My grandmother just last year sold her 1968 Radarange at a garage sale. It was still working fine. She now uses at 1984/85 model that she's had in her attic since she won it at a raffle.
Microwave Service Life
- Thread starter Nick R
- Start date
- Status
Originally Posted By: Popinski
Microwaves in the 1980's: Forever
Microwaves built in this decade: probably 5 years.
You speak the TRUTH!
This goes for MANY other appliances as well.
Most of the stuff made in the past decade is junk and that pattern certainly doesn't seem to be changing.
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Microwaves in the 1980's: Forever
Microwaves built in this decade: probably 5 years.
You speak the TRUTH!
This goes for MANY other appliances as well.
Most of the stuff made in the past decade is junk and that pattern certainly doesn't seem to be changing.
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: 91344George
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Actually its a matter of engineering a product with a low enough cost, long enough life, and acceptable quality such that JoeSixpack will buy it.
You do know that higher quality products costing more that Mr. Sixpack chooses not to buy are available, right?
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Actually its a matter of engineering a product with a low enough cost, long enough life, and acceptable quality such that JoeSixpack will buy it.
You do know that higher quality products costing more that Mr. Sixpack chooses not to buy are available, right?
We've had two microwaves since 1978. The first was an Amana that had a spectacular ending in 1993 or so (the fan that "stirs" the waves stopped). The second is a Sharp carousel unit that is working as good as ever.
Somehow I suspect it won't be likely to buy a new one that lasts like those did/have.
After DVD players were common it was almost impossible to find a VHS machine that wasn't cheap plastic garbage with terrible picture quality at any brick & mortar store in my area. After purchasing a disappointing JVC unit, I found that the older, high quality units could be found online - for a price.
Somehow I suspect it won't be likely to buy a new one that lasts like those did/have.
After DVD players were common it was almost impossible to find a VHS machine that wasn't cheap plastic garbage with terrible picture quality at any brick & mortar store in my area. After purchasing a disappointing JVC unit, I found that the older, high quality units could be found online - for a price.
I got this bad boy for free from a nice old lady in 1997 or so when the 10 second button worked but the 1 min and 10 min were shot. A part of the flexible circuit board membrane stuff had issues. Let's break out the soldering iron and...
It's my backup microwave; I used it most recently to boil a coffee mug of water to soften some nylon fuel line to get it over a barbed splicer. Neither mug nor possibly the microwave will ever see food again.
It's my backup microwave; I used it most recently to boil a coffee mug of water to soften some nylon fuel line to get it over a barbed splicer. Neither mug nor possibly the microwave will ever see food again.
Had microwaves tossed out due to the turntable motor going bad. Never knew you could change those out. 3 years into owning our panasonic microwave the turntable motor went out, replaced it and good as new.
Within 20 years our family has went through 4-5 microwaves. I think some of them didn'theat radiate anymore.
Within 20 years our family has went through 4-5 microwaves. I think some of them didn't
Ours is at least 10 years old, still only 1 minute to boil a cup of water. Kenmore.
Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: 91344George
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Actually its a matter of engineering a product with a low enough cost, long enough life, and acceptable quality such that JoeSixpack will buy it.
You do know that higher quality products costing more that Mr. Sixpack chooses not to buy are available, right?
agree, completely. If you want to spend $200.00 on an NSF-approved microwave with no funny features, timers or other gizmoes, it'll probably last a couple generations in residential use. Most people aren't will to do that, though.
I've never actually owned a microwave, and I don't feel like I'm missing anything.
Originally Posted By: 91344George
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Actually its a matter of engineering a product with a low enough cost, long enough life, and acceptable quality such that JoeSixpack will buy it.
You do know that higher quality products costing more that Mr. Sixpack chooses not to buy are available, right?
agree, completely. If you want to spend $200.00 on an NSF-approved microwave with no funny features, timers or other gizmoes, it'll probably last a couple generations in residential use. Most people aren't will to do that, though.
I've never actually owned a microwave, and I don't feel like I'm missing anything.
My mom's 1977 magic chef is still cookin'. Not very fast though.
Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: 91344George
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Actually its a matter of engineering a product with a low enough cost, long enough life, and acceptable quality such that JoeSixpack will buy it.
You do know that higher quality products costing more that Mr. Sixpack chooses not to buy are available, right?
Very well said! This is what they termed "planned obsolescence".
Just like stereo amplifiers: Sony can make a $80bux (China made) mid-fi amp that sounds like what a typical mid-fi should (and NAmerican consumers would still debate the sound quality over BestBuy, etc.) and Sony can still make a high-end Japan made ES series 2-channel amp that costs typically 2~3000bux and will only sell them locally in Jpn domestic market (another fine example would be Pioneer/TAD stuff). Why you ask? Simple: when it comes to selling consumer grade products, NA consumers primary consideration shall always be price and not performance/reliability. In order for those companies to sell their product, they can and will only sell the lowest of the low to NA customers just because NAcustomers demanded them.
That's why.
Q.
Originally Posted By: 91344George
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Actually its a matter of engineering a product with a low enough cost, long enough life, and acceptable quality such that JoeSixpack will buy it.
You do know that higher quality products costing more that Mr. Sixpack chooses not to buy are available, right?
Very well said! This is what they termed "planned obsolescence".
Just like stereo amplifiers: Sony can make a $80bux (China made) mid-fi amp that sounds like what a typical mid-fi should (and NAmerican consumers would still debate the sound quality over BestBuy, etc.) and Sony can still make a high-end Japan made ES series 2-channel amp that costs typically 2~3000bux and will only sell them locally in Jpn domestic market (another fine example would be Pioneer/TAD stuff). Why you ask? Simple: when it comes to selling consumer grade products, NA consumers primary consideration shall always be price and not performance/reliability. In order for those companies to sell their product, they can and will only sell the lowest of the low to NA customers just because NAcustomers demanded them.
That's why.
Q.
Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: 91344George
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Actually its a matter of engineering a product with a low enough cost, long enough life, and acceptable quality such that JoeSixpack will buy it.
You do know that higher quality products costing more that Mr. Sixpack chooses not to buy are available, right?
Actually Mr. Sixpack likely lost his good paying manufacturing job to China slave wages so it is possible that all Joe can afford nowadays is cheap Chinese [censored].
Originally Posted By: 91344George
I think it is a matter of GREED.
Actually its a matter of engineering a product with a low enough cost, long enough life, and acceptable quality such that JoeSixpack will buy it.
You do know that higher quality products costing more that Mr. Sixpack chooses not to buy are available, right?
Actually Mr. Sixpack likely lost his good paying manufacturing job to China slave wages so it is possible that all Joe can afford nowadays is cheap Chinese [censored].
To be fair all those "last forever" items cost a boat load back in the days as a percentage of your salary, but are dime a dozen today, so you have to expect the quality to go down as well.
I'm still using the 1981 Amana (Raytheon)Radarange over-the-stove model I bought new. Rotary knobs, no touch-pad. Has a thermometer probe so it'll cook to temp. Very convienent. I replaced a motor cap about 15 yrs ago and the flourescent starter several weeks back. Still on the original magnetron too. More power than the Energizer Bunny!
I checked the date of manufacture on our Kenmore and she was built in 98. So 13 years.
I think as long as you get one with knobs instead of electronics, your chances of it going out are fairly low.
GE standalone unit bought in summer of 1985 still works with no problems; maybe it takes longer to cook but not enough to notice.
My family had an old microwave from the mid 70's and was working until 2005 when it was junked. it didn't have that carousel that microwaves now have. it was very basic. it was like a big brick. OTOH, we have a stand alone microwave from 2005 and a GE advantum microwave built in the kitchen from 2001 that still works.
- Status
