How long should a microwave last?

[robinb]

I just tried to use my 2000 GE Profile and it started arcing. I unplugged it pronto! I am thinking that 9 years isn't quite as long as I expected a microwave to last. What do you think?

 

[endy]

My first one, you know the big heavy one, lasted somewhere close to 20 years. It still worked but I wanted more room on the counter. The next one (under$100) lasted less than a year, I returned it to Costco & current one has been good for a couple of years now.
They don't made anything to last anymore.

 

[kim929]

Thats how old my Sharp microwave is. My daughter has one that was her great grandfathers which is about 15 yrs old

 

[fatuhiva]

My microwave is 16 years old & no problems at all with it. At work we have a microwave that's been there since I started 21 years ago - and it was an older microwave then. I have no clue how old it really is, but it's still working.

 

[Hannathy]

Everyone since the first one has lasted less and less time. The last one only lasted about 3 yrs tops. I think 9 yrs is a good run. Make sure there wasn't any spilled food or a non-microwavable item in there before you completely give up on it.

Of course they have also gotten extremely cheap compared to the first one I had in the early 80's!

 

[sksjasams]

My microwave was 10 years old when it died this past winter. From what I was told during my shopping for a new one, don't expect the new one to last that long. They are just not made as well anymore. I was told you could expect a new microwave to last about 5-6 years. I use my microwave a lot, so I wanted to get a decent one. We bought a whirlpool countertop model that I am very happy with.

 

[WDWHo]

planned obsolescence baby!

I have had my last one for 4 years and its on its last leg.

 

[msmayor]

21 years and still working, darn it.

I want a new one but can't just ditch a working appliance!

 

[smokeyblue]

My last GE lasted 10 years, it was a middle of the road model, not as nice as a profile.

 

[NYCDiane]

I had a Sharp and it lasted about 10 years. It didn't die out or anything, but I noticed it wasn't working as well as it should have been. I decided to just ditch it and get a new one. The one I have now, I've had for a little over a year and it's working fine and will hopefully continue to work for at least another 5 years!

 

[miasmom93]

Mine has lasted almost 13 years, still works great!

 

[Toad_Passenger]

We still use one that just had its 26 year anniversary!

During that one's amazing run of life we have had 2 others that have each lasted no more than 5 years. I always thought it was cliche to say things aren't made the way they used to be, but it seems to be the truth. Don't even get me started on vacuum cleaners!!!

 

[semo233]

I was told you could expect a new microwave to last about 5-6 years.

My next door neighbor is an appliance repairman and says that if you get 5-6 years out of it, that's good. The longer they last, the longer there is between purchases!

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Ours is 14 years old and still going strong. About 5 years ago on Christmas day a lady bug somehow got stuck inbetween the to plastic panels of the door. It was crawling around in there and couldn't get out. The next day it was just laying in there dead. The stupid lady bug carcass is still there. I have been waiting for the microwave to die ever since then. I just hate seeing that dead bug stuck in the door. I hate to spend money on a new microwave when ours still works.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

I have a "Tappan" that is going on 18 years. The light bulb inside recently started to flicker on and off, but that has been its only issue.

 

[Disneychix]

I used to work for a service center and the 5-7 years answer is typical for most electronics/appliances. Although 5-7 years sounds so awfully short!

 

[secretpantssam]

Ours is 14 years old and still going strong. About 5 years ago on Christmas day a lady bug somehow got stuck inbetween the to plastic panels of the door. It was crawling around in there and couldn't get out. The next day it was just laying in there dead. The stupid lady bug carcass is still there. I have been waiting for the microwave to die ever since then. I just hate seeing that dead bug stuck in the door. I hate to spend money on a new microwave when ours still works.

Haha! That's funny! How did it even get in there??

I would think 9 years for a microwave is pretty good. Think of all the meals and snacks that spun around in there all that time...

I would have to agree that the newer ones are probably not made as well. I have found that with a lot of electronic items. My first DVD player I have ever owned is still running in great condition while any other I or family members have bought in the last few years seem to die in no time. They make them so you'll have to buy another!

 

[thebeesknees]

I just had my over-the-range model repaired and the repair man said that 5 years is about average these days.

 

[Mufasa&Simba]

the one at my house is 22 years old and still working! It may not be as strong as it was years ago (have to heat stuff up longer for instance) but it works. It's a Panasonic and my aunt and uncle bought it for me and my family when we moved into our new house in 1987 (now our old house- we moved again in '93). I still remember I had the chicken pox. They came over and gave me a Popple (remember Popples?!) and my parents a brand new (first!) microwave.

 

[Nicolepa]

I say 9 years was excellent. Most of the microwaves in our development have died out around 5 years or so.

It's also going to depend on how much use it gets. My neighbor has gone thru 2 in 7 years, I'm still on my first. She uses hers multiple times a day. I use mine maybe 3-4 times a week.