topic Re: Counter Microwave in Kitchen

Counter Microwave

mare54 — Fri, 01 May 2026 16:28:06 GMT

I'm considering buying a countertop microwave for my daughter. They just moved into a rental and there is no built in microwave. Don't want to spend too much - $100 to maybe $150. Anyone have one they like? Thanks.

Re: Counter Microwave

Ainhisg — Fri, 01 May 2026 16:38:36 GMT

Yes! We bought this one at Walmart last fall and love it! Quiet, works like a charm, and attractive!

Re: Counter Microwave

Janey 3 — Fri, 01 May 2026 16:47:02 GMT

@Ainhisg ; i also have a Hamilton Beach from Walmart and love it.

Re: Counter Microwave

Kachina624 — Fri, 01 May 2026 16:47:16 GMT

@Ainhisg. Hard to believe micros have evolved to this. My first, which I got for Christmas in the 1970s, was a GE that cost $450., about 500watts and was the size of a piano crate.

I was the first among my friends to get a microwave.

Re: Counter Microwave

Shelbelle — Fri, 01 May 2026 16:56:41 GMT

It depends on how much room she has for it, good idea to measure the space, some with higher wattages are a lot larger than lower wattages. Mine is 700 watts, some may be as high as 1000 and take up more space.

Re: Counter Microwave

Mz iMac — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:02:08 GMT

@Kachina624 ROTFLMAO

Mine (Shark) is probably nearing 50 yrs old & can fit two 25lb turkeys w/enough room left over for a 10" plate of food. It was a gift from my parents.

950w

Re: Counter Microwave

Desertdi — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:55:26 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Ainhisg. Hard to believe micros have evolved to this. My first, which I got for Christmas in the 1970s, was a GE that cost $450., about 500watts and was the size of a piano crate.

I was the first among my friends to get a microwave.

@Kachina624

My ma had an Amana. It was the size of a washing machine, and louder than the garbage disposal.

And speaking of "garbage disposals", I just had to use a allen wrench on mine.

"Always Something" di

Re: Counter Microwave

AuntG — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:04:56 GMT

My cheap one from Wal-Mart has worked fine. Don't get one that is real big if counter space is limited.

Re: Counter Microwave

Mz iMac — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:07:26 GMT

@mare54 A suggestion....

you or your daughter should also purchase a stand for the microwave. Apt counter space is premium. She can better use the space for a "countertop" convection oven, air fryer and/or any other gadget(s) she may have.

Re: Counter Microwave

mare54 — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:10:07 GMT

@Mz iMac Thanks for the suggestion.

Re: Counter Microwave

Mz iMac — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:12:13 GMT

@mare54

Re: Counter Microwave

Marp — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:19:52 GMT

When making your decision take into consideration how your daughter will be using the microwave.

If she is going to be using it mostly for frozen dinners keep in mind that most instructions are written for 1000 watt microwaves so time adjustments would have to be made for units with less wattage. Cooking instructions also generally are written for 1000 watt units.

On the other hand if she will mostly be reheating things a lower wattage will be adequate.

Re: Counter Microwave

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:26:22 GMT

@mare54 We bought a Sharp in 1984, and it lasted us well into the new century. Solid and reliable. I don't know if they all have turntables these days, but that's a must. Also, as some have said, make sure the wattage is enough for your daughter's needs.

Re: Counter Microwave

PhilaLady1 — Fri, 01 May 2026 18:40:02 GMT

Well, this just shows how old and out of touch I am. I was not aware that newer kitchens have built-in microwaves. Thought they are all countertop LOL!

Re: Counter Microwave

Pooky1 — Fri, 01 May 2026 21:39:51 GMT

Mare54. Even microwave ovens aren't made good like they use to. We went years with the sa!e microwave oven but in the last 5 years or less we had our last 3 microwave ovens die. My wife has a Toshiba microwave oven on the Amazon cart. Two were black and Decker and the one that just died was a he microwave. They all did the same thing. Got very loud and wouldn't heat. I'm not trying to discourage you but let you know what they are like. Good luck with whatever kind you get. Let us know what you get.

Re: Counter Microwave

Shelbelle — Fri, 01 May 2026 21:56:24 GMT

@PhilaLady1 wrote:
Well, this just shows how old and out of touch I am. I was not aware that newer kitchens have built-in microwaves. Thought they are all countertop LOL!

Most microwaves in newer kitchens are now what they call Over the Range, and they fit over the cooktop into the wall. . My friend redid her kitchen a few years ago and hers is built in to one of her drawers.

Re: Counter Microwave

loriqvc — Sat, 02 May 2026 04:17:44 GMT

@mare54 - I did a LOT of shopping and even returned one crappy option before buying this microwave a few years ago, and it has performed very well. As a sidenote, although they also have other units on set, this microwave is used by QVC in its kitchen shows.

Farberware 1.3 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts

amazon.com/dp/B01EIZSDSI?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1

Amazon currently has a coupon you can clip in the listing that drops the price to $108.36, if you're interested. There are other models in the listing as well; I bought the 1.3 cu. ft. version based on the reviews, features, and my use cases. Most (maybe all) of the options in this listing are highly rated.

ETA: It looks like QVC sells this microwave as well, so if you want to read reviews here or see if there are Q codes you can apply to save some pennies, check it out:

https://www.qvc.com/farberware-pro-13-cubic-foot-1000-watt-microwave-oven.product.H293043.html?sc=srch

Re: Counter Microwave

mrshckynut — Sat, 02 May 2026 01:29:16 GMT

@PhilaLady1 wrote:
Well, this just shows how old and out of touch I am. I was not aware that newer kitchens have built-in microwaves. Thought they are all countertop LOL!

@PhilaLady1 we had our townhome built in 1980 and it had a built-in microwave above our range. Surprises seem an everyday thing to me too

mrshckynut

Re: Counter Microwave

Twins Mom — Sat, 02 May 2026 01:39:38 GMT

@Kachina624

Mine was late 70's GE. Oh my gosh it was heavy and barely fit under the cabinet. People bought rolling carts for them. It was solid....lasted a lot longer than my convection/microwave GE that I purchased a few years ago. I barely used it before it broke. Good luck

Re: Counter Microwave

Still Raining — Sat, 02 May 2026 13:23:35 GMT

I second the mention for a small, rolling stand. Nice to have storage too.