Customer Reviews

Sharp R-216LS Compact Size 0.8 Cu-Foot Microwave, Stainless Steel

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

I really only use the microwave for popcorn, heating up meals, and heating up coffee. It's been absolutely perfectly fine for that. One minor, minor thing is: there's no light on the inside when you open the door. That bugs me.

Bought this compact microwave due to my over the stove built in GE Spacemaker XL magnatron taking a dump. Still had GE's 10 year free parts warranty left on the magnatron. GE wanted $275.00 labor and service call fee to replace it. Decided on the no frills 0.8cu ft Sharp Carousel.
I'm sure I could have gotten a better price had I invested more time and energy looking around, but Amazon has always done right by me with no shipping charge and no sales tax.
This Sharp model is a bottom of the line unit. It is cheaply made, rattles, is dull looking and the clock does not light up. The light inside the oven only works when the unit is running. The door is cheaply made and has a somewhat hollow sound when it closes. All of that said, the unit does what it is supposed to do. It heats evenly and reheats well. Seems powerful for it's wattage and makes popcorn just as well as expensive units. Bottom line, it's fine for what I need.

We bought this because our over-the-range microwaves kept melting, and that was getting to be very expensive. This Sharp stays on a kitchen counter, and is relatively small so it fits very nicely next to our new toaster. This is our fifth microwave in 40 years. I don't know what others use their microwaves for, but 90% of the time, ours is used to heat water for tea, reheat pizza and other dishes, and maybe even reheating coffee (we're not coffee snobs and, in fact, we've never been in a Starbucks). We do not cook meals in a microwave, period. If what you want is a basic microwave, this could well be the one. However, note that the front black window is plastic, and the stainless steel is the thinnest gage made. Still, it cleans up nicely, doesn't scratch readily, and the controls are the simplest. One or two touches and you can accomplish most basic "cooking" or reheating. It's certainly well worth the price ... although $24 for shipping was a bit high.

Addendum to this review. After a little over a year of use, the "0" key on the keypad has become faulty. It still works, but you have to press it a few times and sometimes you get multiple zeroes. Of all the keys to go bad, this has to be the worst one! Couldn't it be the "7" key? Anyway, I was not able to change my number of stars, but I would not buy this again, and I would rate it two stars.

There is not much to say about this unit. It works, has not broken down, is sized adequately to fit in the corner of our remodeled kitchen. The steel finish is attractive and goes with most color schemes. It is solidly built. We resisted getting a microwave as long as anyone I know, but there is a lot of convenience in it. Whatever your cooking habits, it is hard to imagine that it wouldn't be useful at least for reheating. I didn't now how to rate this unit because we have never had another one to compare it to, and there is not much special about any microwave. I am giving it four stars just because it deserves more than three.

I wanted a stainless microwave to go on top of a stainless mini-fridge that goes in the master bedroom. It works great for popcorn and reheating small plates of food, which is exactly what I wanted it for. On top of that, it looks good. But if you want a completely stainless steel microwave, keep in mind that only the top and bottom part of the door of this one is stainless. The rest of the cabinet is a light gray colored metal. I knew this prior to purchasing it, but I can see how the product description can be misleading to some.

I was forced to replace my old 800 watt microwave which I owned for about six years. I was stunned that there were very few small microwaves for sale in the stores (I live in the Chicagoland area - we have just about every store imaginable). I had done my initial research online and settled on a Sharp, since they all had favorable reviews.

I really chose this one for its looks, and I am sorry I did. I didn't really think about the features my old microwave had that I had grown dependent on - the "quick on" feature that I could just press "quick" then "5" to cook for 5 minutes, and even the green glowing LED time-of-day light. My advice - if you are replacing an old unit, really think about the features that you use the most, and look for those in your replacement.

This unit is pretty, but subject to fingerprinting (stainless steel - duh). It is very lightweight - it almost feels like a can that can dent. I hate the LED display - I can't see it when the sun is bright in my kitchen. It is a little slower to cook than my last 800 watt machine. For a basic machine it is OK, but for everyday kitchen use, keep looking.

The LCD screen only shows half the numbers. Is it a 5 or an 8? Kind of hard to use the microwave if you cant read the lcd. I bought this just days over a year ago and now it's faulty. Microwave looks nice and functions nicely. There must have been a penny or two pinched on the lcd. I have calculators with the same technology that have lasted for 20 years. It's not a part that can be replaced yourself. So here goes a service call. I'll bet the repair costs more than the microwave. More to come. Other reviews for this microwave from a different distributor also lists 1 year failures.

If you need a MW can fit "IN" your top (hang) cabinet, which 14" deep, this pocket size MW is the best one. Ideal for a small family, or a single person. Great for small dishes.

Modern, sleek and neat look is also a plus.

We got this microwave for our office, replacing an old, tiny microwave all were happy to be rid of. This one fits well with the office decor (and we're a design shop) and works very well.

The one complaint is that it can make a bit of noise when running with a dish of food in it, though not when we're heating up popcorn. The popcorn setting, by the way, makes microwave popcorn perfectly.

In general, it heats things quickly and well and we love the look.

After reading all of the reviews on this item, I decided to give it a try. Not disappointed at all. I did a down size with the purchase of this item, from a Full Sized 2.2 Cu Ft 1200W Amana which still works like a charm. Saving counter top space was my goal, goal accomplished. The Sharp has all of the quality in workmanship, materials, and attention to details as the larger more expensive model that I still have. First of all the Sharp has the eye candy that is pleasing to any kitchen decor. There is nothing flimsy or inferior about the product. The control pad is very user friendly. If you have never owned a Microwave before a quick glance at the included instruction manual is very helpful. After only two uses I can find nothing wrong with this item. My first Microwave was a Litton so I consider myself as knowing a little about Microwaves. If you are looking for a quality efficient compact Microwave, I recommend the Sharp, it is an excellent buy for the price. PS: Use caution and your own discretion when reading negative reviews about this unit as I have found them not to be a reliable source of information.
Up-dates to follow. Thank You Amazon for a fantastic buy.

03-16-2011 1 week up-date:
After daily use for 1 week, I am unable to find any problems with this unit. The very wide array of functions on the control panel are very useful, especially being able to lower the cooking power from Hi to several settings lower and go back to Hi if desired, all of which can be accomplished with one program setting. Absolutely great for doing a slow cook stew. The Sharp MW does rice just like the big boys in the same amount of time. <g>

04-10-2011 30 Day update:
Not a flaw to be found. Preforms with all the precision accuracy of the larger models. A Microwave owner for over 50 years I have all praise for the Sharp Microwave. Would highly recommend to all. Next update, next year.