Microwave Oven Longevity

[KukriKhan]

Has anyone here ever had a microwave oven that lasts 3 years or more? If so, what model?

I can't seem to get one to last more than 24 months. Bankrate.com cites 9 years (!) as the average "useful lifespan".

We just burnt out another one yesterday, after 20 months of service, so I'm grousing here.

Thanks for your attention, and any advice rendered.

[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.

[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...

[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.

[Subotan]

My mum and dad have had theirs since 1988, and it still works

[drone]

Welcome to the Org, jessica!