is done a lot more efficiently.

It also cooks and heats foods much more quickly than a conventional microwave oven. These benefits are all evident with the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ.

At 1000Watts you will also have a very powerful microwave oven that can have your food cooked quickly.

In conventional microwave ovens the cooling fan is located at the back of the machine. In the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ, the fan has been moved to the top of the oven resulting in a much smaller footprint (39.5cm depth). This leaves you with far more countertop space perfect for smaller kitchens. It also goes along way to making this model the best microwave for a family of 5 with a small kitchen.

Internally Panasonic have found a way to give you more space as well with a 34cm turntable meaning you can get even the biggest of dishes into the oven.

Overall you get 27Litre cooking capacity. If you have a large family (then this is one of the Best Microwave for Family of 5, it can also accomodate food for 7 or 8 people). This is one of the key reasons we think this is the best microwave for a family of 5 with a small kitchen.

The machine comes equipped with plenty of pre-set cooking programmes including a kids menu to encourage healthy eating. You simply enter the weight of the food and the oven does the rest.

Quite helpfully the control panel is wipe clean meaning even if it does get smudged or grubby whilst using, its an easy job to wipe it down.

In all we think the Panasonic NN-CT57JMBPQ would make a great addition to your kitchen especially if you have a large family but are tight on space.

Key Benefits

Inverter cooking technology for precise and evenly cooked food?
Large capacity (27L) for meeting your family needs?
Small footprint – great for small kitchens or tight spaces?
1000W of power for quick and easy meals?
Dimensions: D39.5cm x W52cm x H31cm?

3 – Best Flatbed Microwave For Family of 5 – Panasonic NN-SF464MBPQ

The Panasonic NN-SF464MBPQ flatbed microwave oven is our pick for best flatbed microwave for family of 5 and our 3rd pick for best microwave for family of 5.

This excellent model is equipped with Panasonic’s inverter technology giving you evenly cooked food with less power usage than conventional microwave ovens. Your food will come out evenly cooked with no annoying cold spots. The inverter technology allows you to control the power to get the food exactly how you want it

The inverter technology coupled with 1000Watts of power means you can cook your food quickly and evenly.

Quite helpfully the Panasonic NN-SF464MBPQ comes equipped with 5 power levels from gentle defrosting through to cooking full on dishes.

It has an incredible 18 auto programmes which gives you a wide range of options when it comes to making your food exactly how you like it without any of the guess work.

The control panel is touch operated which makes the unit feel all the more slick alongside the overall neat design. This combined with the stainless steel silver finish gives it a modern feel that would be welcomed in most kitchens.

It also makes cleaning quite straightforward as you can just wipe down the flat surface. The flatbed base also makes the job of cleaning relatively easy.

This is a solo microwave take a look here if you’re after the best flatbed combination microwaves meaning there’s no grill or oven function. This would suit a household that uses the microwave predominantly for heating and defrosting food rather than cooking complex meals. It would also work well for meals such as rice, pasta, jacket potatoes and the like.

The flatbed design means there is no turntable leaving with you with much for space for large awkward dishes that otherwise would not fit.

This model also features a child lock which is particularly useful if your family includes young children.

You’d have to look hard for drawbacks to this machine and the best you’d come up with is possibly a slightly dim LED light when in operation but this really is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Overall this is an excellent Panasonic product if you are looking for a flatbed microwave that will cook your food evenly and efficiently, is easy to clean and get to grips with. It is our pick for best flatbed microwave for family of 5.

Key Benefits

Flatbed design giving you more space and an easier time cleaning?
Inverter cooking technology for precise and evenly cooked food?
Plenty of cooking capacity (27Litre) ?
1000W of power for quick and easy meals?
Dimensions: D42.2cm x W52.9cm x H32.6cm?

4 – Best Microwave For Family of 5 – Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Premium Combination Oven

If you like your food cooked in the future then you’ll love the high grade Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ premium combination microwave oven. The Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Premium Combination Flatbed Microwave Oven is our 4th pick for the best microwave for family of 5 and our top option for best microwave oven for family of 5.

One of the most advanced combination microwaves oven on the market, the NN-CF873SBPQ is a real high grade option for a family of 5 if you have the budget.

It has a 1000W inverter microwave alongside an excellenct convection oven and a 1300W quartz grill. This machine really does have it all covered when it comes to the cooking needs of your family of 5. With this model you can microwave, roast, bake and grill your way to the perfect dinner.

When you’re trying to make multiple dishes with an oven, the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ will have you covered. It has a brilliant convection oven allowing you to cook on two levels at the same time letting you get dinner made for the whole family in one go. This is one of many reasons why it’s on our list for the best microwave oven for family of 5. The convection oven works by circulating heated air evenly around the interior of the microwave. Unlike conventional ovens where you need to rely on the air rising, by passing hot air over the food it cooks more evenly across all levels and in a much faster time-frame.

To make the most of the versatility you have with cooking options, the model comes with an enamel shelf, a wire shelf and a glass shelf.

The Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ has a flatbed design which means there is no turntable, unlike the traditional microwaves. Doing away with the turntable leaves you with far more space inside the microwave meaning you can fit larger sized dishes and more awkward shapes into the unit.

In total you are dealing with a 32Litre capacity unit which gives you a good amount of space for catering to your family.

You’ll enjoy the modern feel of the touch operated control panel, even if you may need to read up on the various icons. The touch panel is incoporated to the ultra slick glass front door. The exterior really does look like it has been designed with luxury in mind and the overall feel of the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ is likely to attract attention in your kitchen for its looks as well as its cooking prowess.

When it comes to easy cleaning, this unit has you covered. The back and top surfaces use ‘Catalytic Self Cleaning Plates’ meaning once you are done cooking, you can simply take a cloth to the grease on these surfaces and wipe them away. The sides of the oven have an easy to clean top coating all of which meaning cleaning the microwave is much easier task than traditional ovens. These features combined with the flatbed design make cleaning a much more straightforward prospect.

Overall the Panasonic NN-CF873SBPQ Premium Combination Oven is a fantastic microwave oven and sits well on our list of the best microwave for family of 5. It combines a highly effective convection oven with a grill as well as a flatbed microwave with a sleek and modern design. There are less expensive alternatives on the market that may not do everything quite as well but if you’re budget can stretch this far then this definitely one to look at.

Key Benefits

Cook on two levels at the same time with convection oven?
1000W microwave for fast and easy meals?
Large cooking capacity (32Litre)?
Flatbed design for easy cleaning?
Dimensions: D43.8cm x W49.4 cm x H39cm ?

5 – Best Solo Microwave For Family of 5 – Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B

The Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B solo microwave combines excellent build quality, lots of useful features, great performance and high user satisfaction to make it on to our list of best microwave for family of 5 as our pick for the best solo microwave for family of 5.

Coming in black and white options, it may not have the glitzy colours of some other models but what you get is powerful and reliable machine from a world-renowned German engineering brand.

This is a solo microwave (meaning there’s no oven or grill) and it does the job perfectly. This model would be best for a large families that need to mostly heat and defrost their food as well as cook items such as rice and potatoes.

With a 25Litre capacity it has a fairly generous capacity whilst a 315mm turntable means you can get large plates and dishes into the microwave. These features make it a great fit for families as well those looking for a solo microwave that’s larger than the average size.

The Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B is a powerful unit coming in at 900W which comes in handy when you need to quickly heat your food. It has 5 power levels which are easy to select with 5 clearly labelled corresponding buttons on the control panel (90, 180, 360, 600, 900 Watts). This gives you a great range in cooking flexibility from a low 90W which is recommended for defrosting delicate items to a blistering 900 W best for heating up liquids.

In fact the simplicity of the control panel is one of the best features of the Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B. You can tell it has been designed with making life as simple as possible. It comes with a retractable rotary know for making your selections.

It makes it easy if you’re just looking for a quick re-heat option but it also has 7 pre-set automatic programmes. These include options for cooking rice, potatoes and vegetables as well as defrosting meat, poultry and bread.

It is also equipped with a dial that allows you to select the weight of your food and let the machine do the rest.

Quite helpfully it also comes with a timer which can run up to 99 minutes which can be handy for dishes that need to be slow cooked. A nice added bonus for the settings is the fact this model has a memory function that will allow you to create your own program. This is pearticuarly useful if you have one dish you tend to cook or heat up regularly.

The control panel is equipped with an LED display which is clearly visible from meters away. It can also be used as a clock when not in use which can be surprisingly handy in the kitchen.

The great visibility also goes for the internal light which makes it easy for you to keep an eye on your food whilst it is cooking.

Another great benefit with this unit is the fact it comes with ample information and cooking guides to help you find the best ways to make the most of the power you are getting.

Something else you don’t often see is the possibility of changing the duration of the beeping when the timer comes to an end. You can choose a short duration of 3 beeps or a much longer duration of 30 beeps.

One thing to bear in mind for where you place the microwave on your kitchen counter is that it needs a minimum of 30cm clearance above the unit.

Overall the Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B is one of the most highly rated solo microwaves on the market and easily makes our list for the best microwave for family of 5 as the best solo option.

Key Benefits

Easy to use control panel?
900W of power for fast and efficient heating and cooking?
Good cooking capacity (25L) and large width for big plates?
Dimensions: D40.8 cm x W51.3cm x H30.5cm ?

Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ Review

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Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ Review

Unique steam cooking feature?
4-in-1 combination microwave, oven, grill and steam cooking
?
Flatbed design for 29% more space than conventional turntable model?
Very spacious 27 litre capacity giving you plenty of space to cook?

The Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ is a great flatbed combination microwave that packs plenty of features including a unique steam cooking function.

The NN-DS596BBPQ is a 4-in-1 combination machine with microwave, oven, grill and steam cooking. The addition of the steam cooking function really makes it stand out as it not something you see everyday.

The steam cooking option can be used in the oven mode as well as the grill and microwave settings. This is a great setting as it allows you to keep your food moist whilst also reducing the time it can take to prepare dishes. Steaming is also a very healthy way to cook your food, particularly vegetables.

The NN-DS596BBPQ is a flatbed microwave rather than the classic turntable. As there is no awkward turntable in the middle of the machine it means you have an extra 29% of cooking space.

The flat base also makes it much easier to clean up spills and food splatter compared to conventional turntable models.

This Panasonic model comes with a handy ribbed tray (Pana-crunch pan). This fits the width of the machine and be used for the oven and grill.

The ribbed tray works particularly well in the combi mode. The microwave heat is absorbed by the base and used to cook the underside of the food. The grill cooks it from above resulting in food that is cooked evenly.

As you would expect from a well spec-ed Panasonic model, there are lots of useful auto cooking settings to help you make the most of your machine. In addition the inverter technology means food is cooked precisely without the need for constant re-heating.

Final Verdict: Given the price range (check the latest price on Amazon), this certainly not a budget option. However, if your budget can stretch this far then you will be getting a great machine that combines 4 appliances in 1 in an effective way. If you like the features but are slightly puff off by the price are however, put off by the price the Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ could be a great alternative. This has most of the same features aside from the steam cooking and should cost you less.

Take a look at the reviews of our 3 best combination flatbed microwaves.

Which Is Better Flatbed Or Turntable Microwave in 2023?

Which Is Better Flatbed Or Turntable Microwave in 2023?

Deciding between flatbed or turntable microwave is not a simple task! The answer to this will depend on what you plan to use it for and how much you want to spend.

We’ve taken a look at the pros and cons of the flatbed designs below,that helps you to get the clear difference between flatbed or turntable microwave. Hopefully this helps you make up your mind when making your purchase.

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What Are Flatbed Microwaves?

Let’s start by taking a quick look at what flatbed microwaves are.

Flatbed microwaves are those that do not have a turntable mechanism for cooking and heating your food. Instead they have a flatbed base with microwaves fed through a rotating antenna underneath the floor of the microwave.

See More: How Do Flatbed Microwaves Work?

Which Is Better Flatbed Or Turntable Microwave?

Pros:

Increased Cooking Capacity

As the flatbed microwaves do not have turntables, there is much more cooking space available inside. The extra space also means that you can fit in dishes that would otherwise be difficult in similarly sized turntable microwaves.

More Evenly Cooked Food

An oft stated benefit of the flatbed design over and above the turntable microwaves is that they tend to cook and heat food more evenly. This is often due to the technology used for cooking. For example the excellent Panasonic NN-SN686S counter top (Built-in inverter) microwave uses Inverter Technology to cook food much more evenly than a traditional turntable. This then means you don’t have the annoying hassle of constantly reheating your food to get rid of those cold patches at the bottom of your leftover pasta bake.

Easier To Clean

This is a big one for us. As there is no awkward turntable to work around as you would get in a traditional microwave, cleaning spills and splatters inside the cavity is much easier in a flatbed machine.

Cons:

The Cost

The main drawback for the flatbed design is that because the technology is relatively new, the models tend to be more expensive than the turntable alternatives.

This should improve as more models hit the market however, it can put some people off. The advantages that you get however, in comparison to the turntable models mean it is often worth paying the price if it suits your needs and meets your budget.

Best Solo Flatbed Microwaves: #1- Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S

The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S is our pick for the best solo flatbed microwave. It combines ultra-sleek design with lots of useful features. Above all else the flatbed design gives you lots of heating and cooking capacity.

Best Solo Flatbed Microwaves: #2 – Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave

The Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave is our 3rd choice for best flatbed solo microwave and it’s a great choice for a flatbed microwave if you need something slightly larger than the 23L offered by the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S.

It’s rare to find products as universally highly rated by users as the Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave. It receives glowing reports across the board in terms of its performance, value for money, ease of use and style. And it’s easy to see why; it looks stunning and comes from a highly regarded brand.

Best Flatbed Solo Microwaves: #3 – Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B 

With the delightfully easy Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B you get a super-easy to use microwave that’s also offers great value for money and with a flatbed design that makes it very straightforward to clean. That’s why its our number #1 pick for best flatbed solo microwave and a major difference between flatbed and turntable microwave.

Best Flatbed Combination Microwave – Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ

The Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ delivers a great all-round and versatile appliance that also looks brilliant. It features a microwave – oven – grill – steamer 4 in 1 combination which gives you a lot of flexibility all in the same machine.

Best Turntable Microwaves: #1 – Samsung MS23F301TAK/EU Solo Microwave

The Samsung MS23F301TAK/EU Solo Microwave looks like it has it all and it tons of very happy users tend to agree that it delivers. Not only does it resemble a cross between cutting-edge technology, design and luxury but it also cooks brilliantly as well according to many highly satisfied buyers. To top it all off it also offers brilliant value for money.

Best Turntable Microwaves: #2 – Toshiba MM-EM20P(WH)

Not content with making excellent TVs and laptops as well as a whole host of other well-loved appliances, Toshiba put their reliable touch on microwaves. The Toshiba MM-EM20P(WH) has a lot going for it and makes it onto our list as our #3 pick for the best turntable microwave.

Best Turntable Microwaves: #3 – Daewoo KOR6M17R

By focusing on simplicity with little fuss, Daewoo have produced an absolute winner of a microwave. If you need a microwave that will cook, re-heat and defrost your food effectively, is easy to use and offers excellent value for money then look no further than the Daewoo KOR6M17R.

Best Flatbed Combination Microwave Reviews

Take a look at our full list of the best flatbed combination microwaves after knowing the difference between flatbed or turntable microwave for some more ideas on what to buy and what to look out for when making your choice.

So, these are our well-researched difference between flatbed or turntable microwave in 2023 from our experts.

Tell us what you think in the comments.

Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ Combination Microwave Review

The Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ is one of the most impressive combination flatbed microwaves on the market and one of our topic picks. Our Panasonic flatbed combination microwave review will give you everything you need to know about the brilliant Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ.

Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ Combination Microwave Review

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Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ Combination Microwave Review

ModelPanasonic NN-DF386BBPQ
TypeFlatbed Combination Microwave – microwave, grill & oven
Capacity23 Litre
PriceCheck the latest price on Amazon Now

There’s plenty to like about the Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ. It is sleek and precise from the exterior finish to the way it cooks your food. We especially like the well polished exterior which would be welcomed in most kitchen counters. The black and silver finish give it a real clean look.

The NN-DF386BBPQ is a 3-in-1 combination microwave giving you a microwave – oven – grill all in one appliance. This offers great flexibility when deciding the best way to cook and heat up your foods.

The pull down front door is a nod to more traditional ovens whilst also meaning you can cool down dishes on it. This is particularly handy if you have a smaller kitchen.

The flatbed design gives you plenty of space inside the machine (23 litre capacity). This means you have 30% more space than a traditional turntable microwave of a similar size, enough to fit in a 350 x 230 mm casserole dish.

Inverter Technology will mean that your meals are cooked and heated evenly throughout putting an end to repeated goes in the microwave trying to kill the cold spots. As well as being less annoying this will also mean less energy usage and more time for you.

To cook your food exactly as you need it, the NN-DF386BBPQ has six different cooking settings covering  chilled or frozen meals, fresh or frozen vegetables and rice or pasta. To top things off it also has a built-in sensor that means you can cook food without having to enter the time, power level or weight.

The controls are super friendly and fairly easy to pick up. In the event that you do struggle however, the instruction manual is pretty straightforward to follow.

As you would expect with a flatbed design, cleaning the machine is quite easy as you can access the base with no trouble.

All in all this Panasonic model provides a fantastic flatbed combination microwave packed with plenty of features and also looks the part.

Take a look at our other flatbed combination microwave reviews here.

Key Benefits

  • 3-in-1 combination (Microwave – oven – grill)
  • Large capacity, perfect for large dishes
  • User friendly controls for no hassle use
  • Dimensions: 39.6 x 48.3 x 31 cm
  • Wattage: 1,000 watts

Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ Combination Microwave Review: Let us know your thoughts.

Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861

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The heavily feature packed Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 is one of the best flatbed combination microwaves around and one of our favourite models.

Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861

ModelSharp R861SLM
TypeFlatbed Combination Microwave – microwave, grill & oven
Capacity25 Litre
PriceCheck the latest price on Amazon Now

The bold black and silver finish gives the model a real high-end feel and would make a nice addition to most kitchens. Whilst the pull-down oven style door provides easy access for large dishes.

The Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 is one of the best machines available especially when you consider how much you get for the price you pay (Check the latest price on Amazon). 

It combines 3 appliances in 1 with a microwave, grill and convection based oven with a flatbed base (no turntable). The flatbed base gives you much more cooking capacity than a standard turntable microwave – great for those large or awkward dishes.

The Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 comes with non-slip feet leaving little danger of the microwave moving once you set it on your counter.

Something that may not be entirely to everyone’s taste is the white branded internal base though this certainly gives it a clean feel. In addition, the noise and vibration on some programs maybe something you notice but are not deal-breakers.

Being a flatbed model, cleaning will not be an issue as its easy to access with no awkward turntable to take out and clean separately.

The buttons and controls are straightforward to use and won’t have you reaching for the instruction manual. There’s a handy child lock feature which will leave you secure in the knowledge that your children cannot accidentally use the microwave.

Final Verdict: Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861

Overall the Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 is a fantastic flatbed combination microwave with lots of features that will leave your happy you made the choice.

Take a look at our other flatbed combination microwave reviews here.

Key Benefits

  • Flatbed base for 30% more cooking space
  • Spacious 25litre capacity
  • Child-lock feature for peace of mind
  • 3-in-1 combination of microwave, grill and oven
  • Dimensions: 30.0 x 51.0 x 47.0cm

Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861: Let us know your thoughts.

How Do Flatbed Microwaves Work?

How Do Flatbed Microwaves Work?

Flatbed microwaves work slightly differently to the traditional turntable technology.

In the classic turntable models, the microwaves were emitted from an antennae on the side of the machine. The waves bounced randomly inside the oven. This partly explains why some items would not always cook or heat up evenly.

In machines with flatbed technology, the microwaves are emitted from beneath the flatbed base via a rotating antenna.

The microwaves will still bounce around the inside but at slightly different angles to the traditional turntable.

Therefore cooking times between the turntable style and the flatbeds may differ slightly.

What Are Flatbed Microwaves?

As you may have gathered from above, flatbed microwaves are those that use flatbed technology rather than rotating turntables.

They are a relatively new technology which can sometimes mean they cost more than traditional models but prices are becoming more competitive as more machines hit the market.

Are Flatbed Microwaves Any Good?

The manufacturers of flatbed microwaves claim that there are two main advantages to this technology:

1 – There is more cooking space within the microwave as you the turntable is not taking up space

2 – They also claim that these types of microwaves cook more evenly.

There are also a few other notable additional advantages in flatbed microwaves. The most significant one is not having to clean the turntable which can often be tricky.

They also often have several of the same features of the traditional microwaves. Like traditional machines, some of them also combine several functions e.g. microwave, oven and grill into one machine.

The Best Flatbed Microwaves

Below are some of the best flatbed microwaves.

Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B – Best Flatbed Solo Microwave

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The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is a great choice if your looking for a flatbed microwave. It has a great sleek black mirrored finish coupled with 800Watts cooking power and a diamond cavity to cook more evenly and reduce the chance of cold spots.

The mirrored door finish gives the RHFM2363B a great appearance though visibility during cooking is reduced and fingerprints are easier to see. Nonetheless it gives the machine a high grade look that is likely to upgrade most kitchen work-tops.

With a 23 litre capacity this will be perfect for smaller households rather than large families. Though it would also do well for everyday heating and cooking purposes.

Easily the best feature though is the flatbed technology. If you need to regularly cook large dishes in the microwave, a flatbed machine can accommodate them where as the old style turntables can’t take them.

The flatbed technology can also heat dishes more evenly particularly so in this Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B model due to its diamond cavity. The diamond cavity composition gives better microwave distribution by improving the reflection of the microwaves inside the machine. This means food is cooked more evenly saving you the headache of reheating your food to get rid of cold spots.

As with any purchase, there a few drawbacks to consider. The first mentioned previously is that fingerprints are easier to see on the mirror finish door meaning more regular cleaning. Though this is hardly a deal-breaker, it is something to bear in mind. In addition, it will need to be placed at least 20cm from a wall so consider this as well as the dimensions (51 x 43 x 31 cm) when thinking about where it would go.

When all is considered however, the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is an awesome flatbed microwave if you’re looking for power, convenience and a sleek design.

Key Benefits

  • 800 Watts of power for quick and convenient cooking
  • Mirror glass finish for a sleek and glossy feel
  • Internal diamond cavity structure provides effective microwave distribution for better cooking
  • Dimensions: 51 x 43 x 31 cm

Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ 3-in-1 Combination Microwave Oven – Best Flatbed Combination Microwave

The Panasonic NN-DF386 is one of the best machines on the market and our pick for the best flatbed combination microwave.

This model is sleek and precise from the exterior finish to the way it cooks your food.

ThiThe NN-DF386 is a microwave – oven – grill 3 in 1 combination which gives you a lot of flexibility for what you pay. The pull down front door gives it a more traditional oven feel whilst also allowing you to cool down dishes on it – useful for smaller kitchens.

The flatbed feature means there’s plenty of space inside (23 litre capacity), perfect for everyday use.

The Inverter Technology means that dishes are cooked evenly throughout avoiding unnecessary reheating.

To take care of all your cooking needs this model is equipped with six different cooking settings for  chilled or frozen meals, fresh or frozen vegetables and rice or pasta. A particularly handy feature is the built-in sensor that means you cook food without having to enter the time, power level or weight.

The controls are very user friendly and straightforward to use. Nonetheless if you struggle the instruction manual has plenty of useful guidance.

The model also comes with a wire rack for the grill and an enamel plate for the oven.

The flatbed base makes cleaning very easy which is always a bonus.

This Panasonic model delivers a great all-round and versatile appliance that also looks brilliant.

You can read more our full list of the best flatbed combination microwaves here.

Key Benefits

  • 3-in-1 combination (Microwave – oven – grill)
  • Large capacity, perfect for large dishes
  • User friendly controls for no hassle use
  • Dimensions: 39.6 x 48.3 x 31 cm
  • Wattage: 1,000 watts