BLACK+DECKER 0.9 cu ft Countertop Microwave Review

Intro

The BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave (model EM9P022DY) is a compact, 900-watt unit with a 0.9 cubic foot cavity, marketed for countertop use in dorms, offices, and small kitchens. The listing highlights six pre-programmed auto menus, 10 power levels, a two-step child safety lock, and a memory function. Owner feedback clusters around two chief positives — the size fits full-size dinner plates and small cabinet spots — and two recurring annoyances: a door/open button behavior and intermittent clock/display issues. This review walks through how it performs day to day, what the construction looks like on paper, safety considerations, who gets the most value, and the key items to confirm before you buy.

What it is / first look

On-paper basics from the listing: this is a 900W countertop microwave with a 0.9 cubic foot interior, a 10.6-inch turntable, and item dimensions of 13.2" deep × 18.6" wide × 10.7" high. The manufacturer is Black Decker (model EM9P022DY), and the unit ships with the microwave, a removable turntable, and an instruction manual. The listing lists the exterior Material Type as "Stainless Steel" and the inner material as "Plastic." Voltage and frequency are 120V at 60Hz, the unit offers 10 adjustable power levels, an auto-defrost system, and six pre-programmed menus for common foods.

Key features called out in the listing's bullet points: one-touch start, six pre-programmed auto menus (popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetables, beverages, dinner plates), a timer function, memory function for saving settings, and a two-step child safety lock. The controller type is listed as "Touch" while the human interface is listed as "Buttons," which the listing shows directly — this suggests either a hybrid control scheme or ambiguous labeling on the product page.

In daily use

Owners consistently report the same practical benefits and quirks when using this microwave in everyday routines. The most-cited positive is the usable internal space: multiple owners confirm a full-size dinner plate fits easily, and the listing itself notes that a 10-inch pizza can fit on the removable turntable. Those who bought this for pre-built cabinet spaces or compact counters say it occupies less footprint than many larger units while still handling typical reheating tasks.

Small kitchens, dorms & offices

If you’re outfitting a dorm room, small apartment, office break room, or working with limited counter depth, the size is the unit’s strongest selling point. The 18.6" × 13.2" × 10.7" footprint and 0.9 cu ft cavity let you heat standard dinner plates and many food storage containers without stepping up to a full-size microwave. Owners who bought it for a shelf or built-in microwave cubby mention that it fits into narrower pre-built cabinet space that blocked larger models.

Family kitchens & shared households

The 900-watt cooking power and 10 power levels make it flexible enough for common reheating and simple microwave cooking. The six pre-programmed menus simplify single-button reheats for popcorn, potatoes, pizza, frozen vegetables, beverages, and dinner plates. Owners who use it as a secondary microwave in shared households appreciate the straightforward presets and one-touch start for fast reheats between meal prep tasks.

Commercial or office use

The listing explicitly recommends commercial, dormitory, kitchen, office, and residential uses. For light office use or sporadic break-room needs, owners find it a capable, compact option — again, provided you’re not pushing long, heavy-duty cycles continuously day after day.

Materials & build quality

The listing identifies the exterior material as stainless steel and the inner material as plastic. The unit ships with a removable turntable and an instruction manual; total item weight on the listing is 26 pounds. The manufacturer warranty is listed as 1 year.

Owners describe the microwave as "lightweight enough to move to clean under" and praise it as an affordable, useful product made of "resistant material." That owner sentiment aligns with the stainless-steel exterior noted in the listing, though the inner cavity is listed as plastic — something buyers who prefer a stainless interior should confirm.

Controls and finish: the listing shows both "Touch" controller type and "Buttons" for the human interface input. That appears in the official specs, and some owner comments reference a simple, user-friendly digital panel and one-touch start. If control feel (mechanical buttons vs. capacitive touch) matters to you, double-check the current listing images or product manual because the spec sheet includes both descriptors.

Safety considerations

Safety features called out by the listing include a two-step child safety lock (described as mandatory in some markets) and a child safety lock included in the "additional features" section. The listing emphasizes that the two-step lock can be deactivated by following the provided instructions.

Owner feedback provides two practical safety-relevant notes: first, several owners report that the door does not open until a button labeled "Door Open" (or similar) is pressed, which functions as an extra step to access the cavity. Buyers who anticipate frequent door use by elderly users or those with limited dexterity should plan around that design behavior — owners describe it as "super annoying" in at least one thread. Second, the unit’s inner material is plastic per the listing; buyers who prioritize an interior they can safely subject to heavy repeated scrubbing or high-temperature grilling-style tasks may prefer an interior specified as stainless steel (the listing states the exterior is stainless steel but the inner material is plastic).

Other safety notes drawn from the listing: the microwave operates at 900 watts and is intended for countertop installation. The listing gives a 1-year manufacturer warranty. There are no safety recalls or certifications listed in the product facts supplied here; if any certification or recall history is relevant to you, verify the current manufacturer documentation and retailer listing prior to purchase.

Who this is for / who should skip

There’s no single-cookware fit for every kitchen — here’s a breakdown so you can match the BLACK+DECKER EM9P022DY to common needs.

Perfect fits

• Small kitchens and apartments: buyers who need a real dinner plate to fit inside but want a compact countertop footprint. The listing’s 0.9 cu ft cavity and the 10.6" turntable make that possible.
• Dorm rooms and offices: the unit is listed as appropriate for dormitory and office use — owners say it’s easy to use, lightweight to reposition, and good for reheating coffee, leftovers, and single-dish meals.
• Households that want simple presets: the six pre-programmed auto menus and one-touch start make routine reheats fast for busy families or shared kitchens.

Who should consider a different model

• Anyone needing a stainless-steel interior: the listing lists inner material as plastic — if you want a stainless interior, the listing does not indicate one here.
• Users who want a larger capacity: 0.9 cu ft is compact; if you routinely reheat large casserole dishes or full baking trays, a larger cavity will be necessary.
• People who find extra steps to open the door unacceptable: multiple owners report a behavior where you must press a button before the door will open. If you need a microwave with a mechanical pull handle or immediate single-action door release, plan to test that behavior in person or confirm it will work for you.

Verdict

The BLACK+DECKER 0.9 cu ft countertop microwave is a compact, practical option for those who need a small, capable reheating appliance with straightforward presets and a modest footprint. The listing’s core strengths — 900 watts of power, 10 power levels, six pre-programmed auto menus, and a removable 10.6" turntable — match the repeated owner praise for size and ease of use. Owners report it fits full-size dinner plates and small pizza sizes, and they repeatedly note that it’s easy to move and clean externally.

That said, buyer feedback raises two recurrent friction points to weigh: an extra step to open the door (some owners describe needing to press a button labeled "door open") and curious clock/display behavior that a handful of owners experienced (the clock disappearing after a cook cycle before reappearing in some cases). These aren’t safety failures in the available data, but they are usability gotchas that matter if you want a zero-fuss daily driver.

If you prioritize compact size, simple presets, and a 1-year warranty from a mainstream manufacturer, this unit looks like a solid, budget-conscious pick. If you need interior stainless steel, a larger cavity, or a single-action door release, consider a different spec set.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Confirm the exact exterior/interior materials if an all-stainless interior is important — the listing states exterior material is stainless steel and inner material is plastic.
• Verify the control scheme on the current product images/manual — the specs list both "Touch" controller type and "Buttons" for human interface, which may indicate a hybrid or ambiguous labeling.
• Measure your intended spot: listing dimensions are 18.6" W × 13.2" D × 10.7" H; make sure the door and the "door open" step fit your workflow.
• Confirm turntable requirements: the turntable diameter is listed at 10.6 inches — the manufacturer says a 10" pizza will fit.
• Note the wattage and power levels: 900 watts with 10 adjustable power settings and several one-touch presets should suit everyday reheating and basic microwave cooking.
• Check the manual for how to enable/disable the two-step child safety lock — the listing states it can be deactivated by following instructions, and owners report it can be an extra step in some installations.
• Remember warranty coverage: the listing shows a 1-year manufacturer warranty.

Colors

Available colors may include stainless steel and black — the listing’s material type shows a stainless-steel exterior, and product images commonly depict stainless/black finishes.

• stainless steel
• black

Final notes

This model is straightforward in specification and common in feature set: countertop installation, 900W power, a 0.9 cu ft cavity, 10 power levels, six auto menus, auto-defrost, a digital panel with one-touch start, and a two-step child lock. Owner feedback amplifies what the listing says — reliable everyday reheating, the right size for many small spaces, and a few usability annoyances (door action and display quirks) worth double-checking against your personal needs. As always with kitchen appliances, verify dimensions, the current control layout on the product images or manual, and specific material calls on the live listing before purchase.