Customer Reviews

iWavecube IW600SIL 600-Watt Personal Desktop Microwave Oven, Silver

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Although the interior compartment only measures 6 1/4" tall, 7 3/4" wide and 7 3/4" deep, the instructions warn to only use a full size packet of microwave popcorn. Instinctively I would have thought a mini-bag would have been a better match for the tiny oven, but after pressing the pre-set popcorn button and then "start", the standard size bag popped perfectly.

My plan was to run through most of the pre-set cycles to test the oven. On page 16 of the instruction manual it recommends "For best cooking results, please reuse the oven only after five minutes between uses." So dutifully, I set the timer for five minutes and waited. Then, I attempted to heat a cup of cooled coffee. I put the 3/4 full cup in the microwave and pressed the pre-set coffee button and "start." The oven ran for ten seconds and shut itself off.

Was it too warm from the intense popcorn popping? I again checked the manual and found nothing either in the regular text or the troubleshooting section for some explanation of why the cook cycle would stop by itself after ten seconds. Since I found no guidance in the manual, I began trying different things - unplugging and plugging it in again, starting the coffee cycle again, trying a different pre-set and then trying the one minute button. Nothing worked. Everything shut off after ten seconds.

At one point, I was actually concerned when the fan came on while the oven wasn't running. Was that normal? Again, back to the manual, but there was no mention of the fan. I checked the website hoping for more specific information. No, I found nothing that would resolve my questions. Finally, I realized that if the problem was in fact an over-heated oven, I might be prolonging the problem by turning it on and off. So, I left it alone for 30 minutes. Then, I again tried to heat the coffee and it worked perfectly. So, it appears that the time required to cool down the oven is considerably longer than five minutes. Reading through the manual again I noticed that on the bottom of each page it states "Allow your iWavecube to cool after each use before using again." That's quite vague, but obviously the five minute guideline was incorrect, at least for longer cooking cycles. And, most appliances I've used that have over-heated won't come on until they've cooled -- there isn't a ten second start and stop, so that seemed unusual and worth noting in the instruction manual.

The coffee pre-set cycle heated the coffee completely. Next I tried the hot sandwich cycle. I ran into the same problem with the cycle stopping after ten seconds, but now I assumed the oven still hadn't cooled down enough after ten minutes, so I left it for another twenty minutes. That fixed the problem, but I also discovered that the sandwich pre-set cycle over cooked my sandwich. It was hard as a rock. Next time I will manually put in the time. Three to three and a half minutes would have been perfect. There is often an adjustment period necessary when using a new microwave oven, so other than ruining my lunch, the concrete sandwich didn't deter me.

To test if it is both the long and short cooking cycles that require a lengthy cooling off period, I placed a cup of water in the oven and pressed 30 seconds, then without hesitating did it again, and then pushed the one minute button and then repeated the one minute button. No hesitation or cooling off was required, so clearly this is an issue of heat build-up in the tiny oven in long cook cycles.

Do I like the tiny iWaveCube? Yes, I do, and despite the questions the instruction manual failed to answer, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a tiny microwave. It works beautifully, given sufficient cooling-off time. I don't think it is instinctive to know to wait 30 minutes after a five minute cooking cycle for the oven to again be functional, either that or I am unwilling to admit my own short-comings. Knowing the requirements of the machine permits the user to plan accordingly. This isn't a full-size microwave, and it doesn't operate like one, but for use on a desktop, while traveling or in some other limited application it works great.

My only complaint is with the instruction manual and it isn't limited to the lack of over-heating detail. There is no definitive information about whether to always use the cooking rack or just with sandwiches and popcorn. It is also noted that in case of a fire in the oven, to turn the oven off. There is no off button - the user must press pause/reset and then press it again to stop the oven. So, I am rating the microwave four stars - actually five for the oven and three for the manual because it lacks adequate detail leaving too many unanswered questions for the user.

This is by far the cutest, handiest microwave oven I've ever seen. With a footprint of about 10 x 10 inches, it takes up barely more space than a standard sheet of paper, and it is only a foot tall. Of course, that means the cooking area is limited, but this is not meant to be an all-purpose microwave; rather, it's an option for a small space or for someone who needs portability. It even has a fold-down handle on top to carry it.

The iWavecube can be used with either timed cooking or automatic programs. The programs include coffee, popcorn, hot sandwich, soup, and, interestingly, gel pack for those heat 'n' use therapeutic packs. If not using an automatic program, the timer is set in an odd, but very intuitive way. There are buttons for 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 5 minutes. The choices can be combined to customize the timing; for example, pressing the 5-minute button twice sets it for 10 minutes. The 30-second button doubles as the start button, making it a quick, instant-on choice. I have this feature on my full-size microwave, and it's one that I use frequently. It's surprising how often 30 seconds seems to be just the right time, especially when something is almost, but not quite, done.

The first thing I tried was the classic: popcorn. To give you an idea how small the interior is, a standard size bag of microwave popcorn, when fully popped, pretty much fills it. It popped relatively quickly (considering the oven's 600 watts) and thoroughly. I also tried it for reheating coffee and, again, the automatic option worked well.

One caveat: The best feature of this oven is its portability, and if you don't need that or the exceptionally small size, you may be able to do better price-wise with a different model. Note also that the controls are on top, so if you want to keep it on an eye-level shelf, you will need to move it down to actually use it.

However, if you need a small microwave in a variety of locations -- say, your home office, workshop, and RV, this would be a great choice. It would also be perfect in a studio apartment, dorm room, or as a personal microwave in an office (given how disgustingly dirty shared microwaves usually become, I might even want it in an office where a group lunchroom microwave was available).

When I travel, I often stay in bargain motels to save expenses, which means I'm often without a microwave. I anticipate taking this handy appliance along any time it's a driving trip. I might even include it as a carry-on when I use Amtrak -- I can just imagine other travelers' faces when they see me climb aboard with my microwave!

I ordered this same item from a seller on EBay. It came very promptly. This microwave is good if your use of a microwave is minimal. Great for heating beverages, soup. Only a very small plate will fit in it& there is no rotation tray. Pros--small, stylish, very quiet & light weight. Cons- has a metal rack inside, no glass tray. Controls on top are difficult to see unless you are next to the microwave.

For the most part, I am pleased with this little iwavecube microwave. It is about half the size of a normal countertop unit, (and exact dimension are in the listing). It heats small food items quickly. This would be ideal for a dorm, home office, or cramped countertop.
I do however have a few minor gripes. When you first take it out of the box, you have to remove a layer of clear film from the unit. Maybe I did it wrong, but some of the plastic got stuck in the bends and folds of the machine which is mostly a cosmetic issue. There were no instructions on how to properly remove this protective film, only a sticker telling me to remove it.
I also didn't like that the display and controls were on the top of the unit. The whole point of something this small is so that you can tuck it under something into a tight spot or on a shelf. You can't do that because you won't be able to access the contols. Also you can't set or stack anything on top of it for the same reason.
Overall I give this little iwavecube 3 stars!

I have my iWavecube IW600SIL 600-Watt Personal Desktop Microwave Oven perfectly situated on an extra desk in my office. This is so convenient since I normally bring microwaveable meals or leftovers for lunch. It is so small and compact, not an eye sore at all.

The push button console is so simple to use. If you need to add more time to the pre-set time limits, you can enter in either increments of 10 seconds, 30 seconds or 1 minute. Door closes firmly in place and very simple to clean up any spillage. It runs quietly, all you hear is a faint sound of the fan blowing. Since it is only 600 watts it does take a little more time to microwave foods then you what would except from a standard sized microwave. A meal that normally takes 1 1/2 minutes to cook takes approximately 2 1/2 minutes on the iWavecube microwave. Even with that said, I still find it a gem to own.

The AC plug is short, approximately 36 inches. It states in the instructional manual that the cord is short to reduce the risks of becoming entangled in or tripping over the cord. I would of preferred a long cord since the wall outlet is quite low to the floor. I also wish it had a turntable, but since it is so small and compact I can understand why it does not. I was surprised it comes with a metal cooking rack since I was always told no metal in the microwave. The rack does get very hot so make sure not to touch the rack after use. The manual also states to allow 5 minutes between uses for best cooking results.

Overall nice product and it will be put to good use in my office by myself and my co-workers.

At maximum power level of 600 watts, the iWaveCube is nothing to brag about in terms of performance. Nevertheless the product is well constructed, works quietly and well. I purchased the iWaveCube primarily for its compact size - it takes less than a square foot of counter top space. If size and portability is a strong requirement then this product is highly recommended. As the product's description states, it is meant for desk/counter top use, not from higher shelf space - the controls and display are on top making them inaccessable from an elevated position. There are stronger microwaves on the market for cheaper price but not this small. It is sufficiently powerful to (re-)heat cups, bowls and small plates of food. The absence of a turntable does not deter from its usefulness.

I wouldn't use this microwave every day. It made me a little nervous when the popcorn was done (a little burnt, by the way) and the microwave was still making microwave noises. It's cute, and it's kitschy, and everyone who sees it wants to start a conversation about it, but in the end, size kind of does matter. If you don't even see yourself needing to heat up a full size plate, maybe this is for you. It's great for an office or a dorm room when you are really tight on space and only need to heat up popcorn, drinks or hot pockets.
When I think about the times when I really need, when I really can use, a travel microwave, most of those instances fail to involve a power outlet. Tailgating, camping, no power after a hurricane, iWavecube missed a great opportunity to make this a really useful devise. It should have included a car adaptor; that would have made it an actual useful product.
My first impression was to give this three stars, but after I thought about it a while, I figured my inability to find a decent use for this microwave wasn't a fair reason, so I've given it four. It is as advertised and does what is promised.

I just love this small microwave! Since I travel all over the U.S. for work and pleasure, I love taking this portable microwave with me wherever I go. Many hotels do not offer microwaves and mini fridges or only offer one or the other. The iWave Cube is lightweight and doesn't take up too much space in my trunk (less than my smallest suitcase). I can pop a bag of popcorn, a cup of coffee, a bowl of soup or small microwaveable meals. I suggest buying one if you travel, camp or just need an extra small microwave (great for college dorms too - my son will get many uses!).

It is true that appearances can be deceiving. This tiny microwave resembles a child's toy but when put to the test, it delivers enough power to heat your coffee or soup or to pop your microwave popcorn. Although at 600 watts, it takes slightly longer to do the job than my larger, 1100 watt oven, we're talking seconds here or at most a minute or two. I think that's a fair trade-off for a functioning microwave that takes up as little room and is as light as the iWavecube. The controls, located on the top of the unit, are self-explanatory and easy to navigate and there are convenient pre-programmed settings for several of the most commonly microwaved items. While there is no turntable, I find it no trouble to open the oven midway through the process and either stir or turn the food to produce more even heating.

The beauty of this little appliance is its sheer convenience and portability. It will fit virtually anywhere you choose to place it and if you change your mind, it's no problem to pick it up by its convenient handle and move it to a new location. While I consider its diminutive size to be an asset, in some situations it's a limitation. For instance, with interior dimensions of approximately 8" wide, 6" high and 8" deep, its capacity is restricted to a single cup or a small plate; larger items simply won't fit inside. But if you're looking for a microwave that will fit into a small space and has enough power to adequately heat your food or drink, the iWavecube is an ideal solution.

This little gadget was a pleasant surprise. I didn't really expect it to work well, but it does. Weighing less than a briefcase, the unit came quickly out of its packing box and was ready to use in under a minute: well, almost. Be careful to note that the sides and top have a clear adhesive plastic film that must be removed before use. For best results, turn the unit over and peel from the bottom, up the side, and then across the top. You'll waste time trying to start from the top side (as I did).

In my test of preparing a cup of instant coffee, I filled an eight-ounce mug with very cold tap water, pressed Coffee-1 and Start, and then waited the allotted five minutes. At the end, I tested the temperature: wow! The water was 190 degrees. That's hotter than the fabled McDonald's Lawsuit Brew!

If you place this microwave in an office, dorm, guest room, or some similar spot where it will be used for heating beverages and small items, you'll be quite satisfied. If you think you're going to cook with it, you'll likely be disappointed. It's not even big enough for a TV dinner. But for its intended purpose, this is a great little item!