Microwave Oven Recommendations?

Serendipity

Long story short - I accidentally broke the door on our old GE microwave, and it's difficult to get the screws to line up again. I was thinking about fixing the old microwave later but looked at similar units and saw the GE Advantium convection oven series.

This one seems very good as it replaces the toaster oven AND microwave (2 in one combo unit). This would be great as space in the kitchen is limited and we rarely use the large oven anyways. Most of the time it's either the toaster or microwave that gets used.

http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=SCA2001KSS

From what I understand I need to run a dedicated 240V, 30A circuit to use this? Has anyone used these GE microwaves before?

Thanks!

thsmith

I have a GE spacesaver and have replaced the handle twice in 10 years. Next time it is gone.

For what it is worth consumers recommends these (large countertop) not sure if that is what you are looking for built in.

GE Profile JES2251SJ[SS]

Panasonic Inverter NN-T945F

for mid sized

Kenmore 6633[9]
Kenmore 6325[2]

Serendipity

The old one is an Above-the-Cooktop unit. GE Spacemaker XL if I remember correctly.

Ricardo

$1,749 for a microwave oven???

Damn.

messiah

Serendipity wrote: »

The old one is an Above-the-Cooktop unit. GE Spacemaker XL if I remember correctly.

I have one of those, a Spacemaker XL 1800. Works great, very powerful. I've considered getting one of the convection units, but this thing works so well I just can't get rid of it.

TECHNOKID

thsmith wrote: »

I have a GE spacesaver and have replaced the handle twice in 10 years. Next time it is gone.

For what it is worth consumers recommends these (large countertop) not sure if that is what you are looking for built in.

GE Profile JES2251SJ[SS]

Panasonic Inverter NN-T945F

for mid sized

Kenmore 6633[9]
Kenmore 6325[2]

I'd go for Panasonic over GE any day. When I had my repair shop, GE would come in constantly and the only Panasonic I would see in the shop were very old ones easy and worth repairing. I have 2 old Panasonic convection that are still working and the only reason I am considering replacing is simply because I am sick of seeing them (they last too long you get tired of them ).

BTW, replacing the door on the old one is somewhat tricky since adjustments are critical to make sure it is perfectly sealed in order to avoid microwave emanation. You also have to readjust all of the door micro switches.

hearingimpared

We bought a Kitchen Aid stove top mount for Sears scratch and dent. This does everything but rub your back for you and we love it. One problem though; last year it became possessed by a demon. Every now and then it starts beeping like crazy and after a minute or two starts up by itself!!! Then it settles down and works just great for a good while then same thing. We can't afford to get fixed right now but it only occurs very infrequently.

My wife threw holy water all over it trying to cast out the demon.:rolleyes:

I must say though it's well built and if I had to do it all over again I would buy it. I think it's just a glitch in a processor. Would I recommend it, certainly but check out an extended warranty. BTW it easy to mount.

TECHNOKID

We bought a Kitchen Aid stove top mount for Sears scratch and dent. This does everything but rub your back for you and we love it. One problem though; last year it became possessed by a demon. Every now and then it starts beeping like crazy and after a minute or two starts up by itself!!! Then it settles down and works just great for a good while then same thing. We can't afford to get fixed right now but it only occurs very infrequently.

My wife threw holy water all over it trying to cast out the demon.

As much of a believer I can be, I don't thing holy water works with this sort of problem. It can only get the electric demon mad (it despise water period)

On a serious note, it can be something as simple as a cold joint on the electronic control panel (could activate a relay which controls the timer... or the realy it self might be weak). Depending on your skills with electronic boards you could open and check for potential cold joints or if money permits, get a refurbished board to replace the existing one.

hearingimpared

TECHNOKID wrote: »

As much of a believer I can be, I don't thing holy water works with this sort of problem. It can only get the electric demon mad (it despise water period)

On a serious note, it can be something as simple as a cold joint on the electronic control panel (could activate a relay which controls the timer... or the realy it self might be weak). Depending on your skills with electronic boards you could open and check for potential cold joints or if money permits, get a refurbished board to replace the existing one.

Well first off I don't believe in that holy water nonsense, no offense intended to Catholics, but I'll leave the fix to a trained Kitchen Aid tech when I get up the scratch to pay for the repair. It's a complicated device and I don't want to go putzing around in there. If I was sure it was a cold solder joint MAYBE! But I'm not sure so . . .

In the mean time I love watching my Catholic wife freak out whenever something odd but explainable happens. She swears our house is haunted!:rolleyes:

She watches all those goofy TAPS & other ghost chaser shows and can't get enough of them. UGH!

Thanks for the tips TK but I'm gonna pass on this one.

dorokusai

We still use the same microwave oven that my Mom bought us for our marriage 10+ years ago....that freaking thing continues to cook things faster than expected to this day. It's a love/hate relationship.

hearingimpared

dorokusai wrote: »

We still use the same microwave oven that my Mom bought us for our marriage 10+ years ago....that freaking thing continues to cook things faster than expected to this day. It's a love/hate relationship.

Funny you should mention that. I still have the first microwave oven that my ex-wife and I received as a housewarming gift from 1983. We were going to use it here but it is absolutely huge, heavy as all hell, and we wanted to free up counter space so we went with the stove top Kitchen Aid.

That old gal is still working though because when we first noticed the demon in our Kitchen Aid we at first thought it was down for the count and broke out the old gal. Worked like a charm but man, huge, huge, huge!!!

Polkersince85

I'm still using a Montgomery Wards (Sharp) that I bought in 1978. Stainless interior with convection. Built like a tank. I cook a lot.

Serendipity

Ricardo wrote: »

$1,749 for a microwave oven???

Damn.

Huh? That's what these things cost.

Most combination microwave / convection / wall oven combo units are $1,000+.

Home Depot has the one above on sale for $1399.

Outfitter03

+1 for the Panasonic Inverter. Powerful, easy functions, excellent defrost. Multiple power settings actually work which is more than I have experienced on other units.

Not too bad for cleanup. Glass table easily removes and fits in dishwasher.

Picked up mine from Costco about 6 years ago and going strong.

decal

Make sure you get a really good power cable for it,say a Nordost Valhalla or something similar.

Ricardo

Serendipity wrote: »

Huh? That's what these things cost.

Well, I wouldn't pay that much for one of those things. I can get a very nice refrigerator, range and microwave with that money.

Now, if it was microwave, toaster oven, AND COULD INSTANTLY COOL MY BEER, then it would be a different story.

pearsall001

hearingimpared wrote: »

Well first off I don't believe in that holy water nonsense, no offense intended to Catholics, but I'll leave the fix to a trained Kitchen Aid tech when I get up the scratch to pay for the repair. It's a complicated device and I don't want to go putzing around in there. If I was sure it was a cold solder joint MAYBE! But I'm not sure so . . .

In the mean time I love watching my Catholic wife freak out whenever something odd but explainable happens. She swears our house is haunted!:rolleyes:

She watches all those goofy TAPS & other ghost chaser shows and can't get enough of them. UGH!

Thanks for the tips TK but I'm gonna pass on this one.

Just Dynamat the crap of it & replace the stock PC & presto...all fixed Joe.

Serendipity

decal wrote: »

Make sure you get a really good power cable for it,say a Nordost Valhalla or something similar.

That's effin' hilarious!

Wait... they make upgraded power cords for ovens? You've got to be kidding me:

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-PowerRange-Electric-MP-PR400-6R/dp/B000B7RFNW

hearingimpared

decal wrote: »

Make sure you get a really good power cable for it,say a Nordost Valhalla or something similar.

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

hearingimpared

pearsall001 wrote: »

Just Dynamat the crap of it & replace the stock PC & presto...all fixed Joe.

Oh, you're a riot Alice a regular riot! How would you like to Dynamat the moon!?!

"You... are a blabbermouth! a blab ber mouth!" ~ Jackie Gleason

It's not noisy Phil!:p If I put a aftermarket PC on it, the glass turntable may start spinning at the speed of sound.:p:rolleyes: Although, rolling a new tube in might make the food taste better!:D

Open file, Double click speaker icon;

jimmydep

I wonder if a set of Mullard tubes would make your leftovers taste better???:rolleyes::rolleyes:???

Serendipity

I looked at the Panasonic units but still like the GE Advantium better.

Seems to me like it's got better build quality.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xgk/R-100398711/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Disc Jockey

We've had a combo unit from GE for the last six years and it's worked flawlessly. Very easy to use, cooks quickly, evenly, and we use the convection feature quite a bit. Ours is the next step down from the Advantium so I would assume the Advantium would be just as good or better.

Our unit hooked up to standard 120 outlet but it looks like that unit is going to need 240, 241, whatever it takes.

Serendipity

It's going to need 240, from what I understand.

That'll be expensive, as a roll of 10/3 wire is over a hundred dollars, plus I need to buy the breaker and outlet. And the kitchen is quite a ways from the main panel; the subpanel I installed isn't any nearer.

nadams

Wow, and I thought my $70 microwave was expensive.

newbie308

My 2 cents! I wouldn't buy GE! I made that mistake when I remodeled the kitchen. All top of the line GE Profile stainless steel appliances were installed, all but the gas range has been replaced with Bosch appliances. The kitchen is less than six years old! Don't buy GE $hit, you will be greatly dissapointed!

TECHNOKID

Polkersince85 wrote: »

I'm still using a Montgomery Wards (Sharp) that I bought in 1978. Stainless interior with convection. Built like a tank. I cook a lot.

Sharp was my first microwave oven and I agree with you on the built. The only reason I moved away from it, it was not convection and I was in a good position to provide my wife with one.

Serendipity wrote: »

Huh? That's what these things cost.

Most combination microwave / convection / wall oven combo units are $1,000+.

Home Depot has the one above on sale for $1399.

I agree this thing is way too expensive.

pearsall001 wrote: »

Just Dynamat the crap of it & replace the stock PC & presto...all fixed Joe.

You forgot to mention HI should also upgrade to higher end caps

Serendipity wrote: »

That's effin' hilarious!

Wait... they make upgraded power cords for ovens? You've got to be kidding me:

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-PowerRange-Electric-MP-PR400-6R/dp/B000B7RFNW

Monster makes anything that will bring outrageous mark-up/profits. Do you think the magnetron will work better with a "colored sine wave" ;)

hearingimpared wrote: »

Oh, you're a riot Alice a regular riot! How would you like to Dynamat the moon!?!

"You... are a blabbermouth! a blab ber mouth!" ~ Jackie Gleason

It's not noisy Phil!:p If I put a aftermarket PC on it, the glass turntable may start spinning at the speed of sound.:p:rolleyes: Although, rolling a new tube in might make the food taste better!:D

Open file, Double click speaker icon;

You might try your clamp ("The clamp") on it

Serendipity

An installed oven is preferred, as the countertop units take up space. And that's why one of the combo units is great; it replaces both the toaster and microwave ovens.

If GE isn't that good (like some of you say), would the following KitchenAid unit be better?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/KitchenAid+-+Architect+Series+II+1.4+Cu.+Ft.+Built-In+Microwave+-+Stainless-Steel/8397647.p?skuId=8397647&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=8397647&ref=06&loc=01&id=1179877039621

We want something that's solid and reliable.

Serendipity

Thanks. Going to look at all of them in person, as the only one I've seen before (in a showroom) is the Advantium.

BTW - all of our GE appliances have been working great for 15-20 years.

TECHNOKID

anonymouse wrote: »

Frankly, this statement applies to 90% of higher end cable companies. Do you really think MIT or even audioquest have modest markups? The difference is in how Monster has managed its brand and sales strategy through unholy alliances with shady retailers like BestBuy to basically lie to ignorant people, and to bully anybody that tries to use the name Monster. But they all have outrageous markups.

Sorry for the thread derail. This is not a thread about cable.

anonymouse, if you look at this specific post, I mainly commented on jokes that were made and the link posted with the advertisement for a monster AC power cord for the appliance. My latest comment in that regard was to ask if one would believe the microwave magnetron would benifit from a colored or enhance sinewave. While I fully agree this is not a cable thread (which I rarely participate nowadays) I tought to be appropriate to comment on monster offer of a so called high end AC power cord for home appliance :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

anonymouse wrote: »

KitchenAid and Whirlpool are made by Whirlpool, so its basically the same parts with different cosmetics. Do look at the Whirlpool Gold line, or KitchenAid is a great choice and considered to be the more exclusive brand of the two.

Never had the opportunity to buy their microwave but looking at them they seem to be pretty well built overall (keep in mind I don't get to see the inside). However, for the past 16 years the major appliances that needed to be replaced are ALL Whirlpool;

Frigde is 16 years old, never had a single issue and it still works like if new. If it weren't the fact that they were aluminium then versus today's plastic you could almost believe it is a much more modern and recent appliance. Nothing ever broke either inside or outside. Most of its duty life served a family of 5 (3 teenages boys) and it endured the abuse withouth a single issue.

Washer and dryer are both close to 10 years old and still works flawlessly. The only issue I have noticed is the dryer belt will soon need replacement which is not a big deal as this is simpy normal maintenance. Some to note, there is not even a spot of rust. The pair I owned prior to them was GE and surprisingly the washer started to rust after a year or so of age.

My dishwasher is also a Whirlpool and I too owned it for approximately 10 years. Still looks like new, work flawlessly like a new one. It is still ''Noiseless'' even after 10 years! It replaced a Sears dishwasher which I had to replace the control timer after a few years (it however gave me many years of good service afterward but had to put some minor maintenance every year or so). The only problem with Sears appliances is you never know what is actually the real brand you are getting since Sears subcontracts to the lowest bidder every so many years so that affects the quality you are getting during a certain time frame.

If I were to replace my microwave tomorrow, I wouldn't hesitate to consider Whirlpool.

newbie308

Serendipity wrote: »

Thanks. Going to look at all of them in person, as the only one I've seen before (in a showroom) is the Advantium.

BTW - all of our GE appliances have been working great for 15-20 years.

Probably because they were built that long ago! GE is not what it was! Of course that is true of many companies that live off their name!