Micowave Purchase

[Tiger]

My clothsdryer broke yesterday so of coarse my microwave quit today.
I really just use it to re-heat and heat up hot chocolate and stuff. (Don't cook meals) I like having the turntable thought. My DH can go pick out the dryer but you know I'll be in on the microwave purchase.
Any features or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Beth]

I have my eye on one that I think is made by Sharp. It has a stainless front and the control panel across the top, so you get a larger cooking area inside a smaller overall size. I have a micro/convection made by Sharp that I have had about 12 years and been very happy with, so I feel good about that. Also, I like the automatic settings for baked potatoes, popcorn and such - even though we don't use them that much.

[Jewel]

Last week my parents bought me a new microwave, since my Dad saw that his little girl was standing in front of a 12 year old 'Goldstar' microwave that was probably responsible for the gray in her hair, and said 'Come on, little girl, early Birthday gift!' At Home Depot we found a Sharp Carousel. 1.4 cubic feet, 1000 watt, all kinds of really cool programmable buttons, a CompuDefrost that is amazing, and it does a complete bag of popcorn in 2 minutes...$108 plus tax.

Never would have thought I could get that much microwave for that little money! Well, Dad's money!! It's white, really slim design, and fit just perfect under our cabinet. I love it!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[chefbec]

I have a microwave/convection oven (over the stove). I like the fact that I have the convection when my oven is already filled and I need to bake something else. I use my microwave for reheating, defrosting, melting butter, etc. but not regular cooking. The convection has come in very handy. It's a GE.

[Tiger]

Chefbec- exactly what is a convection oven? I was actually thinking about getting the microwave to go over the stove.

[This message has been edited by Tiger (edited 05-28-2001).]

[chefbec]

A convection oven blows air around and bakes things evenly. So when you have a micro/convection combo, you can do either or both! Convection baking cooks very evenly and very often in less time. Usually you adjust the temperature 25 degrees less for any recipe and just check it early. And since you can do both at the same time, you can cook foods by micro a little to save time, and convection a little to make them crisp. I love mine!

[Tiger]

I will definitly look into this. I'm afraid to ask but I assume they're expensive.

[ewatkins]

We had the built in kind that goes over the stove. It broke and we got a counter top model. I actually like the counter version better as you don't have to lift the food up so high. Also, if you have kids, they can use the counter top kind more safely.
One feature I miss--the old one had a beeper that would go off at some interval if you didn't open the door, to remind you the food was in there and ready to come out. The new one doesn't have this, and I am always coming home to a muffin, cold tea or something that I heated up but forgot about.

Also--beware of too many settoings. My mother got one where you enter the weight of the food and it will cook it. Fine for a roast (who does that?) but what about leftover lasagne? On hers, you cannot manually set it for anything other than one minute increments. So no chance to do a 10 sec. defrost of one muffin, or a 30 sec. melt of butter. So watch out for that.

[Beth]

Tiger, while you can get a good countertop microwave for under $100 or a little over, the over the stove seem to start around $300 (venting and side panels to make it fit). You can probably get a countertop combination for that (I bought mine too long ago for prices to be relevant anymore), but you may have a harder time finding a combination that is designed to go over your stove. Also, make sure you have would have enough clearance to reach the back of your stove with large steaming pots (pasta, your largest stock pot, etc.) and stir them underneath the microwave. I have seen some mounted too low for serious cooking.

[chefbec]

If my memory serves me well, I think I paid around $400 or $500 five years ago. I got it at The Electric Company in Jenkintown (I know you live relatively close to me). It's not huge, but serves my purposes quite well. I've been able to bake muffins, casseroles, etc., but I can't fit a large turkey in it. It's a very nice-sized microwave as well. I often melt butter in my 9 x 13 baker and that fits fine. I think you need to just shop around and determine what your needs are.