Hey ever helpful ozbargain community! Need to get a new microwave for me mum. Point me in the right direction! What brands to shoot for, what brands to avoid, anyone doing good deals?
Can be up to 60cm wide and 40cm deep. I assume I want an inverter microwave. Happy to spend some dollars for quality.
Cheers bruvvas and sistas.
Microwaves are one of those kitchen appliances that break very easily and almost without any prior warning, regardless of how high end they are.
Usually the first thing to break is actually the turn table, I've had that happened to 2 of my Sharps.
TScott is right about not buying a fancy microwave — I'd say $200 would be a good budget for one.
Just stick with the well known brands — According to Choice.com it says Samsung has the best reliability followed by Panasonic and LG. Not sure how scientific their tests are though, so take it with a grain of salt.
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/household/kitchen…
I am currently using Sharp and it's great..
yeah i have had 2 turntable failures.
They are actually really easy to fix. on my LG a panel underneath pops off giving access to the motor. Part was available on ebay for $18 delvered and only took a min to swap over.
Example: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=17…
Just be aware folks, there is a capacitor in a microwave that stores a huge charge even after it's turned off. People can DIE mucking around inside one.
I learned of one technician from a TAFE teacher. Blew his finger off apparently, when he clipped the cap with his wedding ring.
BTW. I don't go in for all this nanny state rubbish. Most people with half a brain can fix most things. But for goodness sake, look up how to DISCHARGE the capacitor safely first. And no, that doesn't include asking the mother-in-law to… "put yer finger 'er for a sec, will ya?"
Good point. Don't open a microwave. The motor for the turntable does not require anything more than a coverplate when i have changed it. There was only a simple connector for the low voltage to run the motor.
If you dont know what you are doing pay someone to do it.
Cheers for that - probably saved me $200 on conspicuous consumption. I'd read (probably somewhere on ozbargain) that inverters were the shiznit, prolly need to do some more reading…
I'm a fan of microwaves which also include grill and fan-forced convection oven. I have generally gone for the cheapest -currently running a abode from Kmart which has lasted 5 years for $129. It makes great cakes, pizza and reheats pies nice and crispy. I saw one around $300 at HN recently and also one from Masters which because it is an inverter it does away with the dreaded glass turntable. I can't speak for its quality but I liked it's specs:
http://www.masters.com.au/product/100014063/panasonic-42l-co…
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/electrolux-e-line-l-microwave…
It would depend what she wants to do with it. Paying for inverter technology is worth it if she uses it a lot. The new whirlpool range with crisp and jet technology promise to do a lot.
There is a 34L samsung microwave from GG for $147. It has that non scratch ceramic in it.
Make sure you check out reviews though, seems samsung in general got some bad ones from guys in the US
It does have 5 year warranty though
Thanks for that!
Nowadays high dollars doesn't necessarily buy you a lasting and high quality appliance. Around a yearish ago i went and spent 400 dollars on a high end panasonic inverter microwave that was the largest capacity, all stainless steel. I bought it home left it in the box for a couple of months, then got it out to use. To my surprise it did not work, no heating of food, but it did sound like it was working. I returned it to hn and they exchanged it for another. This one worked for a month until it started to fail heating food. Long story short dont buy panasonic inverter microwaves, just buy a normal non inverter microwave that looks nice. The only brands i havent heard of failures is lg? Breville? I have heard of premature failures to blanco, sharp microwaves also. If in doubt have a look at productreview.com.au for more advice.