Microwave Ovens Review
Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG 27 L Convection Microwave Review
Our verdict
The Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG is a 27 L convection microwave that bakes and reheats acceptably, but its price and thin feature list make it hard to prefer over cheaper 30 L rivals.
Buy it if
- Small families of two to four who want a simple convection oven
- Buyers who prefer Panasonic's look and an existing Panasonic service contact
Skip it if
- You want a rotisserie, steam clean or ceramic cavity
- You bake large trays often, since 27 L is tight
- You want the best price for the capacity
What we like
- Straightforward touch keypad that is quick to learn
- Reheats rice and curries evenly with the turntable
- Black mirror finish looks smart on a counter
What we don’t
- Priced above larger 30 L IFB ovens
- Fewer features than rivals at the same price
- Owners report mixed experiences with the touch panel and after-sales
- Only 27 L, so tall dishes and two trays are a squeeze
Score breakdown
- Performance
- 6.6
- Build quality
- 6.5
- Ease of use
- 6.6
- Features
- 6.3
- Value for money
- 5.8
- Energy efficiency
- 6.4
- After-sales service
- 6.8
The Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG suits a small family that wants a plain convection microwave from a familiar brand. The main trade-off is value: it asks for more money than larger 30 L IFB ovens and offers fewer features in return.
Is it good for everyday reheating?
Yes, this is the part it does best. A bowl of cold rice and dal reheated evenly in about 2.5 minutes with one stir, and cooked sabzi stayed moist. Without an inverter, low power levels cycle on and off, so delicate tasks like melting chocolate or softening butter need short bursts and a close watch.
Can it bake a cake properly?
Preheat to 180 C took about 8 minutes. A 20 cm sponge baked in around 34 minutes at 170 C, with a slightly darker back edge that turning the tin halfway corrected. Cookies on one tray browned evenly, but two trays at once did not. The 27 L cavity leaves little headroom for tall cakes.
How does the grill do on paneer tikka and sandwiches?
Paneer tikka took around 20 minutes with one turn, gaining colour but not char. Cheese sandwiches toasted in about 8 minutes. Results are acceptable, though you will not get the smoky effect that charcoal-heater ovens aim for.
What do owners complain about?
Retail reviews are mixed. Some owners are happy with the finish and reheating, while others mention touch-panel problems or slow after-sales response. Because feedback varies by region and batch, buying from a retailer with an easy return window is a sensible precaution.
Will it run on an inverter?
Microwave mode ran on a 3 kVA inverter without trouble. Convection and grill modes draw heavily, so avoid them on small inverters. After a full outage the clock and any stored settings reset, and the oven recovered normally after short voltage dips.
Is it easy to clean, and how loud is it?
The cavity wipes clean, though splatter marks need a few passes after gravy reheating, and it has no steam clean cycle. The convection fan measured about 52 dB at one metre, slightly quieter than some rivals. Panasonic’s service network is smaller than Samsung’s or LG’s in small towns, so check for an authorised centre in your city before buying.
Test results
| Convection preheat to 180 °C How we test this : Convection preheat to 180 °C | 8 min |
|---|---|
| Sponge cake bake How we test this : Sponge cake bake | 34 min 20 cm tin at 170 °C; slightly darker back edge, corrected by turning the tin halfway. |
| Paneer tikka on the grill How we test this : Paneer tikka on the grill | 20 min One turn; colour but no char. |
| Noise in the loudest mode How we test this : Noise in the loudest mode | 52 dB Convection fan. |
| Runs on a home inverter How we test this : Runs on a home inverter | Microwave mode ran without trouble 3 kVA inverter. Convection and grill draw heavily, so avoid them on small inverters; the clock resets after a full outage. |
Measured on the unit we tested.
How we tested
We used the oven for four weeks with weekday reheating and weekend baking. We timed preheat to 180 C, baked sponge cakes and cookies, grilled paneer and sandwiches, reheated rice and curry from the fridge, and checked noise at one metre.
We bought this unit at retail price.
How does the Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG 27 L Convection Microwave Oven compare?
-
IFB 30SC4 30 L Convection Microwave Oven B 7.9
The Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG cost more than the larger 30 L IFB 30SC4 when we checked prices, and the IFB adds steam clean, yoghurt and fermentation modes and a 3-year magnetron warranty.
-
IFB 30L Convection Microwave Oven 30BRC2 B− 7.4
The Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG cost more than the larger 30 L IFB 30BRC2 when we checked prices, and the IFB adds a motorised rotisserie, Steam Clean and 101 auto-cook menus.
Key specs
| Capacity | 27 L |
|---|---|
| Type | Convection, grill and microwave |
| Microwave output | 900 W |
| Controls | Touch keypad |
| Warranty | 1 year product (check card for magnetron terms) |
Questions buyers ask
Is the Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG an inverter microwave?
No. A seller on Flipkart answers that the Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG is not an inverter oven, so it uses conventional on-off power cycling at lower power levels.
How big is the Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG?
The Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG has a 27 L cavity, enough for a family of two to four, but tight for two trays or tall casseroles.
What warranty does the Panasonic NN-CT64HBFDG have?
Retail listings show one year on the product, while magnetron cover varies by listing, so confirm the terms on the warranty card with your unit.
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