launderess
Well-known member
Don't know why, just need something new and different to shake things up.
Any tips?
TIA
Any tips?
TIA
Am Getting The Itch For A Vintage Amana Radarange
- Thread starter launderess
- Start date
Wasn't it not long ago you had your current microwave, a Sharp I believe, fixed? Is it acting up or are you just looking for a new experience? You definitely typify this group...
I remember my aunt had one, it was a workhorse. Only thing I would be a bit wary of if that over time the magnetron tube's output drops and it takes longer to cook, may or may not be an issue.
I remember my aunt had one, it was a workhorse. Only thing I would be a bit wary of if that over time the magnetron tube's output drops and it takes longer to cook, may or may not be an issue.
austinado16
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2009
- Messages
- 617
95lbs and 1500 watts of chrome and stainless goodness
We've been using one as our daily driver for 17 years. My wife's parents purchased it for her from a used appliance store, when she went away to college. That was in '87 and the microwave is a 1980 model. It was the first "vintage" appliance to go in our kitchen and we actually had a special cabinet built to hold it. This is ours, an RR-7 or 8 if I remember correctly:
I've since saved and found homes for 3 more;
One was a very early model like this. An RR-4 I believe. A collector in NY purchased it, used it in a movie, and then kept it for himself. It was very cool with it's basic rotary knob controls. It looked like this one:
The other 2 were the Touchmatic II's with the huge touch pad controls on the front that aren't really buttons, just areas you touch. One of those went to a forum member here, and the other one is now in the Bay Area.
We've been using one as our daily driver for 17 years. My wife's parents purchased it for her from a used appliance store, when she went away to college. That was in '87 and the microwave is a 1980 model. It was the first "vintage" appliance to go in our kitchen and we actually had a special cabinet built to hold it. This is ours, an RR-7 or 8 if I remember correctly:
I've since saved and found homes for 3 more;
One was a very early model like this. An RR-4 I believe. A collector in NY purchased it, used it in a movie, and then kept it for himself. It was very cool with it's basic rotary knob controls. It looked like this one:
The other 2 were the Touchmatic II's with the huge touch pad controls on the front that aren't really buttons, just areas you touch. One of those went to a forum member here, and the other one is now in the Bay Area.
MMMM chromalicious
Radarange
There's always EPay.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Retro-A...371?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad745e7ab
There's always EPay.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Retro-A...371?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad745e7ab
Touchmatic
I feel the same way; I just wanted a Radarange, so I bought one last summer. Mine came from the Detroit area and cost $5. My parents had the model with the dials, which I liked, but I wanted to try the push-button model.
It works great. It is very big and very heavy. I'll keep it for a backup in case our over-the-range microwave dies, and maybe use it in my office to heat up my coffee.
I feel the same way; I just wanted a Radarange, so I bought one last summer. Mine came from the Detroit area and cost $5. My parents had the model with the dials, which I liked, but I wanted to try the push-button model.
It works great. It is very big and very heavy. I'll keep it for a backup in case our over-the-range microwave dies, and maybe use it in my office to heat up my coffee.
My neighbors the Wilsons had an Amana RadarRange they got in '77 or '78 until about 3 weeks ago. It just stopped working, so they went out and bought a new Frigidaire micro/convection combo. I told them it would likely not last anywhere as long as the old one.
austinado16
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2009
- Messages
- 617
You should grab that non working Amana
It's probably got a safety switch that the door pushes on, that's either gone out of adjustment, or the door isn't pushing on it hard enough.
The RR-4 that I had was like that. I simply adjusted the door and it worked perfect again.
It's probably got a safety switch that the door pushes on, that's either gone out of adjustment, or the door isn't pushing on it hard enough.
The RR-4 that I had was like that. I simply adjusted the door and it worked perfect again.
launderess
Well-known member
Wasn't it not long ago you had your current microwave, a
Don't you speak to me about that stupid Sharp microwave! *LOL*
Last Saturday it started vibrating and making a god awful noise, which upon online research pointed to the magnetron.
Since the darn thing was essentially rebuilt less than two years ago, am not a happy camper.
Spoke to the repair service that did the work, was told while they "stand behind their work" and so forth neither they nor I can understand why an new magnetron has failed so soon. To be fair repair service did state they have had to replace such things on barely one year old microwaves.
Sharp discontiuned the original magnetron part number some time ago, so not sure if the part installed was the new replacement, or sub.
Anywho as we have been having a spate of hot and humid weather this week, using the gas oven and stove was not on the cards. As one had given the Sanyo microwave (purchased to hold us over until the Sharp came back from repairs), to Mama for her church, was without a unit for several days.
Nabbed a Panasonic "Inverter" model built in 2000, off CL to keep sanity until things are sorted out with the Sharp.
As for Radaranges, kind of like their styling and almost bullet proof build. Also like the no nonsense way they operate. It seems new microwave ovens today are like most appliances, big on fluff and lacking in quality. All have warranties of one year only on parts/labour, and one is lucky to get that much out of them, at least according to what people have posted.
There was an Amana Radarange someone on Long Island was almost giving away on CL early this year, but never heard back so guess it was sold.
Only thing have been able to find as a "negative" against older microwaves is that some built before 1980's (when Congress mandated certain safety) can leak radiation.
Don't you speak to me about that stupid Sharp microwave! *LOL*
Last Saturday it started vibrating and making a god awful noise, which upon online research pointed to the magnetron.
Since the darn thing was essentially rebuilt less than two years ago, am not a happy camper.
Spoke to the repair service that did the work, was told while they "stand behind their work" and so forth neither they nor I can understand why an new magnetron has failed so soon. To be fair repair service did state they have had to replace such things on barely one year old microwaves.
Sharp discontiuned the original magnetron part number some time ago, so not sure if the part installed was the new replacement, or sub.
Anywho as we have been having a spate of hot and humid weather this week, using the gas oven and stove was not on the cards. As one had given the Sanyo microwave (purchased to hold us over until the Sharp came back from repairs), to Mama for her church, was without a unit for several days.
Nabbed a Panasonic "Inverter" model built in 2000, off CL to keep sanity until things are sorted out with the Sharp.
As for Radaranges, kind of like their styling and almost bullet proof build. Also like the no nonsense way they operate. It seems new microwave ovens today are like most appliances, big on fluff and lacking in quality. All have warranties of one year only on parts/labour, and one is lucky to get that much out of them, at least according to what people have posted.
There was an Amana Radarange someone on Long Island was almost giving away on CL early this year, but never heard back so guess it was sold.
Only thing have been able to find as a "negative" against older microwaves is that some built before 1980's (when Congress mandated certain safety) can leak radiation.
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
Can't go wrong with a Radarange
Love mine. Wouldn't trade it for any other microwave.
Remember--If it doesn't say Amana, it's not a Radarange!
veg
Love mine. Wouldn't trade it for any other microwave.
Remember--If it doesn't say Amana, it's not a Radarange!
veg
whirlcool
Well-known member
I have found that the newer microwaves cook more evenly than than the older models did.
We have a GE we bought almost two years ago. It cooks far better than the 1994 Kenmore that was here. And that Kenmore cooked much more evenly than the 1976 Litton we had beforehand.
We have a GE we bought almost two years ago. It cooks far better than the 1994 Kenmore that was here. And that Kenmore cooked much more evenly than the 1976 Litton we had beforehand.
I can second what Whirlcool stated. We had a Litton in '76 or so and it was great back then. It lasted for some time, I actually updated the control panel on it when the original one went out, but it met it's demise in the late 80's. It was replaced with a GE over the range version that performed much better and half the price. It was a solid performer until 2004, when it died. Replaced it with a TOL Whirlpool Over the range that browns and grills, and am pretty happy with it. If I was doing it today I'd opt for the 4-1 Maytag, like the one I put in the house I redid. Micro, Convection, regular oven, and Grill or a combination of the above.
I don't think the RadarRange is intrinsically better in any way as compared to today's models, I think if you want one because of it's classic "cool' factor and it does still perform decently, go for it. For performance it's hard to beat today's units, but they are disposable and that is a sad fact.
I don't think the RadarRange is intrinsically better in any way as compared to today's models, I think if you want one because of it's classic "cool' factor and it does still perform decently, go for it. For performance it's hard to beat today's units, but they are disposable and that is a sad fact.
The light switch on our over-the-range Whirlpool stopped working. To fix it you have to replace the entire touchpad, which is a $150 part, plus labor.
A new microwave with the same features can be purchased for around $200. So, yes, unfortunately many new appliances are built to be disposable.
A new microwave with the same features can be purchased for around $200. So, yes, unfortunately many new appliances are built to be disposable.
launderess
Well-known member
Well Yes
As with most other "major" appliances microwaves have gone big on features. This wow factor helps hide the fact one is spending funds on something that often barely out lives the warranty by a few years.
Much as with electronics, don't think one single microwave is produced in the United States. Could be wrong but last time one went looking, most all were made in Asia some where.
My first microwave out of college was a little Litton, which did the job (only one timer knob control, no different power level settings, etc). Used it mainly to reheat things and cook veggies.
Next came the huge Sharp nabbed when local CompUSA stopped selling appliances and was getting rid of stock.
The Sharp had tons of settings, built in turn table, sensors, the whole shabang. But really never got beyond adding chicken or fish meals to reheating and cooking veggies.
IIRC, Amana's Radarange's claimed to have a patented fan design that distibuted waves for even cooking without a turn table.
Purchasing a Radarange on eBay is just too risky. The things weigh nearly 100lbs and have to be packed *very* carefully. It is not something you can throw in any old box found off the street with a few sheets of yesterday's newspaper as wrap/padding.
As with most other "major" appliances microwaves have gone big on features. This wow factor helps hide the fact one is spending funds on something that often barely out lives the warranty by a few years.
Much as with electronics, don't think one single microwave is produced in the United States. Could be wrong but last time one went looking, most all were made in Asia some where.
My first microwave out of college was a little Litton, which did the job (only one timer knob control, no different power level settings, etc). Used it mainly to reheat things and cook veggies.
Next came the huge Sharp nabbed when local CompUSA stopped selling appliances and was getting rid of stock.
The Sharp had tons of settings, built in turn table, sensors, the whole shabang. But really never got beyond adding chicken or fish meals to reheating and cooking veggies.
IIRC, Amana's Radarange's claimed to have a patented fan design that distibuted waves for even cooking without a turn table.
Purchasing a Radarange on eBay is just too risky. The things weigh nearly 100lbs and have to be packed *very* carefully. It is not something you can throw in any old box found off the street with a few sheets of yesterday's newspaper as wrap/padding.
brisnat81
Well-known member
Laundress, you rejected replacing the Sharp last time, because of the auto features that you frequently used? Will that be a problem with an older machine?
The Panasonic's from the early 80's all had sensor cook and one touch reheat, maybe one of those could do the trick.
If not, the large Panasonic Microwaves/convections are still made in Japan and the quality is right up there. Have said that, you pay through the nose for the privlege.
The Panasonic's from the early 80's all had sensor cook and one touch reheat, maybe one of those could do the trick.
If not, the large Panasonic Microwaves/convections are still made in Japan and the quality is right up there. Have said that, you pay through the nose for the privlege.
launderess
Well-known member
Actually Am Kind of Growing To Like The Panasonic
This model was built in 2000, and made in China, but is still a pretty soild little unit.
Though the Sharp was from the same year, this unit does a few things differently.
While it does have "sensor cook" the items are listed via numbers. On the Sharp one merely choses a category (Lunch on the Run, Beverages, Fish, Poultry and so forth), then key in servings and a make a few other choices. For instance poultry one had to tell the unit much it weighed, and if it was boneless or bone in.
The Panasonic one only choses the food, and if you wish "more" or "less", the unit does the rest.
Found it odd the Panasonic has no sensor setting for frozen veggies, just fresh. We eat allot of the former, so am learning a walk around. Instead of having to program time and power settings, I use the setting for frozen dinners, and hit "less" time.
Many of my aunts have "older" microwaves in their kitchens, so am used to units without sensor cooking or what not. Kitchen duty on the major holidays revolves around feeding the men and children, so one is always reheating something...
While one really likes the looks of the Amana Radarange, perhaps will wait for a local microwave/convection oven to turn up. This way can go whole hog on the "interesting" bit and live life to the fullest.
Will play around with the Panasonic whilst one decides what I can't and cannot live with/abide microwave oven wise.
Heard Tappan made a mean microwave back in the day. As did General Electric. Oh the choices.
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...es/Microwave-Ovens/Countertop/model.NN-S560WF
This model was built in 2000, and made in China, but is still a pretty soild little unit.
Though the Sharp was from the same year, this unit does a few things differently.
While it does have "sensor cook" the items are listed via numbers. On the Sharp one merely choses a category (Lunch on the Run, Beverages, Fish, Poultry and so forth), then key in servings and a make a few other choices. For instance poultry one had to tell the unit much it weighed, and if it was boneless or bone in.
The Panasonic one only choses the food, and if you wish "more" or "less", the unit does the rest.
Found it odd the Panasonic has no sensor setting for frozen veggies, just fresh. We eat allot of the former, so am learning a walk around. Instead of having to program time and power settings, I use the setting for frozen dinners, and hit "less" time.
Many of my aunts have "older" microwaves in their kitchens, so am used to units without sensor cooking or what not. Kitchen duty on the major holidays revolves around feeding the men and children, so one is always reheating something...
While one really likes the looks of the Amana Radarange, perhaps will wait for a local microwave/convection oven to turn up. This way can go whole hog on the "interesting" bit and live life to the fullest.
Will play around with the Panasonic whilst one decides what I can't and cannot live with/abide microwave oven wise.
Heard Tappan made a mean microwave back in the day. As did General Electric. Oh the choices.
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...es/Microwave-Ovens/Countertop/model.NN-S560WF
launderess
Well-known member
Panasonic Microwaves
If one goes by online reviews, people either love them or hate these things with a passion. Especially the "inverter" system.
Don't know when Panasonic developed inverter cooking, my microwave only lists "Inverter Turbo Defrost" so not sure if it works all the time.
If one goes by online reviews, people either love them or hate these things with a passion. Especially the "inverter" system.
Don't know when Panasonic developed inverter cooking, my microwave only lists "Inverter Turbo Defrost" so not sure if it works all the time.
Here's the holy grail Im' looking for
austinado16
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2009
- Messages
- 617
That Panasonic is the coolest I've ever seen!
Wow!!! I've never seen one before.
I can't remember the brand of microwave we had in the early 70's but it was large like a Radarange and metal inside. We could put metal objects in it too. My dad would just stick his coffee cup in there with the spoon still in it.
I'm guessing it was a Tappen, because that was a line they sold at the appliance store he work in (Tappen, Waste King, Kelvinator, Char-Glo)
Wow!!! I've never seen one before.
I can't remember the brand of microwave we had in the early 70's but it was large like a Radarange and metal inside. We could put metal objects in it too. My dad would just stick his coffee cup in there with the spoon still in it.
I'm guessing it was a Tappen, because that was a line they sold at the appliance store he work in (Tappen, Waste King, Kelvinator, Char-Glo)
My dad has an RR2 - he had a vending company, and bought some of the first models to heat the food from his sandwich machines. He kept one of them and it's still running. I don't have a photo, but it's exactly like the one in this link:
http://museumcollections.in.gov/detail.php?t=objects&type=related&kv=181444
http://museumcollections.in.gov/detail.php?t=objects&type=related&kv=181444
launderess
Well-known member
Variable Power Setting
Probably has to be one of the most important innovations fro microwave ovens. Couldn't ever go back to "nuking" everything on high ever again.
Panasonic claims it's inverter system which cycles the oven between various power levels, versus simply turning the power level on or off gives better results. Haven't had my unit long enough to see if this is true or not.
Also am not sure if sensor cooking beats out the probes found in many units of old.
Probably has to be one of the most important innovations fro microwave ovens. Couldn't ever go back to "nuking" everything on high ever again.
Panasonic claims it's inverter system which cycles the oven between various power levels, versus simply turning the power level on or off gives better results. Haven't had my unit long enough to see if this is true or not.
Also am not sure if sensor cooking beats out the probes found in many units of old.
hooverwheelaway
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2005
- Messages
- 1,490
Yaaay!
Veg-
The ol' gal looks fab!
Glad to see you're taking such great care of it!
~Fred
Veg-
The ol' gal looks fab!
Glad to see you're taking such great care of it!
~Fred
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
Aside from the broken door spring last year, haven't had a single problem with her.
I love how solid this microwave is. Shutting the door is like shutting a vault!
veg
I love how solid this microwave is. Shutting the door is like shutting a vault!
veg
launderess
Well-known member
Well Thanks To The "Craigslist Searcher" Posted
In another forum, found tons of Radaranges,sadly all way too far from me! *LOL*
Really is a shame that many will end up going to the curb/krusher, but there doesn't seem to be a huge market for these old, big and heavy microwaves.
Methinks the weight is the big thing, something that tips the scales >90lbs in most cases isn't going over the range. Well not without some serious mounting kit.
Think also many consumers have simply grown too used to "sensor" cooking for most things. Having to figure out time and or power levels, versus simply pushing a few buttons maybe is more than some feel it's worth to get a meal or beverage.
In another forum, found tons of Radaranges,sadly all way too far from me! *LOL*
Really is a shame that many will end up going to the curb/krusher, but there doesn't seem to be a huge market for these old, big and heavy microwaves.
Methinks the weight is the big thing, something that tips the scales >90lbs in most cases isn't going over the range. Well not without some serious mounting kit.
Think also many consumers have simply grown too used to "sensor" cooking for most things. Having to figure out time and or power levels, versus simply pushing a few buttons maybe is more than some feel it's worth to get a meal or beverage.
whirlcool
Well-known member
When using cooking controls on microwaves you can tell when it is cooking and when it is not. The light bulb usually goes brighter when off and dimmer when it is cooking.
A microwave magnetron only has two states, on and off. So in order to get reduced cooking, the cook control cycles it on and off. Usually it is represented as percentage of time. 70% power means the magnetron is on cooking for 70% of the selected time. But the microwave refers to this as % of power.
Strange eh,?
Our first Litton had a "vari-cook" control. The markings on it were Low, Medium, High and about 3 or 4 marks between them.
A microwave magnetron only has two states, on and off. So in order to get reduced cooking, the cook control cycles it on and off. Usually it is represented as percentage of time. 70% power means the magnetron is on cooking for 70% of the selected time. But the microwave refers to this as % of power.
Strange eh,?
Our first Litton had a "vari-cook" control. The markings on it were Low, Medium, High and about 3 or 4 marks between them.
brisnat81
Well-known member
Hi Allen,
The newer Panasonic microwaves no longer just cycle the magnatron on and off, the output is variable between about 40%-100% Below 40% mine will cycle the magnatron and off, but at the low power setting rather than 100%
It seems to work well on mine and the continuous magnatron power coupled with the heating element when defrosting usually results in a very quick defrost, without any cooking of the item.
This is the one I have, and it delivers on all the promises they make in the marketing blurb. Luckily I didnt pay anywhere near RRP for it.
The claims they make of the lightness are astounding. The door still closes with a satisfying clunk, but compared to Mum's 30yo model it is easy to lift out for cleaning.
http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=4699
The newer Panasonic microwaves no longer just cycle the magnatron on and off, the output is variable between about 40%-100% Below 40% mine will cycle the magnatron and off, but at the low power setting rather than 100%
It seems to work well on mine and the continuous magnatron power coupled with the heating element when defrosting usually results in a very quick defrost, without any cooking of the item.
This is the one I have, and it delivers on all the promises they make in the marketing blurb. Luckily I didnt pay anywhere near RRP for it.
The claims they make of the lightness are astounding. The door still closes with a satisfying clunk, but compared to Mum's 30yo model it is easy to lift out for cleaning.
http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=4699
Inverter Turbo Defrost
L, your Panasonic has an inverter which works full-time, not only on the defost cycle. My unit has an inverter logo on the center of the bottom of the door. My parents had a medium-size unit bought in around 2002 that had the logo located somewhere else on the unit, but it did have inverter on it. Even though yours has inverterr turbo defrost, it would not make sense to only use that technology for rapid defrost programme.
L, your Panasonic has an inverter which works full-time, not only on the defost cycle. My unit has an inverter logo on the center of the bottom of the door. My parents had a medium-size unit bought in around 2002 that had the logo located somewhere else on the unit, but it did have inverter on it. Even though yours has inverterr turbo defrost, it would not make sense to only use that technology for rapid defrost programme.
bobofhollywood
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 457
I love mine
It's a 1977 or 78 Cookmatic
It's a 1977 or 78 Cookmatic
launderess
Well-known member
It's Official
Panasonic beats Sharp! *LOL*
Though both are from the same year (2000), the technology on the Panasonic blows Sharp out of the water.
Made chicken last night using my Corning microwave "browning dish", and normally one had to go through keying in what sort of chicken (bone in or boneless), weight and so forth with the Sharp. Part way through the cooking the Sharp would stop to remind one to turn whatever one was cooking over or "rearrange", then continue. Even then results weren't always even and one often had to add more cooking time.
Not so with the Panasonic. Simply press "Chicken" on sensor cooking, and that was that. No turning things over or rearranging, and the chicken came out done to perfection.
The "Inverter Turbo" defrost on the Panasonic works a treat as well. Unlike the Sharp you don't have to tell the unit what you are defrosting, just push the button. Again no turning required.
Still am on the look out for an vintage Amana, probably one of the convection/microwave versions. However will contact repair service that worked on the Sharp to see if they will purchase it for parts. As the unit was essentially rebuilt just about a year ago, there is a brand new CPU unit and other goodies that shouldn't just be chucked out. If I put it on the curb those huge "rats" otherwise known as "recyclers" will bash the thing to bits to extract any copper or valuable metals.
Panasonic beats Sharp! *LOL*
Though both are from the same year (2000), the technology on the Panasonic blows Sharp out of the water.
Made chicken last night using my Corning microwave "browning dish", and normally one had to go through keying in what sort of chicken (bone in or boneless), weight and so forth with the Sharp. Part way through the cooking the Sharp would stop to remind one to turn whatever one was cooking over or "rearrange", then continue. Even then results weren't always even and one often had to add more cooking time.
Not so with the Panasonic. Simply press "Chicken" on sensor cooking, and that was that. No turning things over or rearranging, and the chicken came out done to perfection.
The "Inverter Turbo" defrost on the Panasonic works a treat as well. Unlike the Sharp you don't have to tell the unit what you are defrosting, just push the button. Again no turning required.
Still am on the look out for an vintage Amana, probably one of the convection/microwave versions. However will contact repair service that worked on the Sharp to see if they will purchase it for parts. As the unit was essentially rebuilt just about a year ago, there is a brand new CPU unit and other goodies that shouldn't just be chucked out. If I put it on the curb those huge "rats" otherwise known as "recyclers" will bash the thing to bits to extract any copper or valuable metals.
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