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Author Topic: Over-the-range microwave replacement?  (Read 1015 times)

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Offline Questor

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Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« on: October 26, 2009, 05:33:59 AM »
Alas, Mrs. Questor called to tell me that our old Amana over-the-range microwave just died. Somehow spending money for something like this just isn't as exciting as spending money on hunting or fishing or shooting. But I guess it has to be done.

How do you remove and replace a unit like that? I haven't looked at how the old one is mounted.

I like the concept, and might replace it with a similar unit.

Are there any features in microwaves that we should be looking for? I know practically nothing about them except that you put the mug of water in it for 2 and a half minutes, press the button, and you get hot water.
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2009, 07:16:01 AM »
First off do you really want to replace it?  Most cases there is nothing wrong with the Microwave except for a blown fuse.  I just tossed our microwave we bought back in the late 70s, simply because we were tired of it.  It still worked fine.

As for what to look for, decide what features you want.  Do you want a Microwave/Convection oven or a straight microwave.  Size is also important to some people.
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Offline Questor

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2009, 07:40:21 AM »
The symptoms she describes are consistent with a blown internal fuse but it's actually a good time to replace the unit. It's very worn and is about 25 years old. It's got a number of quirks we've been living with for years and I've been looking for an excuse to replace it.

Just a microwave is fine. Quality and durability are important. As for size, a straight replacement for the old one is what I want. Same width, and height.

There's a feature on newer microwaves I really like: a rotating turntable that evenly heats the object. Our current one burns the heck out of part of the object and leaves the rest cold.
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2009, 07:50:49 AM »
Most of the new ones have the revolving table, I've never owned one without it.  We just bought one last year and put it in over the stove.  Was an easy install.  Sky and I did it in about 45 minutes.  (I'm slow).
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Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline rex6666

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2009, 08:33:09 AM »
I replaced ours about a year ago.
I didn't know come here from sicum about it so i took the measurement to
home depot, they had me loaded in about 15 min.
I did take the old one out and put the new one in ALL BUY MYSELF, never
do that again, it was easy to do you just need 4-5 hands, other wise
it is tricky. I like the turntable and just a knob to turn for time, that is
all i require.
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Offline williamlayton

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2009, 09:42:52 AM »
Should just be mounted on a mounting bracket---loosen and unload it.
The depot guys can tell you how your is probably mounted.
I did mine with no problems.
Blessings
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Offline DalesCarpentry

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2009, 10:10:07 AM »
I have installed several over the years. If you are a do it yourself type person you should be able to do it without much trouble. I would advise you to read the directions all the way through first before doing anything. It is much easier with a second set of hands but you could also build a Tee out of a couple 2x4'S. That really makes it much easier. Dale
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Offline gypsyman

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2009, 01:53:34 PM »
Just out of curiosity, we don't have a mounted microwave, just a countertop model. We replaced it a couple years ago. Does anybody know if there has been any studies on how long a microwave lasts, before it might ''leak'' microwaves. In particular, around the door? Might be a silly question, but when we replaced our old one,(it was almost 20years ald), I never asked if that is something to be concerned about. gypsyman
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2009, 01:59:32 PM »
I installed a Whirlpool recently and it was a piece of cake.  I bought it at Lowe's.  There's a template for the mounting bracket holes.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2009, 02:40:26 PM »
I just spent several days researching MW ovens, read the reviews at the major retailers, the overwhelming majority of owners had ovens that lasted 15-20yrs without a problem, then they replaced them with current products of the same mfr and had them fail within a few months to just out of warranty. Do yourself a favor and read the owner reviews, you'll learn a lot, Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy, Amazon are a few that have owner ratings, Consumer Reports had great reviews on some top rated units, but the actual owner reviews didn't match in any way, shape or form.

As to MW leak detectors, there are many available, I got an inexpensive one that is just a bar of clear plastic, it glows red if it detects leaks, I think I paid $15 for it, it detected leaks in our old Kenmore MW that was 25yrs old when I quit using it, still worked tho, the Kenmore that replaced it lasted 4yrs, just bought a Panasonic that has exceptional customer reviews.

Tim
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Offline rex6666

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2009, 06:10:23 AM »
I know they leak.
Just read some of the post here. :D ::)
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Offline Questor

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2009, 06:14:30 AM »
quickdtoo:

Mama Mia! Thanks for the warning. My assumption was that I could buy a quality brand name like Amana and expect it to last. I'm not looking for super deluxe, I'm just looking for a well made durable piece of equipment.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2009, 06:28:24 AM »
That's kinda the general contention of many of the buyers, boy were they disappointed when their new productions failed them after a short period of time in comparison to what they had experienced before.  :-\ Consumer Reports does have repair frequency charts for over-the-range  units.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/kitchen-appliances/microwave-ovens/microwave-oven-ratings/brand-reliability.htm

Most brands are not distinguished from others in terms of repair rates. However, KitchenAid has been one of the more repair-prone brands. That's what we found when we asked 25,697 readers who bought an over-the-range microwave oven between 2004 and 2008 about their experiences. The graph shows the percentage of brands that needed a repair or had a serious problem. Differences of less than 5 points aren't meaningful, and we've adjusted the data to eliminate differences linked solely to age. Models within a brand may vary, and design or manufacture changes may affect future reliability. Still, choosing a brand with a good repair history can improve your odds of getting a reliable model.

Frigidaire 5   

Whirlpool    6

Kenmore (Sears)    8

Amana    8

Maytag    8

GE    8
 
KitchenAid    11
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Offline PASingleshot

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Re: Over-the-range microwave replacement?
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2009, 08:59:12 AM »
Maytag, Amana, & Whirlpool microwaves are the same.  Whirlpool owns Maytag & Amana and I think for the OTR (over the range) microwaves, they are made by either LG or Samsung.  My brain isn't working right now.   Installation isn't to terribly hard.  There will be a template & a rear bracket.  You'll put up the rear bracket.  Now test hang the micro.  You'll now need to possibly drill two holes in your cabinet to run the top bolts through down into the micro.  It's not hard.  I have a small new  & used appliance store.
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