Sharp R-230KW 800-Watt 4/5-Cubic-Foot Compact Microwave, White
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Sharp R-230KW 800-Watt 4/5-Cubic-Foot Compact Microwave, White
Customer Review: Somewhat disappointing --
Summary: 4 Stars
I had a Sharp Carousel II for twenty years almost to the day -- bought 1/10/90; died 12/20ish/09. It was the smallest of the Sharp microwaves available then, and this is the smallest available now. While on one hand this model ups the wattage from 600 to 800, on the other the internal vertical measurement is less by almost an inch. I expected the same internal dimensions (if not more, given the increase in wattage); and can't fathom why they would be reduced. What that shrinkage does it make it a bit more difficult to buy accessories for it: the internal vertical measurement is 7 inches; I've already had to rule out a rice cooker I had in mind.
For comparison, the internal measurements of the Carousel II were:
11 3/4" Wide, 7 3/4" High, 12 3/4" Deep.
The internal dimensions of this oven (note caveats):
12 1/2" Wide, 8" High*, 13 1/4 Deep.
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*Measuring from top to bottom at the front edge, and accounting for the turntable system, it is 7" High. Inside, though, it has a "depression" in its "ceiling," so may be near 8" there; but then one must negotiate how to get a 7" High accessory past the narrower opening.
In addition, though this oven is 13 1/4" deep -- an inch deeper than the Carousel II -- it has a turntable system diameter of 10 3/4". The Carousel had a turntable system of some 11 7/8".
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The Carousel II cooked fine, and that it lasted twenty years with daily use is impressive. This one also cooks well, and I hope it lasts twenty years. But I also wonder if I should buy a second microwave one size larger.
Customer Review: Sharp It Up
Summary: 4 Stars
When it has came down to microwave ovens, it really is hard to deeply find one that can be compact and affordable. While more of them are being made to be bigger, they aren't definitely worth the convience of the money you spend for them. Fortunately, there are a few brands that do deliver nicely for their value, and Sharp is one of those brans. That does come well with their R-230KW model. It is a simple and convient way of cooking all your favorite foods from popcorn and flatbread sandwiches, all the way to chicken and fish filets. While it does handle well, there are a few problems with it. One of them is if you keep it plugged in, you'd have to first set the clock time. If you plug it in back and forth when you do use it, not keeping it in plugged in all the time, that can be a problem, but nothing to sneeze at. The second problem is that there is a problem with re-heating as its function. It isn't good for re-heating fast foods like pizza, but great for re-heating chinese foods that you order from take-out.
Still, despite a few flaws, Sharp still knows why they make great microwave ovens, and their R-230KW is definitely worth its money. There aren't many microwaves that are worth their effort these days, but Sharp does have a high note on the art of cooking. If you are looking for a inexpensive microwave that can be convient for the everyday home owner, than this one is definitely for you.
Price: B
Convience: B
Easy To Setup: B-
Overall: B 1/2-
Customer Review: Good and more powerful than you'd think
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this to replace a very similar Sharp oven that had served me well for a decade. That one had exactly one control -- a knob for time. I loved its simplicity. This one is way more complicated, and reading the manual is a necessity. But you can set a power level and program it to run for a certain amount of time at one power level and then for a different time at another power level, and I've found that very useful.
I've never had a big microwave, so I can't really compare, but this one is a bit more powerful than the one it replaced (and quieter, too) and has plenty of juice to defrost things and cook frozen food and the like. You can fit a dinner plate on the turntable, no problem. (It's bigger than some of the other small ovens I compared it to.) But if you're cooking for more than two people, this isn't the oven for you. For what it's worth, it lowers its power by cycling the heating element on and off -- you can hear it cut in and out. I don't know if the bigger ones work that way or not.
One minor nit -- the power plug is a normal, straight one, but in my kitchen, the outlet is right behind the oven and every time I closed the oven door I was pushing on it and crimping wire leading into the plug. So I ended up buying a short extension cord with a right-angle plug. Way safer.
In general, if you need an oven of this size, I'd recommend this model. I've only had it for a few weeks, but so far I'm very satisfied.
Customer Review: Avoid the Sharp R-230 (and other Sharp appliances)
Summary: 1 Stars
This microwave oven worked fine for 7 weeks.
I used it to heat soup, and for oatmeal in the morning.
One morning it just broke.
The door closed, the light and fan came on, but there was no heat.
It emitted a burning plastic smell.
Sharp service told me that I needed to have a Sharp-authorized technician examine it before it could be replaced.
Unfortunately, the nearest Sharp-authorized service location is a two-hour round trip drive for me. They don't accept shipments, nor are they are not open on weekends.
This means that in order for me to obtain warranty service on this relatively new product I would have to *take a day off work*, as it is too far to drive on my lunch hour.
Also, one cannot return a product to Sharp for examination; as per the warranty you must "hand carry" or ship the item to a service location
(if the service location accepts shipments; mine doesn't).
So I believe my current options are:
1) find a local microwave service place, and pay for the service myself
or
2) throw the oven away
I recommend not purchasing this microwave oven because it may break soon after purchase.
I recommend not purchasing any Sharp appliance unless you know that a Sharp-authorized service location is close by.
Best Regards and Good Luck!
Mark
Customer Review: Great for now
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this small countertop microwave after the Maytag one I had died because of rust in the bottom. I heated lot of water for tea, and apparently the water vapor created rust. The bottom just rusted through.
I've had it for just about two months. So far, so good.
So far, I have been very pleased with this unit. It's small and does everything I need: reheating soups and frozen foods, melting butter, boiling water to dissolve bouillon cubes for soup broth, and occasionally cooking fish and/or vegetables. I'm heating tea water now in a Sunbeam Hot Shot, which is better and faster than a microwave anyway.
If this unit breaks down, I'll revise my review. I notice that some people complain about loss of function after 7 months or a year. My Maytag ran satisfactorily for seven years. I expect the same of this unit.
Oh, by the way, I really like the feature that the light turns off when the door is opened. Sometimes I sterilize my kitchen sponge by putting it in the microwave on high for 2:15 minutes. After that, I can leave the door open to prevent rust until the microwave dries out, without unplugging it. I relly like this feature because I don't have to worry about the light burning out.