Microwave Repairs

Jake'sGran

Our microwave seems to have packed up. It is one of those that are described as dual but we only use it for heating things, making sauces and such like as I find the standard over is best for baking and slow roasting.
I have searched yellow pages and phoned a few people to ask if they know anyone who repairs microwaves but to no avail. I inherited this machine so it does not owe us anything. It is a Sharps one and very big - probably cost around £600 when new about 15 years ago - don't laugh. My husband says that we should dump it and just buy a new one but I am convinced it could be repaired easily (seems to be a problem with the control panel at the front).
What do you think? Sharps did give me a number to ring (0870) and I tried to find an alternative but had no luck on that saynoto0870 site, but when I rang it was all press this/press that and then went blank. Should I ask the cou council to remove it?

lightspeed

Anything electronic, DVD players, TV's,VCR's, PC's, microwaves, cameras etc... date very, very quickly. What was £600 a year ago may now only be worth £300 or much less. Therefore, your microwave that is 15 years old is prehistoric and is likely to be worth something only to you.

If parts are available, someone may be able to repair it. However, IMHO, i would replace it for the following reasons:

1) It might not comply with current electrical safety standards
2) It is likely to be less efficient than modern microwaves
3) Its broke, and will cost more than its worth to fix it... in my eyes thats called a right off!

Have a look around on the tinternet and gather some info and prices.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

lowbrim

you can probably buy one for less than £40 new which will probably be less than a callout charge. There are some basic models at £25 in Argos or car boot £5

lowbrim

You may be lucky and get one for nothing if you put a wanted on the freecycle site http://groups.yahoo.com for your local area

Cagey

Have to agree with lowbrim. You can buy a new one cheaper than it would cost you for a callout without reapair cost.

never_enough

I agree with other posters, get a new one, especially if you dont use the grill bit which I think tends to make them a bit more expensive. You can get a decent one for under £50. Without wanting to sound alarmist, if it's that old the seal *may* not be as good as it should be which is probably not a good thing for you.

Jake'sGran

never_enough wrote:

I agree with other posters, get a new one, especially if you dont use the grill bit which I think tends to make them a bit more expensive. You can get a decent one for under £50. Without wanting to sound alarmist, if it's that old the seal *may* not be as good as it should be which is probably not a good thing for you.

Thanks everyone. I knew that would be the answer. It just looks so good - yes I know it doesn't work. Special thanks to Never Enough. I didn't think about the seal and I have a pacemaker, although microwaves are not supposed to affect them, but maybe it's a different story with a damaged seal!