Our 25 year old microwave oven just died. I would appreciate
suggestions regarding brands or features to look for or avoid.

Cost is not a major factor.

I did like the turntable in the old one. It also had a temperature
probe, but we never used it. We mostly use it for heating up water,
soups, etc. -- not major cooking.

Thanks

--
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(11/09/04)

(Top=A0Spin) tells and inquires....
>Our 25 year old microwave oven just
>died. I would appreciate suggestions
>regarding brands or features to look for
>or avoid. Cost is not a major factor.
>I did like the turntable in the old one. It
>also had a temperature probe, but we
>never used it. We mostly use it for
>heating up water, soups, etc. -- not
>major cooking.
You could be surprised by how much "major cooking" you may enjoy with
the microwave I have, the Sharp Carousel Convection. It's an excellent
turntable-microwave, but it's also a convection oven, having an all
metal interior and two different levels of racks. Because I live alone
and more often bake or roast in smaller amounts than family-size, I use
this far more than I do my stove's large oven, and because of the
convection baking/roasting, times are a bit reduced. Plus, because it's
all electric there is very little heat cast off while baking/roasting
and thereby into my too small kitchen.

Picky ~JA~

Top Spin wrote:
[snip]
> We mostly use it for heating up water,
> soups, etc. -- not major cooking.

When I shopped for a toaster oven recently I checked out the microwaves
as well. It seems to me that for your uses they have become such a
standardized commodity that price would drive your decision. I didn't
see any 'must have' features.

Except, our last one allowed you to turn off the end-of-cycle beeping,
which we did. Its replacement doesn't have that, and I wish it did.
But I wouldn't pay more money for it.

-aem

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 10:25:28 -0800, Top Spin
> wrote:

> Our 25 year old microwave oven just died. I would appreciate
> suggestions regarding brands or features to look for or avoid.
>
> Cost is not a major factor.
>
> I did like the turntable in the old one. It also had a temperature
> probe, but we never used it. We mostly use it for heating up water,
> soups, etc. -- not major cooking.
>

I have a Sharp Half Pint microwave and I love it. It has
the controls on top, so it doesn't take up a lot of counter
space. I have always thought controls on the side were a
complete waste of space! Unfortunately, I guess not too
many other people agreed with me because I can't find it on
their web site.

I like this design (especially if the controls were on top)
and would take a closer look at it if I found it in a store.
http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Typ...56,184,00.html

If you want a built in... this looks very interesting!
http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Mod...8,1489,00.html



sf

On 19 Feb 2005 11:44:39 -0800, "aem" > wrote:

>
>Top Spin wrote:
>[snip]
>> We mostly use it for heating up water,
>> soups, etc. -- not major cooking.
>
>When I shopped for a toaster oven recently I checked out the microwaves
>as well. It seems to me that for your uses they have become such a
>standardized commodity that price would drive your decision. I didn't
>see any 'must have' features.
>
>Except, our last one allowed you to turn off the end-of-cycle beeping,
>which we did. Its replacement doesn't have that, and I wish it did.
>But I wouldn't pay more money for it.

For under $100, you can get a nice Sharp turntable microwave; I've had
2 and been very happy with them (the first one I sold to a friend when
I moved, and it's still going strong).

sf > wrote in
:

> I have a Sharp Half Pint microwave and I love it. It has
> the controls on top, so it doesn't take up a lot of counter
> space. I have always thought controls on the side were a
> complete waste of space! Unfortunately, I guess not too
> many other people agreed with me because I can't find it on
> their web site.
>
> I like this design (especially if the controls were on top)
> and would take a closer look at it if I found it in a store.
> http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Typ...56,184,00.html
>
> If you want a built in... this looks very interesting!
> http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Mod...8,1489,00.html
>
>
>
> sf
>
>

I got a panasonic full sized combo microwave and convection
jobbie..."Dimension 4 The Genius" ...don't need a toaster oven as the
microwave can handle most toaster oven jobs easier. In fact because when
I got a new stove (convection oven), the combo mirowave does it share of
the holiday cooking. Since my stove convection oven is smaller and only
can handle either a large turkey or a large ham without being full. Last
Xmas the combo-microwave did the wild rice casserole and the green bean
casserole while the stove oven did the 28 lb turkey.

--
No Bread Crumbs were hurt in the making of this Meal.
Type 2 Diabetic 1AC 5.6mmol or 101mg/dl
Continuing to be Manitoban

"Hahabogus" > wrote in message
...
> sf > wrote in
> :
>
>> I have a Sharp Half Pint microwave and I love it. It has
>> the controls on top, so it doesn't take up a lot of counter
>> space. I have always thought controls on the side were a
>> complete waste of space! Unfortunately, I guess not too
>> many other people agreed with me because I can't find it on
>> their web site.
>>
>> I like this design (especially if the controls were on top)
>> and would take a closer look at it if I found it in a store.
>> http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Typ...56,184,00.html
>>
>> If you want a built in... this looks very interesting!
>> http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Mod...8,1489,00.html
>>
>>
>>
>> sf
>>
>>
>
> I got a panasonic full sized combo microwave and convection
> jobbie..."Dimension 4 The Genius" ...don't need a toaster oven as the
> microwave can handle most toaster oven jobs easier. In fact because when
> I got a new stove (convection oven), the combo mirowave does it share of
> the holiday cooking. Since my stove convection oven is smaller and only
> can handle either a large turkey or a large ham without being full. Last
> Xmas the combo-microwave did the wild rice casserole and the green bean
> casserole while the stove oven did the 28 lb turkey.

The "Dimension 4 The Genius" is excellent!!!

"Top Spin" > wrote in message
...
> Our 25 year old microwave oven just died. I would appreciate
> suggestions regarding brands or features to look for or avoid.
>
> Cost is not a major factor.
>
> I did like the turntable in the old one. It also had a temperature
> probe, but we never used it. We mostly use it for heating up water,
> soups, etc. -- not major cooking.

You are in for a surprise. For $80, you can get a ton of features and lots
of power. I bought a $79 model for our breakroom at work and it has far
more features that you could have bought for $400 about 15 y ears ago. As
for brands, most are made in the same few factories overseas. Pick one that
looks good and it will probably perform as well as any other on the market,
and far better than your old one.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

In article > ,
"Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote:

> "Top Spin" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Our 25 year old microwave oven just died. I would appreciate
> > suggestions regarding brands or features to look for or avoid.
> >
> > Cost is not a major factor.
> >
> > I did like the turntable in the old one. It also had a temperature
> > probe, but we never used it. We mostly use it for heating up water,
> > soups, etc. -- not major cooking.
>
> You are in for a surprise. For $80, you can get a ton of features and lots
> of power. I bought a $79 model for our breakroom at work and it has far
> more features that you could have bought for $400 about 15 y ears ago. As
> for brands, most are made in the same few factories overseas. Pick one that
> looks good and it will probably perform as well as any other on the market,
> and far better than your old one.

I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by your
statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new microwave perform
"far better" than my old one? According to my measurements, my nearly 30
year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new, and
the timer still works just fine; what else is there?

Isaac

"Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
> I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by your
> statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new microwave perform
> "far better" than my old one? According to my measurements, my nearly 30
> year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new, and
> the timer still works just fine; what else is there?
>
> Isaac

Just how much power when new? Most were 500 or 750 watt compared to the
1200 or 1500 of today making them much faster.

Inverter technology can sense cooking and adjust the time accordingly.
Better defrost cycles by weight or by time. Newer models tend to have more
even heat (wave) distribution than the older models. New ones even do
popcorn better. Most have a button just for that as it is a very popular
thing.

Your 30 year old car will still get you to and from work every day, but the
newer ones do it in much more comfort.

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 20:47:43 -0800, Isaac Wingfield
> wrote:

> According to my measurements, my nearly 30
> year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new, and
> the timer still works just fine;

That's absolutely unbelievable.

> what else is there?

Fewer hot spots for starters.

sf

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> "Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
>
>>I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by your
>>statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new microwave perform
>>"far better" than my old one? According to my measurements, my nearly 30
>>year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new, and
>>the timer still works just fine; what else is there?
>>
>>Isaac
>
>
> Just how much power when new? Most were 500 or 750 watt compared to the
> 1200 or 1500 of today making them much faster.


We just bought a new one and it is 1,300 watt/$80 as compared to the 700
watt/$600 unit it replaced


>
> Inverter technology can sense cooking and adjust the time accordingly.
> Better defrost cycles by weight or by time. Newer models tend to have more
> even heat (wave) distribution than the older models. New ones even do
> popcorn better. Most have a button just for that as it is a very popular
> thing.


It has an inverter power supply which does a much better job defrosting
(very uniform and no partially cooked spots) and has fewer hot spots
when cooking compared to a new "non-inverter" version.

>
> Your 30 year old car will still get you to and from work every day, but the
> newer ones do it in much more comfort.
>
>

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 10:25:28 -0800, Top Spin >
wrote:

>Our 25 year old microwave oven just died. I would appreciate
>suggestions regarding brands or features to look for or avoid.
>
>Cost is not a major factor.
>
>I did like the turntable in the old one. It also had a temperature
>probe, but we never used it. We mostly use it for heating up water,
>soups, etc. -- not major cooking.
>
>Thanks
>
>--
>Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
>(11/09/04)

according to a major consumer products evaluating company in their
latest ratings of microwave ovens, the Sears Kenmore 6325(2) is the
maximum leader of all worldly microwave ovens...and the suggested
retail price is only $100. Double click on this link to Sears webpage
to check it out:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...top+Microwaves

Regards,
Bill

On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 08:17:56 -0500, George >
wrote:

>Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>> "Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
>>
>>>I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by your
>>>statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new microwave perform
>>>"far better" than my old one? According to my measurements, my nearly 30
>>>year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new, and
>>>the timer still works just fine; what else is there?
>>>
>>>Isaac
>>
>>
>> Just how much power when new? Most were 500 or 750 watt compared to the
>> 1200 or 1500 of today making them much faster.
>
>
>We just bought a new one and it is 1,300 watt/$80 as compared to the 700
>watt/$600 unit it replaced


this is very interesting George...would you care to mention the name
of the manufacturer for us?

Regards,
Bill

On Sun 20 Feb 2005 06:42:09a, Bill wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 08:17:56 -0500, George >
> wrote:
>
>>Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>>> "Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
>>>
>>>>I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by your
>>>>statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new microwave
>>>>perform "far better" than my old one? According to my measurements, my
>>>>nearly 30 year old model still delivers just as much power as it did
>>>>when new, and the timer still works just fine; what else is there?
>>>>
>>>>Isaac
>>>
>>>
>>> Just how much power when new? Most were 500 or 750 watt compared to
>>> the 1200 or 1500 of today making them much faster.
>>
>>
>>We just bought a new one and it is 1,300 watt/$80 as compared to the 700
>>watt/$600 unit it replaced
>
>
> this is very interesting George...would you care to mention the name
> of the manufacturer for us?
>
> Regards,
> Bill

I'll interject here... A year and a half ago we bought a Panasonic that
has 1350 watt power. IIRC, we paid $89 for it. It has many of the new
automated features, but the best feature is "Turbo Inverter Power" which
controls the output level of the magnetron tube at variable power
settings. Conventional units cycle the magnetron tube off and on to
achieve the power setting selected, thus averaging the output for a given
setting. You'll notice this in a conventional oven when a dish boils for
a few seconds, then stops boiling for a few seconds. The panasonic is
truly operating at, say, 70% constant power when it's set at 70%. This
produces more even consistent cooking.

Wayne

On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 05:32:09 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
wrote:

>
>"Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
>> I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by your
>> statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new microwave perform
>> "far better" than my old one? According to my measurements, my nearly 30
>> year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new, and
>> the timer still works just fine; what else is there?
>>
>> Isaac
>
>Just how much power when new? Most were 500 or 750 watt compared to the
>1200 or 1500 of today making them much faster.
>
>Inverter technology can sense cooking and adjust the time accordingly.
>Better defrost cycles by weight or by time. Newer models tend to have more
>even heat (wave) distribution than the older models. New ones even do
>popcorn better. Most have a button just for that as it is a very popular
>thing.

Well, we went out and bought a new Panasonic. It's one of those "The
Genius" models. Model number NN T994SF. Cost $180.

The first thing I did was make popcorn. I use loose corn (Orville
Redenbacher air pop corn) in one of those microwave popcorn gadgets. I
tried the popcorn button. The corn started popping a little sooner
than with the old oven, but not much. I think the old was was 1,000
watts (maybe 1200) and this one is 1250.

It ran about 2 minutes which was not nearly long enough. (I used to
set the old one for 3 minutes.) I immediately pushed the popcorn
button again and it finished popping. Took about 3 minutes overall.

When I took it out, one area was badly burned. It was so bad, that the
edge of the popper wall was scortched. This never happened on the old
one.

I'll do some more testing, but this one is not as good as the old one
for popcorn based on one test.

--
Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(01/10/05)

Bill wrote:
>
>
> this is very interesting George...would you care to mention the name
> of the manufacturer for us?
>
> Regards,
> Bill
>



The Panasonic "Turbo Inverter" as described in the next post to your
question.

Top Spin > wrote in
:

> On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 05:32:09 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
> >> I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by
> >> your statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new
> >> microwave perform "far better" than my old one? According to my
> >> measurements, my nearly 30 year old model still delivers just as
> >> much power as it did when new, and the timer still works just
> >> fine; what else is there?
> >>
> >> Isaac
> >
> >Just how much power when new? Most were 500 or 750 watt compared
> >to the 1200 or 1500 of today making them much faster.
> >
> >Inverter technology can sense cooking and adjust the time
> >accordingly. Better defrost cycles by weight or by time. Newer
> >models tend to have more even heat (wave) distribution than the
> >older models. New ones even do popcorn better. Most have a button
> >just for that as it is a very popular thing.
>
> Well, we went out and bought a new Panasonic. It's one of those "The
> Genius" models. Model number NN T994SF. Cost $180.
>
> The first thing I did was make popcorn. I use loose corn (Orville
> Redenbacher air pop corn) in one of those microwave popcorn gadgets.
> I tried the popcorn button. The corn started popping a little sooner
> than with the old oven, but not much. I think the old was was 1,000
> watts (maybe 1200) and this one is 1250.
>
> It ran about 2 minutes which was not nearly long enough. (I used to
> set the old one for 3 minutes.) I immediately pushed the popcorn
> button again and it finished popping. Took about 3 minutes overall.
>
> When I took it out, one area was badly burned. It was so bad, that
> the edge of the popper wall was scortched. This never happened on
> the old one.
>
> I'll do some more testing, but this one is not as good as the old
> one for popcorn based on one test.
>
> --
> Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
> Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
> (01/10/05)
>

First off usually there is a large number of 'old maids' when nuking pop
corn.

Secondly, of course it burnt you ran it for almost a double cycle.

Read the manual...it should tell you what weight/amount of popcorn the
push button is set for and at what power setting the microwave is at
while popping corn.

You needed to get used to the old one, so I suppose you'll need to get
used to the new one.


--
No Bread Crumbs were hurt in the making of this Meal.
Type 2 Diabetic 1AC 5.6mmol or 101mg/dl
Continuing to be Manitoban

i have had the best luck with PANASONIC!

--
rosie





"Top Spin" > wrote in message
...
: Our 25 year old microwave oven just died. I would appreciate
: suggestions regarding brands or features to look for or avoid.
:
: Cost is not a major factor.
:
: I did like the turntable in the old one. It also had a temperature
: probe, but we never used it. We mostly use it for heating up
water,
: soups, etc. -- not major cooking.
:
: Thanks
:
: --
: Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
: (11/09/04)

"Top Spin" > wrote in message
> The first thing I did was make popcorn. I use loose corn (Orville
> Redenbacher air pop corn) in one of those microwave popcorn gadgets. I
> tried the popcorn button. The corn started popping a little sooner
> than with the old oven, but not much. I think the old was was 1,000
> watts (maybe 1200) and this one is 1250.

The popcorn button is designed to work with the pre-packaged stuff. I don'
tknow if your system has a correlation to it or not. IMO, you way is
better, but the masses buy the packages.

>
> I'll do some more testing, but this one is not as good as the old one
> for popcorn based on one test.

Is that the only thing you use the MW for? One test is not much for any
equipment or tool.

On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 14:38:02 GMT, Hahabogus >
wrote:

>Top Spin > wrote in
:
>
>> On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 05:32:09 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
>> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
>> >> I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by
>> >> your statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new
>> >> microwave perform "far better" than my old one? According to my
>> >> measurements, my nearly 30 year old model still delivers just as
>> >> much power as it did when new, and the timer still works just
>> >> fine; what else is there?
>> >>
>> >> Isaac
>> >
>> >Just how much power when new? Most were 500 or 750 watt compared
>> >to the 1200 or 1500 of today making them much faster.
>> >
>> >Inverter technology can sense cooking and adjust the time
>> >accordingly. Better defrost cycles by weight or by time. Newer
>> >models tend to have more even heat (wave) distribution than the
>> >older models. New ones even do popcorn better. Most have a button
>> >just for that as it is a very popular thing.
>>
>> Well, we went out and bought a new Panasonic. It's one of those "The
>> Genius" models. Model number NN T994SF. Cost $180.
>>
>> The first thing I did was make popcorn. I use loose corn (Orville
>> Redenbacher air pop corn) in one of those microwave popcorn gadgets.
>> I tried the popcorn button. The corn started popping a little sooner
>> than with the old oven, but not much. I think the old was was 1,000
>> watts (maybe 1200) and this one is 1250.
>>
>> It ran about 2 minutes which was not nearly long enough. (I used to
>> set the old one for 3 minutes.) I immediately pushed the popcorn
>> button again and it finished popping. Took about 3 minutes overall.
>>
>> When I took it out, one area was badly burned. It was so bad, that
>> the edge of the popper wall was scortched. This never happened on
>> the old one.
>>
>> I'll do some more testing, but this one is not as good as the old
>> one for popcorn based on one test.
>>
>> --
>> Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
>> Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
>> (01/10/05)
>>
>
>First off usually there is a large number of 'old maids' when nuking pop
>corn.

"Old maids"?

>Secondly, of course it burnt you ran it for almost a double cycle.

A double cycle for what? I ran it until the popping stopped. Those are
the instructions on the popper and the microwave.

>Read the manual...it should tell you what weight/amount of popcorn the
>push button is set for and at what power setting the microwave is at
>while popping corn.
>
>You needed to get used to the old one, so I suppose you'll need to get
>used to the new one.


--
Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(01/10/05)

On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 14:55:39 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
wrote:

>
>"Top Spin" > wrote in message
>> The first thing I did was make popcorn. I use loose corn (Orville
>> Redenbacher air pop corn) in one of those microwave popcorn gadgets. I
>> tried the popcorn button. The corn started popping a little sooner
>> than with the old oven, but not much. I think the old was was 1,000
>> watts (maybe 1200) and this one is 1250.
>
>The popcorn button is designed to work with the pre-packaged stuff. I don'
>tknow if your system has a correlation to it or not. IMO, you way is
>better, but the masses buy the packages.

Yeah, that's what I figured. I'll just try it with the timer. That's
what I did on the old one. I just thought I'd give the popcorn button
a try.

>> I'll do some more testing, but this one is not as good as the old one
>> for popcorn based on one test.
>
>Is that the only thing you use the MW for? One test is not much for any
>equipment or tool.

Of course.

--
Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(01/10/05)

In article >,
says...
> In article > ,
> "Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote:
>
> > "Top Spin" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Our 25 year old microwave oven just died. I would appreciate
> > > suggestions regarding brands or features to look for or avoid.
> > >
> > > Cost is not a major factor.
> > >
> > > I did like the turntable in the old one. It also had a temperature
> > > probe, but we never used it. We mostly use it for heating up water,
> > > soups, etc. -- not major cooking.
> >
> > You are in for a surprise. For $80, you can get a ton of features and lots
> > of power. I bought a $79 model for our breakroom at work and it has far
> > more features that you could have bought for $400 about 15 y ears ago. As
> > for brands, most are made in the same few factories overseas. Pick one that
> > looks good and it will probably perform as well as any other on the market,
> > and far better than your old one.
>
> I have an old nuker that needs replacement, but I'm confused by your
> statement. In exactly which way (or ways) would a new microwave perform
> "far better" than my old one? According to my measurements, my nearly 30
> year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new, and
> the timer still works just fine; what else is there?

The one thing I've noted about the cheaper microwave ovens is that the
electronics tend to go south in a very short period of time.

That being said, the primary differences are the timed modes, convection
availability, and power levels. For the longest time most microwave
ovens were 600W units. The new ones are 1200W. That's quite enough
power.

On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 11:48:37 -0500, Tony P.
> wrote:
>
> The one thing I've noted about the cheaper microwave ovens is that the
> electronics tend to go south in a very short period of time.
>
> That being said, the primary differences are the timed modes, convection
> availability, and power levels. For the longest time most microwave
> ovens were 600W units. The new ones are 1200W. That's quite enough
> power.
>
Heh, when I "modernized", I went in the other direction:
from expensive to cheap and 1200 watts to 600. They last
long enough and I don't want a 15/20 year old microwave.


sf

Wayne,

I bought a microwave about six months ago and also went with a
Panasonic. The only reason I bought it was that it has a true
variation in power. As you said, most microwaves have 50% power as
cycling half full power and half the time off. The Panasonic is
actually at 50% power all the time. Using the power setting at three
or four keeps things hot, but stops the boil over problem.

I'd have to check, but the power is over 1,000 watts and it was under
$100, probably the same $89 you paid. So far, only six months or so,
it has been trouble free.

To answer the o.p.'s question: I don't really care about the brand,
but I'd definitely want the true variable power feature.

Ken

On Sun 20 Feb 2005 12:19:12p, Ken wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> Wayne,
>
> I bought a microwave about six months ago and also went with a
> Panasonic. The only reason I bought it was that it has a true
> variation in power. As you said, most microwaves have 50% power as
> cycling half full power and half the time off. The Panasonic is
> actually at 50% power all the time. Using the power setting at three
> or four keeps things hot, but stops the boil over problem.
>
> I'd have to check, but the power is over 1,000 watts and it was under
> $100, probably the same $89 you paid. So far, only six months or so,
> it has been trouble free.
>
> To answer the o.p.'s question: I don't really care about the brand,
> but I'd definitely want the true variable power feature.
>
> Ken

Ken,

All the same reasons for me, and the best of any I've owned. My first MW
was an Amana in the mid-1970s, which I believe was a 500 watt unit. After
that, due to moves and different houses, I've had two GE Spacemaker over-
the-range units, one 1000 watts and the other 1100 watts. The Amana seemed
like a "miracle" of its time but would be archaic today. The GE units were
much newer technology with plenty of features, but this little panasonic
outshines them in most every respect. The Inverter technology makes all
the difference.

The only thing I miss from the Amana and GE units is a temperature probe,
which was very useful for maintaining a perfect temperature and warming
liquids to exactly the right temperature for dissolving yeast.

Having said that, the "keep warm" feature on the Panasonic really does keep
things at the perfect serving temperature for extended periods.

Cheers,
Wayne

Wayne Boatwright wrote:

> Ken,
>
> All the same reasons for me, and the best of any I've owned. My first MW
> was an Amana in the mid-1970s, which I believe was a 500 watt unit. After
> that, due to moves and different houses, I've had two GE Spacemaker over-
> the-range units, one 1000 watts and the other 1100 watts. The Amana seemed
> like a "miracle" of its time but would be archaic today. The GE units were
> much newer technology with plenty of features, but this little panasonic
> outshines them in most every respect. The Inverter technology makes all
> the difference.
>
> The only thing I miss from the Amana and GE units is a temperature probe,
> which was very useful for maintaining a perfect temperature and warming
> liquids to exactly the right temperature for dissolving yeast.
>
> Having said that, the "keep warm" feature on the Panasonic really does keep
> things at the perfect serving temperature for extended periods.
>
> Cheers,
> Wayne

I agree re the Panasonic, which I also chose because ot the
Inverter technology. The cycling and and off of my last one was
just too crude.
--
Jean B.

Wayne,

This Panasonic microwave is so powerul that the only thing I use
full-power on is boiling water/making tea. For anything else, I drop
the power down to seven or eight to put it down to the old fashioned
1,000 watt power rating. If Top Spin is still reading, this may
account for his burned popcorn. (I make my popcorn with olive oil on
the cooktop so no advice there.)

I find the lower power setting cooks food more evenly.

Ken

On Sun 20 Feb 2005 03:08:01p, Ken wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> Wayne,
>
> This Panasonic microwave is so powerul that the only thing I use
> full-power on is boiling water/making tea. For anything else, I drop
> the power down to seven or eight to put it down to the old fashioned
> 1,000 watt power rating. If Top Spin is still reading, this may
> account for his burned popcorn. (I make my popcorn with olive oil on
> the cooktop so no advice there.)
>
> I find the lower power setting cooks food more evenly.
>
> Ken

Ken,

For the most part I do all of the same things you do regarding the power
settings. In fact, for re-heating almost all foods, heating canned soups,
etc., I use onlyh 30% power. For popcorn, however, I use full power and
listen very carefully as the popping finishes. (I don't use the popcorn
cycle, and I'm not sure what power level it uses.) I like to be in
complete control of the popping time, as it results in virtually no
unpopped kernals.

Wayne

On 20 Feb 2005 14:08:01 -0800, "Ken" >
wrote:

>Wayne,
>
>This Panasonic microwave is so powerul that the only thing I use
>full-power on is boiling water/making tea. For anything else, I drop
>the power down to seven or eight to put it down to the old fashioned
>1,000 watt power rating. If Top Spin is still reading, this may
>account for his burned popcorn. (I make my popcorn with olive oil on
>the cooktop so no advice there.)

Still here. I just made another batch of popcorn. This time on 80%
power. I set it for 6 minutes and stood by the oven. The popping
slowed at about 2 minutes so I stopped it. The corn was badly burned
in one area.

I'll try later on 50% power or lower.

--
Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(01/10/05)

On 21 Feb 2005 01:23:52 +0100, Wayne Boatwright > wrote:

>On Sun 20 Feb 2005 03:08:01p, Ken wrote in rec.food.cooking:
>
>> Wayne,
>>
>> This Panasonic microwave is so powerul that the only thing I use
>> full-power on is boiling water/making tea. For anything else, I drop
>> the power down to seven or eight to put it down to the old fashioned
>> 1,000 watt power rating. If Top Spin is still reading, this may
>> account for his burned popcorn. (I make my popcorn with olive oil on
>> the cooktop so no advice there.)
>>
>> I find the lower power setting cooks food more evenly.
>>
>> Ken
>
>Ken,
>
>For the most part I do all of the same things you do regarding the power
>settings. In fact, for re-heating almost all foods, heating canned soups,
>etc., I use onlyh 30% power. For popcorn, however, I use full power and
>listen very carefully as the popping finishes. (I don't use the popcorn
>cycle, and I'm not sure what power level it uses.) I like to be in
>complete control of the popping time, as it results in virtually no
>unpopped kernals.

My first batch was at 100% power. It scorched the popper. Second batch
was at 80% power. Burned the corn and also scorched the popper.

--
Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(01/10/05)

On Sun 20 Feb 2005 06:45:13p, Top Spin wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> On 20 Feb 2005 14:08:01 -0800, "Ken" >
> wrote:
>
>>Wayne,
>>
>>This Panasonic microwave is so powerul that the only thing I use
>>full-power on is boiling water/making tea. For anything else, I drop
>>the power down to seven or eight to put it down to the old fashioned
>>1,000 watt power rating. If Top Spin is still reading, this may
>>account for his burned popcorn. (I make my popcorn with olive oil on
>>the cooktop so no advice there.)
>
> Still here. I just made another batch of popcorn. This time on 80%
> power. I set it for 6 minutes and stood by the oven. The popping
> slowed at about 2 minutes so I stopped it. The corn was badly burned
> in one area.
>
> I'll try later on 50% power or lower.
>
> --
> Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
> Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
> (01/10/05)

I'm sorry to hear you're having so much trouble.

I wasn't able to get back to your original post, so don't know which make,
model, or power you have. I only joined the discussion when Panasonic was
brought up.

With the Panasonic I described, I never had a single problem when using the
popcorn cycle, except that there were a few unpopped kernals. I don't know
what power level is actually used for the popcorn cycle.

I started using full power at 1350 watts to pop my corn, setting the time
for 5 minutes. Usually, the popping stops at around 3 minutes. I watch
closely. The only time I've ever had scorched or burned kernals or popped
corn kernals has been when I wasn't watching closely enough and left it in
too long. My own fault.

I'm not sure what else to suggest. Is there any possibility that there is
a defect in your oven?

Regards,
Wayne

In article >,
sf > wrote:

> On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 20:47:43 -0800, Isaac Wingfield
> > wrote:
>
> > According to my measurements, my nearly 30
> > year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new, and
> > the timer still works just fine;
>
> That's absolutely unbelievable.

Which part do you find "unbelievable"?

The power? You can check the power for yourself, just by heating a batch
of water and seeing how much the temperature rises in a certain amount
of time. Google around; you can find the pertinent equations lots of
places. I checked mine within the past year, and found it still very
close to the nameplate rating.

The timer? If the oven runs for the number of minutes you set it to and
then stops, it's pretty certain that the timer is working just fine.

Magnetrons generally do not "wear out" in the sense of getting weaker
and weaker over time. Mostly, they work fine until they stop due to a
broken filament. But even so, it's usually not the maggie that goes bad
in a nuker -- it's either the interlock switches (very common IME), the
power supply or the timer.

Isaac

"Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> sf > wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 20:47:43 -0800, Isaac Wingfield
>> > wrote:
>>
>> > According to my measurements, my nearly 30
>> > year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when new,
>> > and
>> > the timer still works just fine;
>>
>> That's absolutely unbelievable.
>
> Which part do you find "unbelievable"?

Probably the fact it is still operating after 30 years. Few appliances last
that long.

On Sun 20 Feb 2005 10:53:48p, Edwin Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:

>
> "Isaac Wingfield" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In article >, sf
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 20:47:43 -0800, Isaac Wingfield
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>> > According to my measurements, my nearly 30
>>> > year old model still delivers just as much power as it did when
>>> > new, and the timer still works just fine;
>>>
>>> That's absolutely unbelievable.
>>
>> Which part do you find "unbelievable"?
>
> Probably the fact it is still operating after 30 years. Few appliances
> last that long.

I'd have to agree, Ed, but there are also exceptions. My parents bought a
GE stand mixer, waffle iron, and toaster in 1938. They all still work as
well as they did when first purchased.

Wayne

Top Spin wrote:
> On 20 Feb 2005 14:08:01 -0800, "Ken" >
> wrote:
>
>
>>Wayne,
>>
>>This Panasonic microwave is so powerul that the only thing I use
>>full-power on is boiling water/making tea. For anything else, I drop
>>the power down to seven or eight to put it down to the old fashioned
>>1,000 watt power rating. If Top Spin is still reading, this may
>>account for his burned popcorn. (I make my popcorn with olive oil on
>>the cooktop so no advice there.)
>
>
> Still here. I just made another batch of popcorn. This time on 80%
> power. I set it for 6 minutes and stood by the oven. The popping
> slowed at about 2 minutes so I stopped it. The corn was badly burned
> in one area.
>


Maybe try a different popper? We have a Panasonic 1,300 watt unit. I
picked up a $8.00 popper in Target last year. I put the prescribed
amount in the popper, set full power (10) and 3 minutes. I circle back
when the popping slows and stop when popping stops. There is no burning
and only a few unpopped kernals.



> I'll try later on 50% power or lower.
>
> --
> Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
> Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
> (01/10/05)

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 08:26:56 -0500, George >
wrote:

>Top Spin wrote:
>> On 20 Feb 2005 14:08:01 -0800, "Ken" >
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Wayne,
>>>
>>>This Panasonic microwave is so powerul that the only thing I use
>>>full-power on is boiling water/making tea. For anything else, I drop
>>>the power down to seven or eight to put it down to the old fashioned
>>>1,000 watt power rating. If Top Spin is still reading, this may
>>>account for his burned popcorn. (I make my popcorn with olive oil on
>>>the cooktop so no advice there.)
>>
>>
>> Still here. I just made another batch of popcorn. This time on 80%
>> power. I set it for 6 minutes and stood by the oven. The popping
>> slowed at about 2 minutes so I stopped it. The corn was badly burned
>> in one area.
>>
>
>
>Maybe try a different popper? We have a Panasonic 1,300 watt unit. I
>picked up a $8.00 popper in Target last year. I put the prescribed
>amount in the popper, set full power (10) and 3 minutes. I circle back
>when the popping slows and stop when popping stops. There is no burning
> and only a few unpopped kernals.

It doesn't seem like it can be the popper. I have had it for years and
it worked perfectly with the old microwave. Actually, on two different
microwaves.

I am beginning to think that this one just has a hot spot right in the
center of the unit.

Is it possible that this one unit is defective? That's also hard to
believe. There are so few parts to a microwave.

--
Hitachi HB-A101 bread machine, 1 pound
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(01/10/05)

On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 20:39:39 -0800, Isaac Wingfield
> wrote:

> Which part do you find "unbelievable"?

that the magnetron (I think that's what it's called) hasn't
gone south by this time.

sf

On 21 Feb 2005 07:06:04 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

> On Sun 20 Feb 2005 10:53:48p, Edwin Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> > Probably the fact it is still operating after 30 years. Few appliances
> > last that long.

I've had my fill of old appliances and other things that are
supposed to make my life easier. Honestly, I don't want 30
year old stuff anymore. Replaced old microwave, the new one
is much smaller (I like that), replaced old dishwasher, the
new one is almost silent, replaced old ovens, the new ones
convect, replaced old vent hood, the new one moves more air
with less noise, replaced old washer/drier, they are quieter
and have better options, replaced old bath tub, the new one
has jets and a heater, replaced old gravity furnace, new one
is forced air and has a thermostat, - etc. etc. I'm all for
updating.

> I'd have to agree, Ed, but there are also exceptions. My parents bought a
> GE stand mixer, waffle iron, and toaster in 1938. They all still work as
> well as they did when first purchased.
>
I still have my great-grandmother's treadle sewing machine
(Singer). It still works, but it's of no use to me other
than decoration.


sf

sf wrote:
>
> On 21 Feb 2005 07:06:04 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
> > On Sun 20 Feb 2005 10:53:48p, Edwin Pawlowski wrote in rec.food.cooking:
>
> > > Probably the fact it is still operating after 30 years. Few appliances
> > > last that long.
>
> I've had my fill of old appliances and other things that are
> supposed to make my life easier. Honestly, I don't want 30
> year old stuff anymore. Replaced old microwave, the new one
> is much smaller (I like that), replaced old dishwasher, the
> new one is almost silent, replaced old ovens, the new ones
> convect, replaced old vent hood, the new one moves more air
> with less noise, replaced old washer/drier, they are quieter
> and have better options, replaced old bath tub, the new one
> has jets and a heater, replaced old gravity furnace, new one
> is forced air and has a thermostat, - etc. etc. I'm all for
> updating.
>
> > I'd have to agree, Ed, but there are also exceptions. My parents bought a
> > GE stand mixer, waffle iron, and toaster in 1938. They all still work as
> > well as they did when first purchased.
> >
> I still have my great-grandmother's treadle sewing machine
> (Singer). It still works, but it's of no use to me other
> than decoration.
>
> sf

Antiques RoadShow for the Singer?

LB