Review of the built-in microwave oven Lex Bimo 25.03 BL

Not long ago we got acquainted with the youngest model of the line of built-in microwave ovens without a turntable Lex Bimo 20.07 BL, today it’s the turn of Bimo 25.03 BL.

^* Contrary to popular belief, this is not a period after which the device will necessarily break down. However, after this period, the manufacturer ceases to bear any responsibility for its functionality and has the right to refuse to repair it, even for a fee.

The microwave oven arrived in a large box made of plain brown cardboard. The sides of the sturdy packaging featured a black and white image of the appliance, the manufacturer's logo, the full model name, a list of technical specifications, and a sticker with additional information.

On the front side of the package there is a QR code leading to the official website of the brand. For ease of carrying, there are cutouts on the sides for handles.

Inside the box were:

• microwave oven
• grill grate
• user manual and warranty card

To protect against damage, the device was wrapped in polyethylene and tightly fixed with foam inserts inside the box.

The built-in microwave oven Lex Bimo 25.03 is available in three versions: white, black, and black with silver metal inserts. We got the second version for testing. Its laconic glass front looks very elegant.

The back wall and bottom are full of the same round ventilation holes as inside the device. On the back side we also see a cord with a plug, and on the bottom there are four legs.

The standard grill grate is made of stainless steel and has three stable legs with rubber tips.

The operating manual is presented as a 27-page A5 brochure.

The control of the Lex Bimo 25.03 microwave oven can be called intuitive. There are only 6 buttons on the device panel. They are signed and it is impossible to get confused in them.

The following control buttons are located from left to right:

• Microwave/Grill — select the microwave power level, turn on the grill or automatically defrost by weight up to 2 kg.
• Auto menu — select one of 6 automatic programs with preset parameters depending on the weight of the products.
• Weight/Time + — increase the weight of the products or cooking time.
• Weight/Time − — decrease the weight of the products or cooking time.
• Clock/Timer — set the clock in 24-hour format and a timer up to 60 minutes, which can serve as an alarm clock or to delay the start.
• Start/Stop — start/stop cooking or reset the settings.

The quick start function in this model is called the Express program and is activated by pressing the Start/Stop button once. By default, the microwave operates at full power for 60 seconds.

The cooking time can be adjusted in 10-second increments for the first 3 minutes, then 30 seconds up to 10 minutes and 1 minute after.

The device supports 5 microwave power levels, although the instructions do not provide information on the percentage distribution. However, by analogy with the Bimo 20.07 model, we can assume that these are: 100%, 70%, 50%, 30% and 10%.

The sixth press of the power selection button activates the grill (100%), after which two combination modes are available: C-1 — 20% microwaves + 80% grill, C-2 — 80% microwaves + 20% grill.

Automatic programs of Lex Bimo 25.03 include:

• Rice (from 100 to 500 g)
• Vegetables (from 100 to 600 g)
• Meat (from 200 to 1000 g)
• Noodles (portions from 100 to 150 g or from 200 to 300 g)
• Fish (from 100 to 500 g)
• Chicken (from 200 to 2000 g)

Child lock prevents unauthorized use of the oven. To lock, hold down the Clock/Timer button for a few seconds.

Before first use, it is recommended to wipe the inner chamber and the door with a damp cloth. The instructions mention that light smoke or odor may appear during the first start, but in our case, nothing like this happened.

Before starting work, you can set the clock, but this is not necessary — the device will work without it. It is important to remember that when the power is turned off, the time is reset and will need to be set again. Safety measures and operating rules are standard for microwave ovens. It is important to use suitable utensils: plastic, heat-resistant glass, heat-resistant ceramics and special baking bags.

Lex Bimo 25.03 BL control is intuitive. A hint with automatic program settings behind the door speeds up the development of the device, and the sensors on the panel are clearly marked, which makes setting the modes simple and convenient. The sensors respond quickly and accurately.

Based on measurements and tests, we can say that the actual power of the device is even higher than stated. This is enough for quickly preparing simple dishes. The uniformity of heating in microwave mode is rated positively, however, when using the grill, it is noted that it mainly fries closer to the back wall, and in general, its power is not very high. Some auto programs work perfectly, but for some, additional time may be required after the end of the cycle.

The disadvantages include the almost complete lack of visibility through the viewing window — it is too dark. Also, the noise when closing the door is quite loud, which is typical for many microwave ovens. During operation, the device is quiet, but, unfortunately, the sound signals cannot be turned off.

The oven care recommendations are standard. Regularly wipe the body, the inner surface of the chamber and the door with a damp cloth, and then dry. Avoid using abrasive and aggressive detergents, as well as getting moisture into the ventilation openings. It is also not recommended to use metal sponges to avoid scratches.

To remove unpleasant odors, you can put a container with diluted lemon juice in the oven, turn on maximum power for 5 minutes, and then wipe the chamber with a napkin.

In standby mode, the microwave oven consumes 0.5 W, and with the door open (with backlighting) — up to 22.3 W. The maximum recorded power was 1497 W.

To heat 0.5 l of water with an initial temperature of 20 °C at maximum power in 5 minutes, the device consumed 0.118 kW h. Data on the heating rate is presented in the table below.

The noise level of the microwave oven is moderate and meets the standards for such devices. During continuous operation at maximum power, the body and glass door hardly heat up, their temperature is 28-32 °C.

However, our measurements of the length of the power cord are slightly different from the manufacturer's data: the documentation indicates 110 cm, but in fact we measured 90 cm.

Test için 50:50 oranında dondurulmuş domuz eti ve sığır eti kullandık. Mikrodalga, hazneye yerleştirip ağırlıkla buz çözme modunu seçerek işlemin 15 dakika 30 saniye süreceğini hesapladı.

The microwave did not give any special signals during operation, so after about 10 minutes we decided to open the door and check what was happening inside. The mince remained the same on the top side, while on the bottom it had melted a little. We turned it over and continued defrosting.

After the cycle was completed, we managed to defrost only 300 g of minced meat. For the rest, the microwave set the time to 9 minutes 30 seconds. During this time, the minced meat defrosted, but not completely: a piece weighing about 150 g remained in the center. However, it was easy to separate by hand, and it reached the desired consistency on its own after 15 minutes at room temperature.

The Lex Bimo 25.03 BL model does not have a special automatic mode for popcorn, so we decided to cook it using the microwave at the second power level (70%). We placed a 100 g bag of popcorn on the tray and started the device for 3 minutes.

After 2 minutes, characteristic pops began to be heard in the microwave. At the end of the cycle, the grains were still actively bursting, and the bag had not yet had time to fully expand, so we added another 2 minutes. After the complete «shooting», which occurred after 1.5 minutes, we turned off the microwave and took out the bag.

We were treated to airy, deliciously smelling popcorn and a very small amount of unpopped kernels.

To test the Vegetables automatic mode, we took beets and carrots.

The next auto program we decided to test was «Chicken» (A-6). We rubbed 400 g of fillet pieces with chopped garlic, dry herbs and salt, then sprinkled with vegetable oil and laid out on a plate.

First, we put the dishes on the ceramic panel. The microwave set the cooking time to 20 minutes and 25 seconds. Closer to the middle of the cycle, through the viewing window, we noticed that the chamber was illuminated in red, which signaled that the grill was on. We paused the operation of the device, moved the plate to the grate and continued cooking. 5 minutes before the end of the cycle, we opened the door again and saw that the crust had formed only on one side, so we swapped the pieces.

We prepared a side dish for the chicken using the Rice automatic program (A-1). We washed 200 g of long-grain rice thoroughly, placed it in a glass container and poured in 250 g of cold water. For this amount of rice, the microwave set the cooking time to 17 minutes and 23 seconds. We did not interfere during the cooking process and simply waited for the final signal.

The built-in microwave oven Lex Bimo 25.03 BL has proven itself as a convenient and efficient device, ideal for both simple heating and cooking full meals. The spacious chamber with a complete grill grate allows you to cook fairly large portions at a time, and the absence of a traditional rotating tray makes it possible to use larger dishes of various shapes.

The multifunctional microwave oven has an optimal set of automatic programs, most of which have reasonable preset settings. Additional functions, such as a timer and lock, ensure comfortable and safe operation of the device. Thanks to its laconic and stylish design, Lex Bimo 25.03 BL fits perfectly into any modern kitchen space.

Pros:

• stylish appearance
• spacious chamber
• grill, automatic programs, timer and lock
• clear controls and easy maintenance

Cons:

• some automatic modes require user control
• too dark viewing window