WIll be installing a full-sized microwave as part of a kitchen re-do. Anyone have any experience with quality and durabliti of various brands? Any horror stories? Am looking at GE and Panasonic, but open to others.
Same question with electric cooktops.
J
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Besides the opinions you get here, try Consumer Reports magazine. They survey brand reliability, and only publish data if they get a large enough response for the results to be statistically valid. So, it is one of the best sources for reliability information.
For electric cooktops they are so simple that hardly anything can go wrong with them.
I have a GE JE2160 with the trim kit. Good price, good power, good options, reliable so far (one year). Kit cost almost as much as the microwave, but the end results justify the expense:
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Edited 8/20/2006 3:05 pm by wrudiger
Older homes never had microwave ovens. If this is the case with your house, the National Electrical Code (and installation instructions) require a dedicated 20-amp circuit from the panel. Older outlets, at the exhaust hood, are usually 15-amp circuits. I agree that Consumer Reports is an excellent and unbiased source for choosing an appliance.
Thanks, guys. We are looking at CR ratings, too, as it happens, and their reviews are good. The GE items seem to be top rated. Very helpful to see a photo of one, though. I appreciate the trouble you went to.
We will put in a new 20A home run if necessary. Plenty of space on the service panel.