Microwave Oven

GE Inverter Microwave

Much cheaper at Walmart:

$219

That Power Hunt 12v Microwave is $330u.s. It pulls only 55a... way less than my Danby 700w... but at 10x the cost.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Does anyone else besides Panasonic make an inverter microwave?

It depends upon what you mean by "inverter". :B

The Tongue-In-Cheek and Hand-In-Wallet answer is "yes". Here it is ... ignore the Australian Website - you can source it in the U.S. ... and maybe in Mexico City:

http://www.australiandirect.com.au/buy/wave-box-12-volt-portable-microwave-oven-kit/PNP-410SK

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Panasonic 1.6 cubic foot inverter 1250W microwave---about $140 at Walamrt

And the nice thing about the inverter type of microwave oven is that when you used lower power (80%, 50% etc.) that is what you get, not 100% power for 80% or 50% of the time like all the others do. That would be very useful when running the microwave from your batteries ia an inverter. It can really reduce the current draw from your batteries. We have a Panasonic inverter micro/convection oven in the stick house. Wish it would fit in the motorhome. I would really like to be able to reduce the 160 Amp battery draw when camping off the grid!

(Note the inverter in "inverter microwave" has nothing to do with the inverter supplying 120 VAC from your batteries)

Old-Biscuit wrote:
OP is looking for microwave for house.

hm. I overlooked that too. Microwaves start from $50 at Amazon. 1 cu.ft cost about $70, and inverter Panasonic is $150. With $2/hour labor in Shanghai local repair services have become obsolete, same as many other jobs.

I have a Panasonic, inverter microwave.

LOVE the thing. Will absolutely buy another one if necessary. My original microwave in the RV still works fine, though.

Jose

I had a Panasonic, but the salty ocean air ate it. Started popping and crackling when first started up. Then with a puff of smoke a genie popped out and demanded one wish. "My wish is for you to go and buy another microwave".

But it would defrost a roast thoroughly without turning jutting edges brown. Also made better oatmeal than my mega commercial replacement.

OP is looking for microwave for house.
Didn't state whether or not free standing or cabinet mounted.

The Panasonic Inverter (biggest one) is only $140

I sure like how ours cooks. Even keeps things 'warm' for up to 30 mins. due to the ability to actually lower power output.
Would buy another!

j-d's explination is spot on.

The inverter type microwave actually cooks better, from my experiance. Popcorn cooked at 75% will pop almost the whole bag everytime.

There is not a huge power savings for cooking at less power. ie 50% power cooking does not mean 50% less power used.

I do not know the reliability, other than I have yet to have a problem with one.
As always, the more features something has the more likely something can fail.

For those not familiar, 50% cooking power on a conventional microwave is 100% half the time. 50% on an inverter microwave is 50% power all the time. I really wish I knew if it made a difference in the actual cooking. What I do know is this: Inverter is really good for RVing since a lower setting reduces the actual power input requirement. This could allow for use on a portable generator, or keep from popping circuit breakers when CG pedestal power is running short.

But Inverter is more expensive and seems to be less reliable. Daughter had a residential over-stove/under-cabinet with fan etc. Kenmore Elite or some name like that, actually an LG. When it quit, we looked on the web and found most of those did and the repairs weren't economic. Either that or the part was discontinued, I forget which. So, if a smaller, less powerful microwave will do what you want, it'll cost less and maybe last longer. Just match up dimensions and move the mounting brackets to the replacement unit. On a job like this, I suggest making a drill stop so the bit just passes through the outer shell without risk of punching into the inside of the unit.