Sharp 1.1 cu ft Countertop Microwave Review

Intro

If you want a no-nonsense countertop microwave with enough space for a full dinner plate and the power to get things warm quickly, Sharp's SMC1162KS is worth a look. The listing positions this as a mid-size 1.1 cubic foot, 1000-watt microwave with a removable 12.4" carousel turntable and a handful of convenience presets — including an Orville Redenbacher popcorn setting that shows up on owner feedback. This review summarizes what the listing says and what owners consistently report, so you'll know how it behaves in a real home kitchen.

What it is / first look

At a glance the SMC1162KS is a mid-size countertop microwave built for everyday reheating, thawing and simple cooking. Here are the listing facts that define it:

• Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet (listed)
• Power: 1000 watts (listed)
• Turntable: 12.4" removable, dishwasher-safe glass plate (listed)
• Dimensions: 14.7" D x 20.6" W x 11.8" H (listed)
• Weight: 33.1 pounds (listed)
• Controls and features: Touch controller, button interface; +30s instant start; Express Cook up to 6 minutes; Auto/Weight/Time Defrost; 10 power levels and 10 programs (listed)
• Special: Orville Redenbacher's Certified Popcorn Presets (listed)
• Installation: Countertop only (listed)
• Warranty: 1 year limited (listed)

Available colors from the listing are Stainless Steel, Black and White — those colorways appear across the product images and the listing copy. The interior is described as a "stylish gray interior," and the control/display elements include a white LED display and a touch-style control layout (both referenced in the listing).

First impressions from owners

Owners consistently describe the machine as "solid" and "well-built" for a countertop model. Common first-look notes from buyer feedback are:

• Looks sleek and simple — clean face and easy-to-read controls for most people.
• The door uses a push-button opener rather than a grab handle; some owners like it, others find the push button feels lightweight.
• The turntable is removable and reported as easy to clean; listing calls it dishwasher-safe.
• Several owners note the LED display is bright; a few find the recessed display more difficult to read from close range.

In daily use

This is where the listing features and owner experience intersect. The SMC1162KS is aimed at everyday tasks — reheating leftovers, defrosting protein, popping microwave popcorn, and family-style plate reheats. The listing highlights convenience features (Express Cook, +30s key, Auto/Weight/Time Defrost), and owners generally find those features useful.

Everyday reheating and plates

The 1.1 cu ft capacity is explicitly listed as the smallest Sharp model that still fits a full-size dinner plate. Owners confirm that a large dinner plate fits inside and that the 12.4" turntable gives enough room for plates and standard casserole dishes. For people who need to reheat plates and bowls regularly (family dinners, leftovers), that capacity is the main practical advantage over smaller compact microwaves.

Power, cooking speed and evenness

The unit is listed at 1000 watts. Owners report it heats quickly and evenly for daily tasks; several buyers specifically compared it favorably to older Sharp units and some other brands. Popcorn presets for Orville Redenbacher's are called out in the listing and multiple owners say the preset works well for those bags. The microwave offers 10 power levels and multi-stage cooking capability (2-stage cooking listed) for recipes that need a power-dropped finish.

Controls, presets and convenience

Controls are a combination of touch controller and button-driven input as listed. Quick-start convenience appears in the listing as a +30 second key and Express Cook (one-touch up to 6 minutes). Owners like the simplicity — push-button presets for common items like potato, veggie, beverage and popcorn get used frequently and are described as intuitive.

Noise, lighting and user quirks

Owner reports on noise are mixed. A number of buyers praise the unit for being quieter than their older microwaves; other owners describe it as louder than expected, calling out a "patterned" rise-and-fall sound during defrost cycles. Several people also say the door closing can be louder than they prefer. Lighting inside is listed as LED; owners find the interior light pleasant but a few say it is dimmer than some previous models they owned.

Office and shared spaces

Multiple owners used this microwave at workplaces and in rental homes and call it dependable for steady daily use. Its straightforward interface and durable-feeling turntable make it an easy choice for breakrooms where simplicity matters.

Materials & build quality

Be precise here: the listing identifies the exterior finish as Stainless Steel (also sold in Black and White) and describes a "stylish gray interior." The turntable is explicitly described as a 12.4" dishwasher-safe glass plate. Beyond those points the listing doesn't itemize black-box materials like internal magnetron casing or insulation. The warranty is listed as a 1 year limited warranty.

Owner feedback on build quality is mostly positive:

• Several owners call it "well built" and say the face and interior are easy to clean.
• Multiple owners who previously owned older Sharp microwaves praise Sharp's longevity as a brand and say their older units ran for many years.
• Some buyers note lighter-feeling elements: the push-button door opener and the door itself are described by a minority as feeling more lightweight or a bit flimsy compared with more premium models.
• Stainless steel surfaces are attractive but reported to show fingerprints and smudges easily — owners recommend frequent wiping if you want a pristine look.

In short, the listing-backed hardware and owner signals paint a picture of a solid everyday appliance that leans practical rather than premium. Expect a sturdy interior, a dishwasher-safe glass plate, and an exterior that looks good but will show smudges.

Safety considerations

Safety-first notes pulled from the listing and owner experience:

• Child-Resistant Door Lock: The listing explicitly describes a child-resistant door lock that requires pressing "0/Unlock" before opening the door after cooking has started. The listing also states the feature can be enabled or disabled and that instructions are available in the operation manual. Owners repeatedly report the lock is easy to disable and that, when disabled, it remains off across power interruptions.
• Power and electrical: The unit is listed for 120 volts and 1000 watts. The listing identifies the heating method as microwave radiation and the frequency as 2.45 GHz (these are standard microwave specifications in the product facts). Ensure a standard 120V grounded outlet is available where you plan to place it — the listing doesn't mention any special electrical requirements.
• Placement and clearance: Installation is listed as countertop only. While the listed depth is 14.7", some owners report the microwave's underside feet or clearance needs meant it required more depth than a tight 12" shelf could provide — measure your shelf carefully against the full listed dimensions and account for feet/vent clearance. One owner specifically noted needing about 13" depth just to sit properly.
• Door and control feel: Several owners flagged the push-button door opener as lighter-feeling or less damped than some higher-end units; another recurring note is that door closing can be relatively loud. These aren't electrical hazards per se but are worth checking if you have mobility or dexterity concerns or if a loud slam is a problem in your space.

Nothing in the listing or owner feedback suggests coating flaking, arcing, overheating, or recall-level issues. As always, follow the manufacturer instructions and check the current listing or operation manual for the latest safety guidance.

Who this is for / who should skip

This section ties the features and owner feedback to real kitchens and cooks.

Who this is a good fit for

• Home cooks who want a mid-size microwave that fits a full dinner plate without taking up premium counter real estate (the listing positions it as a mid-size unit at 1.1 cu ft).
• People who value straightforward, preset-driven operation: the +30s key, Express Cook up to 6 minutes, and Auto/Weight/Time Defrost simplify daily use (all are listing features).
• Buyers who like a brand with a long history and mixed owner reports of long runtimes — many owners praise Sharp for longevity.
• Small offices, rental properties, or households that need a dependable reheating workhorse rather than a premium, chef-centric sensor oven.

Who should skip or consider alternatives

• If you need an ultra-quiet microwave, be cautious: owner noise reports are mixed — some say it’s quieter than older units, others find it louder than expected during certain cycles.
• If you want an over-the-range or built-in/under-cabinet installation, this model is countertop only (listed). That makes it unsuitable for overhead or built-in installs.
• If you need a very large interior or convection/sensor reheat features, this unit does not advertise convection or an advanced sensor reheat function in the listing; owners note Sharp removed some sensor-style buttons on newer simplified interfaces.
• If your cabinet shelf is shallow: double-check depth and the microwave’s underside feet — owners report the feet can demand more effective depth than a tight shelf allows.

Verdict

Sharp's SMC1162KS is a practical, mid-size countertop microwave built around simplicity and everyday performance. The listing-backed specs — 1.1 cu ft capacity, 1000 watts, 12.4" dishwasher-safe glass turntable, 10 power levels, Express Cook, Auto/Weight/Time Defrost, and Orville Redenbacher's popcorn presets — line up neatly with what owners say they actually use and appreciate. The unit earns points for even heating, straightforward controls, and the convenience of a removable, dishwasher-safe turntable. Many owners also single out the easy-to-disable child-resistant lock as a relief compared with more opaque implementations.

On the downside, expect some variability in perceived build feel and noise. A number of owners describe the door push button and door as lighter-feeling than on premium units, and noise reports are split — some find it whisper-quiet, others say the defrost cycle can sound more pronounced. Stainless steel finishes look good but show fingerprints, and a few owners flagged recessed display readability from close range. None of those issues are functional deal-breakers for most cooks, but they are the recurring themes you should weigh against price and available alternatives.

Check before you buy

• Measure the exact counter or shelf space against the listed dimensions (14.7" D x 20.6" W x 11.8" H) and account for feet/clearance — owners report the feet may require slightly more usable depth than a tight shelf allows.
• Confirm you have a grounded 120V outlet within reach; the microwave is rated at 1000 watts (listed).
• If you want the popcorn preset behavior: the listing includes Orville Redenbacher's Certified Popcorn Presets and multiple owners report the preset works well for compatible bags.
• Decide whether the push-button door and possibly louder close are acceptable — some owners prefer a grab-handle mechanism while others like the push-button opener.
• Keep the 1 year limited warranty in mind (listed) and retain packaging/manuals if you expect to rely on warranty service.

Final take: a solid everyday appliance that does the basics very well, with a couple of cosmetic and acoustic trade-offs to consider. If you need a reliable 1.1 cu ft countertop microwave with straightforward presets and a dishwasher-safe turntable, this Sharp model is a sensible mid-range option.