Sharp SuperSteam Microwave Oven
by Sharp
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: SharpBrand: Sharp
Model: AX-1200K-PARENT
Product features:
- Black SuperSteam Oven
- Can be Used for Traditional Steaming
- Microwave Cooking
- Convection Oven for Baking or Roasting
- Sharp Uses State-of-the-Art Technology to Superheat Steam
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Sharp SuperSteam Microwave Oven
Customer Review: Not Just a Microwave!
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
This is a well-built kitchen equipment with simple lines, nice and handsome details. Even the handle alone is made of solid aluminum. Compared with my other kitchen appliances, the Sharp AX-1200 can take the place of a microwave oven, a steamer, and a convection oven. The only thing that it cannot do in our household is toast a bread. Anyway, it is quite too big to assume itself to be another toaster. Now, there is only one footprint for these different appliances, and it performs superbly in all of the three types of cooking I am familiar with. And then there is the 4th type which is a combination of steam and convection which is intended to make meat brown and at the same time retaining moisture and nutrients. For a medium sized family, we are using it more often as opposed to our regular sized oven. At 1.1 cubic ft, it is an obvious choice for less energy consumption.
A kit is an option that is available if you want to mount it on a cabinet. Just FYI, the suffix S and K (as in AX-1200S and AX-1200K) stands for S=stainless and K for Black.
For a brief energy comparison: The AX-1200 is rated at 700W as a microwave which is just half the wattage of our old micro. Our toaster oven is rated at 1450W, just the same as the AX-1200 when it is performing as a convection oven. Our plastic basket Oster steamer is 600W.
The first things that surprised me is how it cooks a simple bag of popcorn. In our old microwave oven, we know it has to be exactly 1:52. Using the popcorn sensor setting, I was worried that our kitchen will smell the whole day with burnt popcorn as the time exceeded the usual 1:52. But I let it run just to find out what's gonna happen. Voila, a perfectly popped/cooked popcorn.
Our cookies are done with crispy crust in 14 minutes using the convection function. Cinnamon buns were perfect in 16 minutes. Using the steamer function, we got our 4 ears of corns sweet and juicy in half an hour. Frozen dim sums takes about 15 minutes. You need to fill up a small reservoir of water and empty another when you use the steamer. But if you are using a cheap basket type steamer like what we used to, then you know how much hassle and mess to clean up each removable piece after wards. This oven, you just need to empty the water and wipe the inside cabin of the oven.
I am not too ecstatic about the combination supersteam and convection. I takes longer to do its preheat and it takes much longer for the food to cook.
A first it looks more complicated to use because of its many functions. But it can be exciting to play around it the first time you place it on your counter, it is a lot of fun. That's when we found out that the LCD screen is much friendlier than it looks. It actually tells you step by step everything you need to do. Put more water on the reservoir, do not put any metal rack while microwaving, remove water from the drain, preheating, cooling, and many more. It is an intelligent device, no more second guessing.
It is such a pleasure to cook with this kitchen tool. A great piece of engineering. It even has a child lock. The price is a bit stiff :(. But that is usually the case for a new technological experience.
Pros:
- 4-in-one. Microwave, convection, steam and combination supersteam/convection.
- good results
- single footprint
- less preheat time as compared to regular sized oven
- gorgeous.
Cons:
- a bit of a learning curve to familiarize with all the functions
- you need to remember to remove the metal trays if you are switching cooking function from steam/convection to microwave.
- combination supersteam/convection takes much longer in both preheat and actual cooking time
- the 2 front legs may need something like a Poster Putty, 2 oz or Blutac to keep from slipping as the weight is concentrated at the back.
- Microwaves should have flat electric plugs so you can place the oven at least closer to the kitchen wall.
- the oven goes into a cooling period that may last up to 13 minutes after using the convection (even after the food was taken out from the oven). What if I want to turn off that function to conserve energy?
- a bit pricy
Description of Sharp SuperSteam Microwave Oven
Sharp's new SuperSteam Oven offers a unique combination of the healthiest ways to cook, all in one versatile appliance: SuperSteam Convection, Steam, Convection and Microwave. SuperSteam Convection is a combination of two types of cooking: superheated steam and convection heat. Sharp uses state-of-the-art technology to superheat steam. Unlike conventional steam, superheated steam helps brown and crisp foods on the outside, while adding moisture to the inside. When combined with convection cooking, the results are exceptional. Foods that are good for you look and taste better than you ever expected. The AX-1200K can also be used for traditional steaming, for microwave cooking or as a convection oven for baking or roasting.Countertop Microwave Ovens
Kitchen and Housewares