Sharp R-930CS 1-1/2-Cubic-Foot 900-Watt Convection Microwave, Stainless
by Sharp
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List Price: Our Price: $508.00 You Save: $91.99 (15%) Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Sharp R-930CS 1-1/2-Cubic-Foot 900-Watt Convection Microwave, Stainless
Customer Review: Good overall, but just bit short of expectations
Summary: 4 Stars
We had one of Sharp's first micro convection ovens, used it for a number of years, and "lost" it when when it was included as a contingency on a purchase offer for our house! As giving up a 7-8 year-old microwave in order to sell a house seemed like a good trade off, off it went!
In the interim (about 5 years or so), we've owned 3 different microwaves, inclusive of one in an RV (all non-convection). Our new house's kitchen is small and has a single low-end stove, however, so we decided to get another Sharps micro convection oven to supplement our cooking capabilities. The Sharp micro convections are consistently highly-rated and we had a good experience with the last Sharp, so that's what we bought.
It's been several months now and so far so good. I can't say it is as well-built as our last Sharp micro convection oven, but the convection oven function works and the temperature control is accurate. Where it falls short is actually the microwave side. Our last few microwaves have been easier to use, with single button functions that made more sense. The Sharp also doesn't seem to have as much power, in spite of having the same nominal wattage as some of our previous ovens. Popcorn popping is really problematic. You HAVE to use the elevated rack, and the rack burns through the bags ... unless you also use a plate. It's not convenient and there's more to clean.
This is a large oven. Our microwave sits in a cabinet niche above the countertop and I had to recut the trim to make it fit. As it's deeper than most microwaves, the feet barely make it onto the shelf at the front. The door mechanism doesn't feel very robust, and the door itself is prone to sticking shut unless you make efforts to keep the oven face really, really clean.
All in all, 4 stars. I'd like to see the build quality go up a notch and some of the microwave usage issues addressed before giving it a better rating. It is still the best alternative out there for a micro convection oven, however.
Customer Review: Sharp convection microwave
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a replacement for my previous Sharp convection microwave oven that I had purchased in 1999. I looked around and couldn't find one that I liked better for my family which includes teenagers. The convection oven works great and doesn't heat up my house like the oven on my range, and it can also work as a second oven during holidays! The microwave works well, wish it were 1100 watts instead of 900...I guess the trade off is worth it to me. Easy to use. Love the stainless steel...my last one was black. A great buy!Customer Review: Sharp R-930CS
Summary: 4 Stars
Nice and roomy. Great selection of auto-cook functions. Clock numerals too fine and small for reading from a distance.Customer Review: Good cooking but a few problems
Summary: 3 Stars
I have been using this product for 2 years. The cooking results are good and food preparation is speedy. However the turntable motor is of very poor quality (weak plastic gears) so make sure to stay even below the listed food weight limit. I had to replace the motor in my oven (52 bucks if you find the part and do it yourself, otherwise about 140). Also the door and some other parts are not aligned properly. One other review I found on the Net had the same complains about this product quality, in particular the turntable motor was faulty and had to be replaced as well.Customer Review: addendum to "A Customer's" July 2nd 2004 review
Summary: 2 Stars
I put my Sharp R-930CS oven in service when it arrived 9 February 2006. At the time of this writing I've had it for a year and ten months. I read "A Customer's" review when I purchased mine, but I was hoping perhaps Sharp had enough warranty returns on the door and the turntable motor that they had improved these by that time. I've been very happy with mine up until this month when the door slumped so that you can't get it open without prying the edge of the door with your fingers. I cooked a small turkey in it at the holidays last year, but this year I had a nine pound ham in it and the turntable motor is clicking. I had to watch it and rebalance the ham to keep it going. I suspect most people who buy this oven will have the same experience sooner or later.
I contacted Sharp twice via their customer service web page. It says, "click here to send an email to customer service." You fill in the model number and serial number and they never respond. I've checked my bulk mail the second time to be sure. It's been two weeks since the last time. Anyway it is ten months out of warranty. I figure with the door not working I could maybe get a replacement door, as the door is part of the chassis. Usually you would expect that you could still get the door open even after it's been in the junkyard. A bit of an unusual problem, as it doesn't matter how well everything else works if you can't easily get the door open.
I took the door apart and put a cabinet handle on the outside so that I can get the door opened. The problem is the door hinge pins are pressed in - so to be soft enough to be pressed into the door hinge (which is spot welded to the door frame) they are too soft to hold the door without wearing. I drilled out the top hinge pin and epoxied in a piece of a bolt for a hinge pin.
I hate to throw it away already. I would expect something like this to last for five to ten years. I had mounted the R-930CS into my cabinetry, but I found the Panasonic NN-C994S is very close to the same size. It is about an inch narrower and a fraction of an inch taller. I'm sold on the idea of having a combination oven for light duty, but the R-930CS is a bit too light duty.
6/06/2009 Update: Three years and four months on, the turntable no longer works. Sharp Carousel is their trademark for heaven's sake. This type of oven relies on the carousel to cook evenly. Won't even pop microwave popcorn anymore. The ratings tricked me. I hope they haven't tricked you. I am currently shopping for the best buy on the Panasonic.
2/07/2010 Update: I've had the Panasonic NN-C994S for six months now. And I spent less for it than I did the Sharp. Some deals are out there. As far as I am concerned it is head and shoulders above the Sharp. Instead of a touch pad, it has two dials to set the time, temperature and weight. When you choose a function, a green light blinks around the dial you are supposed to turn. If you turn it slowly it goes up in small increments, fast and it goes up in big increments. I got used to it very quickly and find it easier to use than the standard touch pad.
I think the Sensor Reheat function works better on the Panasonic than on the Sharp. The Sharp always made things too hot to be eaten right away, which is what I want when I reheat food. The Panasonic reheats things just right for me--could be a personal preference. Could be the "inverter" technology. Unlike all other microwave ovens, instead of cycling on and off to heat food more slowly, the Panasonic can use power incrementally. You don't hear than on/off noise either.