Those microwaves were designed and built in Amana, thus the name.
The Amana "radarrange" was i think the first microwave mass produced
for home use.
Mine was sent to the thrift store because it had no glass tray. I
know I paid more for a new tray than I did for the oven, but it is
much nicer with the tray. I used it some without the tray. I think
the tray was 30 some bucks 6-8 years ago.
Amana is one of many failed socialist experiments in the US. There
is still an Amana Society run as a corporation, but members are
allowed/encouraged to run private businesses. I think the society
now functions more like a coop elevator company. They were known for
the woolens, but now the mill is only a store and museum. They are
still known mainly for family style restaurants with german-american
food, Amana Beef, and wines. Amana Corp gutted its engineering staff
about 30 years ago, and staggered on for maybe 10 years. It was sold
(whirlpool, I think), and after a couple years the plant was closed.
Now an amana appliance, like a maytag, is only a nameplate on an
inferior product.
I also bought a new Maytag washer and dryer the last year they were
available. The washer has been flawless for over a decade. I had to
replace the motor and a belt in the dryer, but that is pretty easy.
Maytag washers were legendary for a reason. Not so any more.
I was looking for a MW oven 25 years ago, and when I asked about
reliability, the guy at the store said that none of the touchpad
ovens last long, as the touchpads fail. He said he had one Litton
left with a dial timer. He deemed that machine as the most
reliable available. It still works great. Id does NOT play muzak,
talk back or do anything but microwave food. It is wonderful.
About 10 years ago I bought an ancient (65-72 maybe) Amana
microwave for the cottage. It still works wonderfully tool
Our Amana, with glass touchpad, is still in daily use here.
It has no beeper. (Well, it does, but it's switchable, and I
have it switched off!) I've had to repair it twice now, and
yes the problem was in the touchpad, but it was only failing
power supply capacitors. Easily replaced, and it was fully
functional again. That thing is a heavy-duty appliance, it's
quite heavy and engineered like the proverbial brick ***house.
Made completely in the USA, I believe. I have another out in
the garage, I bought it at the thrift shop for spare parts.
(I've never even plugged it in.) I haven't needed any yet.
The parts oven was missing the glass floor tray, and the
one in our oven finally blew up on its own. (It wasn't on,
we were in the living room and heard the bang. Weird.)
Split right down the middle. I glued it back together with
Shoe Goo, and we've been using it that way since. Just
have to handle it carefully, the glue could let loose at
any time after all. Dropping the tray was probably what
sent the 'parts oven' to the boneyard.
Our other microwave is a cheapie with a dial timer. Though
Asian it just runs, and cooks, and goes 'ding' once when it's
done. No frills to break or annoy. Never given me any trouble,
though it hasn't been used a lot these last 15 years.
These are the 123 diesels of the microwave world, IMHO.
I dread the day when I'm forced to get a newer one.
Just like our cars!
-- Jim
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_______________________________________
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com
To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
