Recommend a new conter-top microwave

[good-shepherd]

Looking for new counter top microwave.

Our GoldStar Micro just started making a loud hum with a burning smell after 20 plus years of service.

Any suggestions, either new or vintage for a replacement? Need at least 1000w with a turn table.

-Thanks

 

[supersurgilator]

We've had good luck with Sharp in my family. My grandparents had one for years, my other set of grandparents have one that is now 22 years old. My parents got around 20 years out of their old one and bought another as a replacement. I would suggest getting a larger size than you would think you would need. My parents new one is 1.1 cu ft, the old one was .8, yet the old one was WAY larger than the new one. Probably just due to how they adjust their ratings over the years. I believe all microwaves sold these days have turntables, especially counter top ones. Over the range ones, sometimes have a switch where you can turn it on or off depending on what you are cooking, or if using the warming racks etc.

 

[iowabear]

Most of them seem to be the same, just badged with different brand names with slightly different looking control pads.

 

Several years ago I bought a mid-line Panasonic, it lasted all of 7 months.

 

After that I bought a cheap Kenmore for $60 and it's been going for almost 5 years, although it's starting to rust on the inside.  (I liked it well enough that I picked up another one on sale for $50 to use after the current one dies.)

 

Here's the link to the one I have.  No longer available but other similar models are.  But I don't know if the current models are anything like the ones I have.

 

I would just go with a cheap one. 

https://www.sears.com/kenmore-0.9-cu-ft-countertop-microwave-white/p-02073092000P

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

We currently have a Sharp that's going on 25 yrs. About 6 years ago it died, but it was a simple fix, just replaced a fuse and it was back in service. Last year some sections of the digital display began to fail. So sooner rather than later, I'll be replacing the Sharp, with, well, most likely another Sharp. 

 

[ea56]

We had a Sharp for years that I was very pleased with. Then about two years ago it just wouldn’t heat anymore. I couldn’t find the same Sharp in white, but I did happily find its twin at Home Depot. They carry a 1.1 cu ft. 1000 watt Magic Chef that is the exact twin of the Sharp that had died. I have been using this Magic Chef for over two years and love it! Plus, at $69.98 you can’t beat the price.

Eddie

Magic Chef 1.1 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave in White HMM1110W - The Home Depot

Drain pastas and rice, rinse veggies or decorate your countertop with fruits and citrus in this beautiful Magic Chef ft Countertop Microwave in White.

www.homedepot.com

 

[iowabear]

Kenmore, Magic Chef, Sharp...all look to be the similar.  Compare the control panels, the buttons are just renamed and rearranged.  They look to be sourced from the same manufacturer.

 

I wonder if the internal builds are different.

 

[launderess]

Depending upon usage & needs

That is how many bells and whistles do you need; I'd go onto FB, CL, Offerup, estate/garage sales, etc... and find a good older microwave. Particularly one with low use and in good condition.

Something from late as the 1980's or even early part of 1990's will outlast most any of the rubbish sold today.

Microwave ovens have become a commodity household good. They are largely cranked out by the same several plants (mostly in Asia) under different brand names. Fact like air conditioners you can find them in some store 24s for very little money tells something.

 

[henene4]

As microwaves haven't changed much efficency wise, old and used might just as well be a better optiin then new.

Dunno, but heared that new inverter units are pretty good if you use the microwave for a lot of reduced power cooking. Appear to heat more evenly and gently.

 

[askolover]

I'm partial to Sharps too. Grandmother, mother, and myself...we have all owned multiples over the past 30 years. I had one that is now 21 years old...gave it to MIL because it was white and I wanted to go back to black. The VFD has gone out on it but it still cooks just fine only can't see the display. My current one is a convection/microwave with the stainless interior. It's now 10 years old and still doing fine...knock on wood.

 

[superocd]

That's a hard thing to do

Seems like most of them are produced by Galanz Guangdong, which rusts out so easily and have a tendency to burn out real fast. Back when I was single and out of college I had a Kenmore and then an Oster; both were made by Galanz and both were horrible.

When I switched out my Whirlpool MHC (a decent unit made by Samsung, I just needed a better exhaust fan) for a 600CFM Broan E6436SS range hood, I purchased a Panasonic Inverter 1000W countertop (the model # escapes me) which was produced by Panasonic (I think). The others (Kenmore, GE, Westinghouse, Oster, etc) are mostly the same with just few cosmetic differences and are produced by Galanz. You can tell if Galanz is the OEM simply by looking at the stamping around the oven's cavity opening, there's a groove in each top corner. That was my quick-and-dirty trick I used when I shopped for a countertop micro.

I searched for and uploaded a picture to show you all what I am talking about. The telltale sign that it is made by Guangdong Galanz will be in the grooves in the sheet metal around the upper right and left hand sides of the cavity opening. If you see those, do yourselves a favor and avoid!

 

[fan-of-fans]

My 2003 Kenmore is almost 16 years old and still working. I'm not sure who made it, the inside of the opening doesn't have those grooves. But the control panel looks very similar to the one a few posts up except it's white... it has that same general layout and the display looks the same.

Mine does have the rust problem though, the inside of the door below the window has gotten rusty. I haven't replaced it since it doesn't seem to affect the operation and no one else but us ever sees inside it.

I do expect to have to replace it though because the board seems to be acting up at times... Once in a while it won't beep when the time is up, it just shuts off.

Another time I couldn't get it to shut off. I had put food inside, shut the door and before I pressed any buttons, it started up. I couldn't set the time or get it to stop, so I just opened the door to stop it. After that it functioned normally again.

 

[good-shepherd]

late as the 1980's or even early part of 1990's will

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at some vintage microwaves on craigslist.

If new microwaves are like new air conditioners thats not good sign. I purchased three window A/C's over the last 9 years, two went to the curb already for iced up condensers, probably leaking and low on refrigerant.

 

[super32]

Interesting subject. The micro we have also has a convection bake function. Turns out we use it more than we thought we would. It will also will hold a 9x13 and rotate it as well. Its a Thermador brand but is made by Panasonic.

Food for thought.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Panasonic

I didn't realize Panasonic was still making microwaves for US market. Everything seemed to be discontinued, but I had a look and it appears microwaves are still availble. They look much better than the Galanz stuff.

Some of the Sharps have those grooves like the Galanz mentioned a few posts above, so I assume they are just rebadges. This one in particular doesn't though, and almost looks vintage! Or at least 90s era.

http://www.sharpusa.com/ForHome/HomeAppliances/Microwaves/Models/SMC1111AB.aspx

 

[iowabear]

The linked article makes the following claim:

 

"Sixty million of the 80 million microwave ovens produced annually are manufactured by just two companies (Midea and Galanz) … in Shunde, China. Thus, for the most part, the difference between brands is purely cosmetic."

https://www.reviews.com/microwave/

 

[good-shepherd]

How about this vintage Sharp Carousel ?

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/app/d/clifton-sharp-carousel-microwave-oven/6794132930.html

 

[appnut]

Here is one Shar 2.2 cu ft. model.  R651ZS

 

 

[appnut]

Now the SMC2242DS

 

 

[brisnat81]

If you go far enough up the model range into the Micro convection ovens, the Sharp and Panasonic models are both still made in Japan.

We have three Panasonic units in the family, bought in 2005, 2008 and 2011, the 2005 is an earlier generation, the other two are the same. The current models are very similar. We’ve had no issues eith all three, the inverter defrost is perfect, plus the Sensor based auto programs do perfect rice, root veg and veg