Microwave Oven Longevity

[Togakure]

My mother died in 1991. Her first microwave, which we had and used for years before her passing, is a very large, brown Sharp Carousel with convection oven and still works, almost twenty years later. It's not in regular use now; I just tested it recently and it did work--pretty amazing.

[Megas Methuselah]

Just lightly punch it on the side a few times. My microwave makes loud and funny noises every so often, but as soon as I hit it, it quiets down and remembers its place.

[Gregoshi]

I think we've had Sharp (stand alone) and Kenmore (over the stove/oven) models that have lasted quite a long time.

[Louis VI the Fat]

All those remarkably cheap Chinese electronics stuff I've bought in recent years all fell apart within months.


Things are not build to last anymore. I just had a conversation about this with my mother. Not too long ago, people would have their vacuum cleaners, their televisions, even VCR's repaired when they broke down. Nowadays, fifty euros will simpy buy you a new one. They have become disposable goods. Nothing in a house is meant to last for more than three years anymore.


I have this guitar amplifier, a Marshall with tubes. It's from the 1970's. Huge too, as big as a car. The thing never breaks down. I've got a clock that's over a century old. Furniture that's even older. Pre-war kitchen utensils. All working perfectly.
And then all this new that breaks down within months.

[miotas]

If you're buying a new microwave nowadays then however long the waranty lasts is about how long it's going keep working. My parents got a microwave as one of their wedding presents 20 years ago and it lasted until 4 years ago. They then got a new microwave and 1 year ago, within a month of the waranty expiring, it broke down.

[Togakure]

"Built to last" isn't in the best interest of goods manufacturers, unfortunately. The shift over the last couple of decades suggests to me that product quality and customer satisfaction have become even less important when profit is considered. What disturbs me is what this suggests about overall values.

[Lemur]

I must be a freak; he first microwave I bought (four years ago) is still going strong. And Mrs. Lemur is a pro chef, so the thing gets a proper workout. Go figure.

Now, having typed that, the 'wave will probably explode tonight.

[gaelic cowboy]

All those remarkably cheap Chinese electronics stuff I've bought in recent years all fell apart within months.


Things are not build to last anymore. I just had a conversation about this with my mother. Not too long ago, people would have their vacuum cleaners, their televisions, even VCR's repaired when they broke down. Nowadays, fifty euros will simpy buy you a new one. They have become disposable goods. Nothing in a house is meant to last for more than three years anymore.


I have this guitar amplifier, a Marshall with tubes. It's from the 1970's. Huge too, as big as a car. The thing never breaks down. I've got a clock that's over a century old. Furniture that's even older. Pre-war kitchen utensils. All working perfectly.
And then all this new that breaks down within months.

Watch this and weep Louis


we seem to manage to get 4/5 yrs out of our Microwave maybe bit more

[KukriKhan]

My mother died in 1991. Her first microwave, which we had and used for years before her passing, is a very large, brown Sharp Carousel with convection oven and still works, almost twenty years later. It's not in regular use now; I just tested it recently and it did work--pretty amazing.

Yeah, that's the kind of experience I remember from the 70's/early 80's machines.

Just lightly punch it on the side a few times. My microwave makes loud and funny noises every so often, but as soon as I hit it, it quiets down and remembers its place.

LOL. My second wife* and my '65 Pontiac reacted that way to similar treatment.

*Just kidding about the wife; I haven't hit a girl since I was 4. :)

[Monk]

My mother died in 1991. Her first microwave, which we had and used for years before her passing, is a very large, brown Sharp Carousel with convection oven and still works, almost twenty years later. It's not in regular use now; I just tested it recently and it did work--pretty amazing.

We had one like that when I was little, lasted a good fifteen years. Come to think of it the poor thing never broke, it just stopped cooking things all the way through. It probably had another three years of substandard life in it. They don't make 'em like they used to.

The one currently in use here is an Emerson (this is the closest to I can find. Not sure if it's the exact model) and it's lasted for a easy four years.

Other posters are right, microwaves should definitely last you longer than they are Kukri. Are your factory warranties still good by chance?

[Beskar]

I think Kukri might use his non-stop. Didn't your mother tell you to not constantly cook TV-meals?

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Does anyone know how to fix the rotating tray part if it quits rotating?

[SwordsMaster]

Does anyone know how to fix the rotating tray part if it quits rotating?

Depends on the problem. Try cleaning the wheels and the rotating bolt, as food/grease can get stuck there sometimes. Definitely do not touch the engine component if they're in the protective box if you don't want to get a face full of radiation...

[Zain]

Throw it against the wall a few times, that should make it mind you. How old is the child?

... what are we talking about again?

[Ramses II CP]

The danger of repairing a microwave is mostly the nature of the power supply, there is no residual radiation risk in an unplugged and discharged microwave oven. The PSU operates at lethal levels (High voltage and amperage) and the capacitor for almost all models bleeds off slowly, so unless you really know what you're doing and you can discharge it completely don't even consider removing the cover unless the thing has been unplugged for a long, long time.

I've taken apart of lot of electronics in my life and I absolutely would not operate on a microwave oven while it was plugged in. Ever. Repairing a microwave is rarely worth it even for a professional, parts and labor are expensive for obvious reasons while new microwaves are fairly cheap.

So, if you can see the problem with the little wheels and wipe it off with a towel, do that. If you feel the need to go for a screwdriver or anything more heavy duty, just go buy a new one. It's not worth it.

Be safe with your microwave!

[Whacker]

Does anyone know how to fix the rotating tray part if it quits rotating?

Yeah, don't. Microwaves are rather dangerous pieces of equipment to monkey with. You can live without the rotating tray.

[drone]

I had an old Sharp, bought it sometime in the early 90's, gave out after about 15 years. The next one was a Panasonic, died within 2 years. The current GE built-in in our kitchen has been fine for the past 4 years.

Never, ever, buy a multi-appliance (oven/microwave/cooktop) if you can help it. One of them (most likely the microwave) will break and repair costs are not worth it. Dual ovens usually use a single control panel, so breakage there is expensive.

[Weebeast]

I've been in my unit for about a year now and the microwave was already here, clean but has oil residue and brown stuff all over the buttons. The brand is Kenmore no idea what the model is. Just a microwave with one door and one plate.