Author	[Modern View]
farmer boy 11-13-2012 23:19:08 66.209.49.50 Report to Moderator	The 20 year old Sanyo has been making some odours that are better off not coming from a microwave so I'm looking for a new one. Right now I'm looking at Panasonic. Just looking for something that would last 1/2 as long as the Sanyo. Any recommendations? [Reply]   [No Email]
Diydave 11-14-2012 16:49:32 96.244.157.254 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   I forget what brand the one at the shop is. I got it from an estate auction, for free, cause no one bid a buck on it, and they were gonna throw it away. If I don't find one at an auction, I'd go to goodwill, where you can plug it in, to see if it works. Most there go for less than 20 bucks! [Reply]  [No Email]
rad 11-14-2012 09:38:04 134.134.137.73 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   We just retired the Microwave I bought in 1979. It weighed a ton and still did a reasonable job although it was slowing down. The replacement was feather light by comparison - sure hope it lasts 33 years like the last one. [Reply]  [No Email]
Inno 11-14-2012 08:54:12 206.47.249.246 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   I used to fix electronics at a store that sold Panasonic, the "inverter" models were just being rolled out when I left there. I remember the warnings on shock hazard to the technician on those models was pretty serious because of the stored voltage.........not that a conventional microwave doesn't store a lot of voltage too (around 5KV if I remember correctly) but for some reason there were extra warnings about the inverter models. There were a few duds right from the getgto but I think they've refined them quite a bit over the years. At the time they were notably lighter although the ones I was fixing at the time were probably older and heavier built to start with. I'm not sure what we have at home right now, I want to say GE maybe. It replaced my old Panasonic from the early 90s which is still working, just relocated to the bar in the basement. We got the current one as a wedding gift. Had it 2+ years and so far I'm happy with it. I think nowadays you get what you pay for but with things like microwave ovens for the price of the cheaper ones you can't go too wrong with any of 'em. I like the ones with a carousel for more even cooking and it has to be big enough for a large plate, those are really my only two stipulations. Aside from the inverter models, the rest all operate on the same principle as they have for 50+ years! This post was edited by Inno at 08:58:04 11/14/12. [Reply]  [No Email]
RGMartin 11-14-2012 07:34:20 98.21.105.209 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   I bought a new Panasonic when I started my first real job in 1995, my first "big ticket" purchase. It is starting to rust out in the corners of the body inside. It has gotten to the point where I refuse to clean it anymore for fear of finding a hole. A new Panasonic is on my Christmas list. [Reply]  [No Email]
d beatty 11-14-2012 07:12:44 24.12.128.253 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   We bought our very first microwve in 1982 (Panasonic) and it lasted 18 years. The second one was a Sharpes and it is 12 years old and starting to give us some trouble.We will replace it with one of these two brands. In our house the microwave gets more use than anything else in thr kitchen. [Reply]  [No Email]
Inno 11-14-2012 07:04:51 206.172.0.204 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to Paul N Texas, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   LJD said: (quoted from post at 09:17:30 11/14/12) There is no inverter that I know of. The Panasonic "Inverter" microwave uses a pulse width modulation converter to provide steady heat. As far as I know there the HV transformer has been replaced with an inverter or switching power supply. They are a lot lighter than conventional units. This post was edited by Inno at 07:06:18 11/14/12 2 times. [Reply]  [No Email]
LJD 11-14-2012 07:50:59 75.194.101.226 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to Inno, 11-14-2012 07:04:51   Yeah, they claim it's lighter but I don't feel any difference from any other microwave this size. Instead of a transformer they use a pulse-width converter. That is what Panasonic calls it themselves. Not exactly an "inverter" by the normal use of the word. In normal "tech" jargon, an inverter changes DC current into AC. A "converter" changes AC current into DC. To be technical, I guess with the "pulse width modulation" process - they change AC to DC (convert), then change the frequency, and then change back to AC again (invert) - to make inductive heat. Many devices do that so I'm not sure why they market it as an "inverter" microwave. But I guess that sounds better then a "pulse width modulation" microwave. The main claim-to-fame with this mircowave IS the PWM control. Regardless of the name, it does work. Great for use in a camper that runs of a battery-to-inverter AC power supply. That because there are no high-amp spikes like in a regular microwave. I ran a test on an AIMs 1500 watt mod-wave inverter (rated 3000 watt surge). It cannot power a conventional 700 watt microwave. Now - I tested the Panasonic 900 watt "Inverter" microwave and it works fine. At power level #1 - it draws 2.7 to 4.5 amps. Never spikes above that. At power level # 5 it draws 6.7 amps steady. At power level # 10 it drew 14.2 amps and tripped the breaker in my 1500 watt inverter. But that was due to low DC battery voltage. I started the engine in the camper and ran the test again and it then worked fine. [Reply]  [No Email]
SD Pete 11-14-2012 06:40:46 24.230.34.249 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   I have a 3 year old Emerson. I have no complaints about it. Wally world special. [Reply]  [No Email]
Inno 11-14-2012 06:09:23 206.172.0.204 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   The inverter units (Panasonic) use an inverter to change the high voltage for high, med. and low unlike conventional units which always use high power but turn it on and off depending on what power level you select. I guess you could say the inverters are more accurate and will thaw your food better rather than cook it. If your containers are getting hot in the microwave it's the container, not the microwave. Microwaves excite water moelcules in the container thus making it hot. I have some coffee mugs that stay cool to the touch in the micro but the coffee is hot and others that will burn my lips if I microwave them. [Reply]  [No Email]
LJD 11-14-2012 06:17:30 75.194.101.226 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to Inno, 11-14-2012 06:09:23   There is no inverter that I know of. The Panasonic "Inverter" microwave uses a pulse width modulation converter to provide steady heat. [Reply]  [No Email]
Billy Shafer 11-14-2012 06:07:45 173.184.85.29 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   I bought a Sanyo lasted six months. Before it went up in smoke. Drug out my old giant Sharp Carousel II. Doesn't rotate anymore only got one powers setting left. But it still heats without blowing things up. [Reply]  [No Email]
Jerry Coulter 11-14-2012 06:37:07 50.40.165.22 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to Billy Shafer, 11-14-2012 06:07:45   I bought a new Sharp Carousel for Christmas 1977 and still use it. And I have a back up unit. Wife I married in 1996 has one like it. [Reply]  [No Email]
Sean Feeney 11-14-2012 06:05:11 174.63.127.125 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   Bought a Magic Chef lasted 13 months just out of warranty they said they have a new board design wanted about $20 less for repair then i paid new. Just as John stated crab shoot [Reply]  [No Email]
Indiana Ken 11-14-2012 05:45:40 66.249.234.243 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to 36 coupe, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   I have a Sharp Half Pint that was a giveaway to me over ten years ago. The previous owner used it at least that long. It has one knob to set the time and a door that's it. It is going in the shop when I up date my kitchen. I like this machine since it has lower power (only one setting) than the fancie schmanie models and does not blow up the beans when I heat a bowl of chili. I will look at Sharp when I shop for a new one. [Reply]  [No Email]
LJD 11-14-2012 05:22:51 75.194.101.226 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   My Sharp microwave is over 20 years old and still works fine. It's a crap shoot. A new Sharp might be dead in a year. I just bought a new Panasonic Inverter micorwave for my motorhome. I love it. Can't say how long it will last though. I have no idea why they named it "inverter." It does work like no other though. A standard microwave- regardless of heat setting - runs full throttle, off, full throttle, off, etc. This new "Inverter" Panasonic runs steady at any setting. It truly has a variable heat range. Other microwaves do not. I just ran a bunch of amp draw tests on one. At low heat - I ran for 5 minutes and it drew 5 amps steady. I did the same on a new Samsung (not inverter) and at low heat - it drew 14.5 amps, then zero, then 14.5 amps, etc. [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 11-14-2012 04:25:14 79.240.159.167 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to DH in Carolina, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   I like the KISS ones (keep it simple stupid)... 2 nobs and a pushbutton. One to set the heat (?) and one to set the timer and a button to open the door... Anything more and it's an invitation to microwave tv dinners and a big a$s :roll: I don't think that brand is important anymore.... We replaced a fancy german labeled one that went TU with a 50 buck chinese one that was just as fancy and has lasted longer so far.... [Reply]  [No Email]
VernMI 11-14-2012 04:24:26 209.86.226.57 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   You are on the right track with the Panasonic 1250 watt with the inverter technology for thawing. [Reply]  [No Email]
woodbutcher 11-14-2012 03:30:06 38.107.192.201 Report to Moderator	Re: OT: Microwave recommendations in reply to farmer boy, 11-13-2012 23:19:08   Our last one was a good one for 15 years. I believe it was a Kenmore. Somehow, it would heat the food and not the container. But we replaced it with a Sharp. Seems like there"s no way to heat the food sufficiently without superheating the container. Butch [Reply]  [No Email]