Sharp R890EST

After 16 years with a Sharp Carousel microwave it finally gave up. Empty nest now so off to the Goodguys to get a smaller unit that better suits my needs. Came home happy with a 32L Sharp R890EST. Turned it on - not happy. Spent some time getting familiar with the unit, all good till I found the Grill and Confection didn't work, the key features considered in my purchase. Also could not read the entire Control Panel, only the top row. No Panel back lighting. No matter the units orientation to ambient or general lighting, needed to use a hand he

Sometimes on telly you will see a TV show host waxing lyrical about how something (or someone) has, like a fine wine, gotten better with age. You can sort of extrapolate that to consumer products in the sense that you'd expect a follow-on model of something to be better than the one it replaced, certainly not worse.

This is, in a nutshell, the story of our Sharp R890EST microwave oven.

We'd had a Sharp Carousel microwave for years. The words "Sharp" and "microwave oven" kind of became synonymous with the term "good stuff for the kitchen" be

There are just two main manufacturers of microwave ovens. It doesn't matter what brand; they pretty much all come out of the same two groups of factories.

With this model, the parts and design are subpar. It seemingly takes twice as long to microwave, more than double the time to grill, and almost two and a half times longer to heat via convection.

To make matters worse, the magnetron is unable to evenly heat, so parts of a microwaved meal may be cool, while another section of the same food is overcooked.

It is still usable, and there is no point avoiding Sharp as the manufacturers will probably build more junk under a different brand. Buyer beware and check reviews. Do not fall for brand loyalty like I did.

Only buy if like to be disappointed.

The very reason you buy a convection microwave is for the convection and grilling function. Sadly on this oven both of these features are terrible and render the oven absolutely useless to cook with.

Oven checked with a thermo-couple, oven temp gauge and pyrometer (for inner wall temperatures) . This oven does not reach the set temperature points. Set at 180° - max temp after 45min 120°C. Set at 230°C, max temp 170°C. 60°C out across the range.

Grill function is hopeless. Beeps and the element turn

It has been 12 months since I bought this unit, and I would not recommend it to anyone. I haven't experienced issues with the light failing or the time not keeping accurately like other people have reported but the condensation build up is ridiculously excessive. I know heating water based products will generate steam, but my previous Sharp microwave actually vented the cavity and kept this to a minimum. This one does not, water drips from the door onto the bench if you cook a packet rice or pasta meal. Even a two and a half minute microwaveabl

Useless at best. Convection only mildly warms food...it certainly doesn't cook it.
My old convection microwave would cook my pizzas in about 10 - 12 minutes, I tried cooking the same pizzas in this useless ornament and after about 40 minutes the cheese was only just melting.
My advise....run out before you buy this useless thing called a convection microwave...shame on you SHARP.

I bought this a few days before Christmas after my old Baumatic stopped working suddenly, days before I had to cook Christmas dinner for 18 guests. Normally, I would read reviews, but I was in a hurry to get a replacement and I wanted one that fitted in the same space as my old microwave oven. Big mistake choosing a Sharp!
It does cook the food on microwave function, usually - though on several occasions a cycle has completed leaving the food uncooked and I've had to run the cycle again.
I hate the pre-progammed functions. Defrost, for exampl

This unit does everything we need it to do, however we are surprised and disappointed that the bulb blew after just over a year of infrequent use. An online search for a replacement revealed a price of $44.00 plus postage! This could turn out to be a very expensive investment if this is a typical lifespan. Considering the expected longevity of LED bulbs, this is certainly 'not up to scratch'.

My new Sharp R890 is a good microwave oven but a useless convection oven. In my first use of the unit I attempted to roast a small chicken and vegetables I cooked the food for 10 minutes at 220C then 75 minutes at 180 C per the recipe and neither the chicken nor the vegetables were near cooked. I then gave it 45 mins at 230C and the chicken went slightly brow. The roast potatoes were still firm and chewy. The chicken flesh near the large bones was still pink and undercooked.

For my next attempt I ignored the recipe and cooked the chicken and q

Good for reheating and steaming quickly. Oven function is ok but food wasn’t as browned as normal oven roasting. Panel is easy to use and clean. Bought it on sale with minor scratches for $200 so value was reasonable.