39 years. Mine was original to the house when it was built in 1982. Still going strong.

Gosh, I think we have had ours about 25 years.

Ours is 25 years old and should be replaced. I'm sure longevity varies a lot with frequency of use but 4 years doesn't seem like very long. Fortunately they're not very expensive. We don't use ours that much and I'm happy to keep it that way.

Ours has a manufacturing date of 1985 (!). I'm 2nd owner starting my term in 1989. Why can I remember this but I can't remember what I came into a room for?

Bought ours in 2008 and is still working!

The one I got rid of last year was dated the year I purchased in 1989.

16 or 17 years. Microwave is Amana, in a wall of cabinets with a trim kit so looks built in.

ETA...was that clear I'm still using it? Just noticed how the question was worded. It hasn't done anything to make me doubt it, seems to be one of the higher powered models, taking a very short time to heat, melt, defrost compared to a couple I've used. I have only one chicken dish that I think I actually cook in it.

About 4 years ago my microwave from 1982 finally died. I'm on my second replacement. I doubt any would last as long as they originally did.

Bought mine in 1997. It's showing signs of giving up, so I'm seriously thinking of replacing it.

Rusty

My last one was 15 years old and working perfectly when I gave it away during our remodel of the kitchen.

Mine's about 15 years old. I don't use it too much; I never cook in it, just might reheat leftovers or melt butter, make hummingbird nectar, etc.

we have had four microwaves in our 40 years of marriage. couldn't get rid of the bad burnt popcorn smell out of no. 3, so we bought a new one. I still use the glass plate from no. 1, which was an Amana. that microwave was a heavy thing.

I think I've had this one over 20 years.

Tens years so far for this one. It's a 1200W Kenmore. It's been good but even with my food safety paranoia, I have to pull most everything a little early to avoid overcooking. Even frozen entries and things that it's supposed to "sense" the proper heat time of.

I don't remember what my last mic was but it started rusting out prematurely. I think I cooked too much high moisture things (potatoes mostly) in it and immediately closed the door afterwards, trapping the moisture inside. I try to leave the door open on this one for a little while after cooking a potato, steaming vegs, etc. No rust yet. :)

Don't know, someone, not me, burned a bag of popcorn in it and ruined it.

Don't know. I have always moved or given them away well before they died. The one I currently have is eight years old and looks awful. The inside has stains I cannot remove.

Current micro is 6 years old, the interior enamel is flaking off which makes it look bad. Dissappointing, because previous micros lasted decades. We use it every morning to heat up milk for our coffee, but don't use it for much more than that. I could easily live without it but DH insists on having one.

I was purchasing new counter top microwaves. They lasted what the warranty was. Cuisinart = 3 years. ALL the others only a year. Then I discovered Sharp! I purchase them used and they just keep going...and going. OTR(Over-the-range) are another breed of microwave. I own LG, Samsung & Frigidaire. None have died. I have a Wolf that's built-in. But....I use the Sharp!

20 years before it died

Some tiny object got caught in the hinge/door when it was closed (foil?), and there was a spark and burning smell when using the microwave. It still works fine but I’m thinking we shd replace. There’s a very small melted spot on the door.

My 1st one was a Sharp and lasted over 20 yrs. my last one a Panasonic and lasted 6 yrs. It was rusting out inside so I got a new one about 2 months ago - a GE.

We had one for about 5 years before we replaced it. One of the reasons we replaced it was that the light had burned out, and it was impossible to change the light bulb without uninstalling it. I could have lived with a burned out light bulb, but we had a new free microwave that came with the Bertazzoni stove, and so we had the new one installed. We had stored the new microwave in the garage for a year. For some reason we could not install the new stove and new microwave at the same time, and I think it had something to do with installing a backsplash behind the new stove. It might also have been that the installer for the new stove refused to install the microwave, as that was not part of the deal. Anyway, it was nicer when the microwave above the stove matched.

We have a couple of small - medium countertop microwaves. I wanted one that would not force me to listen to a jarring alarm.

My favorite is the LG Neo Chef Inverter type. It’s got clean lines, no handle on door, is easy to clean and easy to use. QUIET ;). Instead of a blaring alarm, it plays an unobtrusive tune, just enough to hear, even if in another room. Youtube has a video of it where the tune can be heard. Fat face, easy to clean. Just be sure you're paying attention and don’t inadvertently press a timer (available by touch from the exterior face as well as inside to the right).

To select the cooking time, just touch and slide your finger to the right or left. Like a smart phone. The defrost feature is spot on — select type of item,press + to select the weight. I usually do not trust a microwaves defrost feature, but this is excellent. Enameled interior, easy to clean, wipe down. The glass plate fits over several bumps on the unit’s floor, so it stays in place, isn’t fussy. The designers nailed the interiors geometry because even large plates fit perfectly.

Another intelligent design: You can leave the door open to air out of dry out the interior and after a little while the light will turn off. Most other microwaves keep the light on.

The intelligence of the engineers creating this remind me of the intuitive ease of the iPhone. If you need a feature, someone’s thought to make it easy and intuitive.

I wanted to get a “backup,” but DH didn’t want to. A backup, because, sometimes a sophisticated, well engineered product is too much for dull, cognitively lame people to figure out. We seem to be creating lot of witless people.

another MW is a GE that gives the option of turning the sound OFF. But the glass plate (small unit) keeps coming off the bumps.

We have had the same countertop Sharp microwave since we built this place in 1991 as a vacation home. We moved here full-time in 1999, and the unit still works well. We use it everyday.

I have only ever had countertop microwaves and generally buy the cheapest one I can find that fits my needs. I only use it to reheat things, make popcorn or melt butter so don't need any fancy features........on/off and a timer are all that's required! I doubt I have ever paid as much as $100 for any of them and despite pretty heavy use - multiple times a day usually - they all have lasted a decent amount of time IMO. Five to eight years typically.

I wanted to get a “backup,” but DH didn’t want to. A backup, because, sometimes a sophisticated, well engineered product is too much for dull, cognitively lame people to figure out. We seem to be creating lot of witless people.

I think it may be wise to get a backup if it is this model:LG NeoChef 2.0 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave in Stainless Steel Black Stainless Steel If it is different enough in design and your guests haven't seen one before or read directions that is easily remedied by an explanation/demonstration, but I checked out the Amazon reviews and for this model there are some concerning reviews.

Thanks for the heads up. I just took a look at it. The dimensions are 18” wide, 10” top to bottom. It is fitted (with room to spare) into an open compartment in our kitchen cabinets. I don’t see any immediately visible stickers identifying the wattage or model. I think we got it 4-5 years ago for $99 at Best Buy. Never any smoke coming from back or anyplace. I never fry chicken, whole steers, paper greeting card or popcorn it it. Buti use it multiple times a day for things like defrosting, reheating, heating hot packs for my back, and maybe boiling water to sterilize the hummingbird sugar water (which, of course I then cool).

I’ll have to see what size we bought. I may have to sneak a backup into the house. Smiling because I remember people on the Rose Forum kidding around about sneaking new rose acquisitions past their reluctant spouses. (They rarely did this, but had fantasies.)

I hope you’re happy with the microwave you bought. It seems that the older appliances lasted longer. We had a second hand washer and dryer ($100 and $125 each) that lasted us 24 years. Not bad. In the cellar, so no one minded that they were the 1960s harvest gold and avocado green.

whole steers

LOL.

I ordered a Toshiba, should be here in a few days. Would have ordered a Sharp after Nicole's post but my order was already on the way.

It does seem like some of the older appliances are real workhorses.

I’ve never had one die. My current one was manufactured August 1998.

Lucille....at least you didn't get a Wolf. ha ha I paid $2K for it and I refuse to use it! I'm "not" wearing out a $2k microwave! (It's a running joke here)

Our Sharp is @25 years old. It is the only one we have ever had. A close lightening strike knocked out half of the digital numbers, but it still works fine. We just need to make sure we enter the time needed carefully.

My cheapie Emerson (750 +/- watts) is at least 15 years old - I can't really remember when my oldest brother gave it to my mother but at least a few years before 2009; I took it when we sold her condo. Some of the "paint" has worn off the door opener, and sometimes the preset buttons go on strike for a day, but it meets my needs. I use it only 1-3 times a week - cooking a potato, steaming vegetables, defrosting something, cooking frozen faux chicken nuggets etc or sometimes to heat water for tea (if the weather is too hot to boil it on the gas stove).

The over-the-stove built-in M/Ws we had at the Maui condo never lasted long. We went through three in 20 years. I was not going to buy another one ($700) -- just get a cheap countertop model, but the current one is still working and we've just sold the place.

I bought a marked down Kitchen Aid electric oven/broiler w/MW when we built our house in 2001. It's only 800 power, but still works. It's made like the one Lars mentioned above; you have to dismantle the entire unit to replace the light bulb! Miracle of engineering, eh? Our M/W light died after about 10 years and again several months ago. I used it 'dark' and cleaned it while DH held a flashlight. Last month the light came back on spontaneously. It happened after I replaced a burned out bulb inside the companion oven. (Thank you, Poltergeist.)