LG NeoChef 0.9 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven, 21 x 12 x 17, Stainless Steel

Lately I've been on a quest for the perfect microwave. I've owned many, bought my first one (the first person I knew to buy one) in 1974. People used to come over to try this wondrous new invention. A year or so ago I sold my house and my 10+ year old Sharp microwave with it. I decided to travel, and bought a vintage travel trailer. I considered many microwaves for it, but ultimately purchased a Panasonic NN-SD372S, chiefly for its low power usage and the new inverter technology. I loved it, the perfect cooking and defrosting, the reduced cooking times, etc., but unfortunately, as is apparently common with Panasonic microwaves, it died after just a few months of use, and could not be resurrected. I next bought a Toshiba EM925A5A-SS, which I loved for several reasons- chiefly because I fancied it had a retro, mid-century look to it, like what a replicator looked like on the original Star Trek. Also, it had a pleasing handle and you could mute the sound, AND, the owner's manual detailed how one can use aluminum foil creatively in the microwave to prevent items that cook too quickly from overcooking as compared to other parts of the meal (the tips of chicken wings, rolls, etc., something I'd done with that first Gaffers and Sattler microwave, didn't know you could still do that). It performed well, too. Plus, I forgot to put food in the Toshiba on two occasions (oops) and it seemed to overheat and die, but sprang back to life good as new after cooling off. But, I tired of "tiny" living, and decided to sell the travel trailer and included the Toshiba in the sale, so on to the next microwave.This time I wanted a BEAUTY, a sleek minimalist design, hopefully with the inverter technology, and I wasn't disappointed. The pictures simply don't do it justice, it's GORGEOUS, sexy, anything but boxy and squat-looking with it's extra-wide, nearly edge-to-edge jet-black panel and contrasting burnished steel- a machine to be reckoned with, unique. I've owned a slew of wonderful LG products- several mobile phones, TVs, a 19" laptop, all great and well-thought out, all still working after YEARS. And indeed, this microwave has a 10 YEAR WARRANTY. As with the Panasonic, the inverter technology is amazing- popcorn with every kernel popped but not burned, meat defrosted evenly without some parts still frozen with other parts partially cooked, much faster cooking times, and faster cooking possible in a smaller, space-saving housing.The NeoChef is beautiful, striking, minimalist, with no knobs or overt displays to break up its sleek modern lines. Yet, it's ridiculously user-friendly, easy to use, super-easy to clean. Why people say they'd have to explain to guests how to use it I don't know, a monkey could figure it out (well, it's not readily apparent how to open the door, I'll grant that- you just pull it open at the top right hand corner). There are only four unobtrusive and very faint legends usable/visible on the microwave in typical use- Plus and Minus signs, for rapidly entering/increasing or decreasing the number of minutes of cooking time, Start (which also cooks or advances for 30 seconds), and Stop (which locks the microwave if not cooking, or pauses for 3 seconds in the midst of cooking). You can opt to have the clock/time displayed or not.After taking the NeoChef out of the box (arrives very well-packaged), I began using it without even needing to look at the owner's manual. To access additional functions, like power level or defrost, you simply open the door to access the control panel, which is hidden otherwise. The buttons/options are comparable to other microwaves, self-explanatory for the most part. This is an expertly designed and well thought-out microwave- designed to perform its functions with the fewest number of button presses. I love that. And finally, while I appreciated the ability to mute the Toshiba entirely, this precluded the use of the kitchen timer. The NeoChef solves that issue with a very soft, melodious tinkling sound, like an electronic wind-chime- just loud enough to hear at a distance, but not loud enough to wake anyone up or be annoying.Hands down the best microwave yet- for me, the best of ALL worlds. And a thing of beauty, modern art. The more I look at it and use it, the more I love it. If it should malfunction, I'll update this review, but thus far, HIGHLY and most heartily recommended!

Great all around for tiny areas or where space is restricted. Output is even and powerful. Easy to clear. Features are great and exterior is very sleek with touchscreen type interface for adjusting time.Only drawback is since there is no number pad, all cook time and timer options are in intervals of 10 seconds. So, you can either cook your popcorn for 2:00 or 2:10, but nothing in between.

I LOVE this microwave. It's simple, elegant and effective. It does not have all the bells and whistles of others. Who uses them all anyway! I LOVE the melodious bell sounds it makes when it has completed cooking or the timer.

I really love everything about this microwave. From how it looks to the cute jingle when it’s done (like when targets card chip reader tells you to remove your card) , the LEDs, perfect!My only 1 issue is you can’t type in time. So say you want to put something in for 5 minutes...you have to click +30 seconds 10x or hit the time+ which increases in 10second intervals until you get the time you want (this moves super quick if you hold it so I always go over the time lol). Good to know I think but would not stop me from buying this microwave I love it!!

This started sparking on the cover of the magnetron (which was clean) less than two years after purchase. The design of a door that covers the operating panel is awkward and space-wasting.

I bought the LG microwave based on consumer reviews, and it started to have problems within a year with the panel on front. However, it didn't seem to affect performance and I would unplug the unit and then replug it in. But since the summer of 2020 it started to have frequent problems and about 2 weeks ago the inside right hand side there is a panel that started to spark and smoke. I was not home but my teenage daughter unplugged the unit and was afraid that it would start a fire. I called LG and reported the incident as they offer a 10 year guarantee on the element inside the microwave, but after a long call (1 hour) and sending her evidence that the microwave posed a fire hazard she filed a report. I heard from LG customer service saying that they would provide me a voucher (that would arrive 2-4 weeks after I submitted all evidence-proof of purchase, evidence of malfunction, and torn labels from the product) to purchase another LG product. It's appalling that this is how they treat their customers. I would not recommend purchasing another LG product. Life's Good but customer service is not!

I love everything about this microwave. I like the placement of the control panel, the music when it is done and the inside is attractive. So happy I got it!!!!!

Odd set-up requires the door to be closed before it will start. It is neat and compact. I have used it for about a month without concern