Old Microwave

[landofoz]

Just noticed that my microwave is just as old as me - 25.  Is this too old, should we be getting a new one?  There isn't much info on the web about old microwaves...

Thanks!

[Patty S]

So what if it's 25 years old... does it still work?  You've heard that "they don't make things like they used to" haven't you?  Chances are, a new one won't last near as long, so hang on to it for as long as you can. 

If it's not working, take the cover off & look for a fuse that may need replacing.  In some of those old microwaves, there's a ceramic fuse (looks just like the old glass fuses that used to be in cars, only it'll be white, so you cant see through it, to see if the little wire filament is broken.)  They're a bit on the spendy side, for a little bitty fuse (like around $8 - $12), but I would think that the hardware store has a way to check the old one before you buy a replacement.)

[landofoz]

Yes, I've heard that they don't make things like they used to which is primarily why the ozone layer is crap thanks to the chemicals released by old fridges and whatnot.  They also used asbestos for insulation, brake pads, cement board, and anything else you can think of.  Sure it worked peachy, but at what cost?

The thing works just fine, it's gotten a little weaker in the past few years and I'm just worried about radiation--the acceptable levels of radiation have dramatically changed in the past 2 decades. 

[barleychown]

I'm not sure about the radiation levels, but I've noticed most older appliances use quite a bit more energy than the newer models. That may not be a big thing for you, but if you use the microwave a lot, the difference in power consumption could really add up to some big savings.

[landofoz]

I actually only use the thing once or twice a week but it is big enough to fit an 18 lb turkey in--which kinda seems to be a waste considering all the nuke is defrosting a pound of chicken or a small tub of leftovers. 

Patty S, sheesh, I just re-read my response to you and if I came off and angry or exceptionally rude, I apologize!  That wasn't my intent.  Sorry!

[Tonya]

My mom has the same microwave(and first one we ever had ) we bought in ummmm....1992?? It doesn't time well anymore, but works fine. I guess it is a personal choice thing. If you are concerned- get a new one. If you are not concerned- keep it.

[landofoz]

Ours is from 1983, the same year I was born.  It was my aunt's and she gave it to me when I moved out.  I had no idea how old it was until I was looking through the owner's manual and found the year written down inside.

[Tonya]

Personally, I would replace it. Based soley(sp) on the energy factor. Like I said- It is a personal choice, unless you find out that the radiation level released is a dangerous one.

[Patty S]

Patty S, sheesh, I just re-read my response to you and if I came off and angry or exceptionally rude, I apologize!  That wasn't my intent.  Sorry!

I didn't think you came off rude, Sarah.   It struck me as though you're pretty angry about the chemicals that have come back to bite our society, but since none of that was my idea, I didn't take offense at your ranting.

BTW, as for the asbestos, I have good reason to be angry myself, as vermiculite was mined in our town (Libby Montana) for many years, & it turns out that the company, W.R. Grace, knew of the asbestos danger to the miners & the townspeople, the entire time they owned the mine. My husband was raised in a home that was insulated with it, he (& later on, our kids) played in piles of the stuff that was freely handed out by the pickup load, whenever we wanted it to help lighten the clay soil of our gardens... no one was told that there was a danger. 

My MIL, who had been a picture of health all her life, finally showed up with the respiratory disease called "asbestosis", caused by vermiculite dust.  She suffered for 6 years before she finally died of it, 3 years ago.  It's very common to see people in Libby (who only wanted to make an honest living) pulling their little carts of oxygen around with them as they slowly die of the complications caused by years & years of someone elses greedy quest to make a fortune. (W.R. Grace was forced to close the Libby mine in 1990.)

It was a different story when chemicals were used without anyones knowledge of the ramifications, but the real crime exists when steps are not taken to put a stop to it, once the dangers are discovered.  I wouldn't buy potting soil for many years, because it contained vermiculite... which has finally been replaced with Pearlite, in the past couple of years.  (I still see vermiculite on store shelves though, disguised as an air freshener for vacuum bags... & there is nothing that tells the consumer what the ingredients are!  I simply know what it looks like, cuz I've had HUGE piles of it, in my yard!)

Sorry to have hijacked your topic.   Enjoy your new microwave, when you get it!

[landofoz]

First off, I saw vermiculite and Libby and was severely concerned for ya!  I'm quite familiar with the asbestos in all vermiculite and know that the Libby, Montana mine contained the highest levels, which no one cared to tell anyone else about.  I, unknowingly, bought a bag of verticulite for my indoor plants a couple years ago.  It is still sitting on the shelf on the breezeway because I won't use it now that I know what it is.

I very well may get a new microwave but it will probably be a while before we do.  I need new shoes (you can see my toes in my nice pair) and both girls are going to need to get some shorts for the summer.  Amazing how little things start adding up!