Unopened Microwave Oven

[luvthatduke]

Google/DuckDuckGo was not my friend tonight.

My mother has a brand new, unopened, name brand microwave oven
that has been safely stored in her garage for 17 years.
She wants us to have it but she is nervous about it sitting for so long.
I don't have a problem with it but I would honor her wishes.
I'd love to know anyone's thoughts on this.
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[tvguy]

I would be more comfortable with a 17 year old microwave oven that had never been opened, than one that had been used 17 years.

 

[NYCgrrl]

No problem that I’m aware of. What are her concerns?

 

[Moliphino]

Plug it in and see if it works?

 

[BrianL]

There is no reason why it should pose a danger or anything. Heck, the microwave that I curently use is older than that! It's not going to be leaking radiation or anything - it doesn't work like that. It'll be totally fine.

 

[_19disnA]

I would be concerned that something like the door seals might have deteriorated over the past 17 yrs when stored in a hot garage in the summer. Older style microwaves might have used obsolete technology for the door sealing system to prevent leakage of the microwaves. Doubt the original design was ever intended for 17 yrs of use (or storage).

 

[barkley]

i would'nt have an issue with it. if it makes your mom feel better do a google search on the make/model to ensure there was never a recall. many older appliances are much better made.

 

[sam_gordon]

I would be concerned that something like the door seals might have deteriorated over the past 17 yrs when stored in a hot garage in the summer. Older style microwaves might have used obsolete technology for the door sealing system to prevent leakage of the microwaves. Doubt the original design was ever intended for 17 yrs of use (or storage).

I wouldn't consider something made in 2007 as "older style".

I would do a search for make & model number to make sure there hasn't been a recall. If not, give it a shot!

 

[luvthatduke]

Thanks everyone .
DH and I have no qualms about using it.
My mom is aging and is fretting about more things each year.
I like the observation regarding the door seals, I never would have thought of that.
It has been stored on the 2nd floor of her barn type garage where it gets very hot during the summer.
Hmmm... We'll have to do a thorough inspection.
I also like the advice for searching for recalls, etc.
I will do that for sure.
In the end, it's my mom's decision.

 

[Imzadi]

There are microwave EMF detectors you can get to see if your microwave oven is leaking:

https://www.amazon.com/JOAUIAX-5HZ-3500MHz-Electromagnetic-Sound-Light-Inspections/dp/B09V84G495/

 

[_19disnA]

If it makes your mom happy, you can just take the microwave oven to your house and then it is one less thing for her to worry about.

 

[Diznygrl]

17 years really isn't that old in the grand scheme of things. I mean it's not like it's an old toaster from the 50s or something. I have appliances that are far older than 17.

 

[barkley]

17 years really isn't that old in the grand scheme of things. I mean it's not like it's an old toaster from the 50s or something. I have appliances that are far older than 17.

i have 3 that are between 40 and nearing 85 years old-with 2 the original companies still sell replacement parts

 

[luvthatduke]

If it makes your mom happy, you can just take the microwave oven to your house and then it is one less thing for her to worry about.

It's the opposite. She is worried it will burn our house down and she doesn't want us to take it.
She told me to take it a while ago but it got put off.
We can buy our own microwave and I don't mind that she doesn't want us to take it,
I just thought I'd ask for advice here so I could share it with her.

 

[easyas123]

Well- if she doesn’t want/need it and you don’t want/need it then drop it off to donate or chuck it.

 

[Deb]

i have 3 that are between 40 and nearing 85 years old-with 2 the original companies still sell replacement parts

85 year old microwave oven?

 

[NYCgrrl]

85 year old microwave oven?

LOL, that’s what I comprehended the first time I read the post but then realized the toaster collection was being discussed.

 

[Deb]

LOL, that’s what I comprehended the first time I read the post but then realized the toaster collection was being discussed.

thank you. I missed that

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Myself, I would not really be afraid to use it. It is probably better quality and will last longer than one sitting on store shelves right now. The one that we have I believe is original to the house, so that would be over 20 years old.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I have no doubt the one I'm using is 20+yrs old based on the style.

I am also pretty sure the one I grew up with was 20ish yrs old when it was retired. We must have gotten it around '95. It was briefly replaced when it "stopped working"... then the replacement didn't work & we established it was the outlet. 6mos later the new one's timer failed and my parents put the old one back into service until 2012-2015 when the timer became inconsistent.

I agree that the older unopened one will likely outlast a new one purchased today.