one unit microwave/oven, microwave bellies up

[trud]

Sigh. There's a one unit microwave/oven in my kitchen and the microwave has started intermittently making a loudish kind of humming noise. It still seems to work, but my concern is a possible fire hazard?

This is thirty years old, so it's certainly done its job, but the new things cost an arm and a leg, and judging from other appliances I've replaced in the last few years I would be surprised if a new one lasted a year without problems. I know I can just get a countertop microwave, but it offends my sense of order to have a broken item in the kitchen, plus I don't have a lot of extra countertop space.

Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable not too horrendously priced replacement unit? This time I would get two separate things. Or anything illuminating to say about the microwave behavior? It's a GE, but GE repair has gone into the bit bucket, in my experience, if they could even get to the innards.

Thanks.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. Given the age of yer existing micro wave oven

I would think you would find it most interesting doing a little research about micro wave ovens in-so far as the changes. Just having taken a look at consumer reports on micros, I see manufactures are considering making those ovens with energy star ratings.

Consumer reports is a good a place as any to do a little research .If you were to pay somewhere between $200.00 and $400.00 for a under the cabinet mount or over the stove mount -you would most likely get more like five years out of it more or less dependent upon how much you use it.

The $100.00 or just under counter top type -you know just under $100.00 or $119.00 with a extra bell and whistle -or $59.00 -those are the type that last about a year in frequent usage .Some people actually buy those knowing they won't last because they like to change them out !

I think you would find it most interesting finding out what the newer models can do. About $ 400.00 on a good one that will last. $200.00 will get you a good one too.

Get out there and take a look at what new wave micro wave cooking is all about , it might be a fun adventure.
I always figure the best part about shopping around is procrastinating !

If yer after quality ,you want the best possible price. The best time to buy guide can be of assistence along that line in it.


Good Luck !

[Warpy]

2. Don't knock the cheap microwaves, they've gotten much better

I have a $35 oven from Target that has been going strong for six years. It's been in daily use. The cheapo I had before it lasted for 15 years. As long as the door latches securely, the keypad still works, and the magnetron fires up, it's safe and will work despite its age.

While I doubt the cheap ovens would hold up in a busy pub specializing in "ding-ding food," they're sturdy and reliable enough for home use.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

3. I don't doubt that Warpy

I am not all that up on micro waves although I have installed quite a few of the over the stove or under the cabinet type. I always figured the zapper cooks it quick-good fer warming up coffee or cooking frozen dinners-or reheating .

But people tell me the good ones or the more expensive ones-you can really cook with them. They say when you are concerned about taste you move up scale. I always figured you sacrifice some of flavor for the quickness in the process of micro waving foods. I recall cooking a stake in those old 30 year old micros-at that time it was fascinating-but it did not equal the pan fried steak -not even close! Maybe that was a little more than 30 years ago !

But they tell me micro waves have come a long way.

Was just reading about that in consumer reports, Actually I very recently installed a fairly expensive micro wave under the cabinet mount -with exhaust fan. -had to install the exhaust as well. the woman of the house was explaining to me how much she uses the micro-relys on it cooking large family meals-she said it is as important as the conventional oven and stove.

I doubted the flavor-she told me to look into micros -up scale.

Can't hurt to read about it right ?

I don't know about $600.00 or more fer one of those-but if I were a cook or a chef-maybe it's not so much to pay.

[trud]

4. what I'm doing

I talked to the GE Answer Center. They said probably the repair guy could access the innards through the control panel, and no fire hazard, so I am using it until it really breaks. Then I'm trying the repair and if that fails, I'm shelling out $100 or less for a countertop microwave.

Good news according to the Answer Center is as of Jan 2012, GE is moving its appliance manufacturing back to the US.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

5. That is good news.

Actually from my experience and from talking with appliance repair people, the GE is what you call service unfriendly,particularly dishwashers in replacing the pump and seal. But GE items rarely wear out or when they do such as yers, it's like 30 years old. That is a long time for a appliance to remain in service. dishwashers -15-25 years old-that is a long time for a dishwasher to hold up.

Glad to know GE is on the return.

Take a maytag or a Kenmore for example- those appliances are easy to work on-or what you call service friendly. You might pay $100 more for a GE but what yer buying is last-ability.

since the overseas thing -the test of time stats. are unclear.

Say the difference between 5 years and 15 years or more.

Thats good information you came back with.

thanks !

[trud]

6. unfortunately

while made in the US GE appliances used to last forever, the quality has gone way downhill. My family used to always buy GE, but I got a terrible dryer and a badly designed frig and dishwasher from them in the last decade. (It took me a long time to break the GE habit.) Plus their repair service has degraded.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

7. That is also good information

and says a lot about why the stats. are unclear.

[trud]

8. repaired

A good appliance place recommended a good independent repair place. All fixed. About $80 for the first service call to diagnose the problem and $25 for a part plus no charge for the return visit to install it. It was the stirrer motor.

For people in RI, the repair guys were Rinfret.

[Paper Roses]

9. Lucky you could have it fixed. Mine is giving up now.

It is an old, small Sharp with Carousel. It is built in(properly vented), I use it daily. It now stops in the middle of a cycle. I want to buy a new one but I have a maximum of 17 1/2 inches width to work with. A real pain trying to find one of the right size.

[dgibby]

10. I had the same problem with a double wall oven.

An odd size, smaller than usual, so of course, finding a replacement that would fit into the cabinet was impossible. The house is about 50 years old, the oven was a Martha Washington (I think Martha actually used it back in the day!).
I ended up replacing the wall ovens and counter top cook top with an electric glass top GE that I found 2nd hand. Seems the lady that moved into that house wanted stainless steele, not white enamel, so I got it for next to nothing. Now the old cabinet is a new shelving unit, so that added lots of storage space to the kitchen. I wish she had a refer and over the range microwave that she didn't want, either, but I'm sure I'll be able to find them at Habitat or some other resale store, or maybe an auction.

Good luck finding the right sized microwave.