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danemodsandy

danemodsandy

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Dec 6, 2006
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I've been looking for an old Amana Radarange- one of the early models with the analog dials. I used to have one (the RR-4D, first Radarange with defrost), and now I cannot seem to find another.

Any pointers on where these beasties might live? I have scoured eBay, Craigslist, Google, thrifts, you name it. For MONTHS. I am interested only in the RR4-D- I need defrost. I occasionally see a Touchmatic, but have no interest in those (I think the Touchmatic panel was the beginning of the end for appliances, the inspiration for today's cheap soft-touch keyboards for everything).

I'm up for leads, advice, etc. Thanks.
 
RR-4D Control Panel

Here's a photo of the RR-4D's control panel- it differs from earlier models in that it has the slider control at the top for the automatic defrost. It also has buttons for Start, Stop, and Light- earlier models didn't have that exact same setup.

3-12-2007-12-42-23--Danemodsandy.jpg
 
I just saw one this past weekend...

in Michigan, in an antique mall in Saugatuck. I don't remember what the controls look like, but the door opened down instead of to the side.

I don't remember the exact name of the store, but I can try and get it for you if you like
 
Hey Sandy,

I think a bit of patience and one of these will pop up for you soon. There was a time when there was a '4' series RR on ebay every other week! Keep looking, and I'm sure you'll stumble across one. If you need any info - take a look at Cory's site. While he has obtained quite a few more units since his last update, there is still a lot of great info on his page.

Ben

http://www.eldocountry.com/radarange/radar.html
 
Thanks!

I'll check it out.

On the off chance that someone doesn't know what I'm NOT looking for, here's a shot of the dread Touchmatic controls. Don't want this. Nonononono. Uh-uh. And feh.

3-12-2007-12-53-4--Danemodsandy.jpg
 
Cory:

Ben:

Thanks! I've been thinking of contacting Cory, but he seems a little overwhelmed with all his projects. He's got a link to our site (Jetsetmodern.com) on his, so maybe it would be okay.
 
I bought one of those a few years ago. It's a 1974 model, and I LOVE it! The knobs light up when it is cooking.
Only one thing I do not like about it. The "done" buzzer is horrible! It has to be one of the loudest and most annoying sound I have ever heard! And it buzzes until the door is opened. Any suggestions on changing this?
 
This site has some information: www.eldocountry.com/radarange/radar.html The owner is evidently just another collector so I don't think he sells them, but maybe it would be a useful site for you.

Those old Radaranges are tough! My sister's Touchmatic lasted 20+ years but did eventually die. I suspect the really early ones are mostly gone because they quit working and got sent to the curb. I do have an old friend with a beautiful matched set of a late round-dial unit and the first Touchmatic. He had the round-dial one for years and toyed with the idea of buying a Touchmatic to go with it, but put it off until he saw the first "flat front" second generation Touchmatic. He totally panicked, and managed to find one of the last old-style Touchmatics to match the round-dial one. No one will get his Radaranges until he is cold and dead . . .

Good luck hunting, you know you will find one eventually!
 
Buzzer:

"it buzzes until the door is opened. Any suggestions on changing this?"

I would suggest putting it farther away from you, so it's not so annoying. Atlanta should do nicely. ;-)
 
I still have my dial model..forget now what it is..I left the Touchmatic behind in Calgary sadly. Our new kitchen only has place for one full size MW and I can't convince my dear other half I'd rather have the RR in here !!! He likes our old GE, and I do as well, but it just doesn't look as nice, plus it's totally totally automatic, probably one of the best sensor mw's ever made.
So right now the radarange is still sitting over at moms garage.. I've been too lazy to drag it over to our garage LOL
 
I've been too lazy to drag it over to our garage LOL

Drag????

More like get a forklift. Those babies were heavy!

I just happened to rescue one out of the neighbor's 'trash'. Was almost as heavy as rescuing the KA last fall.
 
You guys crack me up! eldocountry.com is actually my website (the one Ben linked to above, the one hydralique mentions and the one the pics are lifted from).

The RR-4 and 4D are the last (and most) prevalent of the early analog machines. There is a digital version with analog controls that came out a few years later that's built like a tank, but is a bit more contemporary in appearance.

Sandy, keep an eye on ebay, a 4D will pop up sooner or later!
-Cory
 
Sandy, I'm with you. I've been defending my 27 year old Panasonic NE7720 because my partner wants a new microwave that matches the more modern appliances in our kitchen. I love my Panasonic for the same reason you love the RR you're seeking: it has dials, not touchpads. Just crank and go. I hope I never have to buy a microwave with a touchpad. Came close to agreeing to a brand new Panasonic that has a knob that cranks around like a dial but the display is still digital. A compromise I'll make if I have to, but for now the NE7720 is doing fine. I just need to get it a new belt for the turntable. It also has a temperature probe which apparently is a feature that has been dropped by manufacturers since I haven't seen any connection for a probe inside the cavities of current models.

I received my Panasonic as a Xmas gift from my parents back in 1980. I wanted a RR and went back to the dealer to see about an exchange but he talked me out of the RR and told me how great the Panasonics were. I still like the look of the RR but have to say this Panasonic has lasted longer than I ever expected. I think I've only seen one or two RR's out there like the one you want. They must not turn up very often.

Good luck and I urge all touchpad haters to keep up their boycotts!
 
Ralph:

I'm not so much against touchpads, as I am against cheap, unreliable electronics and poor parts availability that can only be the products of a "planned obsolescence" mentality. Electronics have to be pretty high-grade to be reliable, particularly when the controls they replace were mechanical timers capable of performing for twenty or thirty years.

Shoddy electronics are not permitted in airplanes. In automobiles, they have been made reasonably reliable after a shaky start (there were some horror stories in the late '70s). Why on earth can't appliance manufacturers do the same? And why is the use of electronics a licence to drop parts within all too few years, facing the consumer with the dread "NLA" at the parts counter and forcing him to buy a new appliance?

Electronics- in and of themselves- are not necessarily a bad thing. But human nature has seen to it that they're used in appliances in ways that give the consumer a raw deal. Even the best manufacturers have succumbed to the temptation of replacing quality and substance with "features" nobody really needs made possible only by cheap control boards.

If touchpads were backed up with robust design- not just their own, but in all systems of major appliances- I wouldn't have so many objections. But I refuse to spend hard-earned money on anything that will perform a hundred and one tricks NOW- and none at all in a few years, because there was no quality behind the whiz-bang features controlled by cheap electronics. I had a TOL full-size Sanyo microwave die after only three years like this. Repair costs were going to be more than I paid for the unit. Too bad, because it was a very nice and convenient unit to use.
 
Keep Your Old Panasonic . . .

I have a big and rather attractive three year old stainless steel Panasonic microwave. For years I liked Panasonic stuff because it always seemed well made . . . however the last two Panasonic appliances I've had have been no better than average. The microwave door catch broke after less than two years of use by adults only. In the door assembly there is a tiny ballpoint-pen like coil spring in tension which loads the catch, with one end being on the catch and the other held by a tiny, tiny molded plastic arm sticking out from the inside of the door molding. It just snapped off for no reason. I was able to repair it by drilling a hole in the bottom of the door and using a nylon bolt from an aquarium hood to hold the spring end. For most people, though, the whole micowave would have been on the curb and it profoundly annoyed me to have to fix such a new and never abused appliance. The other Panasonic appliance I've had recently was a breadmaker that lasted two years and then just died. It seems clear to me that the new Panasonic appliances are nowhere nearly as well made as their old bulletproof stuff.
 
RR-10

I use a 1980 RadarRange RR-10 every day. My housemates used to have a POS new "Westinghouse" that, aside from being junk, couldn't perform its tasks reliably. It never heated anything up right, it either incinerated things, or left them cold with nothing in between.
The old Radar Range is consistent in its perfection. It is a touchmatic, but unlike the new microwaves, the buttons on the chrome monster are smooth glass, easy to clean, and you barely have to touch them at all. The food comes out of the Amana just right every time, and if it breaks it will be fixed. A new microwave can be had for $40.00 but considering its performance, that would be a ripoff.

They just had it right the first time,
Dave
 
Old Panasonic is as strong as the RR

Various members of family have between them 5 panasonic Microwaves with Digital controls.

The oldest was bought in 1979 and the newest in 1985.

I've offered to replace my mothers (Purchased in 1984) with a new combination microwave/convection, but she wont have a bar of it.

2 of the 5 have sensor cooking which even at that early stage works great.

The only replacements have been light globes every 2-3 years, otherwise they're all original. Its the design of the electronics that causes failure, rather than the fact that its electronic itself. A good electronic microwave can easily last the 25-30 years.

I spoke to the service agent about having the door seals tested for leakage, and his advice was that the panasonic design was that good, that unless there was a gap between the door and the cabinet, or the door had sagged by more than 5mm then not to bother because they as a rule are always fine.

I've got my eye on a new Panasonic Combination convection/microwave, however I need our horrible LG to fail first.
 

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