What is your recommendation...
 

for a microwave?

When I open the door of our Panasonic Genius inverter microwave the microwave runs.
So suspect that the circuitry is done.

Actually the first unit has been a good one and crapped out three days before the extended warranty expired. Was replaced with identical unit and this one is toast.

Any thoughts on possible fix or a recommended microwave?

Likely the diode to the magnetron or the magnetron itself. Take great care around the capacitor (or whatever they call it in a microwave oven) if you decide to dig into it yourself because, although not certain, the possibility of death awaits within, in the form of a significant stored charge. If it was just a decent unit it probably makes more sense to just buy another decent one given how low prices are. This is particularly true if you get one that uses the same mounting apparatus, as it'll take you less time to hang a new oven than it will just to remove the screws necessary to begin an attempt at diagnosing the problem.

We've only had two microwaves in all the time we've been married (36yrs). First was an old GE that I got from my folks when Mom got a range with a built-in one. This second one is a Kenmore that the kids got us for Christmas 10-15 yrs ago, maybe longer, I actually can't remember. It does an amazing job reheating things and the menu system gets things done just right too. It's a counter top model by the way.

I'd probably buy a used one. I think the older appliances are often more reliable than the new ones. I haven't found a need for a microwave to do much more than it did 20 years ago, so pretty much all of them do what I need them to do. Used stuff like this doesn't have much resale value, so they can be picked up cheap. The one we bought 30 years ago still runs fine and my wife found another one in a garage sale a few years ago, for $10 or $20, and she picked that one up. Now the kid has his own microwave upstairs in the shop, which suits everybody.

JR

javadog is spot on. (this time)


I have a used LG microwave. It was $20 and it's awesome.

Interesting story over on Corner Carvers about a similar problem with a GE microwave. Guy ended up getting a replacement for free and I think it was UL or FDA that got involved and found faulty circuitry/design by the MFR....

GE Microwave Dangerous Failure - Corner-Carvers Forums

I don't have real good luck with GE microwaves as I've had to replace mine twice in 10 years, but it mounts over my range and the wall bracket never changes year to year and model to model so I know I can buy another GE over the range microwave and change it out in about 5 minutes be reusing the old bracket that's already on the wall.

There is allot of truth to this. A few weeks ago, the WSJ had an article how the new energy efficient appliances have a shorter life span than the older stuff. There seemed to have no collation (better/longer life) between the cheaper models vs the more expensive ones. The same can be said for HVAC units, boilers, etc.

The early microwave ovens were built like tanks. My mom had a Litton that I want to say lasted over 30 years. The first microwave oven was actually too powerful to be used to cook food. They had to scale back the power. I think Ratheon or some defense contractor invented them.

Read somewhere that the shielding of a closed MW door would prevent a cell phone from getting a call. I've tested that on a couple ovens with mixed results... Mine friggin' rings in there... Not sure it's a valid test - is it ?

It only blocks the calls while the microwave is running.

I don't know anything about your specific microwave, but if a typical microwave runs (microwaves) with the door open, you have a serious safety problem and should not use it at all(microwave energy is very harmful). Per federal law, all microwaves have a safety interlock switch to ensure that they cannot operate with the door open. In fact, they are required to have a safety switch to disable the oven if the interlock fails.

The inverter technology is pretty cool as compared to other microwaves. If a microwave has settings less than high, the magnetron is cycled on and off while the inverter technology allows it to actually operate at a lower level. From what I can tell, there is little difference in results other than possibly less energy used and a little more expensive machine.

I agree with that it is not good to have a defective microwave ie. runs with the door open. I have removed the microwave and put it in the garage to take it to the ecocentre.

I agree that later appliances do not last. That includes microwaves, new ovens.

Likely will go to Costco and buy another Panasonic. Thanks for all the replies!

You can take the transformer out of the microwave and make your own spot welder.

https://www.google.com/search?q=microwave+transformer+spot+welder&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

^ That is an interesting project and a horrible welder.

We had the same unit and called and they replaced it free of charge. Look for recalls

Buy a Sharp at the restaurant supply house. Not the prettiest looking thing, but it will last you a long time. Even their prettied-up residential units are darn good. I have a GE Spacesaver myself due to space and our lack of use but warm up some left overs. First one lasted over 10 years.

I have a Sharp. It's great. I learned that if you turn the power down to 7 and heat a little longer, the food comes out better.

If it runs with the door open it is a door switch problem. I had something similar on the office microwave and it turned out to be a bent mount for the door switch. It was made out of cheap, flimsy metal that deformed and let the switch bind. I replaced it with a Kitchenaid commercial model. It's built like a tank, but cost almost $400.

There are some really cheaply made microwaves out there. The internal electronics on the cheap ones aren't much different than the are on the more expensive ones. More expensive ones have fancier controls and more robust latches and hinges. When checking out new microwaves, look for a good strong "snap" when the door closes and check to see if the door moves once it's closed.
I have had a Sharp in my kitchen for 8 years that has held up well.

My mom has the original microwave I grew up with... with a TWIST TIMER.

I guess you could get a great deal on used (we did on a window A/C unit) but then there is the matter of fitting it into the cabinet space (ours is a vent hood micro combo).

Home depot has sales on micros from time to time, might want to check there.