Panasonic NN-H965BF Luxury Full-Size 2.2-Cubic-Foot 1,250-Watt Microwave Oven, Black

Luxury Full Size Microwave Oven: 2.2 cu ft, 1250 watts' cooking power, easy to use button control, one-touch sensor cooking (9 categories), one-touch sensor reheat, Inverter Turbo Defrost, multi-lingual menu-action screen, black

This gigantic microwave oven services the family that is constantly eating on the run but has gourmet tastes that go beyond packaged frozen dinners. It is true that the oven takes up a great deal of counter space (measurements are 23-7/8 by 14 by 19-7/16 inches) but much of that space can be attributed to the large interior capacity of 2.2 cubic feet, which can fit an entire meal. The oven operates on a powerful 1,250 watts for quicker cooking and defrosting and has a sleek black exterior that looks well in most kitchens.

Most home chefs will find new and innovative features on this microwave that blow away the offerings on their previous models. To figure out the best way to cook a particular food, cooks can access step-by-step instructions on the Menu Action screen. The multi-lingual screen displays information in English, Spanish, or French on how to perform a function. Panasonic's One-Touch Sensor Cooking feature takes the guesswork out of microwave cooking by calculating cooking and reheating times automatically based on the amount of steam released. As part of Panasonic's Inverter Technology, the oven also incorporates a linear power control for even heat distribution so frozen macaroni and cheese doesn't get hot around the perimeter and remain cold in the center during cooking and frozen chicken breasts don't cook around the edges during defrosting. Another major innovation in microwave technology is a warming and simmering feature that delivers low-temperature heat to keep food such as pies, casseroles, or gravy warm without overcooking them. For cooks who are looking for a shortcut but don't want to sacrifice gourmet cooking, this microwave is an excellent option. This luxury microwave oven is covered by Panasonic under a one-year limited warranty while the Magnetron tube has an extended warranty of up to five years. --Cristina Vaamonde