Appliance frustration
I really, really didn’t think it would be so difficult to replace a microwave. Honestly, all I wanted was something that works and doesn’t cost sixty million dollars, and won’t break down in 3 years. But lo and behold, two passed in and out the door before, finally, the third stayed.
#1: The Danby
Got this one because it was cheap and on sale. And the door was stainless steel, and it look flash and everything. Then I checked out the reviews online, on various sites, and saw that feedback was almost universally craptastic. Back it went.
#2: The Panasonic
We can trust Panasonic, right? I’m pretty brand loyal, and Panasonic I would basically stand by. Bought it, took it home, set up and plugged, and everything’s great for a day … until I read the manual. To set the power level, I have to press “Power Level” the reverse number of times as the power level I want. Not, “Oh, I want to set it at Power 5, so I’ll press ‘Power Level’ and number ‘5’”. No, it’s I-have-to-press-“Power Level” five freaking times. If I want Power 3, I press the button 7 times. Is there ever a more inefficient process in the world? I expected better from Panasonic. Back it went.
#3: The GE
After using it for a few days, it’s nowhere near as powerful as the Panasonic, which wasn’t as powerful as the six-year Samsung, which wasn’t as powerful as the 20-year Toshiba. But it’ll have to do.
What’s your take on buying appliances? Quick and cheap, or dearer and durable?
– Jean AAR
I have a Kenmore that I bought as a scratch-and-dent at a Sears store at least 8 or 9 years ago. I paid all of $35 dollars for it, lol. It’s been worth every penny. In my experience, you just can’t go wrong with a Kenmore.
LeeB – I was a little tempted by a lower-end Cuisinart, about $150. But I thought, really, I’ll probably have to replace this one in a few years anyway. Or maybe not; I did without one in NZ, and I can do without one again.
kathy – I know, right? Ridiculous.
Nikki H – Exactly! The Toshiba was ages old, and super powerful. Sigh.
My mum’s going through a similar process, but with chopping boards. She bought hers decades ago from Eaton’s (a Canadian department store that’s now defunct), that is made of solid wood, for $20, which back then was a lot of money. Now? Practically no such thing as solid wood chopping board.
I know lots of people have experienced this, but we bought our first microwave and it lasted 30 years. It wasn’t fancy (i.e. not digital–it had a knob that was turned for the settings) but it did the jobs we wanted. It finally died, and we have gone through 2 since then. And we are really not happy with the one we have now. I anticipate buying a new one in the next year or so.
The Panasonic had to be designed by a man.
I don’t have a microwave but the last time I bought a toaster I went for the high-end Cuisinart which started smoking the first time I used it. Back to the store. Ended up buying a cheap Hamilton Beach at the drugstore. Works fantastic.