shopping for a microwave...what to look for?

[mtemm]

we are moving in a couple of weeks and the home we are buying does not have a built in microwave. any recommendations or what to look for in a microwave? avoid?

 

[Southern4sure]

Look at the wattage and determine if your needing a microwave just for heating up food or to actually cook food. The higher the wattage is better for cooking. The popcorn button is a must in my family. Also a turn table inside the microwave is a must, it will heat evenly and your not constantly opening and turning.

I bought a GE model for about $150 at Walmart and it was great. I gave it away when I moved since I now have a built in.

 

[Zandy595]

Can't help first hand, but when I'm shopping for new stuff like that I always go to the library and check the Consumer Reports magazines to see what they say.

 

[mtemm]

another question...is there such a thing as a microwave guard to keep kids from playing with the buttons/turning it on? the house we are buying has a gorgeous kitchen with a place for the microwave at the perfect height for a kid to use. perfect if you have an 8 or 9 year old or the like, but my eldest is 3 and I wonder how on earth I will keep him and his 18 month old brother and sister from playing with it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

another question...is there such a thing as a microwave guard to keep kids from playing with the buttons/turning it on?........

 

[mtemm]

lol...Dan, where do I buy one of those? It looks perfect! hehehe.

 

[scorpad99]

I dont know about what kind to buy, but I can tell you what kind not to buy.....................don`t buy any kenmore. Sears brand sucks. We redid our kitchen about 2 years ago, and bought the over the counter with exhaust kenmore microwave. we had itfor about a month b4 it was installed.
And about 2 months after we installed it, the handle broke off in my brothers hand while he was opening it. They came out and replaced it (under warantee-free of charge) So they order a whole other door, yes they cant just order a door handle and a new grill. The door comes and I call them to come install it and the guy goes can you open it and check if it is the right part. So while I have him on the phone I check it, and guess what the door handle broke off in my hand while i was trying to get it out of the box, so he has to order another whole door.
While he is here installing it a month or so later, he breaks the exhaust grill. Ok so he has to order that to replace it. another month or so for that to come.
Ok a month or so goes buy and i notice the whole side of where the door closes is all cracked, so I call them and they said they will get back to me. I am fuming by now....................this microwave costed us close to 1,000 ................not a 99 dollar job from walmart!
Finally a manager calls me back and I explain to him that it will be almost a year old and then the warantee will be expired, so he says he will call me back.
Calls me back and says ok come in and pick out a comparable microwave and take it. Ok so now we have a new one, my husband has to install it himself.the brand new marble tile backsplash is damaged ,so who pays to replace that? And to boot the overhead light bulbs blew within the first 6 months, they costed about 15 bucks to replace and guess what? They blew again a week after replaced. I give up! Do not buy a kenmore, I am boycotting all sears appliances!