Have you ever found yourself staring at a pile of frozen leftovers or a dish that needs a quick reheat, only to realise your existing microwave is either too complicated, too bulky, or simply unreliable? I’ve certainly been in that predicament countless times. Back then, a dependable kitchen appliance that could offer both convenience and efficiency would have been a game-changer, saving precious time and avoiding the frustration of unevenly cooked food. Without a solution, weeknight dinners felt like an unnecessary chore, and perfectly good food often went to waste.
Before diving into any specific model, it’s crucial to understand why one might need a microwave in the first place and what key factors should influence your decision. A microwave oven primarily serves to quickly heat, reheat, and defrost food, making daily meal preparation significantly more convenient. It’s an essential appliance for busy individuals, families needing rapid meals, or anyone with limited time for traditional cooking methods.
The ideal customer for a compact microwave, like the category this product falls into, is someone living in a smaller flat, a student dorm, or anyone with limited kitchen countertop space. They value efficiency and ease of use over extensive cooking capabilities. They likely primarily use the appliance for reheating leftovers, defrosting ingredients, and perhaps cooking simple microwave-friendly meals like popcorn or ready meals.
Conversely, those who frequently cook for large families, prefer to bake or roast, or require advanced multi-functionality like grilling or convection baking, might find a compact solo microwave limiting. They might be better served by a larger combi microwave oven, a dedicated oven, or even an air fryer for more versatile cooking tasks.
When considering a purchase, think about capacity (does it fit a standard dinner plate?), wattage (higher wattage generally means faster cooking), available power levels for precision, defrost functions, preset programs, ease of cleaning, and the overall design to match your kitchen aesthetic. Digital controls are often preferred for accuracy, and safety features like a child lock are a bonus.
Introducing the Belaco 20L Digital Microwave
The Belaco 20L Microwave presents itself as a stylish and functional solution for modern kitchens, promising precision cooking and convenience in a compact, retro-inspired package. This Belaco microwave oven comes complete with a roller ring and a turnable glass tray, ensuring your food rotates for even heating. While it doesn’t directly compete with high-end combi ovens, it positions itself as a more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing alternative to many basic solo microwaves on the market, especially those with more utilitarian designs or overly complicated interfaces. Compared to older, knob-based models, its digital display and preset options offer a significant upgrade in precision and ease of use. This particular microwave is perfect for individuals or small families seeking a reliable and attractive appliance for daily reheating, defrosting, and simple cooking tasks, particularly those with limited counter space. It’s less suited for those who expect a robust, heavy-duty appliance for intense, frequent use or multi-functional cooking beyond basic microwave capabilities.
Here’s a quick overview of its strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
* Stylish Retro Design: Its dark grey finish with subtle accents adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen.
* Highly Intuitive Digital Controls: Very easy to use, with clear buttons and a bright LED display.
* Dual Defrost Functionality: Offers both weight-based and time-based defrosting for optimal results.
* Compact Yet Capacious: Despite its small footprint, it comfortably accommodates a standard dinner plate.
* Excellent Ease of Cleaning: The interior surface is remarkably simple to wipe down.
Cons:
* Perceived Build Quality: Some components, particularly the door, feel somewhat lightweight for a “luxury” product.
* Suboptimal Interior Lighting: The internal LED, while bright, doesn’t effectively illuminate the entire cooking cavity.
* Value Proposition: The price point might feel high given the build quality concerns, despite its strong feature set.
In-Depth Look: Features and Performance
Having integrated the Belaco 20L Microwave into my daily routine, I can confidently share my detailed experience with its various features. It’s been a reliable companion in my kitchen, though not without a few quirks.
Precision Digital Control and Power Levels
At the heart of the Belaco 20L Microwave is its 800W power output, paired with a robust digital control system. This combination allows for a level of precision that many basic microwaves simply can’t match. With ten adjustable power levels, ranging from a gentle 10% up to a full 100%, you gain exceptional control over your cooking.
When I need to quickly boil water or cook a ready meal, setting it to 100% or 90% power (HIGH) gets the job done swiftly and thoroughly. For more delicate tasks, like gently warming soup or preparing sauces, the medium-high (80-70%) or medium (60-50%) settings are ideal, preventing overcooking or explosive splatters. The lower settings, M.Low (40-30%) and LOW (20-10%), are incredibly useful for defrosting or simply keeping food warm without continuing to cook it. This granular control is a significant benefit, as it means I’m not just guessing timings, but truly optimising the heat for different food types, leading to better results and less wasted food. The digital timer, which allows for settings up to 99 minutes and 99 seconds, complements this perfectly, ensuring exact cooking times every time.
Compact Design and Capacity
One of the standout features of this Belaco microwave is its cleverly designed compact footprint. Measuring H25.8 x W45.1 x D32.3 cm externally, it’s remarkably space-saving, making it an excellent choice for smaller kitchens, flats, or even a studio apartment where every inch of counter space counts. Despite its modest exterior, the 20-litre capacity comfortably holds a standard 10.5-inch dinner plate. This means I never have to awkwardly angle my plate or use smaller dishes just to fit them in, which was a common frustration with previous, similarly sized models. The internal dimensions (H20.8 x W29.7 x D27.3 cm) are surprisingly generous for its class, proving that compact doesn’t have to mean compromising on usability for everyday items. Its ability to tuck neatly into a corner or against a wall without dominating the workspace is a definite advantage, and it’s especially beneficial for those who want a functional appliance without sacrificing aesthetic appeal or feeling cramped.
Intelligent Dual Defrost Function
The dual defrost function is a true highlight and genuinely makes this one of the most flexible microwave ovens I’ve encountered in this price range. It offers two distinct methods, ensuring your frozen foods are thawed perfectly without being partially cooked or left with icy patches.
The first method, DEF1 (Defrost by weight), is incredibly precise. You simply select DEF1, input the weight of your frozen food (ranging from 100g to 1500g), and the microwave automatically calculates the optimal defrosting time. This is fantastic for items like minced meat or chicken breasts, ensuring they’re ready for cooking without guesswork.
The second method, DEF2 (Defrost by time), provides flexibility for items where weight might be less precise or if you just need a quick partial thaw. You select DEF2 and then manually enter the desired defrosting time, up to 99 minutes and 99 seconds. I’ve found both functions to be remarkably accurate; unlike some older microwaves that start cooking the edges of your food, the Belaco 20L Microwave handles thawing with impressive finesse. It often buzzes midway through to remind you to turn the food over, which further aids even defrosting and contributes to its effectiveness. This thoughtful design helps preserve the taste and texture of your food, preventing that dreaded “microwave-cooked” texture that can ruin a meal.
Convenient Auto Cook Menus
For those moments when you’re in a rush or simply don’t want to bother with manual settings, the Belaco microwave shines with its 9 auto cook programs. These pre-set menus take the guesswork out of cooking common dishes, making food preparation quicker and easier than ever. The categories include staples like Pizza, Potato, Popcorn, Meat, Frozen Vegetables, Pasta, Beverage, and Fish.
Using them is straightforward: you simply press the relevant menu button repeatedly to cycle through the portion sizes, and the display clearly shows your selection. Once you’re happy, a press of the “START/+30s” button begins the cooking cycle. I’ve found these particularly handy for a quick bag of popcorn or a baked potato, as they consistently deliver good results without me having to consult a recipe or manual. It’s a genuine time-saver and adds a layer of convenience that makes the appliance feel truly smart and user-friendly.
Express Cooking and Reheat Functions
Beyond the auto-cook menus, the Belaco 20L Microwave offers even more ways to speed up your routine. The Express Cook function is a personal favourite when I’m truly pressed for time. By simply pressing a number button from 1 to 6, the microwave immediately starts cooking for that many minutes. For example, pressing ‘3’ initiates a 3-minute cook cycle. It’s incredibly intuitive for quick tasks like warming a drink or a small plate of leftovers.
The Reheat function also simplifies warming up food based on weight, with options for 200g, 400g, 600g, 800g, or 1000g. This takes the guesswork out of reheating larger portions, ensuring they are evenly warmed through. The “START/+30s” button, in particular, is a workhorse; it not only starts cooking but can also be pressed repeatedly to add 30-second increments during a cycle, which is perfect for adding just a little more heat. When the microwave is in standby, a single press initiates a default 30-second cook, making it incredibly fast for minor touch-ups.
User-Friendly Interface and Controls
The overall interface of the Belaco 20L Microwave is refreshingly straightforward. The digital display is clear and bright, making it easy to read the time and settings at a glance. While some users noted needing a “purposeful positive press” of the buttons, I found this reassuring; it prevents accidental selections and ensures your input is registered.
Beyond cooking functions, the “0/Clock” button allows for easy setting of the 24-hour clock display, a useful feature for any kitchen appliance. The “STOP” button is also highly versatile: it can cancel settings when in standby, pause cooking mid-cycle, or completely stop an operation with a second press. A crucial safety addition is the Child Lock function, activated by holding the “STOP” button for 3 seconds. This disables all buttons, providing peace of mind in households with young children. There’s even a standalone Timer function, separate from cooking, which is handy for timing other kitchen tasks. Knowing which utensils are safe (heat-resistant ceramic, glass, plastic) and to avoid metal containers is always key, and the clear instructions make it easy to follow best practices.
Ease of Cleaning
This is where the Belaco 20L Microwave truly excels and deserves full marks. The interior of the oven is designed for incredibly easy maintenance. Spills and splatters are inevitable with any microwave, but a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth is all it takes to make the inside spotless. The turntable and roller ring are also simple to remove, allowing for thorough cleaning underneath and around them. This ease of cleaning is a significant advantage, particularly for a kitchen appliance that sees daily use and is prone to occasional messes. It genuinely contributes to a more hygienic and pleasant cooking environment.
Design and Build Quality
While the Belaco 20L Microwave boasts a ‘Luxury & Retro Design’ which I personally find quite appealing in its dark grey finish with the digital display, it’s worth noting that some aspects of its build quality have drawn varied opinions. The door, in particular, feels lighter than one might expect for a ‘luxury’ product, which could lead to concerns about its long-term durability for some users. However, despite this initial impression, it has held up well during my prolonged use, and the aesthetic appeal remains undeniable, blending seamlessly into modern and classic kitchen decors alike. The compact size, coupled with this distinctive design, truly makes it a stylish addition without consuming excessive counter space.
Internal Lighting
One area where the Belaco 20L Microwave could see improvement is its internal lighting. While the LED light itself is bright when viewed directly, its positioning and the dark interior of the oven mean that it doesn’t effectively illuminate the entire cooking cavity. It tends to light up the front half adequately, but observing food in the middle or towards the back of the turntable can be a struggle. This minor inconvenience means I occasionally have to open the door to properly check on dishes, which interrupts the cooking cycle. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but it’s an aspect that slightly detracts from the overall user experience, particularly if you like to keep a close eye on your food as it heats.
What Users Are Saying
After scouring various online platforms, it’s clear that the overall sentiment towards the Belaco 20L Microwave is largely positive. Many users consistently praise its stylish retro design, finding that it adds a sophisticated touch to their kitchens. The ease of use and intuitive controls are frequently highlighted, with several comments appreciating how little time they needed to spend reading the manual. The accurate defrost functions and the variety of auto-cook programs also receive commendation for making daily meal prep much simpler. While a few noted concerns about the lightness of the door or the interior lighting, the general consensus points to a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and convenient microwave that fits well into modern homes.
Final Thoughts on the Belaco Microwave
Ultimately, the persistent problem of quick, efficient, and evenly heated meals in a busy household remains a challenge that needs a reliable solution. Unevenly cooked food isn’t just unpleasant; it can be unsafe and leads to wasted effort. The Belaco 20L Microwave is a strong contender to solve this. Its precise digital controls and multiple power levels ensure your food is heated just right, every time. The dual defrost function is a standout, preventing the common issue of partially cooked yet still-frozen food. Finally, its compact size and attractive design mean it integrates seamlessly into any kitchen without demanding excessive space. If you’re looking for a user-friendly, feature-rich, and stylish microwave to simplify your daily cooking, this could be the perfect fit. To learn more and check the latest pricing, click here.