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After testing the Cuisinart CMW-200 Convection Microwave Oven with Grill for more than 12 hours, we can confidently say that this is an excellent model for small families and couples. It’s especially good if you want to combine grilling or baking with microwave cooking thanks to the convection function.
It also works for bigger families if you want to have more cooking space, in fact, the grill rack doubles your cooking capacity without sacrificing countertop space.
Specifically, we loved the Multi-Stage Cooking and the several weight settings of the Preset Menus as they made cooking more intuitive and straightforward.
- Preset Menu
- Convection Baking
- Keep Warm Feature
- Multi-Stage Cooking
- Child Safety Lock
- Need a lot of space
Our Review of the Cuisinart CMW-200
Table of Contents
To start our Cuisinart CMW-200 review, we were determined to explore all its cooking functions. It’s a medium-sized microwave, so is it packed with enough features to justify the slightly higher price tag?
The more we used this unit, the more we got convinced that it’s worth every penny. It simply did the job of several appliances, and the results were impressive. The following features made us believe that this one of the top picks in its category.
Stylish Exterior
The first step in reviewing any appliance is to examine the exterior, and this is what we did.
The elegant brushed stainless steel finish is a stylish addition to any contemporary, industrial or modern kitchen, and the exterior is easy to clean and sanitize.
The oven comes with a tinted door that matches the exterior. Although this door is a little bit darker, you can still see your food while it’s cooking, thanks to the interior light.
What we really loved about this oven is the touch keypad. The dark font makes the buttons easy to see, especially in low-light conditions. The cooking functions are displayed on the lit LED display.
Size
This is a medium-sized countertop microwave oven that measures 20.4 x 18.9 x 12.4 inches, so it’s a decent choice for families and couples. It can also be used to provide extra cooking capacity for a large family if you’re hosting a party.
The unit weighs 40.8 pounds, so it’s heavier than other models of the same capacity. If you’re looking for a portable unit that you can quickly move around, this won’t be the right one for you.
Cooking Capacity
Medium-sized units like this one are big enough to help you prepare dinner for two or even three people in one go. Thanks to the 1.2 cubic feet capacity, you can easily fit a 9 X 13-inch baking dish or a chicken with no issues.
This microwave comes with a rotating 12-inch glass turntable that guarantees better heat distribution.
But that’s not all that you can get with this Cuisinart convection microwave oven with grill. You will also receive a grill rack that doubles your cooking space, so you can cook two items simultaneously.
Although the convection feature in this unit requires more countertop space for adequate ventilation, the advantages you get from using a unit that combines convection cooking with grilling and microwaving are definitely worth it.
The interior is made of stainless steel as well. It doesn’t absorb odors and you can get rid of grease buildup and accidental spills in no time.
Power Output
With 1000 watts of cooking power, you can prepare any meal quickly. The slightly lower power output and the versatile cooking functions of this appliance make it an excellent choice for those who want to get great value for their money.
Moreover, it’s a fantastic choice for RVs because it doesn’t use much power, but it offers incredible versatility, as it cooks, microwaves, bakes, and grills in a single unit.
The Cuisinart CMW-200 has 10 power levels. The Start button automatically sets the power to 100% activating the Speed Cook mode, and you can push the 30 seconds button to adjust the time.
Multi-Stage Cooking
Multi-Stage Cooking is an advanced technology that allows you to choose between 2 or 3 functions to cook a single dish. You can shift between several functions in the sequence you choose for exceptional results.
Moreover, you can set the time for every function, so you can defrost for 5 minutes, bake for 10 minutes, and then grill for 1 minute. Preparing different recipes has never been easier! The Memory Function will save your most used sequence, so you can use it whenever you like.
Microwave Cooking
It goes without saying that the Microwave Cooking function is the best choice for busy days. The power output is set for simple everyday microwaving tasks if you’re using frozen dinner or microwave-ready meals. Food cooks to perfection in a few minutes, and the results are extraordinary.
Convection Cooking
The main reason why we decided to write this Cuisinart CMW-200 review was the Convection Cooking Function, which can be used with or without activating the Microwaving Function.
The Convection Cooking feature is activated using an extra heating element that generates more heat inside the oven. There’s also an internal fan that circulates the air inside the unit to deliver the results of a traditional convection oven.
This is actually one of the reasons why the Cuisinart CMW-200 is an excellent choice for small apartments, boats, and RVs because you can get the benefits of convection and microwave ovens in a single unit.
Convection Baking
The Convection Baking Function circulates the hot air inside the oven to cook food faster while giving it a crispy finish. You can also choose to combine this feature with other cooking options.
As a versatile microwave oven with grill and convection, we strongly believe that the Cuisinart CMW-200 is an excellent choice for those who want to make the best use of their countertop space and their money.
There is also a Fast Bake Function, which can be used to add more crispiness to a dish that you have previously cooked. If you cook meals in advance, you can use this feature just before mealtime to enjoy a delicious taste and an exceptional finish.
The numbers on the keypad correspond to different temperature settings that you can choose while activating the Fast Bake Function.
Grill Combo
This is probably the feature that impressed us the most while we were writing our Cuisinart CMW 200 review. The removable grill rack doubles your cooking capacity, allowing you to bake a dish on the turntable and brown the top of another dish on the rack.
You can also use this function to shorten cooking time, as it circulates the air from the top to the bottom to cook the food in your tray or pan while browning the top in one go. The grill rack can be used in the low or high position, depending on your needs.
Using this feature to melt and brown the cheese on top of your pizza or lasagna will make you enjoy an incredible taste in less time, which is a big plus for those who are always in a hurry.
Convection Roasting
Convection Roasting is another feature that we absolutely loved. This unit is designed to deliver exceptional roasting results without adding another appliance to your countertop. The warm air is adequately circulated to give your food the caramelized finish in no time.
Defrost Function
The Cuisinart CMW 200 is also equipped with a practical defrost function that you can activate, either by setting the weight of your food or the time needed for defrosting.
It emits enough heat to thaw different types of ingredients without cooking them and it guarantees that you won’t end up with food that still feels cold or frozen in the center.
Preset Menus
Because the Cuisinart CMW 200 is a reliable appliance, it provides access to 9 Preset Menus that you can easily use when there’s little time to prepare your meal.
Three of these functions are designed to deliver convection cooking for better roasting and baking results, so you can prepare pizza, cake, and roasted chicken using a single button. The other functions are suitable for delicious snacks, meals, and beverages.
What we really appreciated is that each function can be pressed multiple times to choose different weights, giving you more control over the power output. There’s also a Reheat Function, so you won’t feel like you’re eating food that has been previously prepared.
Keep Warm
This function will come in handy whether you’re having a party or preparing dinner for your family. It keeps your dishes at optimum temperature without overcooking the ingredients.
You can use this feature to keep soups, sauces, desserts, and gravies at the right temperature while you’re preparing other dishes. It will also help you to keep your partner’s dinner warm until they’re home.
Cuisinart CMW-200 Reviews: what buyers are saying
We weren’t surprised to see that most people who bought this unit believed that it provides excellent value for money, as it delivers the functions of several appliances in a single unit. It saves countertop space and money, although it’s more expensive than some models of the same capacity.
Users were really impressed with the Convection Function, which imitates the results of a traditional convection oven in a modern microwave. They also love the Grill function and the brown finish it adds to dishes.
However, most users highlighted the need to devote enough countertop space for this model, so the vents won’t get blocked to eliminate the risk of starting a fire. They also mentioned that the user manual would be of great importance to help you understand and remember the functions.
Final Verdict on the Cuisinart CMW-200
By reaching the end of our extensive Cuisinart CMW-200 review, you probably have an idea of what we think about this exceptional unit.
This is an incredible microwave that combines the functions of microwaving, convection baking, grilling, roasting, and defrosting in a single appliance. It works for small families and can provide extra cooking space for big families.
We definitely love the Multi-Stage Cooking feature, which can make cooking more straightforward, as the oven does all the work on your behalf.
Although we know that this model is quite heavy given its size and is more expensive than others, we still believe that it’s an excellent choice if you want a versatile and reliable unit that can perform multiple functions at the same time.
- Preset Menu
- Convection Baking
- Keep Warm Feature
- Multi-Stage Cooking
- Child Safety Lock
- Need a lot of space
He likes to call himself a ‘tech freak’ and if you ask him anything about whatever tech-trend is on these days, he will likely go on for hours.
Apart from his passion for technology, Lucas has worked in an appliance store for many years and is also an over-enthusiastic foodie.
He considers his job at ConsciousEating a ‘dream come true’ because it allows him to explore the two things he loves the most in the world: technology and food.
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