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Related: Culture Forums, Support Forumsour GE microwave oven, 15 years old, died suddenly yesterday, after completing a reheat order.
Can it be fixed, even at that age, or do we need another?
It's a nice sleek design, always did exactly what we asked it to do, the best appliance I have ever had.
Are the GE models still that good? Any suggestions on a new one (we need one to go on the wall right above our stove)? Are they expensive?
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,976 posts)Mine died on me a few months ago - it was making menacing crackling and popping sounds so I figured it wasn't safe to use - might have caught fire or exploded or something. I'd had it for about 10 years; replaced it for about $70.
global1
(25,294 posts)Had a problem with the same oven about a year ago. Very expensive to repair but I did it cause I wanted it to match my other appliances.
Went to the GE website and read the reviews on a comparable replacement. Many bad reviews.
This time I'm going to another manufacturer. I'm not going to buy another GE. I'm looking at a Samsung for a replacement.
However, I'm not going to get it installed now because I'm not going to open up my house to an outsider to do the installation.
Arkansas Granny
(31,540 posts)you would still have a 15 year old appliance. The cost of a new one may be less than you expect.
procon
(15,805 posts)your specs. They pretty much have the same features, just get one with the highest watts to shorten cooking times. Probably some good sales today so get shopping
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)My microwave us plugged into a GFI outlet and it occasionally trips.
rzemanfl
(29,581 posts)rzemanfl
(29,581 posts)went to the curb with a "Free-Works" sign on it not too long ago. It wasn't there long. I was happy with the old one, but my wife wasn't, she wanted a new one with more power. We live in a throw away world now, so I suggest you get a new one. I got another GE because the controls haven't changed much.
rsdsharp
(9,234 posts)a fuse. It was located on the back of the oven, and was easily an cheaply changed. Since then weve had over the stove models, so that fix isnt really feasible.
CTyankee
(63,926 posts)I tried to make coffee and use the toaster at the same time. Then I learned what a fusebox was. I couldn't believe that they didn't tell me this when we bought the house. However, we bought it from a couple who were strict Orthodox Jews who never needed more electric service. We got the service upgraded and never had a fusebox again!
rsdsharp
(9,234 posts)The fuse I was talking about was on the back of the microwave, not in the fusebox.
CTyankee
(63,926 posts)rsdsharp
(9,234 posts)on the back. Its been quite a while, but I think there was a cover over it secured by screws. Yours may be different, or it may be yours doesnt even have a fuse.
CTyankee
(63,926 posts)rsdsharp
(9,234 posts)CTyankee
(63,926 posts)He won't be able to make it over here til Friday am first thing, but that's OK if he's good and reliable.
csziggy
(34,139 posts)No warning, nothing. It was an $80 one I got at Target on clearance but it lasted ten years and did everything I needed. Some unknown Chinese brand name I'd never heard of before or since
I did some internet research and found one that I liked at Home Depot, ordered it online, and sent my husband to pick it up. By the time he got there, it was on the Customer Service counter, just waiting for him. $120, a pretty good deal.
It's a Magic Chef and does everything I need. My requirements are that the microwave has a handle, not just a button to pop the door open, and a telephone type keypad - both of which can be problematic to locate. I've had microwave with temperature sensors, popcorn buttons, and specialty settings - most of which I never use so I don't want them cluttering up the controls.
I will never have a built in microwave, due to the problems people here list. They break down sooner than the attached oven and are expensive to replace if it is even possible. My sister went that route and after the second built in died, she had a shelf built over her stove and bought regular microwaves ever after. So when I designed our kitchen, I left a shelf above the wall oven that is more than big enough for any consumer microwave. It may not be as fancy but it a heck of a lot more practical!
Midnight Writer
(21,845 posts)csziggy
(34,139 posts)Midnight Writer
(21,845 posts)hunter
(38,349 posts)It's still going strong. I'll miss it when it's gone, our children grew up with it, but it's probably not worth repairing when it breaks.
Any machine can be repaired or restored. It's always a question of how much it would cost, or in my case, how much time I'm willing to put into repairing it.
We had a washing machine that was one of the earlier models without an agitator. I repaired it a few times when it broke, and the parts were always much less expensive than a new washer, but eventually I got so sick of the machine I drove it to the recycling center and threw it out of my truck. It hit the ground with a very satisfying crash. I would normally donate a working appliance to charity but I didn't want anyone else to suffer that machine.
Skittles
(153,298 posts)have had my Whirlpool for a long time
IcyPeas
(21,940 posts)the top 3 are Whirlpool models
$400 - $470.
Ron Obvious
(6,261 posts)Had to have it fixed once for more money than a new one would have cost. Still, I know people who have gone through several microwaves during that time and probably spent more than that.
Same with the washer and dryer, which we've had since 1993.
IcyPeas
(21,940 posts)tirebiter
(2,539 posts)Theyre safer now.
flotsam
(3,268 posts)They're cheap and a bad one will last 10 years+. Bought one 6 months ago after a 15 year veteran died. If your worried about human interaction both Lowe's and Home Depot have them well under $100 and will bring them out to your vehicle. I believe my new one was in the low $70 range.
CTyankee
(63,926 posts)IMO, we probably need a handyperson to come out, see where it fits (I already measured it) which is above the stove and can just find it, go get it and install it. Installing is of course the big deal here. Hubby has a walker and I've not been a handy person all my 80 years so that's a problem.
We may not be here in 10 years time. I'd just like one like the GE one we had.
lillypaddle
(9,581 posts)I've got one like that now - I find it dangerous and difficult to reach up and get hot food and dishes out of it. I have to stand on a stool to clean the inside in order to reach the corners. Counter top is so much easier if you have the space - and no installation.
CTyankee
(63,926 posts)really hot stuff out of it.
lillypaddle
(9,581 posts)or inexpensive table. You'll be glad you did. Just an idea.
https://www.amazon.com/Oceanstar-Design-Bamboo-Kitchen-Trolley/dp/B00FO7K2CA/ref=sr_1_27?crid=3SCX4ZJA413M9&dchild=1&keywords=kitchen+cart+with+wheels&qid=1590510186&sprefix=kitchen+cart%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-27
https://www.amazon.com/FDW-Organizer-NSF-Kitchen-Cart-Microwave-Commercial/dp/B07KNM4TXR/ref=sr_1_45?crid=SWTKMCC14XLX&dchild=1&keywords=kitchen+utility+table&qid=1590510453&sprefix=kitchen+utility%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-45
yellowdogintexas
(22,292 posts)to hold it. Then you will have space underneath it for anything that is not too tall which you need to keep out on the counter top. OR you could sacrifice the bottom shelf of an upper cabinet and slide it in there.
We have a galley kitchen with an "L" at the end, which makes wasted space in the corner where it makes the turn to the right. Our microwave is on the countertop across that corner. I have space in front of it for various things when I am using the L for food prep and there is plenty of room for the door to open (once I move anything in front of it.)
This is the second time we have used the bar top or extension for the microwave. The first microwave was HUGE and the feet barely fit on the bar top but it worked. It faced into the kitchen which was handy, but you had to look at the back when you were in the den. Did I care? Not one bit.
CTyankee
(63,926 posts)I had to work with small space to begin with.
This house was one of the last ones built before WW2 when, of course, no such remodelling was being done because of the war. We looked at our options, believe me, and there were none...
Rhiannon12866
(206,725 posts)But when she called her usual repair company, she was told it couldn't be fixed. I'm currently using one from the '80s and it's (fortunately) still going strong. It wouldn't hurt to inquire, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.
lillypaddle
(9,581 posts)As someone else said, they are really cheap nowadays.
yellowdogintexas
(22,292 posts)I think mine is 8 years old. I went through a couple of small ones because I wanted the extra space but they kept burning out. After the second one I got a 1200 watt model and have loved it. I briefly considered an over the stove combo with range hood but decided against it when my sister's model caught on fire. I have also heard that either the hood or the oven will go bad before the other part and has to be sacrificed.
We have been muddling a new range hood for far too long. Mine is original to my house (1963). It vents through the ceiling and out the roof thankfully.