Panasonic NN-SD681S Countertop/Built-in Microwave with Inverter Technology, 1.2 Cu. Ft., 1200W Stainless

In most ways, this microwave oven is similar to the earlier Panasonic Prestige NN-SD688S model. Both are virtually identical in size, and most functions overlap. The functional changes, though minor, are not insignificant.The NN-SD688S model improved upon its predecessor by replacing its cluttered interface with a more simple and usable one. This model retains that look and feel. It uses a dial for setting time, weight, cook settings, or other parameters that formerly used a keypad. On this model, the dial can be retracted when not in use. A big improvement over the previous model is the display. It now uses brighter blue numbers that can be seen from a bigger range of angles and heights, and should satisfy the objections people had to the earlier model. The new display also shows the cook level throughout the cook cycle, rather than only when setting it.In addition to standard features such as timed cooking, a sensor reheat function, defrosting, popcorn and keep warm buttons, there are fourteen sensor cook settings for specific foods. The NN-SD688S had nine. When the door is open, a label lists the number to use for each food item, so fourteen settings are not overwhelming as they were on the earlier touch pad models. The beverage button disappeared when the previous model was released, and is still lacking. I found that feature useful on other microwaves.By dialing a number for the cook setting, it has the appearance of setting a cook level. Since the items for each number seem unrelated, it's not possible to decide that something might be between eggs and soup and choose a level in between. However, many microwave ovens have specific buttons for certain foods, just as this has a popcorn button. I wouldn't question what else I could cook with a frozen pizza button, but consumers might question what level six (really setting six) can cook besides pizza. If you think of it as a replacement for fourteen preprogrammed buttons, you can appreciate its added simplicity for the listed foods.Another addition is the Melt and Soften button. It can be used for melting chocolate, softening butter or cream cheese, and there's even a setting for softening ice cream. I haven't tried those settings yet, but they include ones I'd actually use.There is a "recipe store" button that can store only a single recipe at a time, so if popcorn is not your thing and you want a custom button for something else specific, you can use it.The inverter function raises or lowers the power level generatated by the oven, rather than controlling power by cycling on and off. The power was reduced to 1200 watts from the previous model's 1300 watts. I'm not sure how much difference it will make with the inverter settings, but could potentially affect anything heated at full power. Many recipes assume that you have 1000 watts, so cook time may be closer to that in a recipe. But I'd rather set less time and figure that out myself.The previous model's stylistic flair was replaced with a more spartan but high end appearance. That model's four small feet provided little traction, causing the oven to move for some users when the door button was pressed. This model has pads on the front feet that prevent it from slipping. When I first tried it out, it didn't slip. When I moved it to its final location, it slipped far too much. Strangely enough, the back feet are no longer there, and the microwave sits on bare metal surfaces there. I ended up using an adhesive non-slip putty to keep the microwave in place. Perhaps the surface wasn't perfectly flat, but the feet don't seem to be adjustable. The new feet may or may not be an improvement.The light does not go on when the door is open, and only lights while cooking. Many users find that very objectionable. I didn't like that omission, probably because I was used to having a light, but in a microwave with a white surface, it's less of a need than in a much larger conventional oven.This model lets you set up to three consecutive cook settings (as opposed to its predecessor's five) so you could set a one hour delay, a cook time at a certain level, and a keep warm stage, for example. Five seemed excessive but I don't see what Panasonic gained by lowering it. In the example they gave in their previous manual, setting a cook time at one level followed by a cook time at a different level (something that instructions on food boxes sometimes suggest) could not be integrated with my example. Once the start button is pressed, all stages will be executed sequentially. The timer stage can be used independently, but not concurrently. With the microwave I'm replacing, I very often used the timer, even while the microwave was cooking. I find that loss a bigger annoyance than the light issue.

This unit replaces our old Pansonic unit that finally gave up the ghost after 12-years. My experience with old trusted brands has been almost uniformly disappointing in recent years. Most are more cheaply and flimsily made to be "competitive" in today's market. Imagine my surprise when I found that this unit was more beautifully and solidly made than my old unit. It exceeds my expectations and is simple to use. I am a 67 year old professional who is, in polite terms, "technically challenged." But this is one device that I do not need my grandchildren to patiently teach me about.I have always believed that if something sounds too good to be true, it can't be true. I was doubtful about the claims for the "automatic" sensing/cooking features. I don't know how Panasonic does it, but this microwave performs as advertised. When a leftover dish is taken from the refrigerator and placed in the unit, the "sensor reheat" and "Start" buttons are pushed. There is no time for cooking displayed immediately. After the microwave's sensors pick up whatever sensory data (moisture?) they use, the unit performs its calculations for the remaining "reheating" (NOT "cooking"!!!) time and rings twice. If you wish you can look to see the remaining time until the dish is reheated. When the dish is done the bell rings another five times. In regular microwaves reheated bread turns hard after a short time. I put a cold, cream filled Croissant in the unit and used "sensor reheat." The croissant was warmed evenly throughout and was as soft as if it were freshly baked! When I take apple pie from the refrigerator to make pie a la mode, it is reheated evenly. I believe that the secret here is that old microwaves did not lower their power when defrosting or reheating, but "pulsed" on and off at full power. The Panasonic uses a reduced power level at a constant rate so that food is evenly reheated or cooked with no hot or cold spots. Food is not hardened or burned on the top and edges while being left cold on the inside.My wife does not like her ice cream as cold and hard as I do. Her solution was to leave her small ice cream container out on the counter. The top portion exposed to the air was all melted, but an inch down the ice cream was still rock hard. She had to be satisfied with an AVERAGE between too liquid and too frozen. Now she puts the ice cream container in the unit and presses the "Inverter Melt & Soften" button, dials the weight of the ice cream and hits "Start." Before pressing the "Start" button she has the OPTION of tapping the "more or less" button to set her EXACT preference on softness throughout the entire container. This feature works just as well in softening butter and chocolate. The "more or less" button can be used on most of the automatic microwave functions, but I seldom find it necessary to use. Nice to know its available though.The automatic defrosting is just as easy. Take a packaged chicken or roast from the freezer, hit the button "turbo defroster," turn the dial to the number of pounds and ounces (or metric measurements if you choose) and simply hit "start."Of course the unit has "Quick Minute", "Keep Warm", and "Popcorn" features. I greatly value one small item: the clock/timer. I am forgetful and sometimes leave a dish cooking on the stove--intending to check it in 10 minutes. Twenty minutes later I'm reminded of my forgetfulness by the smell of burning food. I press the unit's "timer" button, dial the amount of time and hit "start." The microwave remains off, but its clock displays the remaining time and rings when finished.Just because this microwave has a delicate, exacting touch does not mean that it does not have power. Its 1200 watts make fast work of its tasks. I have never "cooked" anything in a microwave, but I am sorely tempted to try the "Sensor Cook" button on a test dish.