New Microwave

[Red Squirrel]

You will pay more for over the range, but typically they are well built and have the added benefit of acting as an exhaust vent if you set that up. My mom recently changed hers, it was probably about as old as I am, if older. It was a Panasonic "The Genius". I told her it's probably just a fuse or something and I was willing to look at it but she chucked it before. It would operate but just not heat, so either the magnetron itself was cooked or a fuse for it. Of course if a fuse goes, it probably goes for a reason, so it's not as simple as just changing it.

If you do get a new one, take the old one apart, they have lot of fun stuff like the transformer and giant capacitor. (be careful, lethal stuff).

 

[Jeff7]

people still use microwaves?

 

[Sonikku]

Get this
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-1-1-c...&skuId=1792276
you can microwave a frozen pizza in it.

 

[Scooby Doo]

People still use ovens?

 

[sdifox]

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.

except that range hood deosn't suck. too little airflow.


op just pick up a Panny.

 

[Captante]

Get an inverter model, ideally, used on Craigslist.

Yep ... Snagged an almost new Panasonic w/inverter on CL a few years back for $25. Still going strong to this day with moderate use. Hard to beat that deal.

 

[pontifex]

Went to Costco, only had 3 countertop models

Went to Home Depot - good selection, was going to buy a Maytag bu then they tell me they don't have ANY microwaves in stock, they have to order them. So I ask when they could get me one in black - Beginning of February. Ask about the stainless. In stock at warehouse but can't get to me til at least Thursday.

Went to HH Gregg - ok selection, they tell me they don't have most of the in stock. Ask about a maytag there - not in stock but they can sell me the floor model for $30 cheaper. Does it have the box or accessories (no box, no grill, no instructions, might have mounting hardware). He goes to check on the mounting hardware and finds it but its just 2 screws. I ask if that's it, he says he checks a new one and they have the same thing, just 2 screws. Decide to pass.

He shows me a black whirlpool in stock. nothing fancy, $188. I buy it.

Crazy that these places don't keep stuff in stock. Home depot lost a sale because of it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

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.

This. Which means Panasonic or GE.

 

[pontifex]

oh, none of the stores I went to had an inverter model.

edit: (or if they did it was one that was out of my price range and I didn't bother to look at it.

Hell - home depot had one for $1095!!!!

 

[boomhower]

I bought this one a few months ago at Lowes. Paid right around $200 for it. The inverter tech is the real deal, you can really tell a big difference. Food just plain comes out better. One of the immediate differences I noted was in defrost times, it's substantially faster and the meat comes out perfectly defrosted and not half cooked.

 

[sdifox]

oh, none of the stores I went to had an inverter model.

edit: (or if they did it was one that was out of my price range and I didn't bother to look at it.

Hell - home depot had one for $1095!!!!

err panny microwave is less than 200...on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-NN-SN651B-Microwave-Technology-1200-watt/dp/B005BFZ5TU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421620115&sr=8-1&keywords=panasonic+microwave

 

[pontifex]

err panny microwave is less than 200...on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-NN-SN651B-Microwave-Technology-1200-watt/dp/B005BFZ5TU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421620115&sr=8-1&keywords=panasonic+microwave

wouldn't have been able to get it today. it's also waaaaay too small.

 

[feralkid]

Rated number 2 on Consumer reports.org

GE JVM3160RFSS

Currently on sale at BB for $224

Available in white for even less.

Lowes will beat BB's price by 10%

 

[lupi]

got a panny with convection about 5 years ago when our 12 yo one finally starting to show signs of aging (lights/indicators no longer working etc...)

love being able to use the oven portion for smaller things without turning the big one on and being able to put metal in it is nice too.

 

[lupi]

...

 

[mikeford]

Had a couple Panasonic NS961, got a similar Sharp, http://www.sharpusa.com/ForHome/HomeAppliances/Microwaves/Archives/R520KS.aspx and I never pay as much as $150, just wait for a sale at Amazon etc.