The Panasonic NN-CS894S Review

When you are looking for an all-in-one microwave, you don’t need to go any farther than the family-sized and large Panasonic NN-CS894S. Available exclusively on John Lewis, this is a microwave, steam and grill oven all rolled into one. Instead of a turntable, this microwave boasts a flatbed, which means it is great for reheating and cooking large dishes. It might bear some resemblance to the Panasonic NN-CF853W, but it can be distinguished by the added steam. There are a large number of programs that can be found in this particular model as it is immensely capable.

However, your existing grill and oven can perform most of its functions and you should only invest in it if you wish to cook with steam and need the extra shelves of oven space. This microwave oven is bigger than the standard ones and is much taller as well. This puts it on the heavy side in terms of weight. As it is larger than a standard microwave, the 32 litre capacity is suitable for family cooking. There are three shelf positions offered and it also comes with a glass shelf, steaming rivet, enamel shelf and a wire oven shelf. There is also a drip tray on one side below the door while the other has a reservoir for steam cooking.

As there are various combinations of programs offered, you can find touch-sensitive buttons on the Panasonic NN-CS894S and there is also a touch-sensitive slider in place of a knob. The cooking time can be adjusted by dragging a finger or tapping plus or minus. The back and top of the microwave also have self-cleaning and catalytic linings so you can wipe most of the spills with ease. There is also an inverter so you can easily do some low power cooking by adjusting the power levels of the magnetron rather than just turning it on and off as in the case of other microwaves.

There are 8 auto-steam and 8 only-steam microwave programs in this Panasonic microwave that can be used for cooking your veggies and fishes without leading to loss of nutrients. In addition, the steam can be used for other purposes as well. For instance, the 3 minute steam shot is great for helping pastries, cakes and breads rise. It may take a while for you to fully understand and master the controls because the buttons are just icons, but come off as logical once you get the hang of it.

You can get guidance about the various accessories via the display and it can tell you what shelf to use and in what position. All in all, it is a great addition to your kitchen if you are looking for all the bells and whistles and have enough space to accommodate this beauty. It is multipurpose and enables steam cooking, bread proving and what not has a large capacity, all of which justifies the steep price tag i.e. £499. It is a good investment if you want all your functions combined in one machine.