Appliances & Connected Home

[RealGeorgeW Valued Expert]

Hey all!

I'm in the market for a new microwave, as my college dorm room sized one just isn't cutting it anymore, and is starting to die.

I'm looking for either a full or mid size unit. I have pretty much zero knowledge of appliance brands, so any pointers/suggestions is appreciated.

Preferred color would be black/brushed metal, but white would be alright if the price/features are right.

Being a techie, the more bells/whistles the btter.

Maximum price is around $200.

[xl]

My only advice is to get yourself some Corning microwave cookware/dishes.  I bought mine something like 25 years ago and it's going strong....  Cleaning the glass dishes is much easier than trying to remove stains inside the microwave.  When I see microwave meals coming with a tray, I put the tray inside one of these dishes to capture any exploding sauces.

You can get one of those small "personalized" microwave, but a big unit allows you to cook with larger dishes.

[RealGeorgeW Valued Expert]

Way ahead of you Lol.

And yeah, I'm looking at the 2cf ones, so I have room for larger stuff.

[mstng87gt Trusted Contributor]

How many watts are you looking for and 2cu.ft. or bigger?

[mstng87gt Trusted Contributor]

Forgot to add I recommend Sharp as that is what I have been looking at for my HT room.

Sharp - 1.3 Cu. Ft. Mid-Size Microwave - Smooth Black

Model: R-409YK | SKU: 5101767

Quickly prepare meals and snacks with this Sharp R-409YK 1.3 cu. ft. mid-size microwave that features 5 auto cooking programs and 4 one-touch cooking programs to suit a variety of dishes. The 12-7/8" Carousel turntable system enables even heating.

 4.2 Read reviews (14)

Sale: $109.99

Sharp - 2.0 Cu. Ft. Full-Size Microwave - Black

Model: R530EK | SKU: 8030365

The Interactive Cooking System with Custom Help featured in this microwave assists you with setting the controls and leads you through cycle selection for cooking and defrosting. The 2-color display is easy to read and understand for hassle-free use.

 4.6 Read reviews (43)

Sale: $179.99

[bobberuchi]

We have had our Panasonic Mircowave for  years and going strong.  Good microwave.  I really like the sensor defrost  and the keep warm features.

I would like to replace it eventually with GE - Café but that is well over your price specifications.

[TheNameIsJeff]

I'm a big fan of the GE Sensor equiped models. In fact when I bought a new convec/microwave model I kept the GE.

The sensor allows you to hit popcorn and walk away. It somehow detects what's going on. Maybe through escaping steam?

My newer model wants to know what size bag and blah blah blah. Put it on a glass plate upside down etc. Also, for reheating it's a quick two button press on the GE.

I don't know why the others are so complicated. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/GE+-+1.4+Cu.+Ft.+Mid-Size+Microwave+-+Black/4033139.p?id=1218642258868&s...

[RealGeorgeW Valued Expert]

So far, 2 for GE and 1 for Panasonic. Strangely enough, those are the two brands I'd been leaning towards.

[mstng87gt Trusted Contributor]

Becareful with GE microwaves.  I have plenty of friends that bought GE products and the microwaves didn't last long at all.  The panel or power board would have a problem and start by itself.    Most of them had over the stove units so my thought is the steam is getting inside the panel and the moisture is shorting it out, but some also had counter units as well.  I also checked with my coworker who had a GE and had the same problem.  I have a Sharp, my mother has a Sharp and the ones who had GE went to either Sharp or Panasonic or Sanyo.

[bobberuchi]

When I was a poor college student I had a Sharp Microwave.  It worked really well.  I had it for some 10 years until my new wife said it was to small and her brother needed one. 

Thats when we replaced it with our current Panasonic.