Need your help on microwaves (or appliances in general): LG or Whirlpool?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

Or other?

The skinny:

The wife asked for a new microwave for Mother's Day. (Yes, she actually asked for it....I wouldn't voluntarily give a kitchen appliance as a gift otherwise, promise.) We currently have a stainless steal over the range 1.6 cf Whirlpool, which I never liked. The problem with it is that it will constantly freeze up and show a "F2" error, which I've read on the internets means a keypad error. A new keypad costs nearly as much as a microwave itself.

So I went to Best Buy, and soured on Whirlpool, I asked about other brands. The saleswoman recommended LG, so I went ahead and bought it. But going online, I've found some of the reviews of LG to be less than flattering, while Whirlpool had high reviews. So I'm having second thoughts....should I return the LG and go for Whirlpool again, and hope this one is a better working microwave? Or should I stick with LG? Or try another brand?

Help, please...

[Dr Morbius]

1. Microwave ovens range from $40 and up.

My plan next time is to buy the cheapest one; I think it's a Sunbeam.

Anyway, my point is that it's a cheap appliance. I wouldn't overthink it.

[Kali]

5. unfortunately this is too true

disposable appliance

[One_Life_To_Give]

2. Look closely at model numbers

A Whirlpool sold at a big box retailer may not come from the same factory or even continent as a Whirlpool with a Similar model number sold at a local store or appliance store.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. The LG I have has been great. *knocks on wood so as not to jinx it* LOL

[Kali]

4. I got a kenmore a year or two ago, based on consumer reports

I can look up their current ratings if you want. I was going for a larger capacity machine. We mostly use it to cook vegetables and thaw large packages of meat. Not supposed to do that, I know - but then you aren't supposed to do a lot of things.

edit to add the real main use: to reheat leftovers - duh.

[rurallib]

6. Whirlpool just sent 1100 jobs to Mexico

[CBGLuthier]

7. And LG is a Korean company

So do we punish the misbehaving "american" company or the "foreign" company that at least employs its own people?

I say build a fire and cook slowly.

[rurallib]

9. Sorry. I did not endorse LG. Just noting Whirlpool's recent move.

I need to buy a washer. As far as I can tell there is but one small American company that makes washers.
I am simply trying to buy American made these days. I suspect that finding an American made microwave will be hard.
But I also do not want to 'reward' a company that just moved 1100 jobs out of the country. Whirlpool has also sent thousands of jobs out of cities near me, crippling them.
Sad to say but about the only washers in my price range that are rated decent are Whirlpool or Maytag (same company)

[bif]

8. We've had a GE for 24 years

Still works fine.

[jxnmsdemguy65]

10. If you had a GE that still works after 24 yrs, that is exceptional...

most of the time, magnetos on microwaves fail after 12 to 14 years...