Westinghouse WHC633BD

Not Happy – I bought one these 13 July 2021 because although a Westinghouse fan, it was also the only one I could find that fitted into the existing benchtop cut out. I wasn`t happy about the touch controls versus manual rotary control, but that wasn`t an option. Big mistake by me and Westinghouse. Learning it`s operation happened slowy by mistakes but was eventually mastered. Then the problems began. For no apparent reason it would switch itself off! Then if using multiple zones removing a pot without touching any controls, again it was prone to shutting down. Now we have the latest problem in that when turned on it`s in lock mode. The instructions, when found, are far from clear on how to unlock it. Much button pressing with unmention time lag may eventionly unlock it. Not good in the haste of preparing a meal. Now, after in less of two years the markings over the controls have almost disappeared making it difficult to operate. I would guess that in six months they would have disappeared altogether. What tech smart, but uneducated in the real world, university graduate would be allowed to introduce such rubbish that causes such damage to the former good reputation of the Westinghouse name. Avoid.

OK and workable for light cooking duties – I will start this review by saying that I don’t do much cooking. That said, I have been struggling to use this cooktop. It is my first time with a ceramic cooker. It seems to heat up fast, but to the point of over heating. Then it seems to run a bit too cool for the set temperature. Personally, I think the dwell times on the temperature control (the timing cycle between off and on) is too long. The other problem that I have had is when I cooking oil accidentally spattered on a hot element. This has caused a permanent mark _under_ the glass.

Like the Westinghouse oven I purchased at the same time (see other review), I am underwhelmed by the arrangement for the electrical connection. For example, there is a warning sticker on the underside of the unit that the underside can get to 95C. Yet, the location of the terminal box forces the electrician to run wiring near this surface (and standard electrical wiring in Australia is only rated for 45C ambient). The problem is not insolvable during installation, it just could be designed a bit better.

Overall, this is a base model unit. It is OK and workable for light cooking duties. That said, I would probably buy a different brand next time.