Black & Decker 0.9-cu ft Countertop Microwave (Stainless Steel)

A compact microwave that hits the essentials without fuss

I put the Black+Decker 0.9‑cu ft microwave through everyday tasks for a few weeks—reheating leftovers, thawing chicken, making oatmeal, and the occasional mug cake. It’s a straightforward, compact unit that focuses on the basics and generally gets them right. If you’re short on counter space or outfitting an apartment, dorm, or office break room, the footprint and feature set make sense.

Design, size, and placement

At 19.1 inches wide, 14.8 inches deep, and 11.5 inches tall, it’s easy to place on a standard countertop without crowding prep space. The stainless steel front looks clean and modern, while the sides are a conventional black finish. It weighs around 30 pounds—light enough to reposition, but heavy enough to feel stable. That said, the push‑button door does require a firm press. On smooth counters the unit can slide slightly when you pop it open, so a rubber mat or using the back corners against a wall helps.

Clearance needs are modest. Like any countertop microwave, give it a couple inches on the sides and top for ventilation. The interior light is present and serviceable; you can see a bowl turning, though it’s not as bright as higher‑end models.

Controls and everyday usability

The control panel will be familiar to anyone who’s used a microwave in the last decade: a numeric keypad, quick‑start buttons, a 30‑second express key, and a start/stop pair. The LED display is bright and legible from across the kitchen, doubling as a clock when idle and a countdown timer while cooking. Beeps are audible but not obnoxious, and there’s no elaborate melody at the end—just a straightforward set of alerts.

The six preset buttons (think popcorn, pizza, and a few common foods) are basic time-and-power profiles. They’re fine for quick convenience but not magical. I had better results using power levels and time manually, which is easy enough: 30‑second express is handy for quick top‑ups, and the 10 power levels cover everything from gentle softening to full‑blast heating.

One pleasant surprise is the memory function, which lets you store up to three time/power sequences. For example, I saved a two‑step routine for frozen leftovers: 3 minutes at 50% to gently thaw and warm, then 1 minute at 80% to finish. Tapping a single memory key runs the sequence without reprogramming every time. It’s a small feature that meaningfully speeds up repetitive tasks.

Performance: what 900 watts gets you

At up to 900 watts, this microwave sits in the middle of the pack. It’s not as fast as 1,100–1,200 W units, but it’s a step above the 700–800 W minis you find in dorms and hotel rooms. In day‑to‑day use:

• A mug of water hits steaming in a couple of minutes.
• A plate of refrigerated leftovers warms evenly in 2–4 minutes depending on volume.
• Oatmeal and instant noodles cook predictably without boil‑overs when you dial the power back to 70–80%.
• Butter and chocolate soften well at 30–50% power without scorching.

Evenness is good for the class, thanks to the rotating glass turntable. Like nearly all microwaves without sensor cooking, it still benefits from pauses to stir or rotate denser foods. I’d call the heat distribution “competent,” which is what I want from a compact unit.

Popcorn is the one area where presets often disappoint across brands. This one is no exception: I preferred entering a conservative time and listening for the slowing pops to avoid scorching. That’s not a knock unique to this model; it’s just how most non‑sensor microwaves behave.

Turntable and interior capacity

The removable glass turntable is easy to lift out for cleaning and large enough to fit a standard dinner plate without scraping the sides. Height clearance handles a bowl or a tall mug comfortably. You can reheat a medium casserole portion, but if you routinely use oversized platters or tall steamer baskets, you’ll want a larger cavity than 0.9 cu ft provides.

The interior surface wipes down without drama. Splatter happens; the smooth cavity walls, turntable, and roller ring come clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. I recommend covering saucy dishes to keep cleanup quick and to improve heating uniformity.

Safety and family‑friendly touches

A child lock on the control panel disables the buttons, which is helpful in households with curious hands. Activating and deactivating the lock is a simple keypress sequence spelled out in the quick‑start guide. The door window gives a clear view while cooking, and the interior light comes on reliably when the cycle starts.

As with any microwave, basic rules apply: no metal trim or foil, no closed containers, and nothing with metallic inks. If you ever see arcing (sparks), stop immediately, check what’s inside, and inspect the cavity for damage or debris.

Noise, vibration, and heat

Operating noise sits at a steady hum—audible but not intrusive. The fan tone is consistent, with no rattles on a properly leveled surface. The sides and top get warm on long runs, but not hot to the touch. The vents do their job; just avoid tucking the back tight against a wall.

What it doesn’t do

• No sensor cooking or humidity detection. Reheating is time/power based.
• No fancy convection or grilling features.
• No dedicated mute for beeps (if you want absolute silence, that may be a miss).
• The door push‑button requires a firm press and can nudge the unit if it’s not secured.

None of these are deal‑breakers at this price and size, but it’s good to be clear about the feature set.

Tips for better results

• Reheat dense foods at 60–70% power to reduce hot spots; add time rather than cranking the power.
• Use the memory function for recurring routines like “defrost then cook.”
• Cover food with a vented lid or paper towel to reduce splatter and improve evenness.
• For popcorn, skip the preset—start with a conservative time and listen for the 2–3 seconds between pops rule.
• Place a thin non‑slip mat under the feet if your counter is slick, especially if you use the door button a lot.

Reliability and build impressions

Fit and finish are solid for its class. The door closes with a confident click, the control buttons register reliably, and the display is crisp. Over the test period, I didn’t encounter odd noises, flickering lights, or inconsistent power. As with any appliance, defects can happen, but nothing in my use indicated a systemic issue. Registering the product and keeping the manual handy for warranty terms is always smart.

Who is it for?

• Apartment and dorm kitchens where space is at a premium
• Office break rooms that need a dependable, simple machine
• Households that value ease of use over advanced features
• Anyone upgrading from a weaker 700–800 W compact and wanting a bit more speed without upsizing

If you need true speed for large volumes, or rely on sensor cooking to take the guesswork out of reheating, a larger 1.1–1.2 cu ft, 1,100–1,200 W model will serve you better.

The bottom line

This Black+Decker 0.9‑cu ft microwave focuses on getting the fundamentals right: a compact footprint, straightforward controls, 10 power levels, useful presets, a practical 30‑second express start, and a surprisingly helpful three‑sequence memory. Performance is consistent for its 900‑watt class, and day‑to‑day tasks—from oatmeal to leftovers—are handled cleanly and predictably. It doesn’t aim to be a feature showpiece, and that’s the point.

Recommendation: I recommend it for small kitchens, offices, and anyone who wants a no‑nonsense microwave that’s easy to live with. You’re getting reliable heating, a family‑friendly child lock, and a smart memory function in a space‑saving design. If you need sensor cooking, ultra‑fast power, or premium bells and whistles, look to a larger, higher‑wattage model; otherwise, this is a practical, good‑value choice.