Will a full-size dinner plate actually fit inside?
Usually, but check first, because 0.7 cubic feet is a small interior. Frigidaire gives the cabinet as 17.8 inches wide, 12.3 deep and 10.2 high, and the usable space sits inside that. One owner fitted a regular 10.5 inch dinner plate and an 11 inch glass baking dish without trouble. A large serving platter, a tall pot or a long rectangular dish is where it gets tight, so measure your most-used plate edge to edge before ordering, because a plate that catches on the walls heats unevenly.
How much longer will things take at 700 watts?
Noticeably longer than the times printed on most frozen food boxes, which are usually written for more powerful ovens. Heating time rises as power falls, so the practical method is to start with the time on the box, stop to stir or turn the food, then finish in short bursts until it is hot through. Frigidaire's ten power levels earn their keep for melting, softening and gentle reheating, where lower power over more time beats full power.
Why doesn't it heat as well as expected?
Heating performance and power draw mixed reviews, and the 700 watt rating is the root of it. Anyone stepping down from a larger kitchen microwave will find the same reheat takes longer, and dense food suffers most: a thick casserole, a frozen burrito or a mug of soup straight from the fridge can come out hot at the edges and cool in the middle. That is how microwaves heat rather than a fault, since the outside of food warms first and the heat then has to work its way in. Use smaller portions, stir midway and let it stand briefly before eating.
What is the problem people report with the door?
Door functionality is one of the clearest weak points here, and it deserves attention because on any microwave the door is a safety component rather than just a lid. Interlock switches in the latch have to register a closed door before the oven will run, and a latch that flexes or a hinge that sags stops them working cleanly. Close it firmly rather than slamming it, press stop before opening (one owner notes it will not open after a cycle until you do), and if it feels loose early on, use the one-year limited warranty instead of living with it.
Where can I put it, and does it need its own outlet?
It is a countertop unit, and at 23.4 pounds it is light enough that a firm pull on the door can shift it on the worktop, which fits with the stability problems here. Set it against a wall or in a corner, leave some clear air at the back and sides so it can vent, and keep the top clear rather than stacking things on it. Where you can, give it a grounded outlet of its own: sharing a circuit with a kettle or toaster is a common way to trip a breaker, and a thin extension cord is best avoided for any microwave.
Are the controls and the child lock easy to live with?
Mostly. The digital panel carries ten power levels, six auto-cook programs, express cooking, delayed start and two defrost timers, and it is easy to set up. The child safety lock stops the keypad from starting the oven, though one owner found the lock itself tricky to use. The bigger caveat is button responsiveness, which is a weak spot. Keypads of this type wear where fingers land most often, and greasy fingertips make it worse, so wipe the panel down rather than pressing harder. Frigidaire covers the unit for a year, which is the window to raise any problem.
