Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Our 1980s microwave oven was no longer working well so we decided to buy a new one. We liked the idea of having a convection oven as part of the microwave. After reading the questions and answers here, as well as many of the reviews here, we settled on this model. The microwave worked great. However, the convection did not seem to brown roasts or cookies like we had expected. We discovered that the upper heating element did not seem to work, so we experimented with various settings and even held a paper plate to the element when the oven was at 425 degrees. Nothing happened - not even a scorch mark. We called Amazon and they sent a replacement. The first thing we did was check the upper element. It did not work. We then called the manufacturer - not Toshiba, but the actual one, Midea of China. They are the leading manufacturer of small appliances in the world and their products are branded by many well known companies. After many calls, experiments by their representatives, and communication with designers in China, we were told that the upper element is not supposed to work. WHAT? Yes, they said that only models costing close to $1,000 could have a working upper heating element. We returned both ovens (thanks Amazon) and are looking at a Kitchen Aid model that says the upper element works, though it does cost a couple hundred more. Some here have said that their element worked, but the manufacturer said that it is only hot because the inside temperature of the oven heats it up. They insist that it does not work. The microwave worked great and the oven did get hot in convection mode, but dont expect the top element to work.