Alright, let’s dish about microwaves, shall we? As someone currently crammed into what I affectionately (and sarcastically) call a “bijou” apartment kitchen, I’m always scouting for appliances that are more Mike Tyson than sumo wrestler – you know, pack a punch without taking up the whole ring. So, when the Total Chef 0.7 Cu Ft microwave landed on my doorstep, I was intrigued, but not entirely sold.
First Glance: Hello, Good Looking
Right off the bat, this microwave has curb appeal. That stainless steel finish? Snazzy. And the mirrored door? Downright glamorous. Seriously, it single-handedly dragged my kitchen kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Plus, those touch controls? So much smoother than battling those old-school dials.
Size: Does It Fit My (Teeny) Life?
Okay, no sugarcoating it: 0.7 cu ft isn’t exactly palatial. But hey, that’s the point! It snuggles perfectly into my limited counter space, leaving room for, well, basically nothing else, but still – it fits! I could even squeeze in a regular dinner plate without resorting to origami, which is a major win in my book. If you’re feeding a small army or regularly reheating Thanksgiving turkeys, move along; this isn’t your droid. But for solo diners or leftover aficionados like myself, it’s surprisingly practical.
Cooking Chops: Can It Actually Cook?
Let’s be real, with only 700 watts, I wasn’t expecting warp-speed cooking. And I was right. It takes a tad longer than those beefier microwaves I’ve known and loved. But hey, patience is a virtue, right? The 10 power levels do give you some wiggle room, and I was pleasantly surprised by those pre-set cooking functions. The “popcorn” setting, for instance, didn’t turn my bag into a charcoal briquette – a small miracle, if you ask me! I even braved the “potato” setting, and after a little extra time, I ended up with a genuinely fluffy baked potato. Score!
Now, here’s the thing: sometimes the heating can be a bit… temperamental. I nuked a bowl of soup where the edges were practically molten lava, but the center was still chilling in the Arctic. A quick stir halfway through seemed to even things out, but it’s worth keeping in mind.
Cleaning: Easy Peasy
If there’s one thing I despise, it’s cleaning. So, the fact that this microwave is a breeze to wipe down is a huge selling point. The stainless steel exterior? Done in seconds. The white interior? Surprisingly stain-resistant. And the turntable and roller ring? Dishwasher-safe, baby! Talk about a time-saver.
Nitpicks (Because Nothing’s Perfect)
Okay, a couple of minor annoyances. That mirrored door? Gorgeous, but a magnet for fingerprints. I’m constantly buffing it like I’m polishing a vintage car. Also, the control panel can be a tad oversensitive – I accidentally locked the thing more times than I care to admit while just trying to wipe it down. Oops!
Final Verdict: Small But Mighty?
All in all, the Total Chef 0.7 Cu Ft Microwave is a solid little workhorse, especially if you’re battling a space shortage. It’s stylish, user-friendly, and gets the job done. Sure, it’s not the most powerful microwave on the block, but it offers a sweet spot of features and performance for the price. If you’re hunting for a compact and budget-friendly microwave for a small kitchen, dorm, or office, this one’s definitely worth a look.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars