How much longer should I microwave things than the packet says?
Usually a little longer, but check rather than guess. The output here is 700 watts, the modest end of the range, and most packet instructions assume a more powerful oven, so following them to the second can leave food underdone. That feels like a weak machine when it is simply a smaller one. Start with the stated time, check, and add short bursts with the 30 second express button until the food is hot through. Some owners prefer the gentler output, finding it easier to warm food without overheating it.
How much space does it need?
COMFEE gives the size as 17.3 inches wide, 13.0 inches deep and 10.2 inches high. Measure your spot against those figures and leave room around the case for the vents to breathe, plus space for the door to swing open. A compact microwave usually ends up somewhere tight, which is exactly where a door fouls a wall or a cupboard. Owners who put it on top of a fridge find the rubber feet keep it steady.
Why does the low power setting take longer instead of cooking gently the whole time?
Because a microwave's power levels do not turn down the strength of the microwave energy. They switch the magnetron fully on and off in cycles. A lower setting delivers the same power in shorter bursts with pauses between, and those pauses let heat spread through the food rather than cooking the outside before the inside catches up. That is why low power gives more even results for melting chocolate, softening butter or defrosting, even though the total cycle takes longer.
Is the retro design just styling, or does it change how the microwave performs?
It is styling. The retro case, curves and pastel green colour are what you are paying for, and they are its strongest selling point. Underneath is the ordinary specification of a compact microwave: 0.7 cubic feet, 700 watts, 10 power levels and a 10-inch turntable. The two extras that genuinely change daily use are the position-memory turntable and the mute button. If the look matters to you, it delivers; if you only want the most heating power for the space, a plainer, higher-wattage machine suits you better.
I can't find the button I want. Is the layout different from a normal microwave?
It takes some getting used to. Controls are the theme buyers rate lowest, and ease of use divides them, even though other owners find the buttons simple from the first day. Much of the frustration seems to come from the child lock, which can be active out of the box and makes the panel seem unresponsive. Keep the manual that comes in the box handy for the first week, and use the auto menus and express button for everyday jobs.
How do I turn the child lock off?
The lock can arrive switched on, and more than one owner nearly returned the microwave because of it. The sequence that works is to press 7, then 9, then hold the door open button for about three seconds, after which the display shows that it is unlocked. Repeating the same steps turns the lock back on. If it does not respond, unplugging the microwave for a few seconds and trying again can reset it. It is worth doing once after unboxing so you know how it works.
