Although the Alexa integration seemed a little gimmicky at first, I quickly changed my mind after realizing how simple it was to use. Traditional microwaves have a million features, but honestly, do you even know how to use half of them? Gone are the days of pushing a button and looking at cryptic abbreviated text on the numerical LED screen, wondering what input it is expecting.
The 0.7 cuft cooking volume is on the smaller side for microwaves, but its perfectly appropriate for a dinner plate or cup of coffee, and doesn't use a ton of counter space.
And for those wary of Alexa turning the microwave on for 90 hours instead of playing music, I have found it has quite a few safeguards. First, it will only turn on for reasonable amounts of times (my attempt to microwave tea for 10 or 100 hours did not work). Second, it is aware of how long ago the door was opened. If it has been too long, it will let you know this and not start. This will prevent the microwave from turning on inadvertently with nothing in it.
One of the novel features is the ability for the microwave to keep track of your popcorn supply and automatically reorders once you get low. The popcorn consists of large value packs, priced between twenty and thirty dollars. Not bad for 36 packs of popcorn....in case you happened to eat a lot of it.
I was a little disappointed that when I asked the microwave for "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot," she did not know how to do this. I am hoping this is just a minor oversight by their software engineers and will be patiently waiting for this update.
A microwave is the most used kitchen appliance, or next to the refrigerator. Virtually every home has one. It is not something we shop for yearly, to replace, unless what we have is broken. However, could a voice control microwave be the new norm?
First, here are the positives for this microwave. The price is unbeatable for a name brand product, an official Amazon brand, so you can trust it at least. Secondly, despite the very low price, if you don’t want to use the voice control, you can still use it as a regular microwave.
Nevertheless, as for now 2018, microwaves cannot produce a food, a snack or beverages themselves. You have to manually put your food in the microwave. So, my thought was, if I can put a leftover in the microwave to heat it up, why can’t I just press the buttons instead of using a voice command to warm my food? However, upon setting it up, I like the voice command more than pressing a couple of buttons.
There is a catch to this though, the voice command is not built in the microwave, it only works with An Amazon Alexa echo dot. Upon receiving the microwave, you will connect it with your echo dot and command your echo dot to use the microwave as needed. It will acknowledge by repeating the command you gave and then start the microwave.
Surprisingly, the voice command is more fluid to use even than using the buttons import we all are so used to.
The downside is the Amazon echo dot is no Star Trek Enterprise computer that is smarter than the user. So, there are times you have to rephrase a command for it to work. For an example, I said to my echo dot, “start microwave for two minutes,” It had no idea what I was saying, but when I said, “microwave, for two minutes” it understood. I suppose, to use the command, after you call on your echo dot, you must follow by saying “microwave” then the command, warm soup . . . or reheat hot chocolate for two minutes etc.
So, is it worth it? The answer is yes and no. If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, you already have a microwave, likely one that is built into your kitchen, under the cupboard etc. Most people won’t replace their large microwave for a small microwave like the Amazon microwave simply because it has voice control. However, if you are moving into a new small home or you are a student, you might consider getting it. Or your current microwave is small, and you need a replacement without breaking the bank, you might consider it as well.
The sound of the microwave isn’t loud, which is nice. Like most microwaves, there is a build in light when the microwave door is open and there is a digital clock on the microwave.
I pre-ordered the microwave about a month ago. I received it on the release date and set it up the same day. I wasn't sure it was going to work at all since I watched the delivery driver (accidentally) drop the box as she stumbled at the top step of the van (and yes, I was concerned enough to ask her if she was ok; and she said she was).
Setup was easy. It's a lot smaller than my other microwave and takes longer to cook food. Other than that, it does the job. I bought it, for the most part, as a novelty item/conversation piece. Now, if it would deliver the food when it's done, I would be impressed ;) I had to move my Echo Dot into the kitchen so I don't have to scream commands into the living room. I'll have to order a new Dot now.
I tested the "pop 2.5 oz popcorn" command and found that I had to add a minute to the time as the first bag didn't pop all the way. It reheated a dinner plate, defrosted 1 lb ground beef, and cooked oatmeal with no time adjustments. The popcorn replenishment program is a nice idea but I can get the same popcorn locally for about a third of the price for the same amount.
When I unboxed the unit there was a plastic corner piece in the corner of the box. No one, so far, has asked what it's for; nothing is said about it in the any of the documentation either. I used it to set my Dot on in the kitchen. Once I get some double stick tape, I will be mounting it on the wall in the corner of my kitchen for the Dot.
The biggest dinner plate it can handle (from my dinnerware) is the 10" plate and I can use my cover on it.
Someone seemed to have an issue about it wouldn't let them run the microwave from their Fire Stick remote. I'm assuming that their Fire Stick remote is a voice remote so I tested this using my Fire Stick voice remote (after muting my Echo and Dot devices) and was able to control the microwave with it.
I would have attached photos but the upload photos function doesn't seem to be working at this time.
Thumbs up Amazon! Another amazing product! Some people rolled their eyes at me when I shared my excitement about ordering the Alexa Microwave. If you are the person who reads the directions on a frozen food box, throw the box in the garbage, only to dig said box out of the garbage a few minutes later to reread the directions on the box or if you microwave guess and stick your finger in the food to see if it’s hot enough, you will probably see the benefits of Alexa’s very helpful heating advice. She microwaved popcorn perfectly. I think I had only 5 unpopped kernels. Reheated one-half cup of coffee this morning to exactly the temperature I like it! I’m not sorry I bought it. Saves space on the counter but big enough for a dinner plate. No complicated set up. Worked with my Echo Show as soon as I plugged it in.
Feature Product
- This bundle contains the AmazonBasics Microwave and the Echo Dot (3rd Gen).
- Now it's easier to defrost vegetables, make popcorn, cook potatoes, and reheat rice. Quick-cook voice presets and a simplified keypad let you just ask Alexa to start microwaving.
- Automatically reorder popcorn when you run low and save 10% on popcorn orders-enabled by Amazon Dash Replenishment technology
- Compact size saves counter space, plus 10 power levels, a kitchen timer, a child lock, and a turntable.
- Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new presets.
Description
My mother has Macular Degeneration Disease. This microwave is perfect for her. Since it is voice controlled with short simple commands she has no problems cooking the food. Being an "echo" owner, she is familiar with the voice commands. Prior to this type of microwave, she had many problems finding and pushing the correct buttons to prepare the food to the point that she wouldn't use the microwave. The voice activation has returned some autonomy for her!
I ordered this microwave for a silly reason, I hate the fingerprint marks on the microwave which are hard to clean. I received this product well packed in perfect condition. Syncing was a breeze and it was working minutes after the package was delivered. There are three options to work this machine, first obviously, you can manually operate it, you can press the “ask Alexa” button, or you can give the command to Alexa. This works by syncing the microwave to one Alexa, you cannot control it from any other Alexa in the house. Changing from one Alexa to another only takes seconds. You can easily change the name microwave to any cool name you want.
This price would be good even without the Alexa feature, so it’s really a steal with is jetson’s like feature.
Please keep in mind this is a 700 watts microwave not 1000 watt like most larger microwaves. You may have to adjust the cook time on some recipes.
I highly recommend this product
Why would you not include documentation (i.e. a sticker) with the unit as to what the MAC address is? If you connect to a network, you have a MAC, plain and simple. I use MAC address filtering along with passphrase to get on to my network and because I don't know the MAC address of the microwave, it won't connect to my network. I am not changing my entire infrastructure just because one manufacturer refuses to provide the documentation. It is not listed ANYWHERE on the unit (which usually there's a sticker or imprint of the MAC of a network device near the serial number or model number) nor does it show up in the Alexa app when trying to connect it. The Echo Dot and Plus show in the app when connecting them....
I will change the rating on an update if this gets resolved. Otherwise, it's being returned.
[UPDATED 11/18/2018]
Amazon Customer Service called me about my review, but NOT because of the review specifically. They called because the review identified a bug in the development process before the product was released. They have to update the Alexa software itself to identify the Microwave in the Alexa app, just like when setting up the Echo devices. Stephanie, the rep, emailed me the MAC of my specific unit. About an hour later, I had my network configured with the MAC filtering and it sync'd up fairly quickly. I am now able to voice-activate my heating procedures.
Now, just have to figure out how to create an Alexa-bot out of some Alexa devices and a Roomba and I will have my own personal maid!
Upping to 5-stars, as the product now meets expectations and matches its description.
This is a very nice microwave. Does all the things that you'd want a microwave to do, with the added benefit of having Alexa do all the work of programming. Another added benefit is having the clock know when the time changes twice a year. I've used this "micro"wave for a bit over a week, and it checks all the boxes. One must note that it is what it is. This is not a 1000 watt machine. This is not a 2cf oven. This is tiny, and it has 700 watts. Some things might take a bit longer. If you remember all of that, this is just about perfect for a one or two person household. (I did notice that Alexa was somewhat confused when the door wasn't completely shut ("I don't know what the problem is."). This microwave replaced one that was larger and more powerful, but was ten years old, and had more buttons than I could use. I'm happy with my new one, thank you.
First of all, this was perhaps the best setup experience to date. I plugged the microwave in and 30 seconds later it was ready for commands through any Echo in the house. No manual set up at all - it connected to my WiFi automatically and was pre-configured for my account. I have come to expect this from an Echo device, but it was a bit shocking coming from a microwave.
I received a notification on my phone for additional set up, including which Echo the "ask Alexa" button initiated and which popcorn to use for the auto-replenish (not mandatory).
The microwave itself works like any other microwave.
I love the compact size - my previous microwave stuck out over my very narrow Ikea shelf. This is the PERFECT size for the shallow depth Ivar shelving!
As a brand new product, there are some command issues that I expect to get ironed out quickly. For example, I pressed the ask Alexa button and said "minute thirty", which was interpreted simply as 1 minute and 0 seconds instead of the desired 1 minute and 30 seconds. I expect slang and common parlance to function as expected over time.
Overall, I have already found the addition of Alexa promising in making a very basic microwave a premium experience.
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