Recommend me a microwave oven

February 26, 2024 10:40 AM

Super boring question, but I want to buy a small, simple microwave oven that'll last decades and I won't dislike the whole time like our current one.

Our existing microwave has lasted about 20 years and needs replacing. It's a small Sharp model similar to this, 45 x 27 x 32cm.

I disliked it mainly for 2 reasons:

• It makes an awful loud conversation-stopping beeeeeeeeeeep sound when it finishes. I literally rush to open the door so that so that doesn't beep for the full 2 seconds. I'd prefer a ping, or a shorter beep.
• The start button is tiny and became unreliable soon after we bought it (it has to be pressed "just right"), but it took 20 years to stop working.

Things that I like about it:

• You can press the Start button once for 1 minute at max. And press it again while it's going to add a minute. Very convenient.
• You turn a dial to set the time digitally, which is more convenient than setting time using buttons, and accurate unlike an analogue dial.
• You can just pull the handle to open it, no need to press a button.

I don't care about functions other than time, start, stop, and power level. I prefer as simple as possible.

If you have a microwave oven that you actually like, please tell me what and why. Thanks!

posted by snarfois to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

Response by poster: One more thing: I hate touch controls. Physical buttons only.
posted by snarfois at 10:45 AM on February 26, 2024 [1 favorite]

Looks like you're in the UK, so I don't have any specific recs for that location. BUT, just wanted to note that some microwaves have mute/sound buttons, and that may be worth seeking out. Most also have a +30 second button, which on mine, will start the microwave with 30 seconds, no need to hit start.

At least in the US, they say that almost all of the microwaves are made by the same overseas company. That may also be true in the UK, in which case, the only distinguishing characteristics are the features.
posted by hydra77 at 10:49 AM on February 26, 2024

Best answer: We really like the Breville BM0650 based on a Cook's Illustrated recommendation. It has a dial for specific times, a big red Stop button and a big green Go button. Adjustable power level. Not the biggest, either interior or countertop footprint. We adore that you can turn the godforsaken beep off altogether with one button press. It's not buried in some menu somewhere.

For us, no-brainer.
posted by conscious matter at 10:53 AM on February 26, 2024 [2 favorites]

We have a Panasonic 1400W (NN-SD691S). It was inexpensive and works well. Real buttons and a knob as a bonus.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 2:43 PM on February 26, 2024

Response by poster: @conscious matter The Breville looks perfect! But no luck so far finding it in the UK...
posted by snarfois at 12:05 AM on February 27, 2024

Response by poster: Oh wait, I think this might be it! Under a different name.
posted by snarfois at 12:09 AM on February 27, 2024

I have a Tillreda microwave from Ikea. Two mechanical knobs--level and time--and a mechanical button to open the door. And a mechanical bell that dings once and only once. No electronic controls, screens, or external lights of any kind. My only complaint is that the timer is not precise enough when the initial setting is under a minute, but I've adapted to that.
posted by bricoleur at 3:47 AM on February 27, 2024

Oh wait, I think this might be it! Under a different name.

Yes, Breville uses the name “Sage” in the UK and Europe due to another company having the rights to “Breville” there.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 6:47 AM on February 27, 2024

We just bought a Sharp, and turning off the goddamned beeps has been a freaking miracle. No beeps when it's done, and even no beeps when I'm pressing buttons. OMG every time I've used it in the months since we got it, I have the urge to post to social media about this bit of banal domestic bliss. No beeps!

I think you'd find that every new microwave can do this. The secret button sequence to command it might be buried in the manual, but it's in there.

Physical buttons / knobs will be harder to find, and you might consider loosening that requirement.

Besides the no-beep option, all I care about is that "Start" and "add 30 seconds" are the same button, and so I only ever interact with one button. Most microwaves check that box too, and do so with it being a big obvious button. Because this is what everyone wants!

OMG no beeps, I love it so much.
posted by intermod at 1:56 PM on February 28, 2024