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Testing the June Intelligent Oven

cooksillustrated.com

31–40 of 41 posts

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#31
post #29
post #2

Can we talk about commodity kitchen hardware? A brand new microwave seems to have the same halfassed, user hostile firmware they shipped around 1999, oriented around a fixed segment display. I would like to see some simple additions that would make a world of difference. * Add some IR temp sensors, for what $5 in parts, that can heat to an approximate inside temp. * Update the firmware, for example, to stop beeping w…

Did You know the vast majority of modern microwaves have a keypress sequence to turn off the beeping? I seem to remember on most it’s something like holding the 0 or 1 buttons for 3 seconds.

Yes but that wasn't my complaint. If it begins beeping, opening the door or pressing cancel should stop the beeping immediately. Every Mike I've every used has continued the beeps until it was good and done. Poor UI easily fixed.

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#32

I don't know how they compare to the June but there are many models of convection ovens in Japan that claim to figure out what you put in them. Many of them will optionally add steam and nearly all of them will also do microwaving as well. Here's a few from Panasonic https://panasonic.jp/range/ and Sharp http://healsio.jp/

Are they only available in Japan?

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#33
post #2

Can we talk about commodity kitchen hardware? A brand new microwave seems to have the same halfassed, user hostile firmware they shipped around 1999, oriented around a fixed segment display. I would like to see some simple additions that would make a world of difference. * Add some IR temp sensors, for what $5 in parts, that can heat to an approximate inside temp. * Update the firmware, for example, to stop beeping w…

I’ve got a Panasonic that I think I got from Costco a year ago. Not sure the model, but it says “The Genius” on it. It fails the “updatable firmware criteria” as far as I know, but it has some kind of passive food temperature sensor. There’s a button labelled “sensor reheat”, and the vast majority of the time it’s all I use. It does a pretty damned good job of things. Frozen food will occasionally still have a cold s…

I use the keep warm feature on my instant pot as an alternative to a microwave. I'm not paranoid about microwaves - I just don't like constantly cleaning them.

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#34
post #20
post #2

Can we talk about commodity kitchen hardware? A brand new microwave seems to have the same halfassed, user hostile firmware they shipped around 1999, oriented around a fixed segment display. I would like to see some simple additions that would make a world of difference. * Add some IR temp sensors, for what $5 in parts, that can heat to an approximate inside temp. * Update the firmware, for example, to stop beeping w…

My cheap unbranded microwave has a dial to set the power (which is always on max) and a clockwork dial to set the time, which also starts the oven when turned. This is the best UX of any microwave I’ve ever had - I can start it with the correct time in a single action just by feel - I don’t even have to look at it. I very much doubt it has any firmware to speak of, or what feature such firmware could possibly offer t…

A dial for power and a dial for time is the way to go. Everything else is just overcomplicating the solution.

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#35
post #2

Can we talk about commodity kitchen hardware? A brand new microwave seems to have the same halfassed, user hostile firmware they shipped around 1999, oriented around a fixed segment display. I would like to see some simple additions that would make a world of difference. * Add some IR temp sensors, for what $5 in parts, that can heat to an approximate inside temp. * Update the firmware, for example, to stop beeping w…

Look at the UIs on commercial microwaves, sold for restaurants. On many, the designs are what commenters here are looking for - I suppose busy restaurant kitchens don't want to bother with the nonsense either. They cost a bit though.

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#36
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got one of the 2nd version June's as soon as they came out and I cannot recommend it enough. It makes so many things an absolute breeze. Salmon is surprisingly good, though the June does not get the skin crispy - if you like crispy salmon skin on your salmon fillets you'll still need to do it on the stove. I also really love how good it is with frozen pizzas. If I want a light dinner, I'll toss a frozen pizza in th…

Neat, thanks for the hands-on report! Have you had any maintenance issues with it? My only hangup at this point, I think, with a fancy "smart" oven is that there are more things that can break or be buggy. And how is it to clean?

So far, no issues. I’ve seen a few scattered reports of problems in the owners facebook group but it’s impossible to tell from that overall reliability. I can say their support has appeared to be top notch.

The pan is insanely easy to clean. It’s the best non stick pan I’ve ever owned. Inside the oven can be tougher. My fiancée likes to make cheese on toast and often it drips to the drip pan and crusts up, but if you keep on top of it it’s not too bad.

Feel free to ask any more questions you might have about it.

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve got a Panasonic that I think I got from Costco a year ago. Not sure the model, but it says “The Genius” on it. It fails the “updatable firmware criteria” as far as I know, but it has some kind of passive food temperature sensor. There’s a button labelled “sensor reheat”, and the vast majority of the time it’s all I use. It does a pretty damned good job of things. Frozen food will occasionally still have a cold s…

I use the keep warm feature on my instant pot as an alternative to a microwave. I'm not paranoid about microwaves - I just don't like constantly cleaning them.

So instead install a weight sensor and estimate based on that how long to zap stuff. There has been 0 progress in microwaves for a long time now, while many many easy improvements seem rather obvious to most people.

Personally I'd love for my microwave to have bluetooth so it'd make my phone beep when it's done.

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#38
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Neat, thanks for the hands-on report! Have you had any maintenance issues with it? My only hangup at this point, I think, with a fancy "smart" oven is that there are more things that can break or be buggy. And how is it to clean?

So far, no issues. I’ve seen a few scattered reports of problems in the owners facebook group but it’s impossible to tell from that overall reliability. I can say their support has appeared to be top notch. The pan is insanely easy to clean. It’s the best non stick pan I’ve ever owned. Inside the oven can be tougher. My fiancée likes to make cheese on toast and often it drips to the drip pan and crusts up, but if you…

Awesome, thanks for the info! I'm pretty sold on it, but when I went to their site to order it looks like there aren't any available for another month or two. In that time, I think the Brava infrared oven should come out, so I'll probably see the reviews on that thing and then get one or the other.

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#39
post #8

I’ve had a Breville countertop convection oven for 9 years and it has been used daily multiple times since I got it. When I saw the June oven I was skeptical, but cooks illustrated giving it a positive review is actually quite an achievement. I may decide to get one now as my Breville is finally starting to give up.

Likewise. The brain got fried and my convection button now toggles Celsius on and off. This looks like the spiritual successor to the Breville.

You too?!

My start button turns convection off and on 50% of the time. Annoying, but I just hit it again.

Re: Testing the June Intelligent Oven

#40

I don't know how they compare to the June but there are many models of convection ovens in Japan that claim to figure out what you put in them. Many of them will optionally add steam and nearly all of them will also do microwaving as well. Here's a few from Panasonic https://panasonic.jp/range/ and Sharp http://healsio.jp/

Are they only available in Japan?

I don't know. I'd assume they are only sold in countries where it's not common to have an oven. In the USA I've never seen a house or apartment that didn't have an oven included so if my experience matches reality than at least in the USA it doesn't seem like there would be any market.

What other countries is it not common to have an oven?

One top of that there is the issue that if it's not common to have an oven then it's also not common to cook things that would require an oven. So, I have no idea how common these ovens are in Japan in general. Given so many models by so many companies and given they can also be used as a microwave I'd kind of assume they are gaining in popularity. Foods that require an oven are also slowly getting more popular over time but I suspect it's still not common.

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