What's the best mid-sized countertop microwave oven?

[DeepBlueC]

Mine just died while heating up my dinner. Where will the food come from? :scared:

[AlCzervik]

1. i would be freaking out.

i am the "lift one corner to vent" queen.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13940673&RN=685&

[DeepBlueC]

4. that's a nice looking micro

Cheap too. I wonder if it has the inverter technology I just learned about. I like the sound of it.

[GOPisEvil]

2. My mom has a microwave made by Sharp we purchased in the late 1970s.

One of the first digital models.

I have a Sharp that I bought in 1994. It still works great.

So, buy a Sharp. :)

[DeepBlueC]

3. I'm looking at "inverter technology"

Just means that when old microwave was at 60% power the power was the same when it was on but it was only on 60% of the time. Inverter technology means actual variations in power level. I think Sharp is a good brand. I also saw some Panasonics (just Googling and looking at what came up first) which is where I discovered inverter technology.

I might go to the library and check Consumer Reports but actually I am going to want a replacement in here pronto (by breakfast would be good) and I'm not going to want to take the time for my usual methodical research. I wish I could call a personal shopper. I tried online shopping from local stores and found an abysmal selection.

Funny thing how it went. I was heating some tasty lasagna when all of a sudden it started making a much louder sound and the smell coming out was not savory lasagna but melting plastic. The lasagna heated up although I didn't let it go the full 3 minutes. Tried it tonight to defrost some bread and nothing. No heat at all. Zippo.

[flvegan]

5. According to Consumer Reports 2008 Buying Guide, Kenmore then Sharp.

Quick Draw CR McGraw they call me.

[DeepBlueC]

6. bada bing

Well that simplifies matters a whole lot. There is a Sears fairly close to me. I'm going to get whichever one is better looking. I really appreciate that. I see food in my future!!!

[LeftyMom]

7. Panasonic makes a 1300 watt that can rotate a 13x9" baking dish on the turntable.

It's like, $110 or so. Nobody ever brings one back or complains about it.

I used to sell appliances.

[DeepBlueC]

8. That would probably be too big to go on top of my fridge

Yes my oven sits on top of my fridge. But Panasonic does have the nicest looking collection of stainless microwaves. Kenmore is supposed to be CR #1 but there is a choice of ONE countertop model in the sears online store.

[LeftyMom]

9. Not unless you have a very tiny fridge.

If space is at a premium Sharp has models with the controls on the top of the unit's face rather than a side panel, which might help you get more cooking space for your buck without going full sized.

[DeepBlueC]

10. yes, it is small

It is 27 1/2 inches across the top. The large ovens tend to run 29+ inches . If the the controls are on the top, I might have trouble reaching them or at least reading them. There's an Amazon review of the Sharp oven that says not to buy one unless you are close to an authorized Sharp service center. The ovens have to be HAND DELIVERED for repair, not shipped, and the closest one to him was more than a two hour drive. That's food for thought.

There is a store right on my block that is supposedly a Panasonic dealer so I think I will end up trotting over there and if they have anything stainless steel with inverter technology, it'll be in place and thawing later today. Even stuff like bread and rolls I keep in the freezer so I can have them at the freshest every time.

[DeepBlueC]

14. I got a Panasonic for $349

I'm in Toronto. Things are more expensive in this country. It's 1200 watts, probably 1.1 or 1.2 cu inches. Sleek, good-looking, this inverter technology that so intrigued me. I'm glad you mentioned Panasonic because there happened to be a dealer two doors up. They carried it home for me! Thanks.

[yellowdogintexas]

11. I have a Sharp that is about 24 inches wide. Got it at Target.

Target is a good place to look for mid size micros because they don't carry any really big ones.

I like this oven a lot

[DeepBlueC]

19. I looked at Sharp micros online

They did not have much choice in stainless steel - only one - and it was the smallest. Nice looking though. If I had been able to find a really close local dealer I would have bought it. 24 inches would be a good size. The one I got is 22 inches wide but has a 15 inch carousel.

[AwakeAtLast]

12. You may just need to replace a fuse, depending on the type

I held onto my old one another five years just by replacing a burnt fuse. Worth looking into, I think.

[DeepBlueC]

15. hmmm, it's out on the street

Wish I heard that about 30 minutes earler. Oh well, I got me a sexy beast.

[DeepBlueC]

16. I heard humming get loud & smelled burnt plastic

Does this sound like a burnt fuse? If so at least I can put a sign on the one out on the street. Around here people are big on recycling found objects.

[AwakeAtLast]

21. Oh no, it does not sound like that's the problem

I tried at least. Glad you were able to find a replacement!

[DeepBlueC]

22. I appreciate it

I looked at it and I didn't see any fuse cover on the back. But I did put a note on it saying that it MIGHT be a fuse problem and someone claimed it. The good news is that around here it could easily end up as a stage prop or Incorporated into some art project.

[DeepBlueC]

17. It was a stainless steel Sunbeam 1000 watt

Maybe 5 years old tops.

[Symarip]

13. Truthbetold

All Microwaves are made by only two or three companies in China and Korea. Essentially, they are all the same.

[AlCzervik]

18. Same deal for flat screen televisions.

my husband works in China for much of the year and he's been to 2 of the factories that make flat screens for a bunch of different companies, the specs are different for many brands but they're all made at the same places. He brought a Nintendo Wii home from China almost a year ago and i'm looking at it and then i got look at the Robo raptor my daughter got for Christmas a few years ago, yup, same factory.

[DeepBlueC]

20. my brother is over there a lot

One company he was visiting gave him an IPod as a gift.