topic Re: microwave ovens in Kitchen

microwave ovens

Pooky1 — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:04:33 GMT

we have had many microwave ovens over the years usually under 80 bucks. our last one was a sears kenmore well over 100 bucks and this one died after 18 months. it looks like cheaper last longer on them. what does everyone think?

Re: microwave ovens

ChynnaBlue — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:10:49 GMT

I've never had to buy a microwave. The apartments I've lived in and have had one built in. The last place I was in I lived in for 12 years with one microwave. The one my parents have gets used daily and they bought that in 1980-something, like 1986.

Re: microwave ovens

chickenbutt — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:20:16 GMT

I don't really go by price, but have done very well with Sharp brand, over the years.

I had my first Sharp just over 18 years and it was still working (gave it away to buy one that was more updated).

The second Sharp lasted 18 years (weird coincidence!) and something went kerflooey.

Replaced that one with another Sharp and that was a few years ago. We'll see. But only that one died on me and it would not have been practical to seek a fix, instead of just replacing it.

All I really look for is a decent size, a good output (1200W) for it to be appropriately effective, and a brand that tends to make good products. Even so, I don't think I spent more than $150 on this latest one.

Re: microwave ovens

QVCkitty1 — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:32:47 GMT

I have had 2 Panasonic microwaves, and have been very satisfied.

Re: microwave ovens

Lilysmom — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:50:33 GMT

Panasonic hands down IMO. They make the best microwaves. I also have a Panasonic Microwave/Convection oven. LM

Re: microwave ovens

Mz iMac — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 23:09:48 GMT

My Sharp is 20+ old. Don't know the cost as it was a present from my parents for my new apt at that time.

Still going strong.

My only complaint is in the apt I am living in now, I can't run it the same time the living room tv is on. Microwave blows out my circuit breaker.

Re: microwave ovens

Tigriss — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 23:53:46 GMT

I would look at all the features as things you want in a microwave. I have a microwave/covection/grill (a Daewoo I got from WalMart online-only 900W but super functioning....I couldn't find it anywhere else currently.) I would also consider the return policy, measure where you are going to put it (that was my limitation really), color, wattage (higher watts faster cooking), and again....features like does it have a light that works when you open the door when it goes off (you know...so you can see your food on the inside when it goes off).

Re: microwave ovens

Kachina624 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 02:34:33 GMT

Youll want to consider the wattage before you buy. Many of the smaller, inexpensive ovens are very low wattage and don't cook as fast as the larger ones. I'd look for at least 1,000 watts.

Re: microwave ovens

feline groovy — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 02:41:08 GMT

My reasonably-priced Sharp microwave ovens all (thankfully) lasted a long time.

But I would still always research user reviews at Amazon and elsewhere.

Re: microwave ovens

Toppers3 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:07:18 GMT

Hi @Pooky1,

They don't seem to last very long, anymore.

We've gone through several microwave ovens since we've moved here.

I want to say that we're on our third now. They only seem to last a few years each.

I think that the longest time that we had a microwave oven last was about eight years, and that was for our first Sharp microwave.

I think that the key pad went and wore out on it, so it would turn itself on and off at random. That was pretty wild, to watch it do that! LOL!!

We used to buy Sharp microwaves, but for some reason they're now making them mostly at 1,000 watts and they've gone up in price, too.

Some of the microwaves that are made now don't light up when you open up the door anymore, and some don't light up when the food is heating up, either, meaning the features have changed, and in my opinion, not for the better.

This time around during the summer when we needed a new microwave, we got a Kenmore that had all of the features that we were looking for, and it is also an 1100 watt microwave, which is standard wattage for heating up prepared/frozen foods if you are making things like that, too.

Re: microwave ovens

Marp — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 04:54:50 GMT

Another Panasonic fan. I'm on my second one in more years than I want to admit. True work horses.

Re: microwave ovens

insomniac2 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 07:42:11 GMT

When I moved into an apartment, I bought a very cheap ($30) no-brand style.

Still doing fine after 10 years (I use it to keep food/drinks piping hot).

Re: microwave ovens

In-x-s — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 23:40:58 GMT

I have always bought small, plain inexpensive. I don't want it to have a lot of functions because I only use one to reheat or defrost, not to cook anything. Possibly a baked potato if I'm desperate and didn't plan ahead LOL

Re: microwave ovens

giddy up — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:28:44 GMT

Panasonic makes a good microwave. When you use reduced power it is actually reduced continuous power, not your typical full power on, pause, full power on surging you get with other manufacturers. A believe it is a panasonic patent and they are the only ones that have it. I have one now and I really like that feature the most.

Re: microwave ovens

faeriemoon — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:54:22 GMT

I have had Panasonic and Sharp and both are good. I currently have a Sharp microwave drawer.

Re: microwave ovens

Mothertrucker — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 21:58:11 GMT

Loved my huge original Litton from the 1980's....it wouldn't die...I finally got rid of it mid 1990s so I could get something more compact...

Panasonic Genius Inverter has been great for me!

highly recommend!

Re: microwave ovens

x Hedge — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 22:54:04 GMT

Hi @Pooky1. Funny, but I'm very attached to my microwave oven. It will have been a faithful, reliable appliance, used multi times daily for 30 YEARS, come July.

I paid $200. bucks, a really good sale price, for a top of the line 1.5cu ft 'wave in 1987. It's a Goldstar, a popular brand at the time, which has disappeared now.

It has a built in temperature probe to hold a dish at a specific temp, a removable rack for 2 level cooking, 2 stage cooking, a memory I can program with times & temps of my favorite, frequent dishes, delayed cooking, and more.

I was given a new microwave a few years ago, and I've used plenty of others over the years. My new one sits, unused, in the basement. I will hold on to my old one as long as it works. $200. bucks divided by 30 years is less than $7.00 a year for my faithful, reliable servant.

Re: microwave ovens

Pooky1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 00:24:03 GMT

thats great hedge. hope you have alot longer. good luck.

Re: microwave ovens

alexpabalate — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:57:53 GMT

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Re: microwave ovens

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 12:39:42 GMT

This thread has been closed for commenting bumped up from 2017