<p>We had two over range MW/exhaust hoods. Got too expensive to replace the 3rd time. Got table top units which we are on our 3rd unit. So in 25 years, 5 microwaves.</p>
<p>In laws gave us a microwave for a wedding gift. Been married 33 years and the thing just won’t die! We replaced a fuse once about 10 years ago. I’d buy a new microwave, but I just hate to when the old one still works.</p>
<p>My over the range unit did the SAME thing 2 weeks ago, it sounds like it was working, lights on, turned, but did not heat. It is a GE spacemaker XL1400, and I couldn’t even find any breaker/switches for it. I did have small cheapo counter unit that works just fine, other than it is taking up some of my limited counter space. I think the GE unit was about 7 years old.</p>
<p>I’ve spent hours researching microwave ovens last week. Don’t replace it with a GE, as they have the worst reputation for microwaves. Sharp actually has the fewest problems, according to Consumer Reports, but I’m not sure they make an over-the-range version. Unfortunately, most microwaves sold today have pretty poor reliability. For the first time ever, I purchased the extended warranty on an appliance.</p>
<p>Ours began acting very strangely ( as in operating with the door open …yikes…and refusing to stop sometimes) so we decided to replace before we all fried our brains LOL. It was an expensive model so I wasn’t happy with replacing so soon. To add insult to injury, the entire mounting system had been reconfigured so we had to spend a lot more time and effort installing the replacemnt than we had planned.
Technology can be a pain.</p>
<p>While window shopping, every now and then I think of replacing my 14-year old Tappan counter top microwave oven. But it works fine and large enough to accomodate glass or ceramic dishes large enough for a full meal. I’m not sure if the Tappan brand is still manufactured. When this one dies, I’ll probably go for a Sharp.</p>
<p>swimcatsmom, re Post #19: I don’t think it matters if you send in the warranty card or not. They just want your name and address so they can send you marketing things. The warranty is still the warranty, whether you “register” your item with them or not.</p>
<p>a big problem with over the range microwaves is heat. Heat from the stove makes the electronics in the microwave oven overheat that much faster, and shortens the life.</p>
<p>I had one of the original counter top microwave ovens. Built like a tank. I finally threw it away after 20 years because I was afraid it was leaking microwaves. No evidence, just didn’t know if I could trust it.</p>
<p>Replace it???</p>
<p>I recommend getting a toaster oven to replace it though. Does a lot more things than a microwave, and plus they’re cheap.</p>
<p>
I had not heard of Tappan but the guy in Lowes was saying he thinks they are as good as any others. To be honest if they are going to die in less then 5 years I am going to go cheap this time!</p>
<p>Called Whirlpool and they said if it is the Magnatron then it will be covered by the warranty till April 26th. But we have to pay the $65 service fee to have it looked at first and if it is not the magnatron then we are stuck with the fee and no microwave still. (actually fixing the magnatron is not worth the money).</p>
<p>I am not sure where they come up with the warranty date y that date- I know we didn’t but it April 2004 because my husband went into hospital April 14th and was near deaths door, *and * I broke my foot accidently standing on a heavy extension cord when I went out to make sure the ambulance could get in our driveway. We weren’t running around buying appliances on the 26th! We were barely walking!</p>