Who would you nominate ass the best microwave ever built for home use? And why? I'm curious what everyone likes.
Best Microwave Ever Built For Home Use
- Thread starter Chetlaham
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Litton. It lasted me for almost 25 years of intense daily use. Performed results very evenly. No subsequent microwave I've had can hold a candle to the Litton.
I've had a few since the mid 70s starting with a Toshiba 500 which had a single dial for up to 20 minutes iirc, 500 watts, no turntable. It was built like an Amana RR. A tank. Then got a Litton with defrost, no turntable,one power level. It worked really wel When I met Larry in the 80s and we got our first place we bought a full size GE with probe and auto cook, auto defrost, auto this and that, rack, still no turntable. THere were others in my collection , like a radarange etc, but we didn't really use those. We had the GE as our main mw for a long long time and I would say that it was probably the best performing oven of any I have ever used. It cooked evenly all over without a turntable, the auto cook and auto defrost worked perfectly. When it died I did bring up the Amana from the basement and we used it for a while but I wanted the counterspace for my mixer and the shelf in our cabinetry only holds a compact. I've had a little RCA $59 unit in there since 2010 which gets used umpteen times a day and it hasn't failed yet.
kalanikaau1
Well-known member
The very first, and best countertop microwave oven I've owned was an Amana Radarange Touchmatic II, circa early '80's or so.
It gave us reliable service for 20+ years.
The magnetron on it was very robust, the unit weighed a ton!
It gave us reliable service for 20+ years.
The magnetron on it was very robust, the unit weighed a ton!
<blockquote>
Chet, you’re comparing to run-of-the-mill microwaves you should really broaden your experience. There have been many interesting things made in the world while I’m glad that you find happiness with a cheap Asian built microwave that doesn’t have a turntable. It’s hardly the best microwave ever built for home use.
</blockquote>
Not many microwaves have been in carbon copy production for 40+ years, found in millions of commercial institutions and literally imitated to the front panel lettering by Chinese manufacturers:
https://www.amazon.com/Z-Supply-Com...pf_rd_p=751acc83-5c05-42d0-a15e-303622651e1e&
<blockquote>
All microwaves have some evenness problems. It’s just the nature of having straight line microwave energy bouncing around in a metal box trying to find the food, generally the best most even cooking microwaves are ones that have both turntable and a wave stirrer. It’s definitely beneficial to cook foods at lower powers, especially when just reheating because it gives the food time to even out the temperature and it doesn’t damage food at the edges, etc. from overheating it. This is a must when defrosting.
</blockquote>
Telling me (and your up voters) have never used a commercial microwave oven without telling you've never used a commercial microwave oven. Power level is irrelevant. There is no evening out of temperatures and food doesn't damage around the edges. Everything you describe is a common symptom of most residential grade microwaves- even the ones you call "good". If a microwave despite having both a stirrer and turn table needs to lower power below 1000 watts its not a good microwave and no its not heating anything evenly.
<blockquote>
It’s too bad you can’t come out of your comfort zone enough to ever come and see, the 30 or 40 microwaves we have in our collection there are models that cook from multiple directions at once and of course the collection of micro thermal ovens that are the truly the winners for Speed and even cooking, we have 14 micro thermal self cleaning oven if you really wanna see something that works These are amazing.
</blockquote>
Commercial microwave ovens over 1000 watts also cook from multiple directions, even going as far as firing the cathodes in each magnetron out of phase to achieve a smooth, blended RF output in the cavity. If I had the space and motivation to run another 240 volt circuit I'd go with one of these:
And these are just restaurant startup LARP toys. If cost wasn't an issue there are high volume impingement ovens which put all the above to shame.
https://www.kitchenall.com/merryche...wave-speed-quiet-operation-oven-208-240v.html
The fact you believe you still need to vary power levels tells me not a single one of those 40 microwave ovens in your collection can cook evenly. Which does not surprise me, unless you go into the genuine restaurant world there are no expectations to be met.
The Sharp R-21LCFS provides $1,200 entry level restaurant performance and basic durability (ie stainless steal rust/scratch/chip resistant interior), easy quite close handle and NSF certification at a steal bargain price of only $300. $1,350 worth of selling points for only $300. Unmatched, unbeatable value.
This is in part what happens when perfection becomes a timeless classic, mass produced for years, unchanged.
[this post was last edited: 7/8/2024-19:41]
Chet, you’re comparing to run-of-the-mill microwaves you should really broaden your experience. There have been many interesting things made in the world while I’m glad that you find happiness with a cheap Asian built microwave that doesn’t have a turntable. It’s hardly the best microwave ever built for home use.
</blockquote>
Not many microwaves have been in carbon copy production for 40+ years, found in millions of commercial institutions and literally imitated to the front panel lettering by Chinese manufacturers:
https://www.amazon.com/Z-Supply-Com...pf_rd_p=751acc83-5c05-42d0-a15e-303622651e1e&
<blockquote>
All microwaves have some evenness problems. It’s just the nature of having straight line microwave energy bouncing around in a metal box trying to find the food, generally the best most even cooking microwaves are ones that have both turntable and a wave stirrer. It’s definitely beneficial to cook foods at lower powers, especially when just reheating because it gives the food time to even out the temperature and it doesn’t damage food at the edges, etc. from overheating it. This is a must when defrosting.
</blockquote>
Telling me (and your up voters) have never used a commercial microwave oven without telling you've never used a commercial microwave oven. Power level is irrelevant. There is no evening out of temperatures and food doesn't damage around the edges. Everything you describe is a common symptom of most residential grade microwaves- even the ones you call "good". If a microwave despite having both a stirrer and turn table needs to lower power below 1000 watts its not a good microwave and no its not heating anything evenly.
<blockquote>
It’s too bad you can’t come out of your comfort zone enough to ever come and see, the 30 or 40 microwaves we have in our collection there are models that cook from multiple directions at once and of course the collection of micro thermal ovens that are the truly the winners for Speed and even cooking, we have 14 micro thermal self cleaning oven if you really wanna see something that works These are amazing.
</blockquote>
Commercial microwave ovens over 1000 watts also cook from multiple directions, even going as far as firing the cathodes in each magnetron out of phase to achieve a smooth, blended RF output in the cavity. If I had the space and motivation to run another 240 volt circuit I'd go with one of these:
And these are just restaurant startup LARP toys. If cost wasn't an issue there are high volume impingement ovens which put all the above to shame.
https://www.kitchenall.com/merryche...wave-speed-quiet-operation-oven-208-240v.html
The fact you believe you still need to vary power levels tells me not a single one of those 40 microwave ovens in your collection can cook evenly. Which does not surprise me, unless you go into the genuine restaurant world there are no expectations to be met.
The Sharp R-21LCFS provides $1,200 entry level restaurant performance and basic durability (ie stainless steal rust/scratch/chip resistant interior), easy quite close handle and NSF certification at a steal bargain price of only $300. $1,350 worth of selling points for only $300. Unmatched, unbeatable value.
This is in part what happens when perfection becomes a timeless classic, mass produced for years, unchanged.
[this post was last edited: 7/8/2024-19:41]
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SHARP R-930
I vote for the Sharp R-930 microwave - convection combination.
Not only does it do all things competently, it also has a fire-safe feature. The temperature of the oven cavity is monitored about every 32 seconds. Should a fire occur in the cavity during microwave operation and its cavity temperature rises too quickly, it shuts down, cancels the cycle, closes the air-vent, stops all fans which impedes oxygen infiltration and brings the fire event to a quicker end.
I vote for the Sharp R-930 microwave - convection combination.
Not only does it do all things competently, it also has a fire-safe feature. The temperature of the oven cavity is monitored about every 32 seconds. Should a fire occur in the cavity during microwave operation and its cavity temperature rises too quickly, it shuts down, cancels the cycle, closes the air-vent, stops all fans which impedes oxygen infiltration and brings the fire event to a quicker end.
panasonicvac
Well-known member
I don't think I've ever recalled having a microwave die on us before, at least not in my lifetime. Our two Amana Radarange countertops are still going strong but our Whirlpool over-the-range is slowing down on us. I'd like to have it fix when it breaks cause I like that one more than the two Amanas. But if not, I'd replace it. Our Toshiba is trash, I'd like to get rid of it. I don't know about our High Pointe over at our trailer but I'd like to sell the trailer cause we just don't use it anymore. I also don't know about our GE Spacemaker over-the-range we had at our first cabin but from what I was told, it was a good one. I did however liked the Sharp Carousel countertop at our last cabin the best, that one was my favorite. Our first trailer had a Magic Chef, I thought it was good. And the Dometic made by LG from our second trailer was good as well. We did buy one white countertop microwave for our Disneyland trip at a hotel in 2012, never used it again afterwards but it did had a ridiculously fast turntable. Personally, I'm not a fan of using microwaves. I prefer cooking and reheating things the old fashion way cause I've noticed a difference. But if I had to use a microwave, I prefer over-the-ranges. I like the size capacity, it's also a fan and a light at the same time, and saves a space from a countertop. I don't think it'd matter which one I'd get today because almost all of them are made by the same company Midea.
OTR microwaves are weak for the exhaust function.
I have a Kitchen Aid slim OTR microwave. The exhaust fan is 500 cfm and relatively quiet compared to my previous GE microwave.
Gary
Gary
sharp
I'd vote for Sharp. I believe my dad's old workplace had one.
I'd vote for Sharp. I believe my dad's old workplace had one.
panasonicvac
Well-known member
As much as I'm not a fan of using microwaves, I'll admit that I really do enjoy using Sharps the most. I wished we brought ours home with us when we sold our last cabin, had many fun times with using it. My grandfather has a Sharp at his house and when he goes, I'd love to take it home with me. I wish my great aunt still had hers before she passed, sadly it got replaced but I also did liked that one as well and it was over-the-range which I thought was just almost perfect for me. I say almost cause I'll also admit that black is my least favorite color on a microwave and hers was definitely black (she had a model R1470 down below). My ideal color choice would be either stainless steel like ours or at least white.
cfz2882
Well-known member
mostly 1975-85 American
I kind of collect microwave ovens-have about 30,oldest '68 RR,newest '94 Magic Chef(US made) Several Japanese imports and one 1985 Korean in the mix too.DD used a 1984 GE and liked that one a lot-no turntable,so large items benefitted from being turned halfway through.That GE quit,and a 1983 RR took it's place for now.I liked the side hinged door of the GE better than the bottom hinged door of the '83 RR. The GE will eventually be fixed and rotated back in,or replaced with something else from collection
I kind of collect microwave ovens-have about 30,oldest '68 RR,newest '94 Magic Chef(US made) Several Japanese imports and one 1985 Korean in the mix too.DD used a 1984 GE and liked that one a lot-no turntable,so large items benefitted from being turned halfway through.That GE quit,and a 1983 RR took it's place for now.I liked the side hinged door of the GE better than the bottom hinged door of the '83 RR. The GE will eventually be fixed and rotated back in,or replaced with something else from collection
Best home microwave ovens
We probably never include any over the range microwave ovens, they’re just too much of a compromise. They never make good range hoods, and the microwave oven is compromised too much as well.
Sharp is definitely one of the biggest junk brands in microwave ovens you can see by the picture in reply number 11 what junkie plastic they used.
If you buy an over the range microwave, don’t put it over the range. It’s a big fire hazard. They don’t last very long. If you do much cooking on top your range and it’s even worse over a gas range. In other countries you’re not even allowed to put a microwave oven over range because the fire hazard when something goes wrong on the range top All of a sudden you’ve got 25 pounds of burning plastic in your kitchen not a good thing to have happen. I remember an article about 10 years ago. We’re home insurance companies were thinking of charging people more that had an over the range microwave in their kitchen. I guess nothing happened and they just gave up because they’re so common but every year thousands of homes are destroyed because of the stupid location for a microwave oven.
Microwave ovens always cook more evenly with a turntable and even better yet when they have both a stirrer and a turntable is the best combination.
John
We probably never include any over the range microwave ovens, they’re just too much of a compromise. They never make good range hoods, and the microwave oven is compromised too much as well.
Sharp is definitely one of the biggest junk brands in microwave ovens you can see by the picture in reply number 11 what junkie plastic they used.
If you buy an over the range microwave, don’t put it over the range. It’s a big fire hazard. They don’t last very long. If you do much cooking on top your range and it’s even worse over a gas range. In other countries you’re not even allowed to put a microwave oven over range because the fire hazard when something goes wrong on the range top All of a sudden you’ve got 25 pounds of burning plastic in your kitchen not a good thing to have happen. I remember an article about 10 years ago. We’re home insurance companies were thinking of charging people more that had an over the range microwave in their kitchen. I guess nothing happened and they just gave up because they’re so common but every year thousands of homes are destroyed because of the stupid location for a microwave oven.
Microwave ovens always cook more evenly with a turntable and even better yet when they have both a stirrer and a turntable is the best combination.
John
I prefer Panasonic microwaves with inverter technology. That works much better than cycling on and off on full power. You hardly see the combination of rotating antenna. I prefer a rotating antenna over a turntable.
kalanikaau1
Well-known member
I'd vote for Sharp
I had a Sharp countertop microwave oven, it worked decently, the one thing I disliked about it (and many others) is that you can only program 2 events in automatic cooking mode.
The Panasonic NN-SV79MS which replaced the Sharp allows 3 events to be programmed, I especially like it's very intuitive controls as well.
Being that it's Alexa enabled allows me to remotely monitor it's cooking processes also.
I had a Sharp countertop microwave oven, it worked decently, the one thing I disliked about it (and many others) is that you can only program 2 events in automatic cooking mode.
The Panasonic NN-SV79MS which replaced the Sharp allows 3 events to be programmed, I especially like it's very intuitive controls as well.
Being that it's Alexa enabled allows me to remotely monitor it's cooking processes also.
kalanikaau1
Well-known member
over the range microwave
Why anyone would want one of these is beyond me, besides their location over a hot stove, their feeble exhaust capabilities is a joke.
When my Brother recently remodeled his kitchen, he got rid of his Whirlpool OTR microwave and installed a Wolf exhaust hood over his new Wolf 48" gas rangetop.
Microwave duties are handled by his Thermador built in microwave oven.
Why anyone would want one of these is beyond me, besides their location over a hot stove, their feeble exhaust capabilities is a joke.
When my Brother recently remodeled his kitchen, he got rid of his Whirlpool OTR microwave and installed a Wolf exhaust hood over his new Wolf 48" gas rangetop.
Microwave duties are handled by his Thermador built in microwave oven.
panasonicvac
Well-known member
I haven't had any problems with over-the-range microwaves through my experience. My only downfall with them is the installation, I mean I could easily move a countertop anywhere I'd like whereas over-the-ranges can only be in one spot. I also haven't had any problems with the Sharps that I've used before, in fact my grandfather's is now the oldest microwave that's ever lived in his house and still works like the day it was bought. When I return up there this weekend I'll shows some more pictures of it. If I really had to get a countertop microwave, I'd prefer something like a GE JES2251SJ or anything that's similar to the Panasonic 2.2-cu ft Inverters. I think a Thailand made Sharp Carousel Convection would be too expensive for me and the rest of the Midea made ones I do question about because my Toshiba that's also made by Midea I really do hate.
