Microwave question for the brain trust
 

Our dang microwave died.

It is a built in unit the builder put in. A GE brand Profile unit. The GE replacement is over $1,400! That ain't gonna happen.

In all the years we have lived here we have never used the convection feature or the sensor feature. The big challenge is finding a unit that fits the hole in the cabinet.

The hole is 25.5 wide and 17.5 tall. With over 24 inches of depth that is not a problem.

All I want is a unit with the basic options, defrost, and multiple power settings. No convection or sensors or other crazy options are needed.

The biggest thing is something that will fit.

Any suggestions?

Could you "finish" the hole and then put a smaller unit in the spot?

You can put just about any micro in there that is smaller than the opening and have a trim kit made for your opening size.

Look at the Panasonic "prestige" line-they have a couple that will fit with minor trim.
The "Inverter" technology they use really does make a difference, in my experience.

Just avoid a microwave altogether...

I have an over the stove mounted GE microwave that was "pretending" to be dead for about a year and a half. I unplugged it and it sat in its cubby hole while i used another counter top model that I had. About 6months ago, just for the heck of it, I pluggeg it back in and it worked fine. Go figure.

There is a childproof "program" that I may have entered by mistake when I was cleaning it and then disengage it at a later date when I was wiping it off again. I don't know.

I was getting ready to make a book shelf out of the space it occupied and was really liking the idea as I have a small library of cookbooks that I have collected over the last 35 years.

A bookshelf or a smaller microwave with a little trim around it sure beats spending the ridiculous kind of money they want for a replacement model.

Most microwaves are made by Sharp. Get a Sharp unit with an appropriate trim kit. Boom, done.

Glen,
What are the symptoms of the microwave "dieing?"
I am well aware of the microwave model you have - I've got two of them. One bought new about 9 years ago and the magnetron went out on it several years later. It made a horrible grinding vibration noise - and of course doesn't heat food. Replaced the magnetron and all is well. Fast forward several years - the other oven, in our newly purchased home - is the same model (but in black.) Made the same horrible noise, etc. I bought a replacement magnetron from a friend in the parts appliance business. $35 and we are back in style. If it's giving you the same symptoms - that's probably all you need to replace - and it's relatively simple - at least for a guy that has replaced an engine in an El Camino!

Be damn careful messing with a microwave. I don't recall the specifics, but I know they can hold a high voltage charge even after being unplugged.

Pop the cover and check the fuse inside SmileWavy

yes - there's a large capacitor that needs to be discharged to prevent a shock

We replaced the magnetron about 8 years ago. The real problem this time is the mouse trap of door sensors. There is one master monitor switch and a switch on the left & right side of the door. I pulled the covers off of it and the switches look like they are adjusted properly. I can get it to come on sometimes after slamming the door. Each switch is 30 bucks at the local appliance parts store.

The unit is just a 800 watt microwave. We can replace it with a larger cubic foot 1,200 watt unit with a rotating platter for $350. In all the years we have had that unit we have never once used the convection function or the probe.

That HEAVY thing is on the front curb at my office now. Some local worker at the wholesale food plant down the street will pick it up and recycle it or repair it. I don't care, it will go away, and not straight to the dump. We can put anything of possible value on the curb and it gets picked up in a matter of hours.

Costco...

In addition, I think you'll find that most "built in" microwave ovens are actually counter top models with a trim kit.

Yep, what we have found is two basic widths of units. 27 for the trim kit and 30 for under hood or built in. The under-hood & built in units will not fit our application.

We will have to buy a "counter top" unit and put a trim kit on it to hide the fact it is a counter top unit and to dress it out to fit the hole in the cabinet.

The old unit was built as a unit has galvanized steel side and top panels. It just has a painted steel trim piece like a picture frame to finish the edges.

The good news is the new unit can actually be bigger in cubic feet and higher wattage.