Over-Used Microwave? (Page 2): What were you doing with it Jerry, feeding the neighbourhood during Covid? We just replaced a Panasonic last year, a few days under 30 years old. We...

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

What were you doing with it Jerry, feeding the neighbourhood during Covid?

We just replaced a Panasonic last year, a few days under 30 years old. We bought another Panasonic, there's no doubt it's not the same quality (only about 40% the weight, maybe less) but if the wheels were through the base I'll have something to say about it, even (fingers crossed) it's another 30 years!

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

jerryc41 wrote:

We really don't use it all that much, but I guess that was a weak point. Plastic wore a hole in metal.

I wonder if the wheels are smaller than they used to be. I wonder if there was a maintenance schedule I should have been following. "Lubricate wheels after every ten hours of operation."

First off, Jerry, you have to find out how many rotations of the wheel equal a mile and then you have to rotate the wheels every 5,000 miles. This is very important and overlooked by many users. be sure to do it with your new one.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

I no sooner sent you my reply and these ads for microwaves showed up immediately. Big brother IS watching. Kinda creepy.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

I remember that you can buy microwave detectors. They are designed to check your microwave to make sure that you aren't leaking microwaves around your kitchen through any faulty part of the machine. Now replacing the steel base shell with fibreglass suddenly allows microwaves to spray around your kitchen. With holes worn there already I suspect you are already splattering microwaves all round the kitchen. Turf it immediately.
Incidentally you might wonder why microwaves don't spray through the mesh covering the front panel. That is because the mesh spacing is such that microwaves won't go through it. Which is just as well of course otherwise you might end up with boiled eyeballs.

DaveC Loc: Illinois

I got married in 1969. Not too long after we bought an Amana RadarRange. Years ago the front panel had to be replaced, (the serviceman suggested I just by a new oven,) but it is still working fine after all this time. I’m not sure how to tell if the magnetron is weaker with age but we can’t seem to tell any deterioration.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

jerryc41 wrote:

I noticed my microwave was making………

Two points to mention here…

Get a new microwave! Don’t fool around with a broken appliance. The money you may save is not worth the effort. If it is a countertop model, just toss it and buy a new one. If it is installed in a wall or above a stove, go out and buy a new one. Make sure the new one will fit. Have the new model installed by a professional. Dont do it yourself. I promise the time you save can be put to good use.

This is where the second point comes into play….

Pick up a nice book to read.
The book I refer to is titled,
“Inventing Modern America:From Microwave to Mouse” by David E Brown.

I have the same mentality for all the appliances in my house. It is better to let a professional do it!

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

It seems like I remember a video on the internet about building a spot welder from the innards of a microwave. That’s a “two-fer” for you, Jerry. A project that gets rid of a worn out oven and a tool when you’re done.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

[quote=Indi]

jerryc41 wrote:

I noticed my microwave was making a rumbling noise, and I wondered what was going on.

“Time to go shopping. “

Exactly!

We have an old Maytag that came with the house. August will be 17 years. It was seemingly old when we moved in but it has served us well since we moved in. Light still works as does everything else.
(Note: i probably just jinxed ourselves by revealing that.)

Don’t know about yours but it does seem like you need a new one.
Good Luck!

My Maytaq washer is thirteen years old. Aside from the lid not staying up by itself, it's still working. It's one of those HE washers, so it uses less water, but it cleans very well.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Day.Old.Pizza wrote:

It seems like I remember a video on the internet about building a spot welder from the innards of a microwave. That’s a “two-fer” for you, Jerry. A project that gets rid of a worn out oven and a tool when you’re done.

Throw the damn thing away. If you want a makeshift spot welder, head over to Harbor Freight Tool. You’ll save a lot of money and aggravation.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Scruples wrote:

Throw the damn thing away. If you want a makeshift spot welder, head over to Harbor Freight Tool. You’ll save a lot of money and aggravation.

I'll have to pay to dispose of this when I bring it to the town dump. Everything that is brought there is either recycled or trash. It's all picked up by the County, and they charge the towns to pick up the un-recyclables. So, the towns charge the citizens. It's a lot less expensive than paying private companies for trash pickup, though.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

jerryc41 wrote:

I'll have to pay to dispose of this when I bring it to the town dump. ….

Here is a novel idea….

The average microwave is about 18” by 27” by 18” deep. Dig a hole a little larger. Put stuff into the microwave. Anything that you feel is significant, newspapers, CDs, books, photos, a bottle of whiskey, etc. Seal the microwave with duct tape and make it waterproof. Throw the microwave into the ground. Plant a tree next to it, preferably something special like a magnolia. Then, when you want to open it years from now, call me up. I’ll bring over a bottle of whiskey and some cigars. We will be the happiest campers in the Catskills. They will probably lock us up for disturbing the peace.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Scruples wrote:

Here is a novel idea…. br br The average microwav... (show quote)

Now there's a man with a head on his shoulders! I'll have to be careful not to dig up one of our family pets. After fifty-six years, we have quite a few unmarked graves.

rcarol

jerryc41 wrote:

I noticed my microwave was making a rumbling noise... (show quote)

I just purchased a 900 watt microwave for a penny less than $70. Is it worth your time and energy to try to salvage a busted microwave for $70?

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

I overheard my daughter telling her friend “my dad fixed the microwave so now we have a brand new one…from Sears.” So if you are willing to be thought of as a nit-wit by your kids then try to fix it, if not go spend less than a tank of gasoline for your car and replace it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

clint f. wrote:

I overheard my daughter telling her friend “my dad fixed the microwave so now we have a brand new one…from Sears.” So if you are willing to be thought of as a nit-wit by your kids then try to fix it, if not go spend less than a tank of gasoline for your car and replace it.

I fill my gas tank for under $30. This MW is beyond repair. The funny thing is that, except for the holes in the floor, it works perfectly. Still, after seven years, it deserves to be retired.