Recommend a Microwave

[rockfan4]

I thought I was going to starve to death. I put some leftovers in the microwave, punched the buttons, and all I got was a BZZZT Pop! and a little smoke rolled out. I bought this in 2011, so I got quite a bit of use out of it.

In the basement I have the giant countertop microwave from my mother's house. I would have bought that for her in '87 or '88 when I was working at Sears. It still works.

I need one that mounts over the stove and also works as a vent hood. Stainless steel finish. A bright light to light up the stovetop is a plus.

There's an Amana at Menards, $199 after rebate. Thoughts?

https://www.menards.com/main/appliances/microwaves/over-the-range-microwaves/amana-reg-1-6-cu-ft-over-the-range-microwave/amv2307pfs/p-1471355358222-c-1500043654079.htm

[stevej37]

$199 seems like a good price...I remember years back when the 'over the range' micro's were very pricey. It looks like it has everything a person would need.

I had a Toshiba toaster oven with air fryer that had so many electronic features on it...that I gave it away to my nephew. To do anything with it, I had to get the manual out every time....I hated it.
(it was all digital...no turn knobs or buttons)

[JackDidley]

My Panasonic was really nice for about 2 years. Then it died so I will not buy another. I use the microwave several times daily so when it died I just went to Best Buy and bought a cheap one. No point in paying name brand prices if it wont live.

[A930Rocket]

I don’t know about the super high-end microwaves, but GE, Whirlpool look like that Amana and we’ve had nothing but problems with them. They are disposable now, but for $200-300 you have nothing to lose.

[Zeke]

Not that hard to change out the diode and fuse, which is the problem in most cases. In other cases it's the capacitor. All cheap parts. If the magnetron doesn't Ohm out, move on. There has to be 1000 videos to do this.

Remember, anything made a while back is bound to be better than anything made today. But if the existing MW was a cheap model to begin with, don't waste your time.

[sc_rufctr]

Microwaves are a fully mature product. There really is no benefit to buying a more expensive brand.

The last one I bought was about 11 years ago from Kmart... $160!

[Bill Douglas]

Don't buy a Panasonic microwave.

[Baz]

I bought my Kenmore 35 years ago used for $50 and it's still working great.

I gets used almost daily.

Has a timer, 3 buttons to press for Defrost, Medium, & High......and a lever to push that opens the door.

[flipper35]

Daughter found an LG with the vent and built in air fryer.

[GH85Carrera]

Our house had upgraded GE Elite appliances when it was built. The microwave died and it was still under warranty. It is a built in unit, and heavy. I got it out, and took it to the repair center. A week later and I had the fun of shoving it into the spot about the oven. It lasted a few more years.

We replaced it with a new and improved GE unit that was the right size. It had a plate to make it llok like it was there in the first place. That was important for Mrs. Carrera. It has been great for many years.

At my old office we had a Amana microwave from the 1960s. Made in America quality. It worked as new. Just a mechanical timer but it warmed up a lot of lunches for the employees, and lots of cold coffee. It was bullet proof.

[rockfan4]

I didn't buy the Amana. Looks like Menards ended their 11% rebate, at least for this week. I'm also looking at a couple Whirlpool models at Best Buy. Looks like I missed out, they were closing out last year's basic model for $149. They do have some open box offerings, but not at the La Crosse store. We're supposed to go to Minneapolis in a couple weeks to visit family, maybe as the day approaches I'll see what's available.

The old microwave was Ikea branded, made by Whirlpool. It was nothing special or sophisticated.

Does anyone have one of those thin 1.1 cubic foot models? It's rare that I put anything tall in the microwave, and more head space over the stove might be better. They are spendy. I'm also looking for a model with a stronger exhaust fan.

[JackDidley]

I bought a 1.1 cubic foot, 900 watt one from Best Buy a week ago Sunday. Seems tiny compared to the old Panasonic but it does the same job. Best popcorn popper ever.

[rockfan4]

I am really pissed off right now.

Looking on Best Buy's web site, there's an open box microwave showing up in Dubuque, IA for $251. I confirmed this morning it's still there. We were going to Dodgeville WI today, so we were only about 45 minutes away. Went to the store, it's marked $354 on the price tag. Well, maybe the online price is different. I check on my phone, and on my phone it is $399. WTF? So I walked out. I get home, get on the computer, $251.

I figured out that it matters what your home store is. Don't make your home store the store where the open box item is. That changes the pricing. I opened a private window, set my home store to Dubuque, and sure enough, the price is $399. Change to La Crosse, the price drops to $251. I don't have any plans to go that way again in the near future. Maybe I can find a different one when we go to Minneapolis in about a week. I'll just have to remember to set my home store to something other than where the microwave is.

Or, I think someone has one, same model on FBM in St Paul for $100. Said it's only a year or so old, and pulled it when remodeling.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

I need one that mounts over the stove and also works as a vent hood. Stainless steel finish. A bright light to light up the stovetop is a plus.

I'm going to have one for sale in a couple of months. Our new-to-us house has one, and I hate those things. I'd rather have one on the counter top and have a good range hood - one that makes the kitchen windows whistle.

[Alan A]

We have the built in sharp with a slide out drawer. Not suitable for the OP but I love the extra counter space.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

I am really pissed off right now.

Looking on Best Buy's web site, there's an open box microwave showing up in Dubuque, IA for $251. I confirmed this morning it's still there. We were going to Dodgeville WI today, so we were only about 45 minutes away. Went to the store, it's marked $354 on the price tag. Well, maybe the online price is different. I check on my phone, and on my phone it is $399. WTF? So I walked out. I get home, get on the computer, $251.

That is probably individual store pricing of extra stock..sure you could have it shipped from IA..and wait a month..but..
The computer lied.
Now let's talk about airlines and hotels and concert tix

Print a copy of the web page, and demand price guarantee or price matching if driving to a store.

[john70t]

Make sure the microwave has it's own dedicated circuit breaker. 20amp with rated outlets and continuous 12 gauge wire, preferably.

They tend to bounce against that 15amp rev limiter.
Don't want to use delicate stuff on the same leg.

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by john70t

That is probably individual store pricing of extra stock..sure you could have it shipped from IA..and wait a month..but..
The computer lied.
Now let's talk about airlines and hotels and concert tix

Print a copy of the web page, and demand price guarantee or price matching if driving to a store.

All the incredibly helpful sales rep could tell me was "Uh, that must be the price at another store".

Best Buy will not ship an open box item.

I recall years ago, if you were in the store connected to their wifi, the website showed prices that were higher than they were if you were elsewhere. They've probably evolved the site to use location tracking to do the same thing.

I should be able to find something next weekend.

I'm also trying to line up some Facebook Marketplace deals. Someone has some pieces of the same bedroom set I have in one of the spare rooms. Solid Oak, Mobel, they were made in Indiana and I like the way they look. The company is out of business, probably priced out by cheap Ashley stuff.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

I recall years ago, if you were in the store connected to their wifi, the website showed prices that were higher than they were if you were elsewhere. They've probably evolved the site to use location tracking to do the same thing.

The idea of 'bespoke individual pricing' has been around for a while. Old switcheroo.
(aka discrimination and justice dept shutting down the company)

Today they can use security camera facial biometrics.
(Apple for one takes a 30k point photo of the user every 7 seconds for the facial recog feature).
Or vehicle ID sent.
Hell even traffic light cameras add money to city coffers. My new forced smart water meter is proud of it's 'profiles for efficiency'.

"We don't share any customer data outside of our affiliates, so you know your privacy is safe with us!"

Turn off location services for everything until they stop working.
And then turn off those apps and replace them.
Still not enough.

[HardDrive]

Most microwaves are made by Sharp. They are rebranded by other companies.