The Danby DMW7700BLDB Microwave Oven is a compact and affordable microwave designed for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or offices. With a sleek design and basic functionality, it caters to those looking for a straightforward microwave to handle everyday tasks like reheating leftovers, making popcorn, or cooking simple meals. Here’s an in-depth review of the Danby DMW7700BLDB, covering its design, performance, features, and overall value.

Design and Build

The Danby DMW7700BLDB features a compact design with a 0.7 cubic foot capacity, making it ideal for kitchens with limited countertop space. It has a black exterior that blends easily with modern kitchen décor and is small enough to fit into tight spaces. Measuring about 17.3″ x 13″ x 10.2″, this microwave can fit on most counters without taking up too much room.

Despite its small size, the microwave comes with a 10-inch glass turntable that rotates during cooking to ensure even heating. The control panel is simple and features manual push buttons for time and power settings, along with a clear LED display.

Key Features

  1. 700 Watts of Power: The Danby DMW7700BLDB operates at 700 watts, making it suitable for basic reheating and cooking tasks. While it’s not as powerful as larger microwaves, it can handle day-to-day tasks like warming up leftovers, defrosting frozen food, and cooking instant meals.

  2. 6 Pre-Programmed Settings: This microwave includes pre-programmed settings for commonly microwaved foods, such as popcorn, pizza, potatoes, beverages, and frozen dinners. These one-touch buttons make it convenient to quickly cook or heat items without needing to manually set the time and power level.

  3. 10 Power Levels: The Danby microwave offers 10 different power levels, allowing you to adjust the cooking power based on the type of food you’re preparing. Whether you’re defrosting frozen foods or cooking a meal at full power, the adjustable power settings provide flexibility for various cooking needs.

  4. Auto Defrost: The defrost function is useful for thawing frozen foods quickly and efficiently. You can set the microwave to defrost by weight or time, depending on what works best for the food item.

  5. LED Timer and Clock: The microwave features a bright LED display that shows the current time, countdown timer, and cooking progress. This helps you keep track of your food and ensures you don’t overcook anything.

  6. Child Safety Lock: The child lock feature is a nice addition, ensuring that the microwave cannot be accidentally started by curious children.

Performance

With its 700 watts of power, the Danby DMW7700BLDB is best suited for basic tasks. It heats food evenly, though it may take longer to cook or reheat items compared to more powerful microwaves. For example, heating a bowl of soup or reheating leftovers may take about 1-2 minutes longer than a 1,000-watt microwave.

The pre-programmed buttons are convenient for quick tasks like making popcorn or reheating pizza, but it’s important to monitor the food to avoid overcooking, as the lower wattage may not always match the cooking times recommended by the manufacturer.

One area where the Danby excels is even heating, thanks to its rotating turntable, which ensures that food is cooked from all sides. However, for bulkier or larger dishes, the microwave’s smaller capacity may be limiting.

Ease of Use

The Danby DMW7700BLDB is very easy to use, even for those unfamiliar with microwaves. The one-touch buttons for specific foods simplify cooking, while the manual controls allow you to set specific times and power levels when needed. The microwave also includes an easy-to-read LED display that makes it simple to monitor the time and status of your food.

The control panel is straightforward, with clearly labeled buttons for power levels, time, defrost, and cooking presets. The microwave’s door opens with a simple push-button mechanism, which is smooth and user-friendly.

Size and Capacity

At 0.7 cubic feet, the microwave’s interior is on the smaller side, which is great for those with limited counter space. It’s perfect for reheating small meals, beverages, or snacks but may struggle to accommodate larger dishes or family-sized portions. This microwave is best for individuals or smaller households that don’t require a lot of cooking capacity.

Noise Level

The Danby DMW7700BLDB operates at a reasonable noise level. While not completely silent, the microwave is quieter than some larger, more powerful models, making it suitable for use in quiet environments like offices or small apartments.

Pros:

  • Compact design: Fits easily in small kitchens or countertops.
  • Affordable: Budget-friendly without sacrificing essential features.
  • 6 pre-programmed settings: Convenient one-touch buttons for commonly cooked foods.
  • Even heating: The rotating turntable ensures food is heated evenly.
  • User-friendly controls: Simple push-button design and clear LED display.
  • Child lock feature: Ensures safety in homes with children.
  • Lightweight: Easy to move and store if needed.

Cons:

  • Limited power: 700 watts may result in longer cooking times compared to more powerful models.
  • Small capacity: The 0.7 cu. ft. interior may not accommodate larger dishes or family-sized meals.
  • Basic features: Lacks some of the advanced features and customization options found in higher-end microwaves.

Final Verdict

The Danby DMW7700BLDB Microwave Oven is a great choice for those looking for a compact, no-frills microwave that handles basic tasks efficiently. It’s particularly suitable for small kitchens, apartments, dorm rooms, or offices where space is limited. While it lacks the power and capacity of larger microwaves, its affordable price, even heating, and ease of use make it a solid option for individuals or smaller households.

If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable, and space-saving microwave for everyday reheating and cooking tasks, the Danby DMW7700BLDB is a strong contender, though users with larger families or higher cooking demands may prefer a more powerful unit.