Need a new microwave
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I suggest purchasing local as opposed to ordering on line. The reason is in the warranty, when / if it fails as so much of today's manufactured trash does. And by all means read the fine print.
It doesn't cook, reheat or even turn anymore. It is over 5 years old though.
Some of the higher end microwaves have "inverter" power supplies. So if you set the microwave for 50% power, it actually outputs 50% power, rather than the more common method of running the oven at 100% and turning it off for 50% of the time. But I think you have to be a pretty fancy cook, or do a lot of defrosting, for this to be a useful feature for you.
Beware at least some of the Panasonics. Rather than typing in how long you want it to cook, you have an "up arrow" and a "down arrow" to set the time. Maybe I have slow reflexes, but when I "up-arrow", I seem to always blow right by the desired time. So then I "down arrow", and maybe blow by it in the down direction, and then....... I am not a fan of this system.
Beware at least some of the Panasonics. Rather than typing in how long you want it to cook, you have an "up arrow" and a "down arrow" to set the time. Maybe I have slow reflexes, but when I "up-arrow", I seem to always blow right by the desired time. So then I "down arrow", and maybe blow by it in the down direction, and then....... I am not a fan of this system.
My budget is not a problem. I have savings for things like this. Size not too big but also big enough for a decent size plate to fit into it. There is only two of us so it's not a huge problem size-wise.
I use it mainly for cooking things when there is officially no more room in/on the oven and defrosting items when I forget to get them out.
Not that old. If you're into DIY fixit work then you could probably do it yourself for short $. Could be as simple as a door switch....less than $20 part. They are potentially dangerous to work on so if isn't your thing then don't try.
Yeah me and dangerous objects don't always mix so best I avoid this.
When our last microwave died my wife asked me to get a new one while she was at work. I bought one that looked similar to the old one. I was shot down when she came home, she claimed the new one was smaller [maybe slightly] and had the wrong power range so we took it back and got the one she wanted. I learned my lesson - next time she picks it out ..... and like you there are just the 2 of us.
Also, some are convection ovens as well. Means that there are more fan(s) that circulate heat. It can be a conventional oven, a microwave oven or a combination.
When you say 'worktop' you mean countertop? If over the range type, consider how easy to vent to outdoors (optimal setup).
When you say 'worktop' you mean countertop? If over the range type, consider how easy to vent to outdoors (optimal setup).
You are a wise man!!!!!
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8,133 Posts
We only use ours to melt butter, etc., cook bacon and occasionally warm something. We go to Walmart and buy an under $50 unit and they last for 6-8 years.
For what you described, for "limited basic use" an ordinary microwave will do.
I have a 7 year old Hamilton Beach that does all the things we need it to do, and it was under $50. This one is better than a top of the line microwave I had years ago, that was $300.
Is there a Walmart near you? go and get one off the shelf.
I have a 7 year old Hamilton Beach that does all the things we need it to do, and it was under $50. This one is better than a top of the line microwave I had years ago, that was $300.
Is there a Walmart near you? go and get one off the shelf.
I would buy the brand that has the least amt of special frills. It's just more to break.
You need to make sure your color matches your other appliances or appliances to be...I have a very simple M-wave at my ranch that is now 24 yrs old...works better than the newer one I just bought in Dec 2019
You need to make sure your color matches your other appliances or appliances to be...I have a very simple M-wave at my ranch that is now 24 yrs old...works better than the newer one I just bought in Dec 2019
This morning my microwave suddenly started spitting/sputtering with sparks flying. I quickly opened the door to shut it off. It smelled like burning. First microwave I've ever heard of "going bad". This one was probably 10 years old. I only use it for warming things and occasionally cooking packaged frozen foods.
Anyway, I bought Magic Chef 1.1cf 1000watt countertop from Home Depot for $55.00.
It should serve my needs ok. However, I can't figure out how to set time for just a few (10-15) seconds (for taking the chill off my cat's food from the fridge). I can set to 30 seconds with 1 touch, but then I have to stand & watch to prevent overheating.
Anybody familiar with Magic Chef?
Anyway, I bought Magic Chef 1.1cf 1000watt countertop from Home Depot for $55.00.
It should serve my needs ok. However, I can't figure out how to set time for just a few (10-15) seconds (for taking the chill off my cat's food from the fridge). I can set to 30 seconds with 1 touch, but then I have to stand & watch to prevent overheating.
Anybody familiar with Magic Chef?
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3,949 Posts
Don't get a GE (specifically the profile line) I paid $500 for mine cause it was just perfect in my kitchen remodel - thing didn't even make it a couple years!! I guess its a problem with their cheap magnatrons or something, I wasn't the only one to get burned by them. They won't fix it either.
To replace it I got an LG and it works great. I don't recall when we installed it, I'm guessing 5 years at least. It gets a LOT of use too, a minimum of 5 or 6 things are cooked in it every single day between the two adult kidos, my husband, and I. -- My only complaint is that it doesn't clean itself...
To replace it I got an LG and it works great. I don't recall when we installed it, I'm guessing 5 years at least. It gets a LOT of use too, a minimum of 5 or 6 things are cooked in it every single day between the two adult kidos, my husband, and I. -- My only complaint is that it doesn't clean itself...
Even though there are just the 2 of us ours gets used multiple times a day. I just heat stuff up but my wife cooks, pre cooks and thaws stuff out in it. I only clean ours a couple of times a year but it always stays clean - one of the perks of having a wife :wink2:
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