Customer Reviews

Panasonic Prestige NN-SD997S, 2.2cuft 1250 Watt Sensor Microwave Oven, Stainless Steel

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

We've had this microwave for several months now, after replacing an old one that was having trouble (which 1/4 of the plate that it decided to heat on any given day was apparently determined by the phases of the moon, or possibly sun spots).

First of all, this is a good size microwave. If you are upgrading from a smaller one, be sure to check the dimensions listed in the product description before ordering.

It's very well built. It gives the impression that it's probably going to last forever. All of the buttons, the dial, the door and its release mechanism are all very solid. The inner rotating tray and the rotation mechanism that it sits on are also well done -- even with a really lopsided load, the rotation of the tray remains smooth.

The performance of this microwave has been stellar. As mentioned in another review, the Popcorn mode is perfect -- I have yet to see a single burnt piece come out of a bag. The "Sensor Reheat" mode has been spectacular for me as well. Just put the food in, and press the button. I use it all the time for leftovers, and wow! As a matter of fact, just yesterday I used it to reheat a plate that included ground beef, mixed vegetables, and a large amount of mashed potatoes -- nothing was overdone, and the mashed potatoes were hot all the way through!

The unit itself is quiet -- it probably operates at about a third of the volume of my old one (admittedly, that's not saying much). My girlfriend thinks it's hilarious that the display says "Enjoy Your Meal" after it finishes heating.

There are a number of features that I haven't tried, since I haven't had a need for them yet. If I end up using one of these features in the future, I'll update this review with the new info.

All in all, it's a great machine. Easily the best microwave I have ever owned. It's expensive (mine was an open box item at a local retailer, purchased for $179), but the capabilities (and the distinct sense that it will last forever) make it a worthwhile investment.

This is a terrific oven:

* Huge on the inside, very space-efficient on the outside. The turntable is 16.5" (42cm), and has 9.5" (24cm) vertical interior clearance. I was even able to mount this above our 24" built-in oven by modifying the trim kit.

* The "Inverter" technology really works. Everything cooks evenly without hot-spots. Consumer reports gives top marks for similar Panasonic ovens, and I can see why.

* The "Sensor" technology (measures steam) is usually reasonably accurate. So far we have not burned anything. Popcorn is perfect.

* The controls are intuitive, and the dial simplifies use.

* The front panel is uncluttered, and does not show fingerprints.

Issues:

* Expensive

* You can't "add time" once the oven starts (though this would seem easy to implement with the dial). (see below for update)

* We have owned this for one month of heavy use, but some reviews indicate long-term reliability problems. (see below for update)

FYI:

* The description is incorrect: the dial is fixed, and does not "pop-out" on this model.

UPDATE March 2010:

1) After >2 years of heavy use, this oven is still working great. Some of the text near the knob has worn off, but otherwise it looks just like new. At least for us, reliability has not been an issue, and we use it constantly.

2) The comment on this review is correct. You can add 1 minute while the oven is in operation with the "Add 1 minute" button. However, our previous oven allowed you to simply rotate the knob and add an arbitrary amount of time (say, 5 seconds). This was more intuitive and flexible. In any case, this is not a major issue.

3) We stumbled across an easy way to set a series of cooking steps if you don't want to use the 'sensor' function: set the power level, set the time, set the power level, time, etc. When you press 'start', the oven will step through the each of the power settings in sequence for the times specified. This is useful if you want to run at full power for a few minutes, and then step down to a lower power. For instance, this is how I cook oatmeal, and now I rarely get an over-flowing bowl.

Bottom line: We *definitely* would buy this model again. This is an excellent microwave oven.

UPDATE October 2011:

Almost 4 years of heavy use, and still going strong. Based on our experience, this microwave is highly recommended!

NOTE: UPDATE -- I've had a chance to try many more of the features. They did not name this microwave GENIOUS for nothing! Bit by bit I have been trying more and more of the "automatic" functions. Bear in mind, I missed several generations of Microwaves because this one was replacing an approximately 20 year old model. This is the first microwave I have tried that could defrost frozen food without cooking it too. It cooks both rice and pasta very nicely (but I haven't yet hit the vessel/lid combination to keep it from boiling over a little). Overall this microwave has replaced electric woks, electric fry pans, quick cookers and other electrical devices I generally used in the summertime so I did not heat the kitchen up when cooking the evening meal. I recommended it to a friend and he too is in awe of it (same model, also purchased from Amazon). There are only 2 things I don't like. I miss repeated beeps telling me my food is ready. If I miss this one's announcement - well, too bad. The other thing is that it is difficult to monitor the food's cooking progress through the window which I assume is as it is to provide cooks from harmful micro-waves.
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This microwave almost seems "overbuilt", even though it weighs about 1/2 as much as my original Plastic woodgrain covered 600W Panasonic microwave from 1974 (that cost $600 new). I still have that old Panasonic, with a stainless steel cavity--which makes more sense to me than a painted cavity and a stainless steel exterior. I have relegated that old one to sterilizing starting soil for my greenhouse and other things garden related.

Until recently I was using two 700W GE microwaves (also old, 1988 and 1990) until one burned out. When I started to shop for a replacement I only considered Panasonic and GE models. I usually research "long term" purchases very thoroughly, and this was no exception. I got GE's annual catalog that has really good comparison charts for all of their microwaves. Panasonic did not have a catalog, but had relatively good descriptions and comparison charts that could be printed off the internet. I compared everything (except price which is my usually my last considered criterion and in this case was $200. maximum tax and shipping included). I numbered the ones I liked best as 1, going down to 3. Lower than that I just crossed out. I didn't get any 1's in the current GE models although there were some very good ones. I had more 1's and 2's than cross outs in the Panasonic pages I printed out. Then I really got down to hard core comparing and this one, Panasonic NN-SD997 was the only one that got a 1+ after my last review of the #1's. THEN I looked at the price and was frustrated big time. Panasonic is selling it for $279.95. Amazon is my first choice of supplier because of savings on tax and shipping. I was pleasantly surprised (actually astonished), Amazon was selling it for $196.96. I ordered it instantly!!! THIS IS A WONDERFUL UNIT, and a purchase I cannot imagine regretting.

Many microwaves seem to die from keypad failure, something I've never experienced. (One Sanyo microwave I killed and replaced with the second GE had a failed magnetron (precisely timed immediately after that part's warranty ended). THIS UNIT HAS NO KEYPAD!!! It has a convenient minute/second dial (knob). There are some multi-function buttons for various features (like power output) and all the directions are easy to understand and LOGICAL. The cavity is huge, and if you have not had a microwave more powerful than 1000W stay near it for awhile while you're getting used to it. I've used microwaves over 35 years and I almost started a fire with this one (not in the oven, in the garbage can where I put the smoldering food!). For best results do not place food in the center of the carousel, but rather with the item's center about halfway between the edge and the center. Even heavy casseroles placed in that way do not cause the carousel to "derail". Especially when using it on full power, you get better results turning the cooking container 180 degrees halfway through cooking time.

There are 2 things about this unit that I strongly dislike. I knew about one before the purchase: This unit does not beep periodically/repeatedly every several minutes after the cooking time is over. This one gives you 5 beeps at the end of the time, and that's it. I sorely miss the reminders, but not having them is not a deal breaker. The other thing I don't like is the visibility into the cooking chamber. It is nearly impossible to see what is in it, let alone allowing the user to see how the food is doing. The best viewing is on my 600W Panasonic, with the 700W GE's being only a little less good. I think perhaps as microwave ovens became more powerful it was necessary to provide the user with more protection from the actual microwaves that are produced. The instruction booklet is very thin because this microwave's usage is so intuitive and convenient it is nearly self-explanatory. I WOULD BUY THIS UNIT AGAIN AND HAVE RECOMMENDED IT TO OTHERS.

The Panasonic NN-SD997S is another fine addition to Panasonic's historically benchmark setting Genius line of premium luxury microwaves.

Background: I am upgrading from a 20+ year old made in Japan Panasonic Genius to this unit simply because I am tired of the old one. This alone should be a great testament to the quality and longevity of Panasonic's microwaves and the exceptional engineering behind the magnetron in these devices.

Fit and Finish: The fit and finish of these units is superb. The brushed aluminium design complements all types of kitchen appliances (from colored plastics to wood) and blends in nicely with any contemporary kitchen finished with silver devices. Also, the fingerprint resistant finish is a godsend in delayed the intervals needed before having to wipe down the exterior. The unit is also much lighter than my outgoing Panasonic; it still feels sturdy but moving it around is much easier!

Interior: The interior of the microwave is very large. The microwave is deep enough to cook three Corelle leftover containers without any trouble. The white (plastic?) material lining the interior is very easy to clean if messes occur. The glass plate was lighter than the one in my outgoing Panasonic microwave, but once again, it feels sturdy and is quite large.

Performance: As for the performance of the microwave: it is stellar! 1250W is enough to warm/cook large items; and thanks to the inverter, you do not have to worry about cold or hot spots...it all gets heated evenly!

Features: The sensor features are quite useful as the preset profiles cooked everything I tried perfectly. The sensor reheat feature is even better as you just have to push one button and not worry about setting power level or time.

Exterior Layout: The button and knobs on the device work great and are placed in a logical layout. The LCD display is crisp and easy to read in all lighting conditions.

Conclusion: I was worried when this new 'Made in China' Prestige Genius showed up on my doorstep that Panasonic might no longer be the king of the microwave hill, but after using this for a month, all of my fears have been allayed. The QC Panasonic employs is top-notch and the unit does everything and more a premium/luxury/ flagship microwave should.

Verdict: A great value for the price; must buy!

The unit is attractive and appears to be substantially made. We are particularly fond of the single knob to input time versus the now almost standard keypad. While it might seem to be a step backwards, it actually is faster and more intuitive.

Large unit so be sure you check your measurements.

While the stainless finish is suppose to be more spot resistant than standard, I can see little difference. It looks nice but be prepared to wipe the spots off often.

I would probably have given the unit 5 stars - except for the fact that the first unit I ordered had a chunk out of the top inside plastic molding. Amazon promptly shipped a replacement unit - and it to had about a 1/4" chunk out of the molding-at virtually the same spot and the same size as the first unit. As I was installing it in a enclosure, I did not run Amazon through the rigors of shipping a 3rd unit to see if I could get one without the defect. Perhaps I just got unlucky, but I think it is more likely that Panasonic has some kind of strange quality problem.

Bottom line - pretty, functional, and if it has a long life, probably my favorite in a long line of microwaves.

Large capacity, Inverter technology, stainless steel, easy to use controls, all serve to make this model a top notch choice. We have plugged this one into a surge suppressor in order to insure against inverter damage. So far after 4 months use, so good. Turbo defrost setting (using lower power instead of bursts of high power on non inverter models is excellent. This miocrowave is good looking and easy to clean. What more can you ask ?

I picked this product based on other interviews. It's been great so far. Never had a dial before - but it is easier and faster than I had imagined. The size is great - will hold a cookie sheet! Makes a great bread-rising chamber for my bread and rolls. Will hold my glass casserole and 9x13 baking pan. It's large but fits perfectly over my 30" builtin oven, as planned and hoped for. Definitely worth the price.

I work at a major science facility and we have to adjust hundreds of different devices and we access these via a set of dial type knobs. Some of our control systems have been updated to "sliders" and numerical entry. In a word, "suck". Using a knob is atactile and human activity that gives good feedback. Sometimes when cooking, I feel my life slipping away as I brainlessly key in 58 seconds at power level 6 to get my midnight snack at work "just right" reheated. I hate keypads. I'm good at them but hate them. Several years ago, our group got a new Panasonic Genius Prestige microwave. much to my surprise, it had a knob to set the time. This is the bomb. Now rather than navigate around the keypad to get xx number of minutes and seconds or punch punch the 1 minute button, I just give 'er a little spin. Additionally, this microwave controls power delivered to the food via power modulation versus time modulation which is how the other 95%+ micros do it. This means that instead of the micro heating for 100% for 5 out of every 10 seconds, The Inverter technology on the Panasonic actually delivers half power for ten seconds. Anyone who has heated beans or clam chowder immediately recognizes the value in this type of control. So, today I discover that the machine will heat in stages. I dialed in 50 seconds on high but had second thoughts and decided that I needed 60% power for 2 minutes instead. So I jabbed the power level button to 60% and spun in 2 minutes on the clock and hit start. Then it heated on high and I figured that it ignored my 60% command, but NO! Low and behold, after the 50seconds, it kicked into the low power 2 minute run. Genius indeed. Therefore, with the revelation that this is the best micro I have ever used, i am ordering one for my house right now and I don't even need a new one. I am just sick of letting my life slip away in mindless moments of jabbing 6-10 keystrokes just to reheat a little clam chowder. Yipee. I think I will take up skydiving in the spare time, that only takes a few minutes.

Awesome microwave. Very intuitive user-friendly controls. The auto-popcorn feature leaves something to be desired, but doing it manually on full power for 1:40 gives a perfect bag every time!

Very powerful, quiet, convenient, well thought out controls, lots of advanced features if you really want to get into it but works fine for someone who just wants to turn a dial and push a button to get something ready.

My old Sharp finally died, and using the reviews here and elsewhere, I settled on this oven. Some of the negatives in the reviews must have been corrected since they were posted, because I don't see any problems. The view inside couldn't be better, the display is bright and easy to read, and adding time is a snap. Even setting the clock couldn't be simpler. Solidly built and the door opens just fine. Bacon, at a minute a slice, is absolutely perfect and evenly cooked. My old m/w used to leave part of a slice crisp and other parts chewy. This is completely uniform, and I suspect that is because of the Inverter technology.

I did have a bit of a worry between the time I placed the order and its arrival. I had forgotten to measure the footprint inside the corner cabinet. Doh! When I did measure using the sizes listed in the description, it looked like it would be sticking out of the shelf about an inch or so. I was worried that it would look stupid or worse: the legs might hang over. When I unpacked the unit I discovered that Panasonic cleverly shaved the corner dimensions by extending the depth only in the middle section of the cabinet. It slid into the shelf perfectly! It could not be more perfect!