My Microwave Died!

A few days ago I heated up something in the mircrowave and when the cycle ended it made just one feeble little beep and then the screen showed "F-6". Couldn't shut it off, change to any other setting. And it made a constant hum! Left the door open for a while to eliminate the hum but noticed that it was still very warm inside. Well, as you may have guessed by now, we're completely "unhandy". Finally figured out where the power cord was It's one of those top of the stove microwaves, so we finally realized the plug was hidden in a cabinet above the microwave. Now it is shut off and the service guy is coming Monday. It's 13 years old so I guess it's time something went wrong. Our service company has a policy that if it can't be fixed they replace it. They're coming Monday afternoon. Never realized how much we depend on the microwave. Of course I don't cook in it, but for defrosting, reheating, etc., it's a lifesaver.

Anyway - Rest In Peace old microwave. Hope it can be fixed, or replaced!

Yeah, if your microwave is down you pretty much take care of it fast. I remember preparing breakfast when I was a kid, at least 10 minutes making toast and heating stuff up on the stove. Now I just zap leftovers.

Have you considered just replacing it and not bothering with service? Microwaves aren't that expensive nowadays. Or does the over the stove factor lean it towards repair?

Oh boy!  I was a little worried ours was damaged this morning.  DH put a heat pack in it to keep his drinks for work warm today and the pack itself popped.  The gel inside didn't change shape at all; just the plastic that surrounds it burst.  I kept it open in case there was any kind of gas in there.

I just reheated soup for a late breakfast (soup for breakfast; i know!  but it was good!) and it was fine.  I know we use our microwave a lot too!!

Thirteen years is a pretty good service life. We had one that lasted 20, but the next one died after just a few years. You don't realize how much you use one till you're without.

Have you considered just replacing it and not bothering with service? Microwaves aren't that expensive nowadays. Or does the over the stove factor lean it towards repair?
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We have a service contract that covers all of our appliances -- washer/dryer, refrigerator, stove, a/c, etc. So if they can't repair the microwave their policy is that it will be replaced. All this comes under our yearly fee - which is fairly expensive --- but is worth it to us. As I mentioned, neither of us are handy at all, so even minor repairs are a huge hassle. The company even does minor plumbing and electrical. So we'll see what happens Monday. We've used this company for a few years and have found their service to be excellent. The only problem is that sometimes we have to wait till they have an opening for service, but this time of year here in FL we have all of our winter residents so I know they are busy.

I use my microwave's timer more than the microwave itself. Our stove is a cheap model and has no timer, so if my microwaved died, meh. I'd have to use an alarm clock or my phone to set timers. About the only other use I have for it is melting butter. I almost never use it.

A timer...thanks for reminding me of a feature I need to make sure my new microwave has! I looked at some last night but didn't buy one. waiting a couple more weeks til I get my employee discount I don't have a kitchen right now. All of my cooking is done via a toaster oven or crock pot!

kookycats said:

Our service company has a policy that if it can't be fixed they replace it.

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I've never heard of a company replacing a 13 year old appliance before. Surely it can't still be under warranty?

My first microwave lasted about 19 years I guess. I bought it in 1990. I think it finally gave up in 2007 or so. I got one from Air Miles with my air miles points and it lasted about 3 years before it too died.  I got another with my Air Miles, and so far this one is still working well.

They're pretty cheap now. You can get a good microwave for under $100. Compare that to the first one I bought in 1990 which was almost $400.

When the first one broke, I figured I could go without one. I didn't realize how much I used it until I didn't have one to use!  LOL

I've never heard of a company replacing a 13 year old appliance before. Surely it can't still be under warranty?

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It's not the company replacing it. . .they have a home service contract, kind of an insurance policy for your household items. It seems to be gaining in popularity in the US, but isn't cheap. Some people prefer the convenience though. I have a 1-year policy on my new house because the realtor likes to get sellers to buy one to decrease after-sale complaints. I probably won't renew it but it's nice to have it for now.

I had a home warranty, too, when the house was new. It's sort of a protection for the seller. Instead of accusing the seller of hiding defects, the buyer can just file a claim. You can renew, but like all insurance, you probably wind up paying more for the policy than fixing individual problems.

Raintyger said:

 
I had a home warranty, too, when the house was new. It's sort of a protection for the seller. Instead of accusing the seller of hiding defects, the buyer can just file a claim. You can renew, but like all insurance, you probably wind up paying more for the policy than fixing individual problems.

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But that is the house. This is a microwave appliance; they are considered to be small appliances, akin to a coffee maker; not major appliances such as fridge stove which tend to go with a house when it's sold.

Natalie_ca said:

 
But that is the house. This is a microwave appliance; they are considered to be small appliances, akin to a coffee maker; not major appliances such as fridge stove which tend to go with a house when it's sold.

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I haven't seen kookycats' house, but it sounds like it might be a built-in or a microwave/stove combo, which would push it into the major appliance category.

I've seen those contracts advertised on tv now. You pay one fee and it covers pretty much everything in your house, from the furnace to the water softener to even smaller appliances. Since your microwave is above the stove and it sounds like it's built-in, it's probably pretty expensive, compared to a small counter top version. Hope it all works out for you on Monday.

We're looking at microwaves, too. Ours is quite a few years old right now and, although it works well, the digital display has stopped lighting. So we have to be very careful when we set a time that we know exactly what time it is. Sometimes I'll just hit Sensor Cook and it will take care of itself. Since it still works, we're looking for a new one, but not actively. It's not an emergency at this point. 

Ours is just a counter top microwave, not too expensive.

Winchester said:

 
I've seen those contracts advertised on tv now. You pay one fee and it covers pretty much everything in your house, from the furnace to the water softener to even smaller appliances.

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I haven't seen anything like this in Canada. I do have content replacement insurance in case of fire, theft etc, but not for repair of small appliances, or even appliances in general.

  I don't think I have ever had a microwave die on me. I have replaced them because of cracked door, for power efficiency / upgrade. I think it is definitely best to replace the unit, this is the type of thing you don't want to chance....MICRO-WAVES........

Microwaves do have some sort of safety mechanism. Our microwave died in the fall. It simply refused to cook. Probably something went wrong that we didn't know about it--door maybe not shutting all the way. My husband was trying see if he could coax it to start, and I told him it was probably a safety feature and this is our message to go buy a new microwave.

Our microwave is a built-in, over the stove. Our service contract covers all of our household appliances, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, air-conditioning, minor electric and plumbing, so for us (not handy people) it's well worth it.

Will see what happens tomorrow.

How did you make out with the microwave, Lana?

jcat said:

Thirteen years is a pretty good service life. We had one that lasted 20, but the next one died after just a few years. You don't realize how much you use one till you're without.

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20 years ago things were made to last. Now they're not.

TrevAndBur said:

A timer...thanks for reminding me of a feature I need to make sure my new microwave has! I looked at some last night but didn't buy one. waiting a couple more weeks til I get my employee discount I don't have a kitchen right now. All of my cooking is done via a toaster oven or crock pot!

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45 years ago when I got married I didn't have an oven or, of course, a microwave. What I did have was an electric oven top. One. I was making boiled potatoes. When they were soft I added sausages and tinned peas. Cordon bleu! o