Toshiba EM131A5C Review

The Toshiba EM131A5C is one of the larger and more affordable options in our microwave tests, making it great for heating large portions or multiple frozen items.

Heating Performance

During my comprehensive heating tests, the Toshiba EM131A5C delivered mixed results. While it reheated tasty pizza, I had to wait for certain parts to cool down, and I found it more unevenly heated than other microwaves we tested.

Pizza Heating

Pizza reheating revealed the microwave's inconsistent heating patterns in real-world use. In our taste tests, the cheese achieved a decent melt, and the crust remained edible rather than turning rubbery, though I'd recommend checking for cold spots before taking that first bite. After putting the pizza in for less than a minute, my infrared thermometer showed a wide temperature range across the two slices I heated, with most areas registering between 100 to 180°F, resulting in uneven heating but leaving the slices hot enough to still be delicious.

Heat Map Test

In the heat map test using marshmallow creme, I noticed distinct hot spots concentrated in the center of the turntable. The middle section actually burnt, showing medium brown coloring at the hottest spots, while the outer edges remained considerably cooler. Unlike some competitors that produce an even golden perimeter, this model concentrated its heating power in isolated pockets.

Heating Speed Test

The heating speed test showed more promise. While not the fastest I've tested, it's certainly adequate for most daily heating tasks, and I never found myself impatiently waiting for my morning coffee to warm up. Starting with refrigerated water at 43°F, the Toshiba raised the temperature to 122°F in just 45 seconds—a 79-degree increase that puts it solidly in the middle of the pack.

Frozen Foods

The Toshiba EM131A5C handles frozen foods with reasonable competence, though results vary depending on what you're heating.

During the frozen lasagna test, I followed the package instructions carefully, and the microwave delivered a thoroughly heated meal. Using an 18-ounce Stouffer's lasagna (the smallest available at my test location), I cooked it for 8 minutes on high, rotated it halfway through, peeled back the corner of the film, then continued for another 4 minutes. The edges bubbled nicely, and the center reached a safe eating temperature, though I noticed some temperature variation across different sections of the dish. The cheese on top achieved that desirable golden-brown appearance in spots, and the pasta layers heated through without becoming mushy or unsavory.

Hot Pockets presented a different story. Without the crisping sleeve that Hot Pocket discontinued, achieving that perfect balance of crispy exterior and evenly heated filling proves challenging for any microwave. The Toshiba heated the pocket adequately, but temperature measurements across the left, center, and right sections showed significant variation. The middle section, typically the slowest to heat, lagged behind the edges as expected. While no section reached mouth-burning temperatures, some bites were noticeably cooler than others, which was slightly unpleasant. The texture remained soft rather than crispy—a limitation of microwave cooking rather than a fault of this particular model. For those who prioritize convenience over texture, it does the job, but Hot Pocket and frozen burrito enthusiasts might want to finish these in a toaster oven for optimal results.

Defrosting

The Toshiba EM131A5C excelled in the defrosting metric, delivering one of the best overall performances I've seen in any microwave. In this evaluation, I focused on thawing a one-pound block of frozen ground beef using the preprogrammed defrost settings. The defrost function accurately detected the weight and automatically programmed the appropriate time and power cycles. The built-in reminder beep prompted me to flip the meat halfway through, ensuring even thawing.

Without actually cooking the meat, this microwave flawlessly thawed the entire block in less than 10 minutes. Halfway through, the unit prompts you to flip the meat, which helps prevent overwarming. The meat was evenly defrosted throughout, and as I poked around in the meat, I didn't find any warm spots. The Toshiba has auto defrost options for weight and options for defrosting poultry, meat, and fish.

Presets

The Toshiba EM131A5C comes equipped with a modest selection of preset buttons that cover the basics without overwhelming users with options. The control panel features dedicated buttons for common tasks including popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, dinner plate, and beverage settings. I was happy to see the inclusion of express cooking buttons (1-6 minutes) that start immediately without requiring an additional press of the start button. It's a small thing, but I find myself using those express buttons regularly. I also like that this microwave features a +30 seconds button that immediately initiates a 30-second cycle when pressed.

The popcorn preset works efficiently, with some kernels only starting to slightly overcook toward the end, but none of them burned. Preset popcorn buttons are notoriously bad, so this was a pleasant surprise. With a sturdy internal light and excellent stability, it doesn't shift during operations, including opening, closing, or button presses. The interface can also be used as a standalone timer.

Should You Buy the Toshiba EM131A5C?

The Toshiba EM131A5C makes sense for households that prioritize quick defrosting and need a straightforward, high-capacity microwave for basic heating tasks. Its exceptional defrosting capabilities make it particularly valuable for busy families who often cook from frozen or forget to plan ahead. The spacious 12.4-inch turntable accommodates large casserole dishes and dinner plates without the need to remove them partway through heating. If you have ample counter space and value simplicity over advanced features, this model offers reliable performance at a reasonable price point, though you'll need to work around its uneven heating patterns and disappointing sensor reheat function.

What Other Microwaves Should You Consider?

For those seeking premium features and convection cooking capabilities, the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 represents a significant upgrade. This premium microwave comes with convection functionality and opens up possibilities beyond simple reheating. It proved itself during my testing by serving up a seriously tasty Hot Pocket and reheated pizza with a perfectly warmed crust and deliciously gooey cheese.