What kind of microwave?

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

Any ideas on what is a good microwave oven? Our Panasonic quit yesterday after 3 years of use. Mind u it does get used a lot. Don't mind paying a bit more for longevity. A 1200 watt is a must.

schamp · 01-23-2012, 05:28 AM

Look for anything but GE. I have gone thru two in 8 years.

Rob Channell · 01-23-2012, 05:54 AM

I just went through this. I had a GE to fail that I bought only 3 years ago. It was a frustrating experience.

I did several searches to try to find something that was more reliable. One site that had done some testing came up with the best units in certain price ranges. They then listed the particulars of the units along with the pros and cons. Quality and reliability problems were listed as cons in the selected "best" units regardless of the $300 or $800 price. I ran across all sorts of people that have had microwaves to fail in one to three years and it ran across all brands.

My microwave is the over the stove type so the prices started in the mid-$300 range and went up. Since I could not find anything that seemed like it might be more reliable I opted for the cheapest microwave that was not a GE that fit the space I had at $359. Then while searching online I noticed Lowes was having a sale that weekend so I bought a Frigidare that was a $500 unit marked down to $404. It had the additional convection oven capability and I do not have a toaster oven so I thought it might be convenient and something new to try for the extra $50 in cost. I figure when it lasts me 3 years it will have cost me $10/month. It appears they truly do not make them like they used to.

As an aside I noticed when at my Mom's over Christmas that she still had the same microwave that we bought in about the 1977-78 time frame and it still works. So if reliability is your goal maybe you can find one of those old over engineered beasts from the 70's or 80's on Craigslist. It will probably STILL outlast a new one.

Where oh where is the Porsche of microwaves? Or at least the Toyota or Mazda?

look 171 · 01-23-2012, 06:26 AM

Sharp. They make lots of commercials units too. They make all the high end ones for others.

ErVikingo · 01-23-2012, 06:27 AM

I have a Sharp in my office. 17 years old and still going on strong.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 01-23-2012, 06:29 AM

Do they still make a combination microwave/convection oven?

Don't know, have not had one in the home since about 1996. Do not miss it either.

Les Paul · Les Paul's Garage

Our sharp is at least 24. Was here when we bought the house and still works fine.

LeeH · 01-23-2012, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

Do they still make a combination microwave/convection oven?

Don't know, have not had one in the home since about 1996. Do not miss it either.

They do. We have a Kenmore Elite combo. Actually bought it "used" from Goodwill for $25 a couple of years ago. Looked like it had never even been used to boil water. It's been used daily since. I'd be ill if it died as I know my wife would want something similar and I'd be out shopping for a new one like it. It was around $600 when new.

krystar · 01-23-2012, 07:36 AM

our office has 4000W commer....i think they're more like super industrial. frozen lean cuisine to burn your tongue hot in 1min30secs.

911pcars · 01-23-2012, 01:33 PM

A 24 year old microwave, even the best of its time, is no longer manufactured. It was all metal and built to last a long time. Not now. I recall a Sharp Carousel we got for a wedding gift some 30 years ago. It was great until it walked away one night during a period of construction. At the time, the 100' long driveway was temporarily covered with hillside dirt transferred from the backyard. The MW was so heavy (>50 lbs), I could follow the perps 8" deep foot prints along the driveway to the street. I hope he hurt his back.

As for the current crop of MWs, a Cuisinart I bought lasted one year ($90). I'm now using a 1000 watt Kenmore MW ($125). Seems good so far, but YMMV. MWs vary by power and internal volume so it's hard to compare unless you have specific model #s.

Sherwood

VINMAN · 01-23-2012, 01:43 PM

Have to add another thumbs up for the Sharp.

foxpaws · foxpaws's Garage

Go for the convection oven option if you do not have double ovens - comes in handy if you do big dinners...

My older sharp has a stainless steel interior - it cleans up good - and you don't have to worry about the enamel chipping off and the interior surface rusting. I know that there are still some current models that have the stainless interior.

teenerted1 · 01-23-2012, 02:34 PM

my sharp is at least 15yrs old.
my parents is at least 20yrs old
both still turning popcorn into into black wads of stink after all these years.
i think the beverage setting is the only accurate preset that is correct.
otherwise they have been very reliable

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Yep, anything but GE!

look 171 · 01-23-2012, 04:30 PM

We put lots of custom kitchens and baths together. Part of what I like to do is suggest the type or brand of appliances. The name Sharp come up often, but many people who drop 25k+ on a Big Viking kitchen, Like my current client, the wife (usually) are not too keen on buying a Sharp. They want all of the brand name to match. the viking is over 1000 bucks plus the trim. The sharps are about 2/3the cost of the Viking.