OT Over range microwave

Take a drive up to Fletcher's Appliances in Nashua (they're on 101A) and talk to them. They are the best appliance store I've ever dealt with and they are as honest as they come.

Cheryl

I had my Whirlpool for 11 years when a rubber bumper was put in there by accident, caught fire and burned a hole in the bottom. It was still working perfectly.

I replaced it with another Whirlpool and that's fine after 4 years of heavy use.

Lucille

I have had an over-range microwave for over 10 years and it works beautifully. It's a GE. However, if and when it fails I will simply have it replaced. One thing you might consider is having a "hole" for a regular microwave oven in your cabinet area, with a hole at the back of the bottom for the cord and the electrical outlet just under it on the wall, or with the outlet in the wall in the back of the hole for the oven. Of course, you will need to know how large that space needs to be for adequate air flow around the oven . . .

I go to the cheapie stores, and buy the cheapest microwave I can find that fits what I want. These days this is of the order of $100 Canadian. The last time I bought one must have been at least 10 years ago. Jim.

Yes mine had a small problem at just under five years. The man fixed it and I watched very closely, does it again, I can fix it lol I do like it, very convenient over the range.

We got an over-the-range GE microwave that died within the warranty period (first year). Microwave was replaced; warranty was replaced (maintained), and the second one has had no problems (three years on).

sue

Sorry to follow my own post, but I forgot to say:

"Knock on wood!"

Sue

I may do that after work tomorrow.

-Margaret in MA>

We bought a GE seven years ago and it's going strong. A fan broke after a couple of years. We had it replaced and so far . . . so good.

And, as Sue said: "Knock on wood" because I wouldn't want to go through the arduous task of replacing it.

Nothing lasts anymore. We had to replace our stove a couple years ago and it was told to us by more than one dealer: 7 years life expectancy. We know that we will have to replace our refrigerator soon. 17 years and counting. It's an Amana, but we looked at new Amanas and they are

Dianne

They are your best bet locally.

Cheryl

I rather suspect so. We have a large Kenmore counter top microwave that I bought at least 25 years ago for about $100. And even then I bought it at the Sears distribution centre where it had been returned because of a bad door latch (which they fixed). I love it because it takes my large Corning casserole dish. The only drawback is that it is large.

We bought a smaller one for my DFIL, and when he passed away it came back to us. It lasted only about five years, while the original one is still going strong.

I know we are supposed to be replacing out energy inefficient appliances with more efficient models. I can't see how it saves energy to replace your appliances every 5-7 years when you factor in the cost of manufacturing, transportation and disposal.

MargW

Hi Margaret -

We have an over the range micro. It's been 3.5 years, and has worked perfectly - except for the little fire that happened when a chinese food container handle sparked on the shelf. We always had counter ones before. This is my experiene:

Ours is a Whirlpool Gold - I believe it is either their top or next down, and is about $500-$600 on their site (not where I would buy it). The features all work really well, defrosting, reheating -specialised - great for slightly warming baked goods, and of course cooking. We do use several of the pre-sets - like baked potato, popcorn, pizza slice -and they seem to be actually correct auto settings. It has a lower light shining down with 2 levels of brightness, that I've used as the night light, the vent/hood above

- which I do use on occasion (we have a downdraft with the gas stove on the island). On the whole - we've been pretty pleased. Thing to be mindful of

- any of these micros with shelfs - put the shelf away so that it's reachable when needed, but otherwise, don't keep it in the unit. The main level is a turntable, that can be turned off if you're putting in something to take up more floor space, so to speak. I believe this is what we have:

So - probably not great help - but we've been quite happy with the performance of the micro - so far. And amazed that I use the settings more than I thought. Plus, I use the timer on it all the time.

On the whole, I like having the counter space. The cabinet above it doesn't really hold much as the electrical stuff is connected, but that's life.

ellice

Thanks for the detailed infomration Ellice. We have our choices narrowned down to a kenmore and a whirlpool. This group has been a lot of help. Thanks everyone.

-Margaret

My Whirlpool is a cheaper model, without the shelf that I never used in my old one, and a turntable that can't be shut off and that I miss. Other then those two things it does a lot of the same things described by Ellice and I too surprise myself by using all the bells and whistles.

Lucille

Has anyone else noticed that some of the microwave popcorn brands say DON'T use the "popcorn" button? could be Reddenbacher's. And I don't know why.

(One day I just threw in the popcorn, hit the button, microwave went on, but NOTHING popped! Then I read the directions... )

Sue

Thanks for this information because although can't eat popcorn, ,it makes me cough, I do make it for company. So far the button worked well. I will try to remember to look at the directions before I buy any from now on because if I can't make it in the microwave I won't buy it at all.

I know certain packets/pouches are different sizes. The micro we have now lets you select time by weight.

Cheryl

That's funny. This is actually the first micro I've had that we do use the button - and seriously, it works perfectly with the brand we use - th "light" variety from Costco - whatever that is.

Ellice