We moved into our house in 1986 and had to buy boatloads of stuff to fix up and furnish the place. On one of our numerous trips to the mall, my teenage son and I were walking through J.C. Penney's and saw that microwaves were on sale. Although this was not on my shopping list, or in my budget, Matt insisted that we buy one -- a relatively new appliance that we had not previously owned. I think we paid $89 for it.
It's still there.
Maybe I shouldn't say going "strong," because it seems to have lost some of its oomph as it aged. In other people's kitchens, you zap a cup of tea for one minute and it's nice and hot; in my kitchen it takes two minutes and 20 seconds. But what's a minute or two among friends? The microwave soldiers on, never faltering. It's the easiest of all our appliances to reset the clock after a power failure. We've never even had to replace the light bulb.
I know one day the microwave will die, as will we all. I don't relish the thought of replacing it; I don't want to have to choose among lots of fancy features that I probably won't use. I don't want to have to learn new formulas for which buttons to push for a cup of tea. I don't want a turntable or a convection feature or a sensor that allegedly tells me when things are done. I don't want it built in. I just want a microwave exactly like the one I have. My friend for lo these many years.
Both my mother and I had those same thoughts over microwave replacements! Back to school time is good when you have to go looking--lots of simple, and inexpensive, microwaves for college dorms. Simple to use is what I look for in one, too! But don't expect any of them to last as long as the good ol' one!
ReplyDeleteyou say it seems to have lost some of its oomph as it aged
ReplyDeleteMaybe your microwave that takes 2min plus for a cup of tea was never as powerful as modern ones. My 30 year old one is not as powerful as my daughters when comparing booklets to go with them
We are alike in wanting our favorite things to last forever. When we replace our microwave it will be very difficult. Ours is older than yours and I find using "new to me" buttons helps heat up things faster. the regular buttons and times always need to be bumped up to longer times--and then the micro will surprise me by getting everything really nice and hot for a few weeks or months. But it takes ME longer to get going as well!!!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. My micro has been going since 1983 and two house moves. It has been in this kitchen 30 years. Push three buttons and the food warms up..... want and need nothing more.
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