How long will a cheap microwave last?

[mcair]

We need a new microwave. Is it worth it to get a dometic or other ""RV" brand or will a Walmart cheapie hold up just as long?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mcair

We need a new microwave. Is it worth it to get a dometic or other ""RV" brand or will a Walmart cheapie hold up just as long?

Cheap microwaves are designed to sit on a counter, and never to be bounced around.

Bouncing a cheapy around, in a travel trailer, will surely lead to an early failure.

Since microwaves can injure a person, having one fall apart and trying to use it, is asking for a problem humans don't need.

Andy

[memgrove2000]

We have a $69.00 special from menards. My sister had it in three different apartments (while in college) and it now has been bouncing around it the Airstream for three seasons. So I guess my answer would be "long enough"

[Dismayed]

My cheap Panasonic microwave only lasted 6 months sitting on the counter in my house. That's the last Panasonic microwave that I'll buy.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by mcair

We need a new microwave. Is it worth it to get a dometic or other ""RV" brand or will a Walmart cheapie hold up just as long?

We have several that we use on jobsites around the country, so far the cheapies have outlasted the more expensive name brand ones. The best one has been the Samsung that was purchased at a thrift store 4 years ago, still going strong and on it's ninth job site in it's 5th state.

From what I have observed the only noticeable difference between an RV specific microwave and any other is the flange for mounting.

Aaron

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, a microwave oven is an electrical appliance. You cannot place a time limit on anything electrical. It can pop the second you plug it in or it can last a hundred years, or more.

[klattu]

Just replaced the orginal 1985 microwave in my 1989 MH.
It still works, just not as powerful as new ones are today, 650 vs 1000+

At about $60 these days, if it last a few years, your still ahead.

[TBRich]

Our Bambi does not have a microwave (it has an oven), nor anywhere to mount one, so we take a small, inexpensive microwave (about $50) with us when we think we'll use it, and has served us well for what we use it for... It rides either on the floor of the trailer on a rug (so it doesn't move around) or in the truck bed while we tow...it has lasted us 2.5 years so far...we've already got our money's worth out of it, so when it dies we'll just get another inexpensive one... Doubt if an expensive one who last any longer.

[clancy_boy]

I bought a small inexpensive microwave in college in 1983 (ohhhh that was a while ago) and used it hard in college and after. We had it until 2004 when we sold it in a garage sale to a neighbor whose son took it to college for the last 4 years and he sold it - whereabouts unknown but working fine. Never one to claim that it was a well made unit - I will say it went through the test of time very well. I think I agree with the above comments - electric appliances are a crap shoot - one day or two decades - look at the warrentee if you want to see how long the manufacturer expects it to last.

[danalee]

Bought one for $20 at a yard sle. I put it a chair that cradles it when we travel. It has already paid for itself.

[Rebee]

I purchased one roughly the same size as original but not as fancy (no convection part) from wal mart. it was well under $100. It has lasted the better part of 4 years and across country twice and it is still going strong. I bolted it in where the original unit sat.

[moosetags]

We have a microwave in Lucy that has traveled 50,000 miles as we spent 430 nights in her. It is a really low end 600 watt, mechanical timer model that we purchased at Wal-Mart for $37.00 three years ago. We have used it extensively, and it still works perfectly. I don't know how long it will last, but I feel that I have already gotten my money's worth out of it.

[Beausdad]

Hi all. New to the board but I thought I would chime in here. I drive a semi doing trade shows for Atlas Van Lines and I have a microwave in my sleeper that I bought at WM 6 years ago and it has roughly 700,000 miles on it between the 2 trucks I've had it in bouncing down our great hiways, and it is still working great. I do strongly suggest that you anchor it down so that it doesn't bounce around.

[SilverAvion]

i have a sharp that i purchased in 1996 (less than 100.00) which is now starting to act up (the numbers on the display are hard to read) no other problems with it, ever.

[sd90mac]

Hi,

Us too, bought a micro wave/ convection oven on May 07, used it in Bertha for 15 months, and now in the apartment. Drove cross country and it never wiggled.

Oh, yeah, Wal Mart 149.00

Marie

[Jim Foster]

We bought a small $59.95 microwave at Walmart in 2000 when we got our Caravel. When we are on the road, it rides on the floor right over the axle.

100K miles and nine years. Works just fine.

However, as mentioned before, things that run on electricity can quit anytime.

Smoke.........All electric stuff runs on smoke, which is put in the device at the factory.
If you let the smoke out, the device will smell bad and quit.

I just hate it when that happens...

[garry]

I may have set a record a 1975 Sears microwave died this week. While it was never in the Airstream it has moved around a lot lived in VA, NC, SC, OK with no problems.

The Sharp in the Airstream has held up for 5 years bought on sale for $59.

Garry