whats happened to panasonic microwaves?

june2rose

I've been trying to buy a panasonic combi microwave for weeks and weeks at a sensible price without any luck, it seems that all the sites selling them at a reasonable price are out of stock unless your'e prepared to stump up and pay over the odds which i'm definately not. In the true sprirt of money saving has anyone got any answers and do you no if there's trouble brewing with panasonic?
I've been looking to replace my mums knackered NNA750W with the same model or similar as she's managed to convert nicely to combi microwaves from the traditional oven cooking and wouldn't change for anything, she loves it and really want's the same again although I think this model may be defunk and replaced with a different model, no pop up knobs. I use an NNA883W combi which has the 2 shelves and more features which she is currently borrowing having no oven in the kitchen when the new kitchen went in but she preferrs the old one. Any suggestions please as to whats happening and where i can get a replacement for under £200 please.

kiwichick

Hi June2rose,

I'm sorry I dont have any answers for you, in fact I have a question.

I've been looking at microwaves the last couple of days as mine has no turntable and has now started cooking things too hot.

I've not heard of combi microwaves until yesterday and would welcome some info on how they are different from conventional ones as I am looking to replace mine over the weekend.

Will hunt around for your panasonic one in the meantime.

Thanks,
Al x

EDIT - I know its not Panasonic but this one 2 shelves, not sure if its any good at all.
http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/521582/SAMSUNG-CE1071-XEU/tab/specification

kiwichick

Me Again

Ive found this one http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/199133/PANASONIC-NN-A554W-BBPQ/tab/reviews#reviews which has lots of fab reviews. It has a model number similar to the one you are looking to replace with one reviewer saying she'd bought it replace one she got i nthe 90's and found it so similar she didnt need to read the user manual. Its £146.

Hope this helps.

Al x

EDIT-Found it in Debenhams for £130! http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_18222_386603_-1

kiwichick

BUMP

Is anyone able to tell me if they prefer a combi rather than a conventional and why they think they are better? Am hoping to buy my new one today and dont know which to go for?

Thanks,
Al x

june2rose

H i Al
sorry for taking a while to get back to you, the plus about a combi is that it combines traditional microwave cooking with the attributes of a conventional oven. You have a microwave that uses microwaves, convection and grilling all at once depending on what cooking mode you use plus a chaos defrost and turbo bake with the panasonic models.
You can defrost without messing up the food and a chicken cooks and browns in about 28 mins for a 1.4k bird, jackets are great soft with a crisp skin. So you save cooking time dramatically not having to heat up a large oven, helping the enviroment. I wouldnt be without one if it wasn't for the shortage and the overptricing by those that have them in stock at the moment.
Hope that answers your question.