
"All in all, this is one of the best quality microwave ovens on the market, not to mention one of the best value microwave ovens."
The Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S is a combined microwave and oven with a 120 watt/120V/60Hz power source and 1480-watt power consumption. You can get your hands on one for between $150 and $180 which is a really affordable price and considering that the NN-SN686S has some brilliant features. For example, this microwave has an attractive stainless-steel modern finish so it will blend in well with any contemporary kitchen. Panasonic have also designed this microwave oven to not take up too much space on the countertop, as well as making good use of its internal space to allow you to cook large meals with it; great if you have a family! A really impressive feature is its array of pre-set cooking options making this microwave suitable for novices too. There are a couple of minor things that Panasonic could improve on, but considering the very affordable price, the Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S should be considered one of the best microwave ovens on the market.
Design/Appearance
The NN-SN686S sits on a countertop and is a visual improvement to any kitchen with its contemporary, stainless steel, reflective finish. The logo is unimposing, and the touchpad controls and digital display are simple and attractive. One of the best features of this great value microwave oven is its clever use of space. It has a 1.2 cubic foot capacity which doesn’t take up much room on your countertop. The Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S also only has a 13.4-inch, thin, light turntable meaning the interior space is fully utilized to create maximum room for food. You could easily cook a family meal in this microwave. The internal dimensions are (H x W x D): 9-15/16-inch x 13-15/16-inch x 14-3/8-inch.
Cooking Performance
The Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S has some fantastic features for cooking, including Panasonic’s own innovative technology. Firstly, Panasonic have used their Inverter technology to create a seamless stream of power which ensures an even cook throughout the food. This is not only important for your taste experience but also for making sure that your food is safe to eat. There is also Advanced Inverter technology on the NN-SN686S which provides a Turbo Defrost function for those days when you forget to take food out of the freezer. Another great feature is the Genius Sensor which detects the kind of food you’re cooking and adjusts the power and time to suit it; another feature which makes this top-quality microwave great for novices. The touch control pad on this microwave offers twelve pre-set cook options including Frozen Vegetables and Entrees, Soup, Oatmeal, Pizza, and Pasta; ensuring you get the right settings for your food. There is even a button especially for popcorn with three different levels. Perhaps one of those most useful features of this microwave oven is its keep warm feature, which allows you to keep food warm between cooking and serving; taking the pressure away from the chef. The NN-SN686S also has a sensor reheat function which can detect when your food needs a little extra time.
Ease of Use
The pre-set functions above make this one of the best microwave ovens in terms of ease-of-use. They make choosing cooking powers and times so much quicker, leaving you to get on with the rest of your jobs. The touch panel is very simple to navigate which also helps. The NN-SN686S has a cooking timer option which is something to look for in any microwave review as it allows the user to focus on other tasks, safe in the knowledge that the microwave will let them know when their food is ready. The timer also allows you to set your own cooking times at one-minute intervals if you prefer to have more control over the cooking process. Either way, it is great to have plenty of options which the Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S definitely provides. Further functions that make this microwave oven one of the best time-saving devices on the market include a delayed start which allows you to get on with other tasks rather than waiting for the right time to start your cooking. In terms of the microwave unit itself, there is a child safety lock which is a really important feature for some and a push-button door release. Lastly, because this microwave has a stainless-steel coating, it doesn’t take long for it to show up fingerprints and splashes, however it is very quick and easy to wipe clean.
Features
The Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S has an additional feature to add to its versatility, if you prefer fitted appliances, the NN-SN686S is compatible with a trim kit for a 27-inch cabinet opening, meaning it can be fitted into a wall unit if you’d like.
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Final Thoughts
The Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S has some fantastic features including Panasonic’s own innovative technology, for example they have included their Inverter technology to make sure food is cooked evenly throughout. Panasonic have also included a Turbo defrost function which a lot of people would really benefit from. Another really useful feature is the delayed start which gives you more control over your time when you’re cooking. Panasonic have even included the option of having this microwave fitted into a kitchen unit to make it an even more stylish addition to your kitchen. All in all, this is one of the best quality microwave ovens on the market, not to mention one of the best value microwave ovens.