Customer Reviews

Panasonic NN-S262WF Over-the-Range Microwave, White

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

We purchased this microwave in October for $300 minus the $50 rebate. Panasonic denied our first rebate submission, claiming we'd bought the wrong item. A phone call cleared up the misunderstanding and apparently our rebate is on its way. However, I've since been told that rebate problems and denials are a common occurrence with Panasonic.

The microwave has a nice appearance and functions well. However, there is a significant design flaw. You cannot use the hood light as a nightlight or even keep it on for very long without heating up the inside of the microwave to the point where the internal fan comes on and the microwave will not turn on to cook. After the oven cools down, it seems to function normally. The first time this happened, the inside of the oven was so hot I thought it was a short circuit. For that reason, I do not recommend buying this appliance. I wonder if this is why the price has dropped dramatically...

This item was purchased to replace a 20+ year old oven. Different mounting holes from the original but the included paper template made it a straightforward installation. Total install time was approximately one hour. Can be completed by one person but two is easier. A leading consumer magazine considers this a best buy in their Jan/04 issue. The $50 rebate was received in about 6 weeks. A Panasonic web page allows one to track a rebates progress. Generic charcoal filters are available from Home Depot for $15 a pair. Vent fan will turn on automatically when the internal temperature reaches a certain point. For example, when theres a lot of activity on the stovetop below. This is a feature that protects the internal electronic components. The night-light doesnt activate the fan! Overall, a great purchase for $199.

I purchased this MicroHood in December and had it installed in a new home. Delivery was held up due to scheduling delivery with the contractors and the Christmas rush of shipments that UPS had to deal with, but it arrived without damage.

The unit far exceeds my expectations in its cooking ability. Everything we have used it for, from warming up coffee to cooking vegetables, has come out perfectly hot without hot spots. It does a good job of keeping food warm without overcooking. We thought we would only use it occasionally, but is so easy to use and does it so well, we've ended up using it at almost every meal. The fan noise is more than we expected, however there are three settings for the fan and the lowest setting moves considerable air with little noise. The floor of the unit does get hot when the lights are used but we have not experienced any delay in cooking related to a cool down cycle. We have not received the $50.00 rebate yet, though the information with the rebate does say to allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. I wouldn't take the rebate as a deciding factor.

We love our MicroHood and recommend it in spite of the noise, heat and rebate issues. After all, who can find fault with an appliance that is so curtious it tells you to 'ENJOY YOUR MEAL' after it finishes cooking?!

I ordered this unit on December 5th to replace a Kenmore model, even using the SuperSaver service it was delivered on December 10th at a total cost of $199.99 from Amazon. I also sent in the paperwork to Panasonic for a $50 rebate which should lower the total cost even more.

Installation was straightforward and its operation has been flawless. The performance of the automated settings for cooking and reheating have far exceeded my previous experiences. Foods have cooked evenly and to a proper stage. The shiny black finish is attractive and easy to clean, but fingerprints do show more prominently than they did on the unit that was replaced.

I have only three relatively minor cautions: (1) if you choose to vent internally the filters run about $30 and are to be replaced 1-2 times per year (I installed the unit to vent outside which eliminated the need for a filter but added to the installation time as there was no existing vent over my cooking area); (2) the fan is noisier than I expected, but still operates at about the same noise level as the internally vented Kenmore that was replaced; (3) Panasonic does not have the best reputation for processing rebates, so I did not factor the potential savings from a $50 rebate offer into the purchase decision.

We bought this microwave for $199 last month from Amazon.com. What a good price plus there was free shipping and the $50 rebate! We never had an over-the-range microwave before and did not know what to expect with the install or the size of it. It is huge compared to our old counter top model and it was not too difficult to install. The fan is ultra quiet compared to our old fan- I do not understand how any one can say it is loud. Also we have used to light as a night light all night long, and never had the fan come on as the other review noted.
The buttons are easy to follow and the food cooks much better then in our old microwave. Also the plate never gets hot as it did for us in our old oven. And the food cooks not just on the outside edges, but in the middle as well equally! Amazingly good quality at an amazingly good price! We love it. And it is very pretty in white. The two level cooking with the shelf is awesome as well. The best quality microwave you can find at it price for sure!

The draw back to this model is the exhaust fan noise. I believe it is very loud. Other than that I was very please with the performance of the microwave.

My Panasonic over-the-range microwave only lasted 1.5 years before it died on me. Panasonic wanted me to uninstall it, bring it to them and pay too much to have it repaired. It wasn't nearly as good as my GE over-the-range microwave which lasted more than 10 years!

The first one we received was dead out of the box. It made a loud grinding and sounded like a fan hitting metal. We assumed this was due to shipping damage and received a replacement. The replacement worked fine for six months but suddenly the display panel would go blank and the clock would reset after a few minutes. The microwave has now ceased functioning altogether. The warranty states "in-home" service, but there are no local service facilities.