Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) 1.6 cu ft Microwave Review

intro

Quick snapshot: Toshiba lists the ML-EM45P(BS) as a 1.6 cu. ft. countertop microwave with 1200 watts, a 13.6" position-memory glass turntable, 10 power levels and a smart sensor with pre-programmed menus. It ships in a black stainless-steel finish and includes features such as auto defrost, an energy-saving ECO mode, child safety lock and a sound on/off function. Owners often praise the power, quiet running and even heating; however, a meaningful number of buyers report control-panel glitches, blanking/failed heating episodes and finicky low-power behavior. This review walks through what the listing says, how owners use it day to day, build and safety notes and whether it fits your kitchen.

What it is / first look

On paper, the ML-EM45P(BS) aims to be a family-sized, powerful countertop microwave. Key published specs from the listing:

• Capacity: 1.6 cu. ft.
• Power: 1200 watts (listed wattage/power consumption)
• Turntable: 13.6" glass turntable with "position memory"
• Controls: touch controller with buttons/keypad and 10 power levels
• Features called out: smart sensor menus (6 auto menus), auto defrost, memory function, multi-stage cooking, child safety lock, ECO mode and sound on/off
• Finish: listed as black stainless-steel
• Included components: 1 microwave oven, 1 glass turntable, 1 instruction manual

The listing also gives external and internal dimensions in a couple of places. The spec table lists the item dimensions as 19.2" D x 21.8" W x 12.9" H and an alternate product bullet lists external dimensions as 21.77" x 17.91" x 12.87" with internal dimensions of 15.51" W x 17.05" D x 10.24" H. The turntable diameter is listed at 13.6" and the unit is described as a countertop installation type.

In daily use

Owners' hands-on impressions fall into two clear patterns: many are very satisfied and point to power, quiet operation and even heating; a smaller but vocal group reports frustrating electronics or controls behavior. Here's a practical breakdown of typical daily use scenarios.

Reheating and everyday meals

The listing highlights the smart sensor with six auto menus (pizza, potato, vegetable and similar common foods are specifically called out). Owners frequently say the microwave reheats and defrosts evenly, and several note reliable results for popcorn and reheated dinners. Multiple buyers describe it as quieter than their previous units while still delivering fast heat-up thanks to the 1200W rating. Several comments call the cooking even and repeatable — “popcorn cooks at 2 min each time” and “bacon at 6 min each time” are examples of repeatable timings reported by owners.

Popcorn and presets

The listing advertises pre-programmed sensor menus and a one-touch popcorn mention in the bullet copy. Owner feedback clarifies how to access popcorn: the model uses the Custom Cook (Auto Cook) steps rather than a single labeled popcorn key. Owners report the Auto Cook CC-6 corresponds to a 3.5 oz bag preset, and smaller bag sizes will need a manual time entry. Several owners said popcorn popped well when timed correctly; at least one owner reports frequent over-toasting on popcorn depending on settings used.

Defrost and multi-stage cooking

The listing calls out auto defrost, a 1 lb. defrost option and multi-stage cooking. Owners report the defrost feature works well for bread and meats when following the manual’s guidance. The listing emphasizes a memory function and 10 adjustable power levels, which give the flexibility needed for multi-stage reheating sequences.

Controls and user experience

The control panel is a touch keypad with labels. The listing warns the keypad is shipped with a protective film that must be peeled off before first use; owners echo this and recommend peeling it. Several owners praise the keypad readability in normal lighting and the dim LED clock, but there are consistent reports that the tactile response and touch registration can be finicky: some owners say buttons can be hard to push or not register reliably, and that the actual touch point is slightly offset from button centers. A subset of buyers report the control panel sometimes blanks out, zeros the clock, or fails to start a heating cycle even when the fan runs — these are serious behavior patterns mentioned repeatedly in owner feedback.

Noise, light and physical feel

Many owners note the unit runs quietly compared with older machines, and several appreciate the door action and perceived build heft. The listing calls out a bright LED light; some owners find the internal/pilot light adequate but would prefer a brighter bulb. Overall impressions on finish and packaging are positive — multiple owners said it arrived well-packed and in good shape.

Materials & build quality

What the listing says about construction and finish is relatively straightforward: the ML-EM45P(BS) is described as having a black stainless-steel finish and it ships with a glass turntable. The product bullets and included components confirm a glass turntable is supplied.

Owners describe the appliance as heavy and well-made in feel, which aligns with listed weight (36.6 pounds). Several buyers specifically comment that it feels solid and sturdier than some budget alternatives. The control surface is a touch keypad rather than physical knobs; the keypad is shipped with a protective film that the listing instructs you to remove before use.

Two different dimension sets appear in the listing copy (see the “What it is / first look” section). If the exact counters / cabinet clearance matter to you, verify the current listing page or the manufacturer’s user manual for the exact external and internal dimensions before purchase.

Safety considerations

Kitchen safety first: the listing and owner feedback highlight a few safety and reliability items you should inspect right away.

• Control-panel reliability: multiple owners report the panel sometimes blanks out, zeros the clock when other buttons are pressed, or fails to register commands. Because intermittent control issues can leave a microwave running without heating (or with unexpected behavior), treat any such pattern as a defect to escalate to after-sales support.
• Intermittent failure-to-heat or blank cycles: some owners describe situations where the fan runs and nothing heats, or where an Express Cook press makes a click and nothing happens. These are safety/reliability signals — if you encounter them, stop using the unit and contact Toshiba service as the listing suggests keeping packaging for support or returns.
• Button feel and accessibility: owners note buttons are not always easy to press, and the touch point is slightly offset. This matters if ease of use is important for seniors or people with limited dexterity — owners suggested the touch layout and lack of illuminated buttons make off-axis viewing or low-light use harder.
• Child safety lock: the listing explicitly lists a child safety lock among convenience features. That’s a useful feature for homes with small children.
• Sound on/off: the listing explains how to mute the buzzer — long press the button labeled "8" for 3–5 seconds — useful if you need a quieter kitchen environment.

Practical safety steps recommended by owners and reinforced by the listing:

• Peel the protective film from the keypad before first use (the listing warns about this).
• Keep packaging and the manual until you confirm the unit works; the listing advises keeping packaging for Toshiba after-sales service or returns.
• If you observe blanking, clock resets, failure-to-heat, or unresponsive buttons, contact the manufacturer or retailer rather than continuing to use the unit — owners flagged these as recurring enough to warrant remediation.

Who this is for / who should skip

Use cases where this model looks right for the job (based on the listing and owner feedback):

• Families who want a roomy countertop microwave: the listing calls it "Large Capacity for a Family Size" and the 13.6" turntable is listed as big enough to fit a 13" pizza.
• Home cooks who want fast, powerful reheating: the listed 1200W rating and owner reports of fast, even heating make it a fit for people who want speed and repeatability.
• Buyers who want sensor convenience: the smart sensor menus and pre-programmed auto menus for common foods are handy for low-effort cooking.
• Anyone who values quiet operation: multiple owners emphasize that this unit is quieter than many older microwaves.

Who should think twice or skip:

• Buyers who need rock-solid, always-predictable controls for shared or high-traffic kitchens: recurring reports of blanking and unresponsive buttons mean this unit has a documented risk of intermittent control problems.
• People who need very visible or illuminated controls in dim kitchens: owners report the keypad isn’t backlit and can be harder to read off-axis or in low light.
• Anyone who will rely on tiny preset differences (mini popcorn bags, delicate reheat sequences) and doesn’t want to manually adjust: owners point out the popcorn preset targets a specific bag size and smaller bags need manual timing.

Verdict

Short version: The Toshiba ML-EM45P(BS) looks like a strong value if you want a roomy, powerful countertop microwave with sensor cooking and a stylish black stainless finish. Owners generally praise its heating speed, quiet running and solid feel. However, there is a non-trivial cluster of owner reports describing control-panel quirks, blanking or failure-to-heat episodes and finicky low-power controls — problems that cross the spectrum from annoying to serious.

If you prioritize power, capacity and sensor convenience and are prepared to inspect the unit on arrival, this model is worth considering. If you need absolute rock-solid control reliability or very prominent button illumination for low-light use, you may want to compare alternatives or audition the unit in person where possible.

Check before you buy

• Verify the exact model/size: the listing shows several related Toshiba sizes; confirm you’re ordering the 1.6 cu. ft. ML-EM45P(BS) if that’s the capacity you want.
• Confirm external/internal dimensions for your counter or cabinet — the listing shows two dimension blocks; double-check the current listing or user manual to ensure fit and clearance.
• Peel the protective film on the keypad before first use, as the listing instructs, and keep the packaging and manual until you confirm everything works.
• Test every function on arrival: set the clock, try Express Cook, a sensor menu and a low-power setting to confirm buttons register and the oven heats reliably. If you see blanking, clock resets, or a fan that runs without heating, contact Toshiba support or your seller.
• If popcorn is important, test with your brand/size of bag — the listing’s Auto Cook popcorn preset is set for 3.5 oz bags according to owner notes, and smaller bags need manual timing.
• Note the mute command (long-press button "8" for 3–5 seconds) if you want to silence the buzzer; the listing documents this feature.

Final takeaway: solidly featured, family-sized and powerful with real owner praise for quiet, even cooking — but validate control responsiveness and low-power behavior on delivery. Keep the packaging and manual handy; if control or heating failures appear, owners recommend contacting Toshiba’s after-sales process.