We’ve all been there. You’ve prepared a delicious meal in your favourite rectangular casserole dish, ready for a quick reheat. You open the microwave door, place it inside, and press start. A moment later, you hear it: the dreaded *thump… thump… thump*. The dish is too large, catching on the microwave’s interior walls, unable to complete a single rotation. The result? A dish that’s molten hot on one side and disappointingly cold on the other. This simple, everyday annoyance is a universal experience, a design flaw we’ve accepted for decades. It’s the reason we gingerly balance oversized dinner plates, hoping they don’t tip, and the reason we have to stop, stir, and restart, playing a guessing game with heating times. This frustration isn’t just about convenience; it’s about getting the results you expect from a core kitchen appliance. A proper solution would mean evenly cooked food, every time, regardless of dish shape, and a much simpler cleaning process.
- PERFECT FOR FAMILIES – Get cooking for the whole family with this 23L microwave, perfect for batch cooking, meal prepping or reheating last night's leftovers
- FLATBED TECHNOLOGY – The flatbed technology in this microwave eliminates the need for a turntable, providing extra space inside the internal cavity for larger plates and dishes and allowing food to...
What to Consider Before Buying a Solo Microwave
A solo microwave is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for rapid cooking, defrosting, and reheating. Unlike combination or grill models, its strength lies in its simplicity and efficiency, focusing purely on the core function of microwave cooking. For countless households, it’s the workhorse of the kitchen, saving time on busy weeknights, defrosting ingredients for a last-minute meal, or simply warming up a comforting cup of tea. The main benefits are speed, convenience, and energy efficiency for smaller tasks compared to a conventional oven. A great solo microwave should be intuitive to operate, heat food evenly, and be robust enough to handle daily use without faltering.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily need for quick meal preparation—busy professionals, students, families, or elderly individuals who value straightforward functionality. It’s for the person who needs to reliably defrost a pound of mince, perfectly reheat last night’s leftovers, or steam some vegetables without fuss. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who desire grilling, browning, or baking capabilities in a single unit. Aspiring home chefs who want to roast a chicken or bake a pizza would be better served by a combination microwave oven. For them, a solo model would feel limiting, failing to deliver the crispy, browned results they crave.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: It’s a common mistake to only check the external dimensions. You must measure your available counter space, leaving room for ventilation around the back and sides. Crucially, examine the internal dimensions. A 23-litre capacity, like that of the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W, is a generous family size, but the absence of a turntable in a flatbed model makes this space significantly more usable for larger, non-circular dishes.
- Capacity/Performance: Capacity, measured in litres, dictates how much you can fit inside. A 20-23 litre model is a versatile sweet spot for most families. Wattage determines cooking speed; 800W is a solid standard for efficient reheating and cooking. Higher wattage means faster cooking, but 800W provides a great balance of speed and energy consumption for everyday tasks.
- Materials & Durability: The interior cavity is key. Most budget-friendly models use a painted cavity, which is easy to wipe down but can be susceptible to scratches from harsh abrasives over time. More premium models may feature ceramic enamel or stainless steel interiors, which offer superior scratch resistance and durability. The exterior is typically a mix of metal and plastic, so look for a sturdy door handle and responsive buttons.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A complicated interface can ruin the convenience of a microwave. Look for clear digital displays, intuitive button layouts, and useful auto-cook programs. When it comes to maintenance, a flatbed design is a game-changer. With no turntable or roller ring to remove and wash, cleaning is reduced to a simple wipe of a flat surface, saving significant time and effort.
While the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- MIRRORED FINISH - The Russell Hobbs RHM2076B features a sleek black body and contemporary mirror door finish
- Ceramic Enamel Interior - It's exceptionally smooth antibacterial surface makes it easy to clean. It is also highly rust and scratch resistant so it won't discolour over time.
- COMPACT EVERYDAY COOKING: A practical 20L capacity with a 24.5cm glass turntable fits standard dinner plates and bowls, delivering reliable, even heating for quick meals, snacks and reheats in busy...
First Impressions: Sleek, Spacious, and Surprisingly Simple
Unboxing the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W, the first thing we noticed was its clean, modern aesthetic. The glossy black finish and minimalist control panel give it a sophisticated look that would complement most kitchen decors. At 13.2kg, it feels substantial and well-built, not flimsy or cheap. The pull handle on the door has a reassuringly solid action, a welcome feature over the push-button mechanisms that can sometimes fail over time.
But the real “wow” moment came when we opened the door. The absence of a turntable is immediately striking. The internal cavity looks vast, a clean, uninterrupted space that promises to end the frustration of ill-fitting plates. This flatbed technology instantly sets it apart from the majority of solo microwaves on the market. The digital interface, with its combination of buttons and a control knob, looked intuitive. As one user rightly noted, you can “pretty much work it out without” the instructions, which speaks volumes about its user-friendly design. It felt like Russell Hobbs focused on what matters: maximising usable space and simplifying the user experience, a philosophy we were eager to put to the test. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its design philosophy.
Advantages
- Flatbed Technology: Maximises usable cooking space for larger and rectangular dishes.
- Even Heat Distribution: Effectively eliminates hot and cold spots without a turntable.
- Simple to Clean: The smooth, flat interior surface is incredibly easy to wipe down.
- Intuitive Controls: Features 8 auto-cook menus and straightforward digital controls.
Drawbacks
- Painted Interior Cavity: Functional and easy to clean, but less durable than ceramic or stainless steel.
- 800W Power: Perfectly adequate for daily use, but higher-wattage models will cook faster.
A Deep Dive into the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Microwave’s Performance
A microwave’s true worth is revealed not on the spec sheet, but in the heat of daily kitchen life. Can it handle a variety of tasks with consistency and ease? We spent weeks using the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W as our primary microwave, testing everything from reheating coffee to defrosting meats and cooking full meals. Our goal was to push it beyond simple tasks to understand its core strengths and any potential limitations.
The Flatbed Advantage: More Space, Less Hassle
Let’s be clear: the flatbed technology is the headline feature, and it is genuinely transformative. The most immediate benefit is the sheer amount of usable space. The 23-litre capacity feels significantly larger than a turntable equivalent because you can use every square centimetre. We immediately reached for our largest rectangular pyrex dish—a lasagna pan that has caused problems in every turntable microwave we’ve ever owned. In the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W, it slid in with room to spare. This freedom from the tyranny of the circle is liberating for anyone who cooks or reheats meals for a family.
But usable space is only half the story. The critical question is whether it heats evenly without rotation. The technology works by using a rotating antenna beneath the flatbed floor to distribute microwaves throughout the cavity. To test this, we conducted a classic microwave test: heating a plate of leftover chili. In many turntable models, this results in a searingly hot outer ring and a lukewarm centre. After heating it in the Russell Hobbs model, we used a digital thermometer to check temperatures across the dish. The variation was minimal, with no significant hot or cold spots. It produced a consistently heated meal, ready to eat without the obligatory mid-cycle stir. This even heating performance is a feature that really sets it apart. Finally, the cleanup is revolutionary. Wiping down a simple, flat glass surface is infinitely easier than removing a greasy turntable and roller ring, washing them in the sink, and reassembling them. This small quality-of-life improvement, repeated daily, adds up to a significantly better user experience.
Everyday Usability and Cooking Performance
Beyond the flatbed, a microwave must be simple to operate. The Russell Hobbs RHFM2365B excels here. The control panel is a masterclass in clarity. A selection of clearly labelled buttons for the eight auto-cook menus (covering Pizza, Meat, Vegetable, Pasta, Potato, Fish, Beverage, and Popcorn) handles common tasks with a single press. For manual cooking, a simple press of the “Power” button cycles through the five power levels (100%, 80%, 50%, 30%, 10%), and the dial allows for precise time selection. The digital display is bright and easy to read.
We found the 800W of power to be perfectly sufficient for all our daily needs. A mug of water boiled in just under two minutes, and reheating a dinner plate of food took about three minutes to reach an ideal temperature. The defrost function, which operates by either weight or time, was impressively accurate. We defrosted a 500g pack of frozen chicken breasts, and it emerged evenly thawed without any cooked or rubbery edges—a common failing in less sophisticated models. The auto-cook menus were also surprisingly effective. The “Potato” function produced a perfectly fluffy jacket potato in around 8 minutes, adjusting the time automatically based on the weight we entered. This intuitive functionality confirms user reports that the controls are self-explanatory, making it an excellent choice for those who want powerful features without a steep learning curve. The overall ease of use makes it a compelling option, and it’s worth taking a moment to check the latest price and availability.
Design, Build Quality, and Family-Friendly Features
The Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W is designed to fit seamlessly into a modern kitchen. Its external dimensions of 29.5 x 47.2 x 37.7 cm give it a standard footprint for its capacity, so it won’t dominate your countertop. The build quality feels robust; the door closes with a satisfying click, and the buttons provide positive tactile feedback. The interior painted cavity is bright white, which helps with visibility when monitoring your food, and as discussed, is very easy to clean. While a ceramic or stainless steel interior would offer greater long-term scratch resistance, a painted cavity is standard at this price point and will last for years with proper care (i.e., using non-abrasive cleaners).
One of the most important, yet often overlooked, features for families is the child lock. On this model, it’s incredibly easy to activate: a simple long-press of the “Stop/Cancel” button for three seconds locks the control panel completely, preventing any accidental operation by curious little hands. A small lock icon appears on the display, providing clear visual confirmation. Deactivating it is just as simple. This feature provides invaluable peace of mind, making the kitchen a safer space. It’s this thoughtful inclusion, combined with its spacious and easy-to-clean interior, that makes the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W an outstanding choice for family households.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience was strongly reinforced by broader user feedback. The sentiment is overwhelmingly favourable, with many, like us, singling out the flatbed design as a primary reason for their satisfaction. One user’s comment perfectly captured the general consensus: “I really like the flatbed idea which makes it a lot easier when heating up larger dishes.” This highlights that the core innovation is not just a gimmick, but a practical solution to a real-world problem.
Ease of use is another consistently praised attribute. We found this to be true in our testing, and it’s comforting to see it confirmed by others who note the “buttons are self explanatory.” This is particularly important for an appliance that is used multiple times a day by various family members. The trust in the Russell Hobbs brand, with users mentioning they have been “impressed with the quality and functionality of their products” in the past, also adds a layer of confidence. While we didn’t find any significant negative reviews, a potential consideration for some could be the 800W power rating. While perfectly adequate for almost all tasks, power users accustomed to 1000W or 1200W models might notice a slight increase in cooking times.
How Does It Compare? The Russell Hobbs Flatbed vs. The Competition
No product exists in a vacuum. To truly understand the value of the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W, we need to see how it stacks up against other popular models in the solo microwave category. We’ve selected three key alternatives that represent different priorities: a direct competitor with a premium interior, a smaller style-focused option, and a larger, more powerful model.
1. Samsung MS23F301TAK 800W 23L Solo Microwave
- Triple distribution system - Enjoy consistently even, thorough cooking thanks to three heat distribution points to ensure there are no cold spots.
- Ceramic enamel Interior - it's exceptionally smooth surface makes it easy to clean. It is also highly rust and scratch resistant so it won't discolour over time.
The Samsung MS23F301TAK is perhaps the most direct competitor. It matches the Russell Hobbs model in both capacity (23L) and power (800W). However, it adheres to a traditional turntable design. Its standout feature is the ceramic enamel interior, which is exceptionally durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean. Samsung also includes a healthy cooking pre-programmed menu. The choice here is clear: if you prioritize an ultra-durable, premium interior and prefer a conventional turntable design, the Samsung is a formidable opponent. However, if you’re tired of the limitations of turntables and value usable space above all, the Russell Hobbs flatbed design presents a more modern and practical solution.
2. Russell Hobbs RHMD714MG-N 17 Litre Digital Microwave
- STYLISH - Wooden effect handle and dial for a Scandinavian inspired finish
- COMPACT - Ideal for kitchens with limited space
This alternative from Russell Hobbs itself caters to a different buyer. The RHMD714MG-N is all about aesthetics and compact size. With a smaller 17-litre capacity, it’s designed for individuals, couples, or kitchens where counter space is at a premium. Its unique matt green finish and wood-effect handle make it a style statement. While it’s a capable digital microwave, its smaller size and turntable design make it less versatile for family cooking. This is the perfect choice for someone who prioritizes design and has lighter cooking needs. Those requiring the space to heat family-sized dishes will be far better served by the larger, more flexible Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W.
3. Panasonic NN-ST45KWBPQ 32L Microwave Oven
- The smart Genius Sensor ensures excellent cooking and reheating results for every meal. An advanced sensor detects the amount of vapour released from your food and automatically calculates the perfect...
- The convenient pre-programmed Junior Menu makes it easy to conjure up delicious meals for little ones. With three automatic programmes for vegetable puree, fruit puree and porridge ensuring that even...
The Panasonic NN-ST45KWBPQ represents a significant step up in size, power, and features. With a cavernous 32-litre capacity and a powerful 1000W output, it’s built for large families and serious cooks. It boasts 21 auto programs, including specialized “Junior Menu” options for purees, and uses inverter technology for more precise cooking and defrosting. However, this performance comes at a higher price point and with a larger footprint. This Panasonic is for the power user who needs maximum capacity and speed. The Russell Hobbs model offers a more balanced proposition for the average family, providing ample, flexible space and sufficient power in a more compact and affordable package.
The Final Verdict: Is the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Microwave Worth It?
After extensive testing, we can say with confidence that the Russell Hobbs Flatbed Digital Microwave 23L 800W is an exceptional solo microwave that delivers on its promises. Its standout flatbed technology isn’t a mere novelty; it is a genuinely superior design that maximizes usable space, ensures even cooking, and dramatically simplifies cleaning. It successfully solves the most common frustrations associated with traditional turntable models, making everyday kitchen tasks faster and more efficient.
Combined with its intuitive digital controls, useful auto-cook programs, and thoughtful features like the child lock, it presents a compelling package for families, couples, and anyone who values practicality and performance. While its painted interior and 800W power are standard for its class, its unique advantages far outweigh these minor points. If you are tired of playing “will it fit?” with your dishes and want a reliable, user-friendly microwave that just works, we wholeheartedly recommend it. For a modern, spacious, and hassle-free reheating experience, you will be hard-pressed to find a better option. You can check the current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API