Anyone have a source for cheap applicance parts?

[LeeH]

I found a smoking deal on a Kenmore Elite convection microwave oven. My wife had been asking for one of these for a while and I tripped across one that looked absolutely brand new at Goodwill for $32. Great. I buy it, install it and sell our 14 year old GE microwave for $30 on Craigslist. The new one works perfectly. Net cost so far... $2.

Here's the deal. When using the convection function you're supposed to use the metal rack. Well, it didn't come with one. So I look it up on the parts diagram and this silly little metal rack sells for $38-$50 + shipping! I'm having trouble making myself spend $50 on a metal rack for my $30 microwave. Yeah, I know. I still have a $600 appliance for cheap, but it's the principal! Anyone have any suggestions on how to track down one of these in a budget minded way? The part number is WB48X10017, which seems to be good for GE or Kenmore. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Bill Douglas]

Hi Lee.

I'd use any old metal rack with it. It's not like it's anything special, and it's removed when you use the microwave function. I've got a Panasonic dimension4 that does the fan bake fanbake+microwave. It's really good.

[LeeH]

I think the only trick is finding one that fits in the holders mounted to the interior walls. The rack has a 'drop' to it and the instructions claim this is necessary for even heating... so not only does it have to be the right width, it has to drop down a bit. If I can't track a cheap one down soon I'll just have to order it. The best price I've found is about $48 shipped, so my net cost will still only be $50.

[red-beard]

Did you try google with the part number?

[masraum]

you can try http://www.a-1appliance.com/. I've used them for several things in the past, but it's always been thermostats, heating elements, switches, etc... nothing like what you're looking for.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by masraum

you can try http://www.a-1appliance.com/. I've used them for several things in the past, but it's always been thermostats, heating elements, switches, etc... nothing like what you're looking for.

They have it... $48 before shipping. I'm just shocked that that the MSRP is so high an a little metal rack. I figured this would be a $10-$20 item. I need to find an appliance junk yard!

[Jeff]

Lee,
Isn't the purpose of the rack to let heated air circulate under the dish you are cooking in? Seems like a dish with feet or four small blocks would do the trick. Give it a try before you spend the $ on the rack.

[dad911]

email the person you bought the microwave from, and offer them $20 if they can find the missing rack... I'll bet they find it.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by LeeH

I need to find an appliance junk yard!

Hard to see the forest through the trees? Looks like you are starting your own yard. I'm going to have to visit my local goodwill. lol

We watch the Antiques Roadshow and every so often someone brings in a painting worth $50K that they say they bought at Goodwill for $20.


www.coastparts.com is my local source for applicance parts

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Lee,
Isn't the purpose of the rack to let heated air circulate under the dish you are cooking in? Seems like a dish with feet or four small blocks would do the trick. Give it a try before you spend the $ on the rack.

I'll have to look at that. It has a large turntable, so they would have to be outboard of that and be able to withstand oven temps.

Originally Posted by dad911

email the person you bought the microwave from, and offer them $20 if they can find the missing rack... I'll bet they find it.

Yeah, I figure it will show up at Goodwill (where I got the oven) eventually. I keep looking for it.

Originally Posted by TerryH

Hard to see the forest through the trees? Looks like you are starting your own yard. I'm going to have to visit my local goodwill. lol

We watch the Antiques Roadshow and every so often someone brings in a painting worth $50K that they say they bought at Goodwill for $20.


www.coastparts.com is my local source for applicance parts

Our Goodwill is amazing. Goodwill's new business model is to put the stores in better neighborhoods. I have a super $30 stereo behind my desk - Pioneer Elite VSX 41 receiver ($14) and a pair of DCM CX-17 speakers ($16). Garage sales around here are even better. I paid $20 for my KitchenAid dishwasher and have $45 in my wife's Motobecane bicycle that's in mint condition. Every Saturday morning feels like Christmas!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Our Goodwill is amazing. Goodwill's new business model is to put the stores in better neighborhoods. I have a super $30 stereo behind my desk - Pioneer Elite VSX 41 receiver ($14) and a pair of DCM CX-17 speakers ($16). Garage sales around here are even better. I paid $20 for my KitchenAid dishwasher and have $45 in my wife's Motobecane bicycle that's in mint condition. Every Saturday morning feels like Christmas!

I've been to a Goodwill once and to garage sales a couple of times. Each time it seems like the folks wanted 70-90% of retail for the stuff that they were selling.

I guess maybe I should check again.

[LeeH]

There seem to be two kinds of garage sales... there's the "I want it gone" type, and there's the "I used Ebay and Amazon for my price guides" type. The first type is where you clean up. These seller just want the space. The fact that they're getting money is just a bonus.

Goodwill can yield some amazing stuff, but it's hit and miss. You can't just go once every other month. There are guys who are in there several times every day. They know when the new stuff comes out and they're there waiting. The average Goodwill shopper has no idea what they miss out on.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by LeeH

I'll have to look at that. It has a large turntable, so they would have to be outboard of that and be able to withstand oven temps.

You can remove the turntable while it's on oven fuction. So any oven tray/rack will legs will do.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I've used Goodman's with good success (most recently a belt for a breadmaker).