Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN65KB with Inverter

I LOVE this microwave. Reheating food is a balance between how much energy is introduced at the outside of the food and how quickly it convects through the food to warm it up. The inverter allows me to achieve that balance.

I never have problems with my food sizzling and popping yet still coming out cold. I’ve found that the power setting of 4 works best for reheating food. The downside is that it takes twice as long to do it this way. But honestly, am I really in such a hurry that I can wait two minutes but not four?

High power is great for heating water or thin soups, but not so much for reheating that leftover Thanksgiving turkey. The outside will get hot enough for the fats and oils at the surface to heat beyond the boiling point, which then causes the water droplets to immediately vaporize causing the sputtering and popping. Reducing the power level with an inverter microwave heats the outside more gently and allows conduction within the food to carry that heat to the inside before the outside heats up past the boiling point, warming it more evenly.

If you’re the kind of person that just wants to put your food in and press a button to blast it with high power and “heat it as fast as possible”, you won’t get much out of the inverter technology… and you’ll continue to eat leftovers with the outside overheated and the inside still cold.

As others have noticed, you also have to be very precise about where you press the buttons. They won’t register if you don’t press them exactly in the middle of the pad.

Also, the microwave beep is very loud. I just shut off the beep (instructions to do so are in the manual).

The Panasonic NN-SN65KB Microwave is a compact kitchen appliance that packs a punch in terms of performance. Its overall quality is impressive, making it a reliable addition to any kitchen. The microwave excels in cooking food efficiently, delivering consistent and even results.

One of its standout features is its cooking prowess. With a variety of power settings and a precise sensor cooking technology, the NN-SN65KB ensures that your meals are cooked to perfection. Whether you’re reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen items, or cooking a quick snack, this microwave handles each task with ease.

However, it’s important to note that the NN-SN65KB is on the smaller side. While its compact design makes it suitable for kitchens with limited space, it may pose a challenge when trying to heat larger dishes or accommodate sizable containers. This could be a consideration for those who frequently cook or reheat large quantities of food.

Despite its size limitation, the Panasonic NN-SN65KB Microwave is an excellent choice for individuals or small families looking for a high-quality, efficient appliance that excels in cooking performance. Its sleek design, advanced features, and reliable functionality make it a solid investment for those prioritizing performance in a smaller package.

We bought this to replace our previous Panasonic which we had for about 30 years. It’s quite a bit more powerful and we find ourselves reducing cooking times a bit. We knocked off a star for several minor points: (1) the machine is a lot louder than its predecessor. (2) the door latches protrude and we’ve scratched ourselves on them a few times taking things in and out of the door and (3) the door latch is stiff, to the point where the machine gradually creeps across the counter after shutting the door repeatedly, and (4) the light is pretty dim and it’s hard to see with the door shut – the dark gray interior doesn’t help (our old one had a white interior)