Best Microwave Ever Built For Home Use

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Indeed, the best type of microwave oven there is, the above engineered to cooking perfection, all without a silly turn table.

 

Even this $3,199 MSRP GE has a turn table and can't cook well. For $1500 more I can get infinity better cooking through a commercial unit.

 

 

https://www.geappliances.com/applia...ll-Oven-with-Advantium-Technology-PSB9240SFSS
 

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4 rotating antennas (two top, two bottom) and 3 magnetrons. Non combo unit yet similar microwave platform starting at page 32:

 

 

https://www.partstown.com/modelManual/AMA-KFC1_sm.pdf
 

 

If you're willing to test drive introductory yet true, even microwave cooking with 11 power levels far exceeding any residential unit they make a 230 volt 50Hz version of the Sharp R-21LT for under 400 euros:

 

https://comcatsw.com/product/sharp-r21at-2/
 

Several models are offered:

 

https://www.bluebadger.co.uk/mwdownloads/download/link/id/623
 

If you like the way the Sharp R-21LT cooks you can move to more higher end commercial models including convection and impingement models.

 
 
I disagree that turntables are silly. I grew up with two commercial grade Amana countertops with no turntables and had uneven heated areas where alot of times they'd go back in to heat up some more. Same went with my grandparent's vintage Kenmore countertop. Our Whirlpool over-the-range with a turntable does a better job and that's one of the reasons why we got it in the first place. Plus it even has an option to heat without the turntable on. My grandparents then later got a Maytag over-the-range to replace the Kenmore that didn't had a turntable but more like a slide table inside which also does a better job. When I was living at a ranch up in the evergreen state, we had several microwaves including a Panasonic Commercial. My primary microwave was a Panasonic Inverter and was rather impressed by how evenly it heated up, that's one of the reasons why if I had to get a countertop today that it'd be something like a Panasonic Inverter but in 2.2 cu-ft where I can be able to put almost all of my corningware dishes inside. I know with a over-the-range I can fit all of them inside.
 
From my understanding

Both of our Radaranges based on my research are the ones that uses the same parts as the commercial models back then just with extra features on the residential versions like the clock for example. So basically it's like comparing the Speed Queen residential and commercial models with VERY little differences, btw Amana and SQ were once sister companies owned by Raytheon. There isn't anything wrong with ours, they both sound and still work like new to me. Even there's a local sandwich place with commercial Amanas but doesn't fully nuke my sandwiches up evenly. I agree with John that turntables is what made our Whirlpool work better so that's why I couldn't rank the Amanas as the best for me. Had we gotten a Sharp Carousel II or a Panasonic NN-6372AWM instead, we probably would've not gotten the Whirlpool and still had our GE range hood for a bit longer.
 
I'm curious how well radar ranges compare to modern commercial units. I don't have enough experience with radar ranges as compared to menu masters. How are the sandwiches shaped and put inside? Do you know the age, make and model of their Amanas? Microwaves can't penetrate food roughly more than 2 inches, so if the sandwich is many inches thick the insides will remain cold. In such cases power-levels may (key word) help if enough time is given for heat migrate to the center however in those cases I simply open the sandwich up in two halves- cook on high power level- then close the sandwich back up.    

 

Jerome- my Sharp R21LCFS can heat up a fully loaded plate no problem. Nothing gets burned, dried, or bursts. Buy one and don't look back. The turntable is stupid and doesn't work well with towels over the plate, popcorn bags, ect. The flat bottom lets you cook multiple bowls at once:

 

 

 
I usually call in my sandwiches to have them ready so I'm not sure. But the ones they use look like the sames kinds that you can still buy today. I remember before they had a couple of radaranges that were just like one of mine for a long time before slowly switching over to the commercial models. I'm pretty sure those didn't heat evenly either.

Anyways as I mentioned before, here's my grandfather's Sharp again. Still sounds and works like new. I think tomorrow I'm going to deep clean it cause I don't know if it's ever been done before or not. But unfortunately it is rusting a little bit. That's one of the reasons why I'd love to claim this so I can retire it. I know I said I prefer over-the-ranges but if I had to pick as what the top of the thread says best built microwave for home use, I think I ought to pick this one to be honest because it does better than both of my Amanas and probably the microwave that was here before the Sharp which my best guess was an Amana as well but that was a long time ago where I doubt my grandfather ever remembers

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Over the years I've never had a microwave die on me...never....but this is the longest I've lived with the same one. Moved into house Sept 2004... so appraching 20 years with this one. Still looks new inside although the first year I chipped the turn table slightly but I can't remember how I did it...It doesn't operate any differently than it always has.... I honestly don't know what happens when a microwave starts to die... I've never experienced it... Does it just stop working or is it like a slow process?

anyway - this one has been great and used a lot... the oven below is the same age

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2 failures I had,both with heavily used '84 GE were clock worked,but no action when start button pushed:1st incident was after lightning strike on power line-replaced PC board with one from junked unit.2nd incident,about a decade later has not been investigated yet.
 
What goes wrong with microwave oven?

All kinds of things, most common problem is it will die completely a bad fuse or thermal fuse second most common problem. The magnetron will die and it just won’t produce microwave energy.

Over-the-range models often just get to be in very bad shape from all the grease and steam from below it attacking the plastic handles break off plastic trim breaks and falls off and the membrane touch control and fail.

More minor problems are turntable stop rotating lightbulbs burn out sometimes some of the digits go out on the keypad. Sometimes the fan motors are stir. Motors make very loud noises at least 100 things can go wrong.

The impressive thing is with such good quality control and manufacturing today. Many people can have them for 20 years with nothing going wrong helps if you take care of things.

John
 
Lol,, it ain't no lightweight !!

Also,, thinking about it it's THE best "thing" I've ever owned..
The most reliable, longest lasting "thing"...
I own older stuff that's still going strong but those things have needed attention-repairs over the years.
The Tappan asks NOT.... :)
 
Ever since I got my first Panasonic 1300 watt Inverter, that's all I'll buy. Imagine being able to thaw chicken or beef without cooking it at all. The power levels are actually variable, instead of turning on and off for different amounts of time..

The first one I had lasted 12 years, and was replaced with a new 1200 watt model in 2021, due to parts availability during the pandemic. The old one was repaired last year with a new magnetron for $31 from Ebay. I now have a spare.
 
I've had 2 microwaves die, both GE. One lasted 11 years and the other 10 years. Both died the same way as follows:

Microwave suddenly gets loud out of nowhere then smell smoke. Always wondered what caused that but my guess is the magnetron.
 
Microwave oven magnetron failures

Other than occasional fuse or door switch, the magnetron is the number one failure of a microwave oven. That’s been used a good bit.

The magnetron is still an expendable part with a filament in it. They don’t last forever just like picture tubes and old television sets, they have a finite life

The good news is Magnatron are fairly inexpensive and they’re easy to install most microwaves so if you really like your microwave, consider replacing the magnetron if it goes bad.

Magnetrons have become less durable as the wattage has increased because the magnetron has not been increased in size , they are pushing them harder to get more watts out of it so they don’t fast as long as they used to.

John
 
The beauty is multi magnetron commercial units drive their magnetrons at less power. For example, a 1200 watt dual mag unit only puts out 600 watts per magnetron vs 1000 watts. I wish home microwaves did the same. Two mags, two wave guides, two antennas. Home microwaves ought to be built for 30 years of service for a family of 5. And by family of 5 I mean not just daily re-heating but cooking whole chickens, casseroles, platters, through the week.
 
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If you need more cooking time, there is this model for $365:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Medium-Duty-...-b35be8d597a7&ref_=pd_hp_d_btf_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
 

 

If you need cooking time + power levels + multi stage cooking there is this model for $500:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00345V43...lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&smid=A2Q1K7P9UYD1V2
 

 

All 3 models I listed are the same superb even heating. Only difference are the choice of controls. All 3 models feature NSF certification, all stainless steal rust and chip resistant easy wipe down design, spacious cavity that can accommodate 4 bowls or a large dinner plate, easy squeeze door handle, flatbed design, oversized precision wound transformer, durable construction, vent splash guards, real direct cavity venting, gentle sounding fan, full size relay switching, pawl triggered micro-switches, full length back leg rail, fully serviceable design, ample easily obtainable repair parts, top manufacturing quality and control- just to name a few of the many distinct, unsurpassed features.  

 

I encourage you to read the reviews, they all mention even heating and the stellar commercial quality for the price. These microwaves also have some of the lowest returns of any purchase. Many report falling in love, not expecting such stellar performance to the point of sheer perfection. You will come to realize just how uneven every other microwave in existence truly is.

 

 

 
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Very evenly and very efficiently.

 

 

I've fallen so deep in love with my Sharp R-21LCFS that nearly all my meals have become microwavable. When I go shopping its all frozen or ready to heat, I don't cook anymore. Meal prep time has become so enjoyable for me. Time and no clean up is also an added plus in all this.

 

Can you link me the casserole thread?

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