It's like living in the 1970's

[Hummer]

Last weekend our old GE countertop microwave died after 33 years of service. Made in the USA, before carousel turntables. But everyday since it croaked we have caught ourselves as we fill a ceramic dish with food to thaw or cook, or prepare to warm a cup of liquid, only to realize it has to be heated in a pot on the gas stove. Geez, it's like living in the 1970's before household microwaves were common. It makes you realize how reliant we become on new technologies.

A new microwave oven arrived yesterday, transferred from UPS to USPS for delivery. The box clearly showed that it had been dropped on a corner, and inside, the cabinet had been crunched. A one day lifespan. Who knows where it happened but I'd guess the mail persons don't like having to deliver heavier packages for UPS. A replacement has already been shipped and should arrive Monday. Retail efficiency in the days of cheap Chinese goods. Any bets on whether this one will survive shipment, or last 33 years?

[Bailey Guns]

Sounds about right. We're still using a toaster my wife bought her first year of college...1980, I think. Any new appliance we buy is generally considered to be disposable after a few years it seems. Lodge Cookware...it'll outlast us all.

[10x]

Just replaced a dishwasher, fridge, stove top and wall oven microwave. The wife had to have the new black stainless. Quality is not as good. Had to have two repaired the first week. I want to go back to the 1960s.

[Skip]

I expect a microwave to last two years, no more. I buy cheap and replace.

I’ve put about $150 in parts in my 2004 refrigerator to keep it going and it’s taken a bit of patience/skill to replace the typical short lifespan parts when they go out.

I have a neighbor that got four years out of a $2,500 fridge. They gave up and just had it replaced with some drama from Home Depot.

Dishwashers will last me about ten years. Already replaced the dispenser (wax motor) assembly just out of warranty. Probably have a few more years on it.

Yup, it’s frustrating!

[Great-Kazoo]

I want to go back to the 1960s.

Like you remember the 60's, man.

[SideShow Bob]

Ah, memories of the Amana Radar Range. All chromed Steel & Glass. Manual spring timer, and real physical switches. Indestructible.

[Gman]

Ah, memories of the Amana Radar Range.

[68Charger]

My sister tried to kill a microwave in 1980 by hardboiling an egg in it (our first microwave, she didn't get the memo)
I thought someone set off an M80 in the kitchen.

She had the egg in a corningware dish with a glass lid... that flew up and broke a plate inside the microwave... once that was replaced, it gave another 20 years or so of service

[rondog]

We have an old Maytag washer and dryer that were left in our house when we bought it by the PO. Have had both repaired a couple of times, and the repairman has said NEVER get rid of them until they're totally dead. They're both simple and basic, non-electronic, and easy to replace normal wear items. He said the new stuff is all electronics and circuit boards, and they die like flies. Very expensive to fix too. He also said that if we just HAVE to get new shit, he'd happily buy our old ones, because they'll last forever.

[waffles]

I had a couple weeks where the microwave and oven/stove both were down. Landlord eventually replaced them but let me tell you about living off of a steady diet of beer and ramen cooked over a jetboil