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BUYING new microwave

(82 Posts)
Bea65 Wed 05-Jun-24 13:06:31

Hi GNs, has anyone bought one recently...and what power usage is it....thanks for any comments...I don't need anything big as just me and sometimes 1 other....

MissAdventure Sun 16-Jun-24 21:16:10

Well, I'm quite jealous of the last two microwave photos.

Mine is nowhere near as nice as those.

Bea65 Sun 16-Jun-24 15:38:35

😀

JaneJudge Sun 16-Jun-24 13:44:29

sorry, you've already bought one grin

JaneJudge Sun 16-Jun-24 13:44:05

i bought a basic one from next which is fine

www.next.co.uk/style/st182372/590769#590769

you can get it in different colours too

Bea65 Sun 16-Jun-24 13:40:53

Yes am pleased and it wasn't costly at all..😊 and performs well - I don't mind the 'ding' noise (need reminding to get up and eat!) but others have expressed that their microwaves are noisy...if only I could be as decisive with my flooring...on other thread..😦

NotAGran55 Sat 15-Jun-24 19:09:01

Are you pleased with it Bea65?

Bea65 Sat 15-Jun-24 12:44:06

The recent purchase 😊

Franbern Thu 13-Jun-24 09:00:25

Witzend surely, you do not really need to replace a whole kitchen in order to get a new microwave and/or main oven. The dimensions for these have as fitted appliances have not changed over the past many years, and you should have no problem at just purchasing new machines, have the old ones taken out and the new ones put in.

When I had my totally new kitchen installed two years ago, the upright cabinet to contain the oven(s) had two same sized areas, In one I had my microwave and in the other my oven. Do not think I will live long enough to require either of these tobe replaced, but if I did I know I cold have either of those machines individually replaced.

In the past I have, on several occasions, had built in ovens replaced with new models.

M0nica Thu 13-Jun-24 06:58:41

I cook Christmas puddings in my microwave. I just have a small basic microwave. It has lots of heat settings, but it is kept permanently on high. It is like the multiple programmes on dish washers and washing machines, most of which are never used.

narrowboatnan Wed 12-Jun-24 09:52:28

750w. Mostly use for heating and reheating stuff, but also cook steamed sponge puddings in about 7 minutes (as opposed to an hour boiling on the stove)

Doodledog Tue 11-Jun-24 12:03:47

Oof! I wouldn't be happy to replace a whole kitchen because of a microwave. I've always fought shy of built-in appliances for that reason. They date, and yes, they are a pain to replace. I have only got a dishwasher and a fridge built in - everything else is freestanding.

None of that is helpful to you though - I'd like to think there is a solution that allows you to get a new microwave/cooker without a lot of faff. I don't know what it is, but maybe a local kitchen company could help - they tend to be more flexible than the big chains.

Witzend Tue 11-Jun-24 11:04:06

Doodledog

Witzend

Must say I dread having to replace our ancient one - so simple, just 2 settings, defrost and cook.
Perfectly adequate!
Why they have to be so complicated now, I really don’t know.

They don't have to be grin. There are plenty of basic models on sale. Some People (eg me!) like faffing about with gadgets though, so I'm pleased we are catered for, too.

Trouble is, ours is a built-in combi - microwave plus convection oven - and modern versions (I’ve looked) are never so simple, plus they’re a lot bigger, so wouldn’t fit anyway.

As I told dh the other day, once our oven - or the microwave pack up - we’re going to have to replace the entire kitchen - though to be entirely fair, it was installed in about 1989 so TBH it’s amazing that the ovens have lasted so long anyway. The kitchen still functions fine but does look tired nowadays. I do dread all the hassle and upheaval though - and the expense will not be peanuts.

Wishes Tue 11-Jun-24 10:52:38

If you ever reheat stuff on your dinner plates, make sure the plate will fit when closing the door. Some smaller models may be too small.

My kitchen cupboards are not hugely deep and I had to exchange my new dinner plates as they slightly overhung the shelf. I made sure this wouldn't happen with our new microwave before buying it.

MaggsMcG Tue 11-Jun-24 07:19:53

I use mine for heating things up like beans or reheating leftovers. I also use it for frozen vegetables. I tend to cook my salmon in it as it tastes better. Instant porridge in the Winter. My favourite use is for my milk when I make my half and half coffee I have a giant size mug so I heat up a mug full. I also admi to occasionally using it for ready meals.

infoman Tue 11-Jun-24 03:43:23

We bought a new micro wave a few months ago,it seems that every time we heated up soup,the inside of the micro wave got splattered.
Went back to shop to complain,staff suggested we put plate over soup bowl,at the time I was the only one who was not aware of this tip.
Like the advert use to say"do any of us read the instructions"

llizzie2 Tue 11-Jun-24 02:19:32

I am considering a new microwave. Mine is finally in a state not to be seen. It has driven me to distraction sometimes. If I don't go to it and open the door with the first ping, it gets louder and louder until I do.

Has anyone ever let their tongue loose on a microwave?
can anyone recommend a microwave that is not so insistent?

Doodledog Mon 10-Jun-24 11:06:50

You can turn the turntable on and off on mine.

It's interesting how we are all different in what we like and how we do things. Some don't miss microwaves when they die, some have never tried them and don't want to, others wouldn't be without one. Some like all the bells and whistles, some prefer the very basic ones. Some cook from scratch in them and others just reheat.

Franbern Mon 10-Jun-24 08:57:42

Only a couple of weeks back, was visiting one of my daughters and she needed to replace her very old, very cheap miccrowave. we spent a happy hour looking at what was on offer in Curry's.

She wanted at least 900w, preferably flat bed, so that big oblong casserole dishes could fit in and nothing at sticking out in front - so just a quick wipe-over would keep it clean and (for her kitchen - black. She found what she wanted in Curry;s but only in white, so oad to then order the same one in black from Amazon!!!!
She does not use a micreowave much

Each person needs to decide what they need and want, obviously wattage, flat bed or turntable, I had never thought about it being totally flat on the outside as she did. Some have grills and I have never found a microwave that has a grill that was any good.

I use my microwave most days, in the winter for porridge every morning, have a couple of special microwave dishes, one does a baked apple in under five minutes, another cooks a salmon fillet in two minutes. Mine is built in above my main oven - between microwave and airfryer that big oven gets very little use. Love the flatbed ones.
My very first microwave (a great big thing) was flatbed back in the late 1970's, but they stopped making them as I was told, people were worried if they could not see what was turning around.

pascal30 Mon 10-Jun-24 08:35:13

Mine broke a few months ago and I've found I don't miss it.. so probably won't replace it..

NannyLinda72 Mon 10-Jun-24 04:42:42

I have a white Panasonic combination microwave and couldn’t be without it. Ideal for just one person as it has an oven, grill & microwave. I use all three and the oven saves on electric. My main oven is lasting so much longer with less use.

Mt61 Mon 10-Jun-24 00:26:01

We have a neff it’s blinking rubbish, great as an ordinary oven but when it comes to heating my porridge in the microwave, it takes 4 mins- my old sharp a minute & half, for nice, piping hot porridge

Frosty60 Sun 09-Jun-24 22:30:47

We’ve had a Kenwood for a number of years and it packed in the other day. My sister has had a few Kenwoods with not much look, but ours served us well. Was looking at a Samsung yesterday but none in stock so bought another Kenwood. Pleased with it so far although its controls are different, but mastered it today and happy with it.
Next appliance we’re looking for is a fridge freezer.

LovesBach Sun 09-Jun-24 22:12:06

My old microwave died and I was pleasantly surprised to find a Kenwood WHITE microwave, 900w output, for a reasonable sum in a local Currys.
Please check that your diinner plates will fit - ours are quite large plates and not every microwave will take them; I use mine for starting off jacket potatoes, porridge, and giving meals a quick burst of heat before serving - otherwise it sits there, mostly unused.

Overthemoongran Sun 09-Jun-24 21:58:49

I love my 1000W Panasonic combi. I hardly ever use the main oven for meals these days, just when family or other visitors need feeding. For two of us the microwave does everything, porridge for breakfast, warming our milk for morning coffee, it grills our lunch and then becomes a mini oven for dinner. Simple to use and very economical.

Vintagegirl Sun 09-Jun-24 21:22:22

I prefer a basic knob version. I use everyday for meal prep mainly veggies and for heating milk and re heating tea/coffee. It is handy to thaw out frozen stuff on a low setting. I had to get a fancy digital one for my mother's carers and it was nice with a stainless steel interior and a light that came on when door was opened not just when in use. I forget the make.