Microwave Ovens
 

We need a new one. We've had our current one since we got here -nearly 10 years- it was pretty expensive Panasonic and has some inverter technology stuff. Recently it made a funny smell and now it's making funny noises! Buh-bye!

We mostly use it to defrost. Any recommendations for an awesome defrosting microwave? We'd pay more for faster, more even defrosting capabilty, but beyong that we couldn't care less. Oh, no Barbie-sized appliances. We need BIG.

thanks

I've had good luck with Sharp, turntable, 2 cubic feet and 1200 watts.

We have a panasonic and it's pretty good.

I have to ask, is there a trick to defrosting raw meat? Mine always ends up cooked around the edges no matter which microwave I've ever used. I usually just put meat in a zip lock bag and pop it in warm water and it seems to do the job just as fast as a microwave, but more evenly.

We always had Sharp in the UK. This Panasonic inverter did seem to be better, but it's hard to judge when you've changed continents as well as brands.

Lower the power to defrost meat. But if you've got the time, the warm water is always going to be better. We rarely have the tiime, though. The inverter technology (whatever the fuck that was) was supposed to be all about defrosting and it was pretty good. but now it's about to blow up. And it has a zillion functions we don't need and a price tag we'd rather not repeat if we can avoid it.

I take meat out in the morning, leave it in the microwave (while off) and when I get home from dinner it's defrosted perfectly.

That's very helpful, thanks classic :rolleyes:

I have a very funky small microwave from a nice little old lady who moved to another state to die. I'm afraid her microwave has been hit hard by the loss. I've been searching thrift shops for one, but they seem to get snapped up pretty quickly. :(

I thought our microwave died a few years ago, but it turns out it was our circuit breaker box that needed to be replaced. It would have been cheaper to replace the microwave.

Let them know you want one. Some thrift shops will hold items for those in need.

have you tried your local craigslist?

monnie- I've had no luck with a microwave defrosting anything properly. They are like the flat-top stoves. They are either on or off. There is no in between.
Its either 100% power or zero. Medium is having 100% for half the time and zero the other half of the time intermittently. That doesn't work for me.
Hence my suggestion. Although I realize it is more inconvenient to remember to take stuff out in the morning.

Microwaves work by spinning water molecules around; the molecules heat up from all the moving around. In defrosting, the ice is slowly changed to water, but then once it becomes water, the waves heat it really fast. So wherever the meat changed from ice to water first, gets superheated, while the rest of the meat remains ice.

Here's some stuff from Consumer Reports:

If this is helpful and you want the full ratings, I could probably print them out, scan them, and email them to you. Just pm me.

Since I only reheat leftovers and warm coffee and tea I bought a cheapo for $50 dollars from a Bi-Mart store. They seem old school shop like a 5 and dime. Sometimes you can find good deals.

It's got nothing to do with being inconvenient to remember. And it's not helpful because I want a microwave, not an alternative. And please stop calling me monnie I DON"T FUCKING LIKE IT. Maybe microwaves don't work for you beccause you call them something stupid too. kthxbai

thanks, no I don't need ratings. The one that is dying is that Panasonic inverter. But we got a sweet deal on it because we bought it with other things and we really don't want to pay that much. I'll have a look for the Sanyo.

I was referring to a microwave as a defrosting mechanism. They simply don't do it very well.
First time you ever said that. Never knew. Won't happen again ma'am.
Yeh maybe the laws of physics are different for you - good luck with that.

Once upon a time, when nuke-o-matics were large, costly devices, I had a LOVELY Sharp that lasted and lasted and then suddenly, one day, it wouldn't heat momwolf's water.

I did much comparison shopping, went to many stores, and finally picked one using the most important of criteria ... it was just under $50 and fit in the back seat of my car. And I was too tired to drive back over to the Target and get the nice one for $45.

That one lasted another ten years. Had to replace that one about 6 months ago or so, with one that cost under $40 from the Walmart.

We have had great luck with the Kenmore models from Sears. The one that we have now is going strong at 12 years when the house was built.

heh heh heh my kind of criteria.

If I had money, or wanted to spend money on something to cook with it would be a convection oven.

I have an old ass giant microwave...I still haven't really figured out how to use it. It has analog dials and a little flip clock thing on it. My husband says I shouldn't stand in front of it while it is running.

He's right, why should you be standing in front of it when you could be fetching him a beer? :lol:

I'm still using the humongous microwave that we bought in '86. Waiting it to die so we can get something prettier and more compact, and I'm told, would use less electricity. :right:

Probably complete crap, but ... stand in front of nuker with a fluorescent tube. If it lights or flickers while the nuker's operating, flee for your life.

Older microwaves tended to be better shielded than newer ones. They had no idea what they were dealing with, so they over-built.

I think I will try this...:lol:

I'm going to try it, too. If I can figure out how to turn the thing on.

Oops. I didn't know this either.

Really, truly?

Well, I just did a search and there's right around 20 zillion posts referring to Monster as Monnie. So I conclude that Monnie is just jerkin Classic's chain.



Yes, in fact, they do call me Captain Oblivious.

Actually, I don't like it, but generally I tolerate it because it's just a name and there's no point fighting the tide. But we're all allowed to snap occasionally and my asshole tolerance level was low that day. I have mentioned it a few times, but people don't see what they don't want to.

...and you'll note I did say please.... for all the good that will do me

That's fair. Let's get it right, then. Do you prefer Monster or is there a preferred diminutive?

I do prefer monster, thank you for asking.

Now about those microwave ovens.... not really much choice, is there? Looks like we just need to keep an eye out for a nice price on the same one as we have now. Amazon seems to have them cheaply, but I can think of other things I'd rather spend that much money on, if I didn't rely on it for our lifestyle :lol:

What about the 'ster-ster? 'ster-meister? 'ster-verina? ;)

nothing about me is diminutive! :p: