Customer Reviews

Sharp R-426LS Family-Size 1-2/5-Cubic-Foot Countertop Microwave Oven

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I owned this microwave for one and a half years. In that time I was most impressed with the sleek finish and large size. It does everything you would expect of a microwave (boil water, popcorn, reheat food, etc). The preset, by weight, settings are a little hit or miss, but all in all pretty good. Generally, I like to manually adjust the power level and this microwave does a great job with that. For instance, melting butter on power level one or two melts the butter without boiling or liquefying it.

My roommate took my first Sharp and I'm about to buy my second. I hope this helps.

I raved about this microwave for about 6 months, till the turntable motor broke. It was fixed at a service center at no cost to me as it was still under warranty. The design is really gorgeous, i'll give that to it, the functions are nice, it's easy to use, sensor is great. I would still be loving it if not the accident that happened a week ago - it just started sparkling and burnt the waveguard cover and one side. It didn't damage the food, just burnt itself. I was lucky enough to be next to it and turn it off. The warranty expired about 4 months ago, but i contacted Sharp anyway as it's a safety issue. First they sounded worried, but as soon as they realized that nobody was hurt and the house wasn't in fire i got standard response that it's not under warranty, they can't help me and it's my own problem.

I wouldn't dare call them if it was something else - thing happen, appliences brake and if i wasn't smart enough to buy the extended warranty that would my problem and i would deserve to spend my money on fixing it or buying a new one. But this thing almost started fire in my house and nobody wouldn't be even interested in checking on it, so i'd say - SHARP - NEVER AGAIN.

I recently finished my kitchen remodel which included all stainless steel appliances. I bought this model of microwave because of its design. Now that I am using it, I love it. It is easy to use. It took no time for me to adjust to the buttons being on the inside.The size is great and the sensor mode works wonderfully. I would highly reccomend this product.

Looks great, works great. The ergonomics of having the touch pad in a location where you have to have the door open to access takes right much getting used to. Put the food in, punch up the time, power setting, etc, then close the door and press the start button. Sounds easy - well it is but it is something one has to get used to - seems to me a frivolous try to be different and to have a featureless look. And since they have the touch pad hidden - it would have been better to have the touchpad white with black letters - as it is much easier to read than white on black.
Other than all of this, I have no complaints - now let see how long the touch pad and/or the digital readout lasts.

This microwave looks like no other I've seen. Overall, it works well - it's quiet and cooks/warms/defrosts well. It's missing a button I used to use all the time (the "quick minuted" button), it has limited "defrost" buttons, which leaves me guessing which option best fits the meat I'm trying to defrost, and sometimes button-pressing patterns are confusing or repeatative (in order to use the timer, you have to push "timer," enter the time, and "timer" again).

Recently we purchased the SHARP R-426LS Family Size Countertop Microwave.
Although we have no small children in our household, the safety feature with the controls and settings not available to be touched on the outside of the microwave is definitely a great feature. It does take a bit of time to get used to opening the door to choose your settings, however. This particular model has many features to choose from to make your cooking more efficient. You need to read the booklet and learn which of the many settings that are available are best for your uses. Again this is more sophisticated that some of the other microwaves we have owned. Some may find it cumbersome to use some of the settings, but if you perservere, it will be worth your time. Last, but not least we find the style of this microwave to be a great improvement. Although we use it on our countertop, at present, should we decide to use it above our stove as many do, it can be installed that way as well because of the special feature of this model. That is not the case with other countertop microwaves. We also find this size works well with larger dishes/bowls/plates, etc. which one uses for all type of microwaving and defrosting. After researching many other makes and models of microwaves, we find this Sharp to be the best, and it was also reasonably priced.

I had this model-an earlier version same look and basic design-for 7 years. I think that's a pretty good track record so I ordered the new version and really like it. I do miss the old buttons that cooked various sizes of popcorn from regular to snack size to perfection and baked potatoes to perfection, but I am getting used to the sensor heating idea and at least it errs on the side of undercooking rather than overcooking.

I bought this oven from Amazon 18 months ago in spite of seeing several reviews claiming that the oven had emitted sparks and smoke. Well, now I have had the exact same problem with this oven TWICE in 18 months. The first time was after I had had the unit for just under a year. Loud (BZZZZZT!) and frightening white sparks came shooting off the "wave guide cover" (I'm now a expert on microwave malfunction) The kitchen filled with enough smoke to set off the fire alarms. Sharp covered the repair under warantee but offered nothing to compensate me for the 30 minute trip each way to the repair shop to drop it of, and again to pick it up. I gave it a chance because we really like the oven.

This past week (6/15/10) 6 months after it was repaired, it started sparking and smoking again! Needless to say I am furious and frustrated. After some haggling and my absolute insistence that I would never run this thing in my house again, Sharp agreed to send me a new unit of this model for $50 including all shipping etc. I agreed since we love the way the oven looks and works, (except when it's on FIRE!) Ironically, both times this thing has failed I had to go up to the attic and drag down our smaller 15 (!) year old microwave that still works perfectly!!! This is the last time I'm dealing with this problem. If the new one blows up too, it's going out in the garbage and I will never ever EVER buy another Sharp product.

This unit was installed in August 2008. Worked great in a remodeled kitchen. Last week the unit started sparking (when heating coffee) and burned a hole in
the side interior panel. Of course the warranty is up. Minimun cost to have it checked out, $70.00 at a Sharp authorized repair location. Being the contractor who
remodeled the kitchen, I'm now faced with having recommended a product which has performed poorly. We have had good reliability with Sharp microwaves in the
past but feel we cannot recommend them any longer. Another good brand bites the dust........

I purchased this microwave for my Mother last Christmas. Once you get used to setting the cook time, or choosing your setting before you close the door, instead of after, it's a dream. It looks beautiful with hidden controls. It works beautifully, and this year, she is buying one for me.