3/18/09

We need your advice?

On Microwave Ovens you would recommend, or manufacturers.

We had a Panasonic that lasted just over 2 years before deciding to quit on us. So last June we bought a GE brand spending about $90, after deciding not to spend much as they don't last.

Well good decision, because in January (6 months) it quit, and so we returned it to WalMart and they swapped it for the same model. Well now that one has died after just 3 months!!

The Hubster is thinking we'll try a Sharp this time and spend a bit more in the hope of reliability! But we would love recommendations, as the reviews on Amazon aren't great for any of them! So if you have one that's lasted at least 3 years, please let us know the brand?

I do have a suspicion as to what maybe the cause of our microwave grief. I started using those Ziplock Microwave Vegetable Bags about a year ago and they build up alot of steam in the microwave. That was also the last thing I used/cooked in the one that just died! We 'googled' microwave steam bag problems, but nothing came up...but I am going to quit using them and see if the next one lasts awhile, as I wonder about them.

17 comments:

Daryl said...

We have a small Emerson .. we've had it a number of years and it replaced another Emerson that's was over 10 yrs old when it died ... this has a turntable inside that I like since it supposedly helps heat things evenly.

Silverback said...

The 2nd item I bought when I got my house in 1983 was a Sharp microwave oven. The first item was a tv of course !

Anyway the oven is still going strong although, after all this time, the door seals may be gone and I'm probably 'cooking' myself as much as the food these days.

So my advice would be...go Sharp.

Pam said...

we have a ge, but it came w the house...we have lived here almost 3 yrs. so far so good. i don't use the steamer bags tho. this is a microwave/hood thing...so a little more up in price range i'm thinking. i wish i was more help :-/

Troy said...

Our's is a Proline Microchef which we seem to have had forever. Of course now I've written this it will blow up tomorrow.

Unknown said...

LOL Troy, I hope not or I'll feel bad!

tinkalicious said...

Personal experience (20 years plus construction industry) GE. Sharp used to be good, but more recently unreliable. Presumably you are considering the over the stove type, make sure you get the highest wattage available also.

The Antiques Diva™ said...

I've no recommendation for you but I am certain my German comrads would say you can't go wrong Miele or Bosch! When I bought my microwave at Darty 10 years ago (a Samsung) and it broke shortly after I purchased it, the warranty repairman informed me that my microwave door broke because I didn't "gently" close the door!!! While I thought it was a joke, I started closing the door softly and its worked for 9 1/2 more years!

By the way, Brit Gal, I need your vote - should my husband beard or not beard?

Toma

Lou said...

My little Kenwood 'Homemaker' was a 21st (1986) present from my mum and it's still going brilliantly. In fact it still even looks brand new. What a bargain!

Almost American said...

We had a Sharp that we absolutely loved - had all the features we wanted, and they had put the controls in the door so it ended up slightly narrower than comparable microwaves (i.e it took up less counter space.) Unfortunately, it didn't survive the move to a new house - the display stopped working, and we began to realise that it wasn't heating things properly anymore :-(

There was a GE built-in at the new house - it's 11 + years old now and unfortunately still going strong. I say unfortunately because it doesn't have a turntable.

As for cooking veggies - we have a Tupperware microwave veggie steamer that gets used almost every day and we love it. It was a great investment! I'm sure it has to be cheaper in the long run than buying the veggies in a microwaveable bag!

Expat mum said...

If you really want to upgrade, I recommend my GE Advantium with speedcook. That thing is bloody amazing and cooks things really well in about half the time, as well as microwaving of course.
In our old house, we had a microwave burnout and the repair man said he doesn't recommend over the stove situations because the heat melts the wires. Maybe that the same with the vegetable steaming bags?

Kay said...

I had two microwaves in Illinois that really lasted a long time. I'm surprised you've had such problems with yours. Unfortunately, I don't remember what brand they were. Good luck!

Pat said...

We've had a Kenmore for 3 or 4 years; inexpensive, no problems. I cook vegetables in it and always make my mug of tea in it.

Anonymous said...

Can't help much, other than to say Mum's had 2 Sharp micros over the last 25 years, the first for 15 years and the second for 10. Of course this is in SA.

We have a Salton here, which is going strong after 17 months.

Good luck with the next one and I think no more steaming is probably a good idea. Electricals generally don't like moisture.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

We've had good luck with SHARP...

Good Luck!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Thank you everyone for your input, we have ordered a Sharp from Amazon.

Srg said...

I think you'll like your new Sharp. We've had ours for 9 years now and it still works great. And I steam a lot of veggies in it. The moisture doesn't seem to bother it at all.

Anonymous said...

We have a Whirlpool for more than five years. I can't remember how long exactly. It still works like new.