The Videocon EC3208SS is a 30 ltr. Microwave with a double grill and convection. I must say that the product is really excellent. It has all the features one needs in a top of the line microwave, at a very reasonable price. The MRP is only 9990 as compared to around 12000/- and more for similar products from LG/Whirlpool/Samsung. Of course I bought it at a great discount from Next (Rs. 5990/-). The only problem areas I feel are in
No accessories. Not even one single rack for grilling.
The convection maximum temperature is only 200 degrees C, which is way below the 300 which my OTG offered.
The user manual, is abysmally bad. No checklist of items one is supposed to receive and also no terms of warranty or warranty card. Quite surprising. The turntable supplied is of metal with an enamel coating. (hard anodized?) The manual does not mention this at all neither does it explain if the same can be used even if the coating comes off exposing the metal.
I would like to share some buying tips with ppl who are wanting to buy a microwave, as it is quite confusing to decide which to buy, so here goes:
Size of the oven: This is according to the size of your family. I have noticed that there is not much difference in the space needed for a 21 or 25 ltr. a 30 ltr. So choose one that suits your needs.
Type of Oven : I feel it is best to go for a convection as it is quite cheap nowadays, and prices are on a downward trend, whereas the prices of a solo or grill seem to have bottomed out. Also a convection gives you the freedom of being able to do everything that you can in a regular oven, and more.
Power: Most ovens in the 21-30 ltr range have a microwave power output of 800 – 900 W. Try to see that you buy one with 900W micro output. Grill wattage is around 1350 – 1500W, whereas convection output is confusing. Most mention it as about 2500W, but I really don’t understand how that is true, since the same grill elements are used during convection. I feel that there is no such thing as convection wattage, which should be the same as the grill wattage + around 50W for the convection fan.
Autocook menus : I really don’t think this matters much. Most new users will never use this feature too often, as it will most probably ruin your dinner. A few of them is fine, but dont go for the model with the most number of autocook menus, unless the other features are upto the mark.( Do check that the autocook menus are of food you would want to prepare in your oven), and see that PopCorn is there.
Auto defrost. : Not very useful by weight. Much easier to just set a microwave on low or medium , for about 4 minutes and keep checking if defrosted.
Reheat : Again not too useful, if there is a quick start option.
Quick Start : Very useful. Just press a button.
Control Panel : I prefer the feathertouch. It is more likely to outlast the Jogwheel or mechanical types, but then that is a personal opinion and preference. Do look at the options of control panels to see what you prefer.
Power levels : This is a feature wherein you are supposed to be able to control the output of the Microwaves, just like you control the flame in your gas.However, most microwaves, do not let you do this though they claim to. My Videocon, has 10 power levels, but I find that it only means, that if you choose a 60 second timing at 50 % power the microwave will within the 60 secs, turn itself on and off and will actually run for only 30 seconds. However I did see some LG models which claim to actually reduce the output wattage in the manual. About 5 power levels are more than enough, so again don’t make more power levels your criteria for selection.
Safety : features like child lock are now standard, still check if it is there.
11.Wave technologies : Forget the different wave technologies. The microwaves are guided to bounce off the inner walls of the oven and reach the turntable, and I guess all the technologies do just that.
Cavity : I prefer the Stainless Steel cavity, as it is easier to clean and wont stain easily. In fact my Videocon has a SS exterior too.
Turntable : Size of the turntable should be at least 260 mm, in order to place a proper dish. The larger the better. The metal ones are just as good as the glass, I guess, as having a glass turntable is silly, since the microwaves will just pass through the glass and reflect off the steel interior walls.
Door : A push to open door, I feel is preferable to a pull to open type, as it is subject to less wear and tear on the locking mechanism.
Convection temperature : Check how high your maximum convection temperature is and how many settings as this flexibility is important.
Combination cooking : the more settings, the better. ( this is when you use both the microwave and grill/convection together.
Multistage cooking : This is where you can program the oven to do two or more operations one after the other, in sequence. Personally, I think you wont be using this too much either. However, if it the option’s there, so much the better.
INCIDENTALLY, NEXT IS TERRIBLE. THEY GAVE ME A PRODUCT WITH A DIFFERENT SERIAL NO. AS COMPARED TO THE SERIAL NO. MENTIONED ON THE BILL. ALSO THEIR STAFF DONT REALLY KNOW THEIR PRODUCTS AT ALL.
THE VIDEOCON SERVICE IS EXCELLENT (FROM TEKCARE) GOOD GUY WHO CAME OVER, "YOGESH", VERY COURTEOUS POLITE AND HELPFUL
Do let me know your comments so I can improve on my thought processes and writing skills.