"Bought this because my Panasonic built in combination microwave had finally given up. As Panasonic do not do a built in one to suit my requirements any more I had to do some research.
My research resulted in me finally purchasing this Hotpoint model.
I must say it fits perfectly and looks very neat and tidy.
It also has a vast array of grilling, convection and microwave functions.
Here lies first problem. My Panasonic also had a vast array of combination cooking functions which I could not fault.
The difference is how easy the Panasonic was to use. We did not really need the instructions. Everything was so simple and self explanatory whereas the Hotpoint could not be more complicated.
This does not mean that it is to complex to use, just that it is extremely messy and tiresome.
My belief is that much of this is the result of the poor touchscreen. Touchscreens may look very slick and are easy to clean,( which they need to be. Every finger print shows ) but they are so impractical to use. Give me a couple of rotating knobs and a few push buttons any day.
This brings me on to the second problem with the touchscreen. Why is it so dim. Under normal slightly dim daylight conditions in my Kitchen I cannot see the keypads clearly without switching on the kitchen lights. This extra illumination is not needed for everyday tasks. Just to see the touchscreen.
And if it is a touchscreen why do I need to press the start and stop function so hard it pains my arthritic fingers.
Now we go on to the functions.
Yes it does so many things so well, with the exception of the main thing you buy a microwave oven for. "Programmable microwave".
Every microwave that I have owned I have been able to programme in up to 3 separate functions and just press the start button once. Not this one.
I first discovered this when I went to bring an item up to heat and them simmer for 20 mins.
With my previous microwave ovens I simply put on full power for 5 mins. then programmed 20 mins. on simmer then a further 20 mins. on warm to keep it warm whilst I finished my work.
This took about 10 seconds to programme in and just press the start button.
Not this thing. I needed to programme in 5 mins. at full power and wait for it to finish then programme in 20 mins to simmer. and then when I came back I had to use the reheat function.
This programmable microwaving is possibly a very basic function and yet is missing on this, "all bell and whistles" Hotpoint.
So listen up Hotpoint. I have a regular fan assisted oven to do my cooking in. The combination functions added to a microwave oven are all very well but are really more of a convenience than a necessity. You have left behind what people need a microwave oven for. First and foremost to MICROWAVE cook with it. All other functions are secondary.
Furthermore what is the point of having all of the extra cooking functions when the touchscreen interface is so poor and infuriating to use that I simply cant be bothered.
So I have knocked off 1 star for its poor microwave functions.
1 star off for the unnecessarily complex touchscreen.
And one star off for the poor visibility, the way every finger mark shows and the fact the touchscreen is actually a press me hard screen.
I am very disappointed and the final selling point of this unit to me was Jamie Oliver. I wonder how much he was paid to endorse this and what he really thinks of it.
Think about it you design technicians All appliances first priority is user friendly ease of use.
Then it must at least be able to carry out the basic functions that it was intended for.
"
25 of 25 people found this review helpful.
"We've been using this microwave for a month now and are thrilled with it. My main criticism would be the dim lighting on the display which can be hard to see, but this isn't enough to put us off. We have used the convection oven function and our Yorkshire puddings came out as good as our normal oven.
Overall, very pleased!"
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.
"Swung towards Hotpoint because the price for good spec equipment was excellent"
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
"I have had this oven for 3 days and hate it. It may have some brilliant cooking features but fails on some of the most basic and important features.
First the display and touch panel. I do not require glasses for everyday functions such as general reading, driving etc. but I cannot read the appalling display on this Hotpoint model without wearing reading glasses. The display is so dim and vague it is almost non-existant.
Second problem with the touch controls is that they are so complicated. I have been measured with an iq of 142 and yet find the Hotpoint system unnecessarily complex and frustrating.
Third and to me the most important failing is that you cannot set it to do multiple functions automatically on microwave setting. For example; The first morning I used this appliance was to cook porridge for 2 people. On my old Panasonic I could set it for 5 mins. on full power then set it for 5 mins. on simmer, all carried out automatically so that I could walk away till completion. With this model I need to set it for 5 mins. on full power. Stand and wait for program to complete and then reset for a further 5 mins on simmer power level.
This to me is the most basic and necessary function of a microwave oven. Not just for porridge, that's just an example . There are many cooking processes where you need to bring something to temperature and then simmer. This appliance cannot do that automatically. So along with the appalling dim display, the over complicated touch control system and the failure to carry out basic functions then this is one appliance that is going back.
Jamie Oliver praises its great multi function abilities which most of us use only occasionally. The everyday functions that we all buy a microwave oven for, I am afraid Hotpoint designers have failed miserably "
18 of 18 people found this review helpful.
"Haven't had chance to really use this yet to be honest so feedback is limited.
Initially though, it was easy to set-up, the instruction booklet has just the right amount of info & a qr scan thingy to more detailed manual.
It's a beast compared to our previous 20L microwave!
Clearly a the litre capacity is way bigger.
Inside it seems as wide as the oven!
The height looks oddly low, but that's just it's proportion & the external display footprint as once you pop a plate in there, can see there's plenty of room.
Either I didn't read the description or it wasn't listed, but you get a bunch of stuff included with this one aside from the turntable:-
• a wire stand for use with grill
• a non stick tray that fits onto some bits on inside to raise it about halfway up, which think for use with convention
• a 'crisp' tray (circular non stick for specific us on the instructions).
• steamer set for us inside
• plate cover (to help stop splatter etc).
It's got a normal moulded 3 pin plug on it, so you should be able to use normal socket to power with same amp rating etc.
AO site is best I found in terms of usability, stock range & price. Would be good to have a filter that removes the out of stock items though & add similar/same style items when looking at something so it's easier to find matching sets."
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.
"Replacement Combination Microwave Oven. Looks nice and neat. Fitted in well with all other appliances. Easy to install."
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.