Black & Decker Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, Stainless Steel, 1.4 Cu.ft

First impressions and setup

I put this Black+Decker microwave on my counter to replace a smaller, lower-powered unit, and the change was immediately noticeable. The 1.4 cu ft cavity and 12.4-inch glass turntable give it real everyday versatility without overpowering a standard countertop. It’s deep enough to handle wide dinner plates and tall mugs, but still tucks neatly under upper cabinets thanks to its modest height. The stainless exterior looks clean and modern, though it shows fingerprints; a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth fixes that.

Unboxing and setup were straightforward: seat the turntable support and glass plate, plug it into a dedicated kitchen outlet, set the clock, and go. The large LED display is bright and easy to read from across the room, and the control panel is sensibly laid out with clearly labeled presets and a prominent 30-second express button.

Controls and usability

Day-to-day, the interface strikes a nice balance. You get the essentials—ten power levels, a kitchen timer that works independently of cooking, a quick-start 30-second button, and a small set of pre-programmed shortcuts (popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetables, beverage, dinner plate). There’s no sensor cooking here, so you do need to set times yourself rather than relying on auto-reheat that “sniffs” steam. For me, that’s a fair trade for simplicity; the buttons do what they say without layers of menus.

Two usability notes:
- The push-button door release works reliably but feels a touch springy. If your microwave sits on a slick counter, you may need to hold the cabinet with your free hand to keep it from scooting. A thin non-slip mat under the feet solves that.
- The child safety lock is easy to toggle and helpful in busy kitchens. On this unit, holding down the Stop/Cancel button for a few seconds disables the keypad and door, and the display confirms the lock status.

Performance and cooking results

At 1000 watts, this microwave has the power most recipes and package directions assume. In practical terms, it shaved time off everything I heated compared with my older 800-watt unit.

Here are the benchmarks I care about:
- 1 cup of room-temperature water in a microwave-safe glass: simmered at around 2:45 and hit a rolling boil just after the 3-minute mark. That’s consistent with a true 1000-watt output.
- Reheating a plated dinner (pasta and vegetables): the “Dinner Plate” preset landed at a hot but not overcooked result, though I got more consistent temperatures using 2:00 to 2:30 at 70–80% power to reduce hotspots.
- Frozen vegetables in a vented bowl: the preset left a small pocket still cool in the center. Adding 30–45 seconds or stirring halfway through fixed it.
- Pizza slice: 45–60 seconds at 70% power avoided rubbery crust.
- Beverage: 12 ounces of coffee from the fridge needed 1:15 to 1:30 at full power for a good drinking temp.

Evenness is solid for this class, thanks to the large turntable. I didn’t see pronounced hot-cold rings, though dense foods benefit from a quick stir halfway through. For delicate tasks like melting chocolate or softening butter, power levels down at 30–50% were predictable and didn’t scorch.

Defrosting without a dedicated defrost program is perfectly manageable by time and power level. For a half pound of ground meat, 30% power for 4–5 minutes, flipping and breaking it up halfway, brought it to a workable thaw without cooking the edges.

Interior, lighting, and cleaning

The 12.4-inch platter comfortably handles a standard 12-inch dinner plate and medium-sized casserole dishes. Taller containers have enough headroom to avoid hitting the ceiling during heating, and the turntable rotates smoothly with a positive engagement on the support ring. The interior light is adequate—not floodlight bright, but enough to check for boiling over without opening the door.

Cleanup is easy: the glass turntable goes in the sink, and the painted interior wipes clean with a damp cloth. For splatters, heating a cup of water for a couple of minutes to steam the cavity loosens residue so it wipes out in seconds. The stainless exterior benefits from a quick pass with a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth to prevent streaks.

Noise and heat management

It’s not whisper-quiet, but it’s no louder than typical mid-size microwaves. The fan hum and magnetron buzz are present and steady—conversation across the kitchen is still easy. Venting is to the rear and side; give it a couple of inches of clearance so it can breathe. After longer runs (five minutes or more), the sides of the cabinet feel warm, which is expected at this power level.

Build quality and durability

Overall fit and finish are good for a midrange countertop unit. The stainless skin is aligned cleanly, the keypad has a clear, responsive click, and the turntable hardware feels secure. The door latch engages positively; my only nitpick is again the push-button release, which works fine but doesn’t feel as solid as a handle pull. Over a couple of weeks of daily use, nothing loosened or rattled, and the control panel remained responsive.

What’s missing

• Sensor reheat/cook: If you rely on set-it-and-forget-it sensor programs, you won’t find them here. All presets are time-based.
• Advanced modes: No broil/crisp or convection features—this is a straightforward microwave, not a hybrid.
• Sound options: There’s no dedicated mute or volume adjustment that I could find. The end beeps are brief and not excessive, but they are fixed.

Tips for best results

• Use power levels. Reheating dense meals at 70–80% reduces hot edges and cold centers. For delicate items, 30–50% is your friend.
• Stir or rotate halfway through for larger portions. Even with a good turntable, a quick stir boosts evenness.
• Calibrate your popcorn. Start with the popcorn preset and the bag size listed. If you get too many unpopped kernels, add 15–20 seconds next time; if you scorch, subtract the same.
• Keep it steady. If your counter is slick, a thin silicone mat under the feet keeps the cabinet from sliding when you press the door button.

Who it’s for

• Households that want a reliable, mid-size 1000-watt microwave with simple controls and useful presets.
• Anyone who values a clear display, an easy-to-read keypad, and a child lock for safety.
• Cooks who prefer manual control over sensor-driven automation.

Who should look elsewhere:
- If you want sensor cooking, inverter-style ultra-gentle power delivery, or convection features, you’ll need to step up to a higher tier.
- If you’re particular about door feel, a model with a handle-based door might suit you better.

The bottom line

After living with this Black+Decker microwave, I appreciate its straightforward competence. It heats quickly and evenly for its class, the 12.4-inch turntable fits the cookware I actually use, and the everyday conveniences—30-second express, clear presets, bright display, and a simple child lock—make it easy to operate without thinking about it. It’s not bristling with advanced tech, and the push-button door could feel sturdier, but as a daily driver for reheating, defrosting, and basic cooking, it does the job well and without fuss.

Recommendation: I recommend this microwave to anyone who wants a no-nonsense, mid-size 1000-watt unit with intuitive controls and solid performance. It’s a practical choice for families and shared kitchens, and it covers the fundamentals cleanly. If sensor cooking or premium build touches are must-haves for you, consider a higher-end model; otherwise, this is a dependable, user-friendly upgrade that should suit most households.