Let's talk.... microwaves?

[Fluelikesymptoms]

You all have one, many have shop microwaves.

What do you guys use, I'm having a difficult time finding on that doesnt die every year.

My main "feature" I am looking for is something that wont give out. I

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've been using the same one for 30 years so I can't help. I see them at almost every garage sale I go to; if it were me, I'd grab one of those for $10 or $20 and if it died I'd just get another one at the next garage sale.

 

[Wamsutta]

The old transformer based microwaves would last forever. These days with everything being so electronic and inverter based, you had better buy an extended warranty. If I was shopping for one today, Panasonic would be the one I bring home.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Get a $50 or 60 unit from Walmart, when you take the top off ,they all have the same cheap junk on the inside.
We purchased a $300 stainless commercial unit for our bus drivers,it lasted about 45 days. It looked like a great unit, stainless inside,but when I pulled the cover I was amazed at the same cheap components as all the others.

 

[General Geoff]

I have been using the same microwave for 20 years, Panasonic something. 1300W. It stopped working last year, took it apart and found a burnt-out Omron switch in the door lockout safety circuit. Picked up a couple of spares for $5 on Mouser, I figure the unit will last another 20 years easy. Everything else inside the unit looked brand new.

 

[MushCreek]

We have a Panasonic Inverter model, and if it dies, I'll run right out and buy another. Instead of cycling on and off for lower power settings, it actually reduces the power. Best MW I've ever used. It has one oddity- no light when you open the door. It has a light; just not when you open the door. It would be perfect if not for that.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

We have a Panasonic Inverter model, and if it dies, I'll run right out and buy another. Instead of cycling on and off for lower power settings, it actually reduces the power. Best MW I've ever used. It has one oddity- no light when you open the door. It has a light; just not when you open the door. It would be perfect if not for that.

Can you tell me how long yours has lasted so far. I was considering one but keep seeing others say theres gave out after like 8 months

I'm currently leaning towards Panasonic, sharp, or toshiba. I'm trying not to overthink, but still want to make the best of the dollars

 

[MushCreek]

We've had it for four years, and use it every day. I've read bad reviews, too, but I guess we got a good one.

 

[seber]

My first one was a Litton (maker of Whilpool). It lasted 35 years. The next was a Panasonic inverter with all the bells and whistles. It went 15 years. I replaced it with the exact same model.

 

[Packard V8]

The old transformer based microwaves would last forever.

My first one was a Litton (maker of Whilpool). It lasted 35 years.

Amana's Radarange, introduced in 1967, was the first compact microwave oven made for home use. They were built like tanks. I've never known one to fail.

jack vines

 

[dogdog]

Not old transformer or New Inverter...

You'll probably needed one of those commercial microwaves the ones design for pantry in business.... or cafeterias...


https://www.webstaurantstore.com/14351/commercial-microwaves.html

 

[Air21]

Amana's Radarange, introduced in 1967, was the first compact microwave oven made for home use. They were built like tanks. I've never known one to fail.

jack vines

The industrial designer behind the Amana Radar Range is a member of my EAA Chapter, the microwave story is a pretty wild one. The prototype didn't have any glass in the door so you could smell the food cooking!

 

[rshadd]

I replaced my mid 90's Sharp Carousel microwave oven that died with newer model Sharp Carousel a few years ago. Well, the replacement lasted less then a month before the display died. I took back to the store and exchanged it and that one died after month.

I replace it with a Breville Quick Touch and it's been working great. I love how the knob controls work, so much easier and faster than tapping buttons. I also love that you can choose to have the clock not display.... Like I really need another clock in my kitchen to try to keep in sync with the others.

 

[Bert_]

Amana's Radarange, introduced in 1967, was the first compact microwave oven made for home use. They were built like tanks. I've never known one to fail.

jack vines

I've got a mid 70's Radarange. Use it regularly. Built like a tank is right I think it weighs over 50 lbs.

The industrial designer behind the Amana Radar Range is a member of my EAA Chapter, the microwave story is a pretty wild one. The prototype didn't have any glass in the door so you could smell the food cooking!

The metal screen in the door is what keeps the microwaves inside. So I suppose the glass isn't really necessary.

 

[Air21]

Exactly, and the original screen had larger holes but they made them smaller and added the glass so people wouldn't be afraid they were irradiating their families.

The original design was the size of a one car garage meant for mass cooking in hotels and prisons. He was brought over from his department at Raytheon where he worked on Sparrow missiles. Roy thought the giant microwave room was a terrible idea and pointed out the magnetron in a Sparrow was the size of a pack of cigarettes, why not make it countertop size and sell a million instead of maybe six a year!

This guy worked on the original Pocket Fisherman and designed all the original furniture at the Disney resorts in Orlando. He's an amazing dude.



Also, what are y'all using microwaves for in the shop? I saw AvE demonstrate how to nuke metal in one without the sparks, and one engineer friend of mine insists on microwave dried lumber but what do you guys do with it?

 

[Packard V8]

but what do you guys do with it?

Besides heating up lunch?

jack vines

 

[rodder98]

I have a 1987 Samsung microwave that I have in my garage. I bought it new and it's still works great. It only has a mechanical knob to turn, with a timer. No buttons to malfunction

 

[txvwnut]

I bought two GE’s for the break room at the day job. They’re just plain jane waves and the guys haven’t killed them yet.

 

[Citation]

Honestly, if you are going through that many it might be an environmental issue vs the microwaves. I've so rarely experienced a microwave failure. The only one I've ever dealt with was an over the range on in my old house that seemed to run too much current through one of the door switches. I replaced in twice over 8 years (once when I first moved in). I've never had trouble with the cheap, $50 units other than not cooking very evenly.

 

[sberry]

I have a cheap one in my office with a Dial .has re heated like 90,000 cups of coffee. I repaired one piece of plastic in it 15 years ago.

 

[mde8965]

I had a mid 80's Sharp Carousel until about 3 years ago. Starting around the year 2000 we kept replacing it with something newer and supposedly better...but when it invariably died about a year after purchase, out of the shed would come the old Sharp.
We use microwaves in my house A LOT! That old Sharp never let me down once. But it was looking its age. The interior plastics wee yellowed. The exterior dial's chrome was flaked off and the numbers around the dial were gone. We finally decided we just needed to put the Sharp outside with a "free" sign on it. It was gone in about 2 hours.

The microwave we have been using for the last 2+ years is a Panasonic. But not the super fancy one. We had that fancy sh1t before this one. The fancy POS we had was the all silver one with the blue numbers and all of the convection and ****. Paid like $320 for it (wife wanted because it went with all the appliances. First thing went wrong with that one is the door would not close unless you slammed it real hard. I took it apart and somewhat fixed that. Next thing was the light quit. Took it apart again and the actual wiring to the light was loose and hanging. Last thing that happened is it completely died. Took it apart again and the circuit board looked like somebody stuck it inside the microwave and cooked it.

I put in a warranty claim and after some "convincing" they said they would send me a new one (latest model fancy POS). But I told them I did not want that POS, I want a lower model one that just works. Model NN-SN966S I think. Goes for around $180 on Amazon. Has enough Stainless on it to make the wife happy. Works well so that makes me happy too...

 

[Two Sheds]

I have a Sharp Carousel in daily use since 1984. We moved it to the pantry about 2 years ago when my wife wanted something more powerful and stylish. I still prefer the Sharp because it cooks more evenly. And the new one has been returned twice while under warranty.