Description
Bosch Series 2 Built-In Compact Solo Microwave, 20 Litre
A compact 20 litre built-in microwave with 800 watts of power, seven automatic programmes and a QuickStart button that runs full power for thirty seconds.
The Series 2 BFL523MS3B is a solo microwave designed to sit in a 50 cm wall unit, freeing the worktop of a countertop model. Its stainless steel front and steel-trimmed controls match the rest of a Bosch kitchen, and at 38.2 cm tall it slots neatly above or below other compact appliances.
Inside there is a 20 litre cavity and a 27 cm glass turntable, driven by up to 800 watts across five power levels from 90 to 800. AutoPilot offers seven preset programmes, four for defrosting and three for cooking, so the common jobs are one dial turn away rather than a calculation.
Ideal For
Built for a 50 cm wide wall unit at least 30 cm deep, it takes the microwave off the worktop in a kitchen where surface space is the scarce thing.
Five power levels from 90 to 800 watts cover softening butter through to reheating a full plate, and QuickStart gets there in a single press.
A control panel lock and an automatic safety switch-off are built in, along with a door contact switch, so the appliance is straightforward to make safe.
Key Features
A 20 litre interior with a 27 cm glass turntable takes a dinner plate comfortably, with a lacquered grey lining and LED light so you can see what is happening.
Full power reaches 800 watts, with 90, 180, 360 and 600 watt settings underneath for defrosting, softening and gentler reheating without drying food out.
Seven automatic programmes, four for defrosting and three for cooking, set power and time for you so the everyday jobs do not need thinking about.
One tap runs the microwave at maximum power for thirty seconds. For a cup of coffee or a plate that needs a moment longer, it is the fastest route.
A hydrolytic cleaning programme loosens light soiling inside the cavity, so wiping down afterwards takes a cloth rather than a scouring session.
A favourite button stores one setting you use often, so a repeated power and time combination is recalled with a press instead of being dialled in again.
Built in, not on the worktop
A countertop microwave takes up the best part of half a metre of surface. This one goes into a 50 cm wall unit, at least 30 cm deep, with a niche of 362 to 365 mm high by 460 to 468 mm wide by 320 mm deep. At 38.2 by 49.5 by 33.5 cm it is a genuinely compact appliance, and the mains cable runs to 130 cm.
Controls you can learn in minutes
There is a rotary dial, a set of membrane keys and a start button with a steel trim, plus a red LED display with an electronic clock timer. Nothing here needs a manual on the second use. Turn the dial, set the power, press start. For anyone who has spent time fighting a touchscreen appliance, that simplicity is a feature rather than an omission.
What a solo microwave does well
This is a microwave only: no grill element, no fan oven function. That focus is why it stays compact and why the controls stay short. It defrosts, heats and cooks, with seven AutoPilot programmes covering the routine tasks and five power levels for everything else. If you already have an oven in the run and want the microwave to be quick and easy to clean, a solo model is the sensible choice. If you want browning or crisping, you need a combination appliance instead.
How It Compares
| Kitchen Need | Bosch Technology | Practical Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Limited worktop | Built-in 50 cm housing | The microwave moves into the cabinetry, returning the surface it would otherwise occupy to actual food preparation. |
| Quick reheats | QuickStart button | One press runs full power for thirty seconds, which covers most cups of coffee and plates that need warming. |
| Frozen dinners | Four defrost programmes | AutoPilot handles the power and timing, so frozen food thaws evenly instead of cooking at the edges. |
| Delicate warming | 90 watt setting | The lowest power level suits butter, chocolate and anything that turns to liquid the moment it is rushed. |
| Repeated settings | Favourite button | One frequently used power and time combination is stored and recalled with a single press each time. |
| Splattered interior | Hydrolytic cleaning programme | Light soiling is loosened by the cleaning cycle, so the grey lacquered cavity wipes clean without scrubbing. |
Specifications
| Brand | Bosch |
| Model | BFL523MS3B |
| Product Type | Built-In Solo Microwave |
| Series | Series 2 |
| Microwave Function | Microwave only (solo) |
| Cavity Capacity | 20 L |
| Maximum Microwave Power | 800 W |
| Power Levels | 90 W, 180 W, 360 W, 600 W, 800 W |
| Automatic Programmes | AutoPilot 7 - 4 defrost and 3 cooking programmes |
| Turntable | 27 cm glass turntable |
| Display | Red LED display with electronic clock timer |
| Controls | Rotary dial, membrane keys and start button with steel trim |
| Interior | Lacquered grey cavity with LED light |
| Cleaning | Hydrolytic cleaning programme (Cleaning Assistance) |
| Door | Side-opening, left-hinged, with open door button |
| Other Features | QuickStart 30-second full power, favourite button (1 setting), control panel lock, automatic safety switch-off, door contact switch, integral cooling fan |
| Cavity Dimensions (H x W x D) | 18 x 28 x 30 cm |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 38.2 x 49.5 x 33.5 cm |
| Niche Size (H x W x D) | 362-365 x 460-468 x 320 mm |
| Installation | For a 50 cm wide wall unit, minimum 30 cm deep |
| Connected Load | 1.27 kW, 230-240 V, 10 A |
| Cable Length | 130 cm |
| Weight | 14.0 kg |
| Warranty | 2 Year Warranty |
The Verdict
Strengths
- 20 litre cavity with a 27 cm glass turntable
- 800 W maximum power across five power levels
- AutoPilot 7 automatic defrost and cooking programmes
- QuickStart runs full power for thirty seconds
- Hydrolytic cleaning programme for light soiling
- Control panel lock and automatic safety switch-off
- Fits a 50 cm wall unit, 38.2 cm tall
Considerations
- This is a solo microwave with no grill and no convection function, so it will not brown or crisp food.
- The door is side-opening and left-hinged only, so check the swing works with the cabinetry and the way you approach it.
- It is a built-in appliance requiring a 50 cm wall unit at least 30 cm deep, plus installation and the ventilation clearances Bosch specifies.
What's in the Box
- Built-in microwave x1
- 27 cm glass turntable x1
- Installation/user manual x1
