Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Which microwave should I buy? Which do you have?

26 replies

TheCreationOfDistance · 03/01/2021 10:57

Sorry for boring thread but I’ve no bloody idea! It’s for teens to use for defrosting & heating stuff up.

Any recommendations? Don’t want to spend too much but equally, I don’t want an ugly dud as it will have to greet me from worktop every morning Grin


This thread is quite old now so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you’ve landed here looking for a great microwave recommendation, we’ve recently updated our best microwaves page with lots of options, as tried and tested by Mumsnet users and their families. We hope you find it useful. Flowers
MNHQ

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 03/01/2021 10:59

One that looks pretty in your kitchen. It's a microwave. If you are just going to defrost and heat stuff up it doesn't need special features or to cost +++

I bought the one that matched my fridge.

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/01/2021 11:00

I bought a basic Bosch from JL. It has two dials, one for wattage, one for time.

It’s stainless steel so cleans up well.

TheCreationOfDistance · 03/01/2021 11:04

Thanks @AnnaMagnani, but which? Any recommendations? They all look the same to me!

@Fluffycloudland77 that sounds practical, thanks for rec. Will check out JL.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

AnnaMagnani · 03/01/2021 11:34

Seriously my DM is still using the microwave we bought when microwaves first became 'a thing'. I think they are indestructible.

The one you like the look of best, has a big interior and looks easy to clean.

Nilbog · 03/01/2021 11:39

How much do you want to spend @TheCreationOfDistance?

TheCreationOfDistance · 03/01/2021 11:41

That’s exactly what I’m after, @AnnaMagnani, but I don’t have time to look. I just want someone to tell me what yo buy Grin

@Nilbog as little as possible! Under 100 quid

OP posts:
HighHeelBoots · 03/01/2021 11:44

Get stainless steel
I got a nice painted, retro looking one and the paint is peeling off inside
It needs replacing and I'm going to get stainless so nothing can peel

Nomummyonlyzuul · 03/01/2021 12:04

If it doesnt need to be fancy and expensive, try wilko. We have the purple one and it's been brilliant, especially in winter for heating up armies!

Nomummyonlyzuul · 03/01/2021 12:04

Warmies not armies!

DuesToTheDirt · 03/01/2021 12:09

Make sure the inside is big enough for your plates etc, some are quite small.

Elouera · 03/01/2021 12:17

OP- how to expect randoms on here to know your taste, style and current decor to match??? Confused

Are you wanting a certain colour? Retro, modern etc? My current machine is no longer available for sale new, so pointless giving you the details.

  • I personally prefer simple knobs- wattage dial and timer dial. I rarely change any of the settings and dont need 1000 options
  • Dont get one with an inbuilt grill. They are difficult to clean, cost more and useless unless you dont have an oven/grill
  • Generally, the really cheap models have a plastic liner which degrades quickly and a tiny turn table inside. Measure your dinner plates, because the tiny machines often wont even fit a regular dinner plate, let alone a slightly larger one.
  • Invest in one of those plate protectors that stop exploded food coating the inside of the machine!
MrsPnut · 03/01/2021 12:22

I’ve just bought this one but in silver ao.com/product/hmt84m421b-bosch-microwave-white-23257-50.aspx it was in the Good Food best buys as a microwave for longevity and we have a lot of other Bosch appliances.

It is huge inside and easy to use. The 900w was something I was looking for as our old microwave was about 20 years old and took forever to heat things.

6demandingchildren · 03/01/2021 12:31

I got one from very it was around £100 and their is no turn table so it's really easy to clean, only buttons is time defrost cancel and start.
It's my best one yet

KipperTheFrog · 03/01/2021 12:33

I just got a morphy Richards one. It’s red, which is good for me. Has a few defrost settings, easy to use.
Was going to link it, but Argos no longer sell it! Sorry.

Kpo58 · 03/01/2021 12:45

Go for one that you can fit dinner plate in and the largest cup and bowl you have in. Some are tiny.

Tesco can be worth a look.

Bloodhoundgang · 03/01/2021 12:47

I have one from Argos. Basic but functional. It is white, sits on my counter, looks good, was about 30quid. Best thing about Argos is they replace anything ASAP if you have any problems.
Also, their own brands are made by big names. I once rang about my vaccuum and it appears Hoover make their own brand vaccs as they have the same helpline.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 03/01/2021 12:49

One you can set a specific cooking to on. I hate the timer dial on our current one. Easy enough to set time in minutes, but not in seconds.
I miss our old one. Alas DH managed to run over it with the car.

Nilbog · 03/01/2021 12:53

Here you go @TheCreationOfDistance

Which microwave should I buy? Which do you have?
ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 03/01/2021 13:02

@MrsPnut

I’ve just bought this one but in silver ao.com/product/hmt84m421b-bosch-microwave-white-23257-50.aspx it was in the Good Food best buys as a microwave for longevity and we have a lot of other Bosch appliances.

It is huge inside and easy to use. The 900w was something I was looking for as our old microwave was about 20 years old and took forever to heat things.

I have an 800w version of this in stainless steel, had it a couple of years and it is the best microwave I've used/had.
PatMustardsBigTool · 03/01/2021 17:51

My Panasonic one is still going strong 20 years on. Think it's actually about 23 years old now. Go for a decent brand whatever you decide.

Charley50 · 03/01/2021 18:07

My microwave was over 20 years old and really needed replacing. Yesterday, I got a Russel Hobbs one, black mirrored front, as sexy as a microwave can be, for £45 in Morrison's!!!!
I'm very happy as i was eye-Ing it up in Argos etc, where it was about £70.

TheCreationOfDistance · 05/01/2021 00:48

@Elouera

OP- how to expect randoms on here to know your taste, style and current decor to match??? Confused

Are you wanting a certain colour? Retro, modern etc? My current machine is no longer available for sale new, so pointless giving you the details.

  • I personally prefer simple knobs- wattage dial and timer dial. I rarely change any of the settings and dont need 1000 options
  • Dont get one with an inbuilt grill. They are difficult to clean, cost more and useless unless you dont have an oven/grill
  • Generally, the really cheap models have a plastic liner which degrades quickly and a tiny turn table inside. Measure your dinner plates, because the tiny machines often wont even fit a regular dinner plate, let alone a slightly larger one.
  • Invest in one of those plate protectors that stop exploded food coating the inside of the machine!
I don’t! I’m not really bothered what it looks like - attractive would help - I’m more interested in hearing recommendations ☺️👍
OP posts:
TheCreationOfDistance · 05/01/2021 00:51

Thank you very much, everyone. Some great recommendations! Brilliant. Will have a look at Argos & maybe in Morrison’s for the £45 bargain Smile

OP posts:
WhySoNoisy · 05/01/2021 01:02

@TheCreationOfDistance I've just bought this one on the back of its excellent reviews. It's sold in ao, John Lewis, Amazon, curry's and others and the best price I can find is £124.

It has great reviews for a trustworthy defrost procedure that doesn't start to cook the food, and an auto clean feature for smelly odour removal. It also fits a good size dinner plate, but I have had my tape measure out and it's not massive by any means.

It also looks pretty good, is stainless steel and Panasonic have a good reputation in making indestructible microwaves.

Panasonic NN-SD27HSBPQ