Ah, the daily grind of cooking! For years, I found myself juggling multiple appliances, constantly yearning for a simpler way to prepare meals without sacrificing quality or health. My small kitchen was cluttered, and the time spent waiting for a conventional oven to preheat or painstakingly defrosting ingredients was a constant drain on my patience. I realised a significant upgrade was needed, something that could consolidate functions and genuinely streamline my culinary efforts. Without a versatile appliance, meal times were becoming more of a chore than a pleasure, often leading to less healthy, quicker options.
Key Considerations Before Investing in a New Microwave
When considering a new microwave, especially a combination model, it’s essential to first acknowledge the core problems these appliances aim to solve: speed, versatility, and space efficiency in the kitchen. A good combination microwave can replace a traditional microwave, a grill, and even a small oven, making it a fantastic choice for compact living or for those who want to expand their cooking repertoire without investing in multiple bulky items.
The ideal customer for a high-quality combination microwave is someone who values convenience, healthy cooking options, and multi-functionality. This includes busy professionals, small families, or individuals living in flats with limited kitchen space. They seek an appliance that can defrost, reheat, grill, bake, and even ferment with ease. Conversely, someone who only needs to reheat coffee or microwave popcorn might find a combination unit overkill and more expensive than a basic microwave. Similarly, a serious baker or a large family who frequently cooks elaborate, multi-dish meals might still need a dedicated full-size oven for optimal performance and capacity, as combination microwaves, while versatile, have limitations in terms of maximum temperature and internal space compared to conventional ovens. Before buying, consider the appliance’s capacity, wattage, available cooking functions (microwave, grill, convection, and combination modes), ease of cleaning, and overall design to ensure it fits your lifestyle and kitchen aesthetics.
Unveiling the Samsung MC28H5013AS Combination Microwave
The Samsung MC28H5013AS Combination Microwave is pitched as an all-in-one kitchen solution, promising healthy cooking, quick defrosting, and versatile meal preparation. This silver, countertop appliance boasts a 28-litre capacity and 900W of microwave power, making it a robust contender in its category. What sets it apart immediately are its special features: electric defrosting, an Eco mode, a fermentation function, and a glazed ceramic interior, all designed to make cooking simpler and more efficient. Upon purchase, you typically receive the unit itself and a variety of accessories tailored to its multiple functions, such as different grill trays. While many competitors offer combination capabilities, Samsung often stands out for integrating smart features and a user-friendly interface, pushing beyond basic functionality. This particular model builds on previous Samsung iterations by refining features like its unique fermentation mode and the durable ceramic interior. It’s ideally suited for anyone looking to experiment with healthier cooking, speed up meal prep, or simply consolidate their kitchen appliances. It might not be the top choice for those solely focused on high-volume baking or someone who struggles with digital interfaces without backlighting.
Here’s a quick rundown of its strengths and weaknesses based on my extensive use:
Pros:
* Exceptional versatility with microwave, grill, convection oven, and combination cooking.
* Generous 28-litre capacity, suitable for most family meals.
* Power defrost works incredibly quickly and evenly.
* Eco mode helps save on energy bills, a welcome feature these days.
* Ceramic enamel interior is remarkably easy to clean and highly durable.
Cons:
* The instruction manual can be quite vague for homemade recipes, requiring some experimentation.
* Convection oven temperature consistency, particularly at higher settings (e.g., 200°C), can be disappointing, taking longer to cook.
* The plastic door frame and pull handle feel a bit cheap, and the unit slides when opening the door.
* The unlit control panel makes it difficult to see in low light.
* The internal window can steam up between the glass panels, which is impossible to wipe away.
Diving Deeper: Capabilities and Advantages
After a considerable amount of time spent with my Samsung MC28H5013AS, I can confidently say it’s more than just a microwave; it’s a versatile kitchen companion. Its array of features genuinely enhances the cooking experience, though not without a few quirks.
Healthy Cooking with Pre-set Menus
One of the standout promises of the Samsung combination microwave is its emphasis on healthy cooking. The appliance comes equipped with a variety of pre-set ‘cook with ease’ menus. In practice, this feature is incredibly useful for busy weeknights. Instead of guessing cooking times and power levels, I can select a specific dish – say, steamed vegetables or grilled fish – and the microwave handles the rest. This isn’t just about convenience; it truly promotes healthier eating by taking the guesswork out of preparing fresh ingredients. For instance, the healthy steam function ensures vegetables retain their nutrients and vibrant colour without overcooking. It’s transformed how I approach quick meals, moving away from pre-packaged options towards fresher, more nutritious alternatives, largely thanks to the simplicity these menus offer. The “Slim Fry” technology, for instance, allows for guilt-free indulgence in foods that would typically require deep-frying, offering a crisp texture with minimal oil – a definite bonus for calorie counters.
Power Defrost: A Time-Saver
The Power Defrost feature has been an absolute game-changer in my kitchen. We’ve all been there: forgetting to take something out of the freezer for dinner, leaving you scrambling. This Samsung appliance handles frozen foods quickly and, more importantly, evenly. Unlike older microwaves that might cook the edges while the centre remains frozen solid, the Power Defrost function genuinely thaws ingredients thoroughly, making them ready for cooking without any hot spots or icy patches. Whether it’s a block of mince or individual chicken breasts, this feature ensures that prep time is drastically cut down, eliminating the frustration of uneven thawing and saving significant time on meal preparation. It’s consistent and reliable, making impromptu cooking much more feasible.
Eco Mode: Saving Energy and Money
In an age where energy costs are a constant concern, the Eco mode is a thoughtful addition. It significantly reduces the standby power consumption of the microwave. While it might seem like a minor detail, over months and years, these small savings add up. Knowing that my appliance isn’t drawing unnecessary power when not in active use gives me peace of mind, contributing to a greener household and lighter energy bills. It’s a passive benefit that speaks to the thoughtful design of the Samsung microwave, appealing to the environmentally conscious consumer.
Fermentation Function: Beyond Standard Cooking
This feature truly distinguishes the Samsung MC28H5013AS from many other combination microwaves. The fermentation function allows you to try your hand at bread making or create your own yogurt. As someone who enjoys dabbling in home baking, this has been an absolute delight. The controlled, low-temperature environment is perfect for proofing dough, resulting in consistently light and airy bread. Similarly, making homemade yogurt is a breeze, offering a fresh, preservative-free alternative to store-bought options. This unique capability transforms the microwave from a simple heating device into a versatile tool for more advanced culinary projects, opening up a world of possibilities for fresh, homemade foods.
Ceramic Enamel Interior: The Cleaning Dream
Cleaning microwaves can often be a chore, with stubborn food splatters refusing to budge. The Samsung combination microwave features a ceramic enamel interior, and it’s genuinely a dream to clean. Its exceptionally smooth surface means spills and splatters wipe away effortlessly with just a damp cloth. Beyond ease of cleaning, this material is highly durable, resisting scratches and discolouration over time. My unit, despite extensive use, looks as good as new inside, with no signs of the wear and tear often seen in microwaves with painted or stainless steel interiors. This durability also contributes to hygiene, as there are fewer nooks and crannies for food particles to cling to, ensuring a consistently clean cooking environment.
Combination Cooking and Performance Nuances
The real power of this appliance lies in its combination cooking modes, blending microwave, grill, and convection oven functions. My mother, for instance, typically only used hers for reheating. However, when her main oven broke, I helped her roast a whole chicken using the combi convection+microwave setting. The results were surprisingly good – a perfectly cooked, juicy chicken with crispy skin, something a microwave alone could never achieve. This experience prompted me to get my own unit. The 900W microwave power is indeed powerful, heating food quicker than my previous, less robust microwave.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The convection oven setting, I’ve found, is a bit disappointing. While it goes up to 200°C, it often struggles to reach and maintain this temperature effectively. Everything I’ve tried to bake or roast at 200°C takes almost double the time compared to my main oven. This means that for dishes requiring precise baking temperatures or a really strong, consistent heat, I still rely on my conventional oven. The included leaflet is also quite a useless guide for homemade recipes like pasta bake, mac and cheese, or shepherd’s pie, requiring a lot of trial and error. Even basic items like whole baked jacket potatoes or chips get no mention, which is frustrating. I had to download a more detailed manual from the Samsung website, and even then, a lot of experimentation was needed to get the best results.
Design and Usability Concerns
While generally functional, some aspects of the design could be improved. The plastic door frame and handle feel a bit cheap, lacking the premium feel of the overall silver exterior. More annoyingly, when trying to open the door, the entire microwave tends to slide forward due to its lightweight build, requiring you to hold it down with one hand while pulling the door open with the other. This is particularly inconvenient when you’re carrying a hot plate or bowl.
Another significant drawback is the lack of a backlight on the control panel. If, like mine, your microwave is placed in a corner or an area with less direct light, viewing the buttons, especially at night without turning on kitchen lights, can be challenging. The buttons are also not touch-sensitive; they require a firm press, and often it’s two presses just to start the microwave, which feels less intuitive than it could be. I also noticed that the window often steams up in between the glass panels, which is not something you can just wipe away, temporarily obscuring your view of the food inside. Early in my ownership, I was wary of using the high grill tray in combination settings due to online complaints about arcing, but thankfully, I haven’t encountered this issue, and both grill trays work fine for me without sparks flying.
On the positive side, the option to turn off the turntable is welcomed for accommodating larger, rectangular dishes that wouldn’t otherwise rotate. The deodorisation mode is also a great feature for eliminating lingering food smells.
What Others Are Saying: Real-World Experiences
After scouring various online forums and reviews, it’s clear that the general sentiment towards the Samsung MC28H5013AS Combination Microwave is largely positive, albeit with some consistent criticisms. Many users echoed my satisfaction with its incredible versatility, praising its ability to microwave, grill, and convection bake. The spacious 28-litre capacity and powerful 900W microwave performance were frequently highlighted as significant advantages, with people noting how quickly it heated food compared to their previous appliances. The ease of cleaning, thanks to the ceramic enamel interior, also received widespread appreciation. Users found the appliance generally easy to operate, appreciating the range of features and functions. However, similar to my experience, several users mentioned the poor quality of the instruction manual for non-pre-set dishes, leading to a need for personal experimentation. Concerns were also raised about the build quality of the door handle and its tendency to move the lightweight unit upon opening. The unlit control panel was another common complaint, making evening use difficult. A few isolated reports mentioned issues like squeaky doors, rattling turntables, or even stress fractures and warranty disputes, though these seemed less common. Despite these points, the consensus remains that for its price, it offers substantial functionality and is a solid choice for a combination microwave.
Wrapping Up: Your Path to Kitchen Efficiency
The constant challenge of preparing healthy, delicious meals efficiently in a busy household is something many of us face. Without the right tools, it can lead to unnecessary stress, increased reliance on unhealthy takeaways, and a general disinterest in cooking. The complications of juggling multiple appliances, dealing with unevenly cooked food, or simply lacking the time to create nutritious meals are pervasive.
The Samsung MC28H5013AS Combination Microwave is a fantastic fit to solve these problems. Firstly, its sheer versatility means you effectively get a microwave, grill, and convection oven in one compact unit, decluttering your counter and streamlining your cooking processes. Secondly, features like Power Defrost and the various healthy pre-set menus genuinely save time and effort, making it easier to whip up wholesome meals even when you’re pressed for time. Finally, the robust performance of the microwave combined with the durable, easy-to-clean ceramic interior ensures that this appliance is not only effective but also a joy to maintain over the long term, offering excellent value despite its minor quirks.
If you’re ready to transform your kitchen routine and embrace more versatile and healthier cooking, then this combination microwave is certainly worth considering. Click here to check the product out and see how it can benefit your home.