Let’s be real, life’s a juggling act, right? Work, family, maybe even a hobby or two squeezed in there. That’s why I’m always hunting for kitchen gadgets that can make whipping up a decent meal less of a chore. Enter the Cuisinart CMW-200 Convection Microwave Oven with Grill. It promised to be a triple threat – microwaving, grilling, and convection baking all in one shiny package. So, did it live up to the hype? After a few weeks of putting it through its paces, here’s the lowdown.
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First Impressions Count:
Right out of the box, this thing just looks…classy. You know, that classic Cuisinart vibe with the stainless steel and dark glass. It definitely gives off a “serious appliance” vibe, and thankfully, it fits nicely on my counter without hogging all the space. Inside, the 1.2 cubic foot capacity is surprisingly roomy. I could easily nuke a whole dinner plate or even a small casserole without any Tetris-style maneuvering.
Putting It to Work:
Okay, so it looks good, but how does it actually cook? Well, the preset options are a lifesaver for those nights when brainpower is running low. The “reheat” button actually brought my leftover pizza back to life (no more cardboard crust!), and the “popcorn” setting…bless its heart…actually stopped before turning everything into charcoal. A major win in my book!
But the real magic happens with the convection feature. I decided to bake cookies – a small batch, mind you, because who needs a whole tray of temptation staring them down? Now, they weren’t quite as perfect as the ones I bake in my regular oven – maybe a tad less golden-brown – but honestly, they were darn good for a microwave. And that grill function? A neat little bonus! I zapped some chicken breasts in there, and it gave them a respectable sear. Okay, maybe not the kind that makes you drool, but hey, it’s a microwave grill!
The multi-stage cooking? Now that’s clever. I love that I can tell it to defrost a chicken breast and then automatically switch to cooking it. Talk about saving time and brainpower! No more guessing games about whether the middle is still frozen.
A Few Little Hiccups:
Alright, no product is perfect, and the CMW-200 has a couple of quirks. The touchpad controls can be a bit temperamental. Sometimes I have to press a button a couple of times before it registers, which can be a tad annoying when I’m in a hurry. And yeah, the stainless steel looks gorgeous, but it’s a fingerprint magnet. I find myself wiping it down constantly to keep it looking pristine.
The Verdict:
All in all, the Cuisinart CMW-200 is a solid piece of kitchen equipment. It’s versatile, convenient, and can tackle a surprising number of cooking tasks. Will it replace my full-sized oven or grill? Probably not entirely. But for smaller kitchens, busy folks, or anyone who wants to simplify their cooking routine, it’s definitely worth a look. If you’re hunting for a microwave that does more than just reheat leftovers, the CMW-200 should be on your shortlist.
The Good Stuff:
- Does it all: Microwaves, grills, and convection bakes like a champ
- Roomy interior for family-sized meals
- Presets that actually work!
- Multi-stage cooking for set-it-and-forget-it convenience
- Easy-to-clean interior
- Looks good on the counter
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Touchpad can be a bit fussy
- Stainless steel loves fingerprints
- Grill could be a bit more powerful
Final Score: 4 out of 5 stars. A great all-rounder that’s worth the investment.