New Microwave

[pontifex]

Microwave died tonight. Was cooking with it and it started making weird noises then lost all power and won't do anything now, not even the display will show up.


Any recommendations for a new one? Needs to be fairly inexpensive, less than $200 would be ideal.


Oh wait, I forgot, everyone here cooks in professional grade ovens, grills, or stone hearths.

 

[lxskllr]

Thrift shop, or none at all. If I couldn't get a microwave pretty close to free, I wouldn't own one. I can barely justify the space it takes as it is.

 

[iwajabitw]

I prefer Frigidaire, if its above stove, except the handles are weak. $75 at the appliance store. I have replaced a lot of GE touch panels on there black microwaves $85. They have redesigned them now and may be better. There is a master switch, looks like a temp limit switch on a dryer/heater that's $10 that can be replaced. If its a counter top model Id just get the best deal on the size you need.

 

[pontifex]

Thrift shop, or none at all. If I couldn't get a microwave pretty close to free, I wouldn't own one. I can barely justify the space it takes as it is.

The last line of my OP holds true.
I use mine all the time, so I can justify it.

 

[waffleironhead]

Do you own your own home? I've got an over the range hood/microwave. Clears some needed counter space.
$200 should get you a fairly good model.

 

[brainhulk]

Whatever Costco has. They have a couple, and all were fairly inexpensive

I stopped using the microwave too much. But when i do, i put a cup with water in there. Then i only use 1/2 the usual time and then finish off in the toster oven. To me it works better than all microwave

 

[pontifex]

I prefer Frigidaire, if its above stove, except the handles are weak. $75 at the appliance store. I have replaced a lot of GE touch panels on there black microwaves $85. They have redesigned them now and may be better. There is a master switch, looks like a temp limit switch on a dryer/heater that's $10 that can be replaced. If its a counter top model Id just get the best deal on the size you need.

mine is above the stove.

is this a used appliance store? Looking online at like Best Buy, there's nothing below $199.99 unless it's on sale.

 

[bzb_Elder]

Picked up a Kenmore a few months ago at Sears

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-1.2-cu-...8&blockType=G8

Not a whole lot to say other than it does what it should. Very happy with it so far.

 

[MongGrel]

Do you own your own home? I've got an over the range hood/microwave. Clears some needed counter space.
$200 should get you a fairly good model.

Have a Sharp myself like that, that I received as a Christmas present with a stove years ago.

Works great and is convenient for it being off the counter, for a vented fan/out of the way thing.

 

[Nograts]

This also interests me, 7 minutes to cook shot seems a bit excessive to me.

 

[pontifex]

Do you own your own home? I've got an over the range hood/microwave. Clears some needed counter space.
$200 should get you a fairly good model.

yes, own my own home and the one i have is over the range/stove type.

 

[pontifex]

This also interests me, 7 minutes to cook shot seems a bit excessive to me.

lol, rarely is there anything that takes 7 minutes in an oven. maybe garlic bread.


that 7 minutes doesn't include time to heat up, which can take awhile in an oven. although I do have a toaster oven which i use way more than my regular oven. only use regular oven with stuff that won't fit in the toaster oven.

 

[waffleironhead]

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Maytag-1-7...h-Stainless-Steel-Handle-MMV1174DH/205189881/

$219 looks like free ship where I live.
I don't think you have menards out that way as they have a few in that same range.

 

[Imp]

Our microwaves have died steadily every 3 or so years, so we've decided to just get cheapest piece of shit available with a brand name. Newest one was an LG. It cooks and pins... Twas only $100.

 

[iwajabitw]

mine is above the stove.

is this a used appliance store? Looking online at like Best Buy, there's nothing below $199.99 unless it's on sale.

No an appliance parts store. They will usually sell GE, Fridgidair, or Whirlpool. Get the model # and call several up in your area. Sometimes those counter guys are old repair men and can tell you what the problem is because they have sold X number of parts particular to that model. Could be something common like the GE touch pad I spoke of.

 

[mrjminer]

I've never had a microwave die on me and I use them a lot. Honestly, I just get the cheapest ones they have with a timer that is the standard size. I've maybe bought 3 microwaves and each have lasted at least 4 years and I've only gotten rid of them when I moved because they were each less than $50. I'd rather just buy a new one than clean them and transport at that price

 

[Imp]

If OP wants to be a hero, buy this one and tell us why it's $300.

http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BMO73.../dp/B00I9UIK5A

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BFZ5N6/..._t1_B00I9UIK5A

Inverter models are much better. When you set it for 50% power, you get 50% power, and not 100% power on a 50% duty cycle.

 

[Jeff7]

Picked up a Kenmore a few months ago at Sears

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-1.2-cu-...8&blockType=G8

Not a whole lot to say other than it does what it should. Very happy with it so far.

I've also got a Kenmore, 7 years old and still working.

 

[iwajabitw]

Just a FYI, Kenmore is a name that Sears owns, like Craftsman. The actual manufacture changes by contract from GE, Electrolux, etc... Some years are good and others not so much.

 

[Jeff7]

Just a FYI, Kenmore is a name that Sears owns, like Craftsman. The actual manufacture changes by contract from GE, Electrolux, etc... Some years are good and others not so much.

Theoretically, they would select a contract manufacturer who is capable of meeting their quality standards.

That might possibly how it could perhaps work.
But yes, more likely: "We want a microwave that'll likely last for Y amount of time and meet X price point."




(The quality approach is at least how my employer selects a contract manufacturer: You will consistently meet our standards of quality, or you're going to start receiving entire batches of product back for rework. We eventually tired of policing CM quality though, and more and more of the manufacturing is now done right there at the shop.)

 

[iwajabitw]

Theoretically, they would select a contract manufacturer who is capable of meeting their quality standards.

That might possibly how it could perhaps work.
But yes, more likely: "We want a microwave that'll likely last for Y amount of time and meet X price point."




(The quality approach is at least how my employer selects a contract manufacturer: You will consistently meet our standards of quality, or you're going to start receiving entire batches of product back for rework. We eventually tired of policing CM quality though, and more and more of the manufacturing is now done right there at the shop.)

Exactly, my mom still uses her Kenmore washer and dryer from the 80's. The washer is has whirlpool parts, the dryer GE. But there still going strong. My Maytag, now owned by Whirlpool, set my wife and I bought in 95 had 3 transmission replacements and multiple heat problems with the dryer. Finally in 2012 I went with Samsung front loaders and its been great. They just don't build them like they used to, there is a larger profit in servicing these days.

 

[Mixolydian]

people still use microwaves?

 

[disappoint]

people still use microwaves?

Yes but nowadays they use microwaves to download angry or flappy birds.

I'm still waiting for the stone hearth microwave oven to come out. Until then I use my Panasonic Inverter µwave oven to heat up liquid based stuff like soup reheating or tea water boiling.

 

[jagec]

Get an inverter model, ideally, used on Craigslist.