Galanz Retro GLCMKZ07RDR07 Review

The Galanz Retro GLCMKZ07RDR07 is a sleek, vintage-appearing microwave that's sure to start a conversation in the kitchen. It's also very small, easy to use, and inexpensive. It reheats leftovers fairly well, but its overall performance is not amazing.

Performance Comparison

Our testing approach was divided into three key metrics: heating, ease of use, and defrosting. After warming, heating, and cooking all the classics, each model received a score in these key categories. Overall, the Galanz left much to be desired. It didn't excel at our heating tests, though its compact size is ideal for small kitchens.

Heating

The primary reason for purchasing a microwave is the quick and effortless heating of food. With that in mind, we emphasized the importance of the appliances' heating first and foremost. Our series of heating tests included a heat map and speed test. We also assessed the microwave's ability to effectively heat leftovers, pizza, and canned soup.

Heat Map Test

In our heat mapping test, we spread marshmallow fluff on a circular parchment paper cut to fit the turntable. We selected marshmallow fluff for its unique discoloration as an indicator of heat distribution. The Galanz didn't impress us with this test. As you can see below, the marshmallow was very burnt in the center yet nearly uncooked on the outside. This indicates that much of the microwaving power is aimed at the center. While this might not be a problem for smaller items, it will fail to heat larger dishes evenly.

Heating Speed Test

Next, we used a 125 mL water-filled beaker as our test subject. Placed at the center of the microwave, we measured the water's temperature increase after a 45-second heating cycle, contributing to 20% of the overall heating score. Unfortunately, the results weren't great. After 45 seconds, there was only a difference of 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Speed is not a strong point for the Galanz Retro.

Leftover Heating

The Retro did a great job reheating our hefty plate of leftovers. We placed pre-cooked sausage links, mashed potatoes, and green beans into the microwave and selected the reheat dinner plate option. This preprogrammed cycle lasted seven minutes and 20 seconds. All the items were sufficiently hot, with the potatoes bordering on too hot at 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Soup Heating

Again, the Galanz scored well here. It managed to heat the canned chicken noodle soup evenly throughout and was just under the perfect temperature for consumption at 137 degrees Fahrenheit. Another 20-30 seconds, and it'll be perfect for most.

Pizza Heating

The last 15% of our heating evaluation consisted of reheating two slices of pizza for one minute. The results are mostly positive here, as the pizza was perfectly edible. The temperature range was 119 to 181 degrees Fahrenheit, which might seem like a large variation. However, most pizzas were in the 130 to 140-degree range.

Frozen Foods

Next, we assessed each microwave's performance in heating frozen items like Hot Pockets, burritos, and lasagna. We focused primarily on how effectively and evenly the microwave heated these frozen items. We used digital probe thermometers to measure the performance.

We started by heating the frozen burrito according to the package instructions. The Galanz Retro did a passable job, with the burrito reaching a sufficient internal temperature of 161 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, the frozen lasagna had a different outcome. It failed to reach the appropriate temperature within the allocated time, resulting in inconsistent temperatures and textures across the dish. The Hot Pocket gave us similar disappointing results. The ends of the pocket turned rather tough, while the rest lacked the expected crispiness. Although the item was adequately hot, it didn't have the typical texture you'd anticipate from this popular dinner choice.

Defrosting

Another minor drawback of the Retro is its defrosting feature. It allows you to defrost by time or weight, which is a helpful feature for a compact appliance. When using the weight option, we found that it took 12 minutes for our one pound of ground beef to partially defrost. We had to return it for additional time to achieve full defrosting, leaving about 9.8 ounces fully thawed and the rest slightly frozen.

Ease of Use

This product provides easy and enjoyable operation through a single tactile knob for most functions. It includes dedicated buttons for Auto Cook/Reheat, Defrost Time/Weight, Power Level, Clock/Timer, and Stop/Cancel — covering all your needs. Additionally, you can run the timer while the microwave is in use.

Should You Buy the Galanz Retro GLCMKZ07RDR07?

The Galanz Retro GLCMKA07RDR-07 handles basic tasks like reheating leftovers effectively. This could be an okay option if you seek style, a compact size, and are on a budget with basic needs. But we don't recommend this device for anyone else who needs to heat up frozen burritos or defrost meat quickly and effectively.

What Other Microwaves Should You Consider?