<p>Our two year old microwave is dead. After getting advise on here, I called Whirlpool and got the bad news that the Magnetron (love the name) is only covered for a year. So, now I will be looking for a new one. I probably will wait until the after Thanksgiving Day sale but what to get? I am not going to go with Whirlpool again. We only want a basic microwave as all we do is heat food up and pop popcorn in it. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>By the way, I am glad I have my youngest D’s dorm microwave as a back up!</p>
<p>I have a “built-in” GE and am not happy… The white finish on the interior base, next to the carousel platter on both sides, has rubbed off and is down to bare metal. Does not spark yet, but any day now. This ocurred after just two years and GE would not cover. Was told to go buy heat resistant touch-up paint. It would take a LOT of touch-up paint to cover the problem areas.</p>
<p>I like my built in kitchenaid. It came with our house but it is a good one. Popcorn and pizza settings are spot on. Of course it has the carousel and it doesn’t have too many complicated buttons. It’s good. We have had it since 2002.</p>
<p>Are you looking for built in or over the range? Built ins are tricky because they are much more expensive than similar counter or over the range microwaves. You also have to spring for trim kits. Plus, when they die you will rarely find a new model that fits in the same space.</p>
<p>If you need to replace an OTR micro, I would check the size constraints and clearances of your space and then narrow it down that way.</p>
<p>If you need a built in you can buy a counter microwave, slip it in the built in spot and have a carpenter add trim around the opening. It’s much cheaper than buying a built in micro and a trim kit.</p>
<p>Mine looks like a built-in but actually is a countertop model that sits inside a wall cabinet and has a face plate that fits the front. If you are replacing one that fits this microwave description, make sure you purchase one with the same dimensions IF possible so you don’t have to purchase a new face plate. My face plate runs $240.00, which is slightly over half the cost for a new GE microwave in my model.</p>
<p>Ah, you are right Deega123, it is an over the range microwave. I think 2 years ago, we paid less than $300 and dh put it in (with minor swearing).</p>
<p>We had an over the range microwave from GE that was a 3 in 1 – a microwave, a convection oven, and an exhaust fan. At the time, Whirlpool was the only other manufacturer of this type of unit.</p>
<p>We had a GE over-the-range that was installed in 1993 when we redid our kitchen. We sold our house earlier this year, and it was still working perfectly. The only thing I ever had to replace was the lightbulb.</p>
<p>I’ve never had an issue with food not cooking evenly. Carousel is just another thing to break, in my opinion. </p>
<p>Booklady…is yours a GE Profile Spacemaker? Ours was put in about the same time…I think ours is still on the original light bulb (how could that be?).</p>
<p>Funny timing…Have a GE Spacemaker over the range (14 years old, great service, no complaints…)and the handle broke last night–just pulled out… screws are somehow internal…broken handle, can’t open microwave…sad face…</p>
<p>oh bummer rutgersmamma…guess I should look at my handles!!</p>
<p>Edit…I just looked. On my spacemaker, the screws for the handles are right on the inside of the door. Of course the trick would be…do they still MAKE the handles (if they broke).</p>
<p>Costom trim kits are just about the same price of a branded MW oven trim kit. We could not find any replacement to the old MW oven with branded trim kit. We ended up throw the old MW oven away and bought stock MW oven that fits in the cavity and ordered a custom trim kit. The kit maker was very professional, they know all the models on the market and made the kit in a week, that is including the standard shipping time.</p>
<p>Our GE Sensor just dropped dead a few weeks ago. It was only about 4 years old. I think that microwave ovens aren’t worth repairing, at least that’s what I remember hearing from a repairman a short time ago. I think that I’ll look into a Kitchenaid.</p>
<p>I’ve never had an over-the-range; they look so nice. However, I’ve always thought I’d be afraid to lift hot liquids or food so high. Is there a danger of spilling onto yourself?</p>