Microwave

[trip]

How long are Microwave ovens supposed to last? When we redid our kitchen 5 years ago, we replaced our 15 yr old oven. Tonight when I tried to heat my tea, it sounded like it was working but it didn't heat the water.

Any suggestions?

I guess I'll probably have to replace it before Thanksgiving.

 

[RNMOM]

I don't know how long they are supposed to last but I just found out mine is not working and it is only a few months old. We got an over the stove micro/hood one in 2002 and it only lasted a couple years. The thing worked but the display was blank (makes things a little bit difficult) and the lights stopped working shortly after installed. I will never go that route again as we do a lot of soups and pasta so we boil liquids and I think that is what messed it up.

Mine should still be under warrenty so I will sick my DH on them tomorrow. He is really good at getting stores to do the right thing. He never even raises his voice.

 

[shortbun]

I have a dinosaur, lol, it's 14 years old. The door handle is breaking and the turning device sometimes makes noises. We're replacing it with a space saver with our kitchen remodel(to sell the house) so I hope it lasts for the new owners for at least a couple years. The house we're buying has a very nice, newer panasonic, stainless microwave. The current owner takes marvelous care of everything. I hope her karma extends to the microwave.

 

[Ohiodislover]

My first microwave lasted about 15 years. It didn't go completely, but was getting there when my mom bought us a new one. That was in 2002. A kenmore, and works great.

My thoughts are that the newer ones probably aren't going to last as long. They just don't make them like they used to--don't ya know I sound like my g-pa.

 

[bicker]

10-15 years is a good life for a magnetron. With the magnetron as well as the rest of the electronics, longevity will vary based on the reliability of the components used. 5-7 years isn't unusual for some parts put into cost-reduced electronics. Anything less than 5 years is probably safe to consider an early failure.

They just don't make them like they used to--don't ya know I sound like my g-pa.

Hehe... well, at least in terms of consumer products, your grandfather is actually correct. The price-sensitive mass-market consumer has made sure of that!

 

[swanmom]

My first microwave lasted about 15 years. It didn't go completely, but was getting there when my mom bought us a new one. That was in 2002. A kenmore, and works great.

My thoughts are that the newer ones probably aren't going to last as long. They just don't make them like they used to--don't ya know I sound like my g-pa.

Same here! First microwave lasted 13 years - the new one in our remodeled kitchen (which, by the way, cost four times as much) 3 years. Same thing for our dishwasher. The first one lasted 14 years - the new one in our remodeled kitchen lasted 2 1/2 years. BTW, they were both top-of-the-line Kitchen Aid applliances. Kitchen Aid is made by Whirlpool which used to be really reliable ... not any more!

 

[sharlon]

If your microwave is a GE, particularly a spacemaker, it is most definitely the magnetron. We had one die in a new house a few years back. Turns out that GE had some bad magnetrons, but rather than notifying the public was just waiting for the microwaves to need repair. So fast forward 5 years, we moved and remodeled a house. Put in a GE microwave. Year and a half later it dies. Same issue, magnetron. Unfortunately, it was out of warranty for labor, so we had to pay for that part.

 

[Meriweather]

My last one (and first one I've ever had) was an over the stove model.
It lasted about 20 years.
New one (also over the stove) is about 3 years old and still working.

 

[Randi]

My GE spacemaker (over the stove) died last year after 27 years of daily use. The only problem I ever had was when I could no longer buy the bulb to replace the light under it, after 25 yrs. That size was not available anywhere. So I had to go without a light on my cooktop. I have always had GE appliances & always had them for a long time.

 

[trip]

If your microwave is a GE, particularly a spacemaker, it is most definitely the magnetron. We had one die in a new house a few years back. Turns out that GE had some bad magnetrons, but rather than notifying the public was just waiting for the microwaves to need repair. So fast forward 5 years, we moved and remodeled a house. Put in a GE microwave. Year and a half later it dies. Same issue, magnetron. Unfortunately, it was out of warranty for labor, so we had to pay for that part.

Yes, it's a GE Spacemaker. So, it must be worth it to have it fixed. I guess I'll call in the morning to have it repaired.

 

[Sukie]

I guess "1983" was a very good year. My Kenmore is very big and still going strong.