Anyone into microwaves??

[servisslimline]

hi guys its my first ever thread on the super fourm, i see different people post here more than on the other fourms and i was just wondering if anyone else is into microwaves and what microwave you have, thanks
phil

 

[austinado16]

Definately!

Welcome!
We've got an Amana Radarange crowning the entrance to the kitchen. It was my wife's in college, and her parents purchased it from a used appliance place, so she could have it with her at school.

Rescued a very early model last year and a collector in NY purchased it for a movie, and then kept it for himself.

I've also got an Amana Radarange Touchmatic II for sale. (actually have 2 and one's spoken for)

 

[iheartmaytag]

"If it doesn't say Amana, It's not a Radarange

My goodness what a Microwave these were.

Bad Raytheon, bad, bad Raytheon. Mow all you can find is "made in china" or "made in Korea"

 

[brisnat81]

The Amana's might be made OS, but the topline Panasonic stuff is still made in Japan.

I think the TOL Sharp stuff is too. Are there any brands that are made in the US/Japan?

Mum's 25yo National Panasonic has just been retired to overflow status, and she's got a new Made in Japan Panasonic Convection Oven the same as ours. Other than the invertor technology making the new one lighter, it still feels solid and the door closes with a satisfying clunk.

 

[austinado16]

My goodness what a Microwave these were.

I'll say.....80lbs and 1500 watts of chrome, stainless and magnatronic goodness!!

 

[hoover1100]

Amana Radaranges! (L)

They just look amazing, all that chrome, they look so strong and heavy. I'd LOVE one, but I don't think they were sold here

I'll just have to admire from afar I guess.

Matt

 

[austinado16]

Here's an interior shot for our friend in the UK...cheers!

The Touchmatic II's had a tempurature probe (which I have new-in-box) for cooking to a specific tempurature. You can see the jack for it on the right side wall.

 

[supersurgilator]

Yes love microwaves here. I would love to find a Frigidaire unit like my high school had. It was a basic 80s model, nothing fancy, 30 minute dial timer, with another dial for defrost, or high power. It did look cheaply made, but the works of it were solid and it survived a lot of heavy abuse.
On that note I am thrilled that Frigidaire has FINALLY started making countertop microwaves again. They aren't on the website, but bestbuy and a couple of local stores carry them. There are only 2 models, and I would love to have one.

 

[vacbear58]

Actually they were ....

Matt,
They were sold here at least back in the early 1970s, long before microwaves gained mainstream popularity in the early 1980s. Dont recall Amanas in the late 1970s, but Tappen models were quite widly available, both under their own brand name & re-badged as Moffat. Most of the early models were re-badged Japanese models, although Philips were also quite widly available too, they did not appear to be Japanese as their design was not replicated elsewhere. I bought a Moffat Microwave in 1981 but that was stolen and I replaced it with a Moulinex model which again did not appear to be replicated elsewhere. When I bought it in 1982 it was £150, about the cheapest you could find at that time. Worked fine though and I kept it for 10 years before passing it on
Al

 

[petek]

Chromalicious

Here's my Radarange which I can never remember the model#, with the Cookmatic Power Shift.
Cory may know.. is the power shift on this an inverter? It doesn't "cycle" like other microwaves when you lower the setting so that's why I'm wondering.

 

[cfz2882]

i have a few

here's mine:
1970 radarange(westinghouse branded)
1979 tappan
1980 litton
1980 radarange
1981 litton
1982 radarange
1984 hotpoint(DD)
1993 tatung mini
all are u.s. made except the taiwanese tatung

 

[rp2813]

My parents gave my sister and I microwaves for Xmas in 1980. They were big Panasonics with temp probes and turntables, but only 750 watts. I think model NE7720 or something like that. I do still have the hardcover cookbook/owner's manual for it.

I really wanted a RadarRange. I went back to the store where they bought the Panasonics and pursued an exchange for a RadarRange but the guy there talked me out of it, pointing out why the Panasonic was a better machine and a better buy. I figured he had to be leveling with me, because the Amana cost more. The Panasonic did serve me well and I'd still have it if it would have fit anywhere in our current kitchen, but I have always loved the look of the RadarRange from that era better than any of its contemporaries.

 

[petek]

If microwave ovens were cars, the Radarange would be a 59 Cadillac.

 

[austinado16]

I was thinking a 53 Cadillac ;-)

Growing up we had one, possibly a Litton or Tappen, with a stainless interior and you could put metal inside. I can remember my dad sticking his coffee mugs inside with the spoons still in the mug, and hitting the Nuke button.

He worked for a kitchen cabinet/appliance distributor, so we all of the latest and greatest appliances in our home. He used to show off the Waste King 1/4hp disposer by throwing a hand full of coins down it, while it was running. It wouldn't jamb and would just keep running and start spitting out bent coins.