Need Microwave Suggestions

[cabinetman]

Our microwave died this morning. So, tonight LOML and I have to go to the microwave store. We want an over the range model. Any suggestions?
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[pelligrini]

I don't have any model suggestions, but I really like the convection microwaves. I get much better results with food using the combo convection/microwave.

[justaguy]

+1 on the convection option

GE models get good ratings.

[billwmeyer]

Whack it!

I have had 2 different microwaves that quit on me. After a move it started working again. The next time I had one quit, I picked it up about 4 inches and dropped it. It worked for years. Your mileage may very

Bill

[Mr__Bill]

We have an inexpensive GE over the range unit. Don't buy it! It's noisy, the exhaust fan makes lots of noise and doesn't exhaust much of anything. And yes, I have made sure the vent isn't blocked. The quick pick, bake a potato, pop popcorn and the like are time based with no sensor to tell when things are really done. We needed one in a hurry, it was cheap, and it does microwave things. Other more expensive GE's may work better.

Over the range is a great space saver, but, you have to lift everything up high and spilling is a factor. It's also harder to clean up there. Then there is the factor of what is cooking on the range. If it's making a lot of steam and the exhaust fan is not turned on or not working well the steam will adversely affect the microwave. That's how I needed a new one in place before LOML got back from a conference.

Doing a kitichen from scratch I would build in a convection/microwave and put in a good exhaust hood over the range.

Bill, sure wish some of that global warming would visit here, I'm getting tired of fog and 60 deg. No rain since a sprinkle in June and now the prospect of rain brings a threat of lightning and forest fires.

[jziegler]

I have a GE profile microwave/convection and I really like it. Don't know the model, but its about 5 years old (been installed for about 4 of those..) and still working well. I like the convection feature because it gives a second oven in the small kitchen, for meals that have foods that need to be baked at different temperatures. Also great in teh summer months for baking smaller items, since it doesn't heat up the kitchen as much as the big oven.

I will agree that the exhaust fan is noisy, but so are teh ones in inexpensive hoods. Ours is setup to just filter, so judging efectiveness of it is more difficult. We also have no trouble lifting thins up to it, and neither of us are tall. It is a bit harder to clean. And it is installed higher than most, since it was going in new custom cabinets. The bottom is flush with the bottom of the cabinets. When installed on a normal height over the range cabinet, consider that it will havg down more and somewhat restrict access to the pots on the rear of the stove.

Jim

[pelligrini]

We've got a GE/Profile Spacemaker XL1800 in our little office kitchen. It's not convection, but it has been really nice over the last 5 or so years. It gets used several times a day. The under cabinet surface light is nice, and the automated top vent is pretty cool. The exhaust fan for the microwave isn't very noisy.

It's not over a range so I never tried the underside vent. I just turned it on to see and it is really loud, I didn't even bother hitting the vent fan boost.

[os1kne]

I've had a mid-range GE for ~4 years and it works well. I had a mid-range Kenmore in our previous home and it was also a good unit.

[Hoover]

We have a Sharp microwave. Works just fine.

[HarmsWay]

My experience with the GE over-the-range units is similar to Mr Bills. The fan makes a LOT of noise but doesn't suck. I installed the GE JVM1790SK convection/microwave/fan unit in our suite kitchen a few months ago. We've been using it daily since while we're renovating the main kitchen. Everything has worked well so far except the fan and because of that I wouldn't recommend it.

http://products.geappliances.com/App...&Sku=JVM1790SK

Bob

[Knottscott]

Last fall I researched reasonably priced microwaves for my mother. Several of the Sharp models kept coming up very highly rated. That microwave replaced a 29 year old GE, but I'm sure the newer GE's are a different animal than the old one, plus GE parts are known to be about 3x the going price.

[Tom Slick]

Amana Radarange is the best I've used. all of the extra features are actually useful. The popcorn setting (most important) pops all of the kernels without burning. Vegitables cook perfectly on the veggie setting. Strangely, the "soften" setting will soften a stick of butter without a hint of melting!

[cabinetman]

Here is an update. We went to HD last night and that particular store had about a dozen MW's on display but not one in stock. We couldn't believe it. The one LOML wanted would take a week to get. They called three other stores, and no luck. The sales guy offered to sell us the floor model at a $100 discount.

Bingo...we thought this would be our lucky night. Well, as we gathered all the parts together and were getting ready to unbolt it from the display rack, I checked out the inside and noticed that the little plastic device that centers the glass turntable was missing. So, then I asked him where the closest Lowes was.

We drove over to Lowes, and they had many in stock. LOML couldn't make up her mind...you know the scene. So, I didn't want to rush her. Since we need one for our coffees right away, we decided that we would pick up a small countertop model, and this weekend go out and look around some more.
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[pelligrini]

You ought to check out some of the appliance shops in your area, expecially the ones that cater to builders. They might have some inventory that they really want to move since building has slowed some.

[cabinetman]

You ought to check out some of the appliance shops in your area, expecially the ones that cater to builders. They might have some inventory that they really want to move since building has slowed some.

Funny you should mention that. There are a few "distributors" that sell to construction trades, including mine. I've dealt with them on many occasions and found their troubleshooting/return/delivery just plain sucked. I learned to stay out of that loop, by having the client do their own thing. The "retail" in the box stores at times are better than the appliance stores. And many of them have fallen in this economy.

For this adventure, they aren't open when LOML can go, and as we know SWMBO applies.
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