May 2015 Grocery Challenge

cw18

I have a Panasonic combi-oven I bought through Amaz0n in Feb 2013 (NN-CT870W, but I don't think they actually make this model anymore).

At the beginning of Feb this year (just under 2 years old) it gave off one almighty pop when DS1 went to heat up some soup in it, and refused to work again. On checking it appeared that the magnatron (the expensive part) is actually covered on a 3 year warranty (parts only), so I contacted Panasonic to see how I could find out if it was this. To put in a claim (if it turned out to be the magnatron) I had to use an approved repairer, but until the repairer looked at it there was no way of knowing what the fault was. The most local never answered their phone and didn't return either of 2 messages I left, so after a few days I contacted the next closest. After a lot of messing around I had a non-working appliance in the house for a week before they 'came to look at it' - at which point I was told they can't open them in your home, and the call-out was for collection only! - and was then without it for 3 weeks while they opened it up (that took over a week) and contacted Panasonic for approval to repair under warranty (it was the magnatron and then did the actual work before bringing it back. And I only got an update on the situation if I phoned them !!!! It ended up costing me £48 to get it fixed and I was without a working appliance for the best part of a month - but at least it was cheaper than a new one.

However, based on the service I got (or didn't) I'd think twice about buying Panasonic again, and would carefully check warranty terms and conditions before buying any make.

Also worth noting, the oven doesn't run at the temperature I set it to. If something says it needs 220degrees I have to set the machine to 240degrees, and 190-200 for 180 (I've used an oven thermometer at regular intervals to keep an eye on this). So even though mine claims to do a higher heat than most others (one reason I bought it) that's not the case when it comes to cooking with it.


Other than while it was out of action, I don't think I've used my built in oven more than a couple of times since I got this one - and before then I had another so still wasn't using my built in. I've probably only used the main oven a dozen times at most in the last 5 years, as I don't need that capacity when cooking for 1 or 2 (most of the time) and rarely for 3 (used it when I was cooking 3 pizzas a few months ago - that's the most recent use).

Frizzle_2

Billie-jo wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a good microwave/oven as thinking of buying one to use when not a lot to go in the big oven. Am considering a Panasonic one at moment.

On the grocery side I have spent £24.52 this morning taking us up to £114.09 in total.

I have a delonghi one. Have had it 8 years and got it from argos. I spent 6 years using it as a microwave. When our cooker packed in on us, it dawned on me that I could use the oven setting on the microwave and now I use it all the time.

Great for cooking kids dinner in as you don't have to use the whole oven, garlic bread when we are having pasta, chilli or spag Bol. Or just for Yorkshire puds when we are short of space in the Main Oven. Love it!!!

lynnejk

Billie-jo wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a good microwave/oven as thinking of buying one to use when not a lot to go in the big oven. Am considering a Panasonic one at moment.

On the grocery side I have spent £24.52 this morning taking us up to £114.09 in total.

Like Cheryl I also have a Panasonic. Not sure of the number but it's a NN-A5.. and a slim-line combi with inverter. I mainly use it as a small oven as only two of us usually and it's great. Takes a bit of getting used to but super as microwave as well. It's 1000w micro, 1300w convection and 1300w grill. Have fun looking
Lx

Frizzle_2

Finally getting round to putting my spends on from last weekend...

23.63 in aldi.

PennyGrabber

I have a halogen oven, and I absolutely love it! I use it for everything, as long as the stuff fits in! And, it heats up pretty much straight away, so you don't waste time or power waiting for it to heat up. It's used nearly every day. I used to use my main oven, then I switched to the top oven, now I rarely use either.

NSD today, hoping to last as long as possible before needing to shop. Let's see how long I last!!!

PG x

marmiterulesok

I spent the rest of my pennies at a Book Sale Bazaar today.

New weekly budget of 40 francs from tomorrow again.

scotmumof3

£2.93 spend for me today on flour and cheese

lynnejk

Hiya everyone :hello:


Managed another NSD


Today we had French cheese omelettes. DH had tomato and chips and I had a huge salad. Really yummy


Hope you all have a thrifty Thursday
Lx

Hoipolloi

£40 spent on groceries :beer:

MrsSave

Hubby did the food shop this week, and it came in at £24.52. Thankfully he stuck to the list! I'm up to £156.85/£205.