Black & Decker 1.1 cu ft Digital Microwave Oven

A compact workhorse for everyday heating

The Black & Decker 1.1-cu-ft microwave has been on my counter for several weeks, and it’s already settled into a predictable rhythm: morning oatmeal, midday leftovers, and the occasional evening reheat after a late night. It’s a straightforward, 1000-watt countertop unit with just enough features to make daily use easy, without wandering into gimmick territory. If you want a dependable mid-size microwave that fits most kitchens and doesn’t demand a learning curve, this one gets the basics right.

Design and build

At 20.2 inches wide, 15.6 inches deep, and 12.1 inches tall, it’s a middleweight that fits under most upper cabinets while still offering enough interior space for a standard dinner plate or a medium-sized bowl. The 1.1 cubic foot cavity includes a removable glass turntable and a cavity light that illuminates the food well enough to gauge bubbling soups or rising oatmeal. The overall build feels solid for its class. The push-button door release has a firm, positive action; it’s easy to open with one hand, though you’ll want the unit on a grippy surface to keep it from sliding when you press the button.

The LED display is bright and legible across the kitchen, with a clock, a countdown timer, and readout of remaining cook time. The membrane keypad is responsive and laid out sensibly—numbers where you expect them, an express start, power level, and clear/stop/start where your fingers naturally go.

Setup and controls

Getting started is simple: plug it in, set the clock, and you’re off. There are six one-touch menu keys for common foods. I tend to ignore presets on microwaves, but these landed in the right ballpark. That said, the real heroes here are:

• 30-second express start: Tap start, and it immediately runs at full power. Tap again to add 30 seconds. For reheating coffee or a quick warm-up on leftovers, this is the button you’ll use most.
• 10 power levels: They made a noticeable difference in texture. Power level 5–6 for oatmeal prevents boiling over; power level 3–4 for defrosting ground meat avoids cooking the edges while the center is still icy.
• Kitchen timer: Handy for timing stovetop tasks while the microwave is idle.
• Memory function: You can save up to three time-and-power sequences. I programmed one for oatmeal (2:30 at power 6) and another for frozen vegetables (3:00 at power 8). It’s a small feature that pays off when you repeat the same tasks daily.

The child lock is straightforward to enable and disables the keypad entirely—useful if you have little ones with curious fingers or a communal space where accidental starts are a concern.

Heating performance

With 1000 watts on tap, it’s quick. A mug of room-temperature water reached sipping hot in about a minute and a half; a cold plate of pasta was hot throughout in roughly two minutes, and a medium bowl of soup needed about three, with a stir at the halfway mark. The turntable delivers even coverage for typical portions, though—like most microwaves—edge hot spots appear if you overload the plate. Stirring or rotating larger dishes midway remains good practice.

Texture is where power control matters, and this model’s 10 steps do their job. Gentle reheating at power 5–7 keeps proteins from toughening up, and defrosting at power 3–4 is measured enough to thaw without cooking. There’s no sensor cooking or inverter technology here, so it’s up to you to pick times and power levels. If you’re used to sensor reheat, expect to spend a few days dialing in your go-to times. Once set, it’s consistent.

Noise and ventilation

Operating noise is slightly higher than some compact models I’ve used, particularly the fan and magnetron hum, but not enough to be disruptive in a typical kitchen. The cooling fan moves air efficiently; allow a couple of inches of clearance on the sides and back for ventilation. If you place it in a tight corner, the sound tends to bounce; pulling it forward a bit quiets the perceived noise.

Everyday usability

This is a very livable microwave. The door opens wide, the light switches on with the door and during cooking, and the display doesn’t wash out in bright daylight. The turntable removes easily for cleaning, and the cavity wipes down without catching on seams. A damp paper towel blitzed for 30 seconds loosens splatters for a quick cleanup. The key beeps are assertive but not shrill, and the end-of-cycle alert is noticeable without being overbearing.

The push-button door takes a firm press. On slick countertops, pressing the button can nudge the unit. A thin silicone mat or simple rubber feet solve that, and the 30.6-pound weight keeps it planted once it has traction.

Capacity and fit

At 1.1 cubic feet, it’s a sweet spot for apartments, dorms, and home offices. It handles dinner plates, microwave-safe mixing bowls, and mid-size casserole dishes, but you’ll need a larger unit for oversized platters or big family casseroles. If you regularly reheat large covered containers, check your clearance; the interior is generous for its size class but not cavernous.

Features that matter (and a few that don’t)

Useful:
- 30-second express start for quick heat-ups
- Multi-level power for texture control
- Memory presets for routine tasks
- Clear, bright display and countdown timer
- Child lock for households with kids

Less important (for me):
- The six auto menus worked, but I still found better results by setting my own time and power. They’re fine starting points if you like set-and-forget cooking.

Missing by design:
- No sensor cooking or inverter power. If you want automatic humidity-based reheating or ultra-smooth low-power simmering, this isn’t that class of microwave.

Cleaning and maintenance

The removable glass turntable and ring lift out and wash easily in the sink. The cavity surface resists stains if you wipe it down regularly; splatters can bake on if ignored after several heavy uses, so quick wipe-downs make a difference. The exterior cleans with a damp microfiber cloth; the keypad doesn’t trap grime around the buttons.

Reliability and safety

The basics are covered: a child safety lock, an interior light for visibility, and predictable thermal behavior across power levels. Over several weeks, I didn’t experience hiccups, misreads, or unexpected resets. As with any microwave, placing it on a steady, level surface and providing proper ventilation helps longevity. The included magnetron and turntable are standard fare; nothing exotic here, which I consider a plus for long-term serviceability.

What could be better

• Slightly loud operation compared with the quietest compact models
• Push-button door that can scoot the unit on slick counters
• No sensor cooking, which some users lean on for reheating

None of these are dealbreakers, but they shape who will appreciate this model most.

Who it’s for

• People who want a reliable, mid-size microwave for daily reheating, defrosting, and simple cooking tasks
• Small households, apartments, dorm rooms, and office kitchens where space matters but a full dinner plate still needs to fit
• Users who prefer manual control and consistency over fully automated “sensor” cycles

Who should look elsewhere:
- Cooks who prioritize silent operation
- Users who rely on sensor reheat or need a larger cavity for big platters

The bottom line

The Black & Decker 1.1-cu-ft microwave focuses on the fundamentals: adequate power, intuitive controls, and a practical footprint. It heats quickly and consistently, its power levels make a real difference in food texture, and the memory function removes friction from everyday routines. It isn’t the quietest, and it doesn’t offer advanced sensor features, but for straightforward, everyday work, it’s a dependable choice.

Recommendation: I recommend this microwave for anyone seeking a no-nonsense, mid-size unit with solid performance and useful core features. It’s ideal if you value simple controls, reliable heating, and a compact footprint. If you need whisper-quiet operation or sensor-driven convenience, consider stepping up to a pricier model—but for most kitchens, this strikes a smart balance of capability and cost.