A little over a week ago my microwave oven failed – the microwave power amp wouldn’t turn off under control of the fractional power or duration timers, or even when I pressed the “end” button. The only practical way to get the power amp off was to open the unit’s door. All other aspects of the oven worked perfectly.

I quickly discovered how much I missed it! I’ve been awkwardly using it by repeatedly opening and closing the unit’s door to manage power flow – a royal PITA.

I spent several days choosing a new one, then ordered it from Amazon – it’s scheduled for delivery today by 9pm. And while making lunch lunch today, I discovered that my microwave oven was working perfectly again!

Unless the new microwave oven is faulty when delivered I’ll have no valid reason to return it – I’ll be the rare person with a spare microwave oven!

Maybe a good thing. My very compact kitchen was designed to have the microwave in a cabinet with a 12”-deep shelf, and the oven that I bought was the only decent-sized one I could find that would fit. Might not still be available if my current microwave goes permanently belly-up in the future.

Two things: First, I wouldn't trust your current microwave to not give up the ghost soon and secondly, I wouldn't worry about sending the new one back to Amazon because quite frankly, they don't care, they'll just take it back, no questions asked. Personally, I'd keep the new one and store the current one as the back-up, but that is just me.

Jim

It’s like when you had old tube TVs that went wacko and called the TV repairman for a house call, and then the TV worked fine and he couldn’t find any problem and then charged you for the house call.

quote:

Originally posted by 2BobTanner:
It’s like when you had old tube TVs that went wacko and called the TV repairman for a house call, and then the TV worked fine and he couldn’t find any problem and then charged you for the house call.

Just how old are you anyway?

The TV repairman was common throughout the 60s. My Dad would always fix it himself. Take the back off remove the tubes, go to the local hardware store and check them on the machine. Replace the bad ones and the TV worked OK for awhile. Same with the radio.

My childhood memory of the tube tester at the local Whiteway store is still strong. So many different tube pin configurations! Our TV was definitely a b/w tube type. The little CRT dot after the image collapsed to nothingness...time for bed...

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
The TV repairman was common throughout the 60s. My Dad would always fix it himself. Take the back off remove the tubes, go to the local hardware store and check them on the machine. Replace the bad ones and the TV worked OK for awhile. Same with the radio.

I remember that well as a kid. A lot of grocery stores had the tubes and a tester machine right in the front of the store, right next to the windows between entrances. At least Safeway and the Piggly Wiggly did.

This was also when big grocery stores had glass all or most of the way across the storefront.