I an adept and frequent user of my microwave, and have been very happy with the over-the-range LG model that replaced my 10-year-old GE model last April. I was surprised, and a little shocked, when the machine suddenly quit working on day 2 of the New Year. I immediately called the manufacturer's customer service desk, and after a few simple diagnostic tests (like restarting the microwave and resetting the time), the agent authorized a service call covered under the warranty.
The two-week wait for a technician seemed a little long, but I decided to make the best of the situation and reverted to "the old ways": I haven't forgotten how to use the oven and still know how to manage cooking times so that dishes are ready at the same time. My favorite recent meal of sautéed fresh salmon was just as good reheated at 350 degrees as it had been the previous evening.
I'm used to cleaning up as I work, and was a little dismayed that preparing the main course and side dishes simultaneously resulted in many more dishes at the end of the meal. Fortunately, Bob stepped in as cook's helper and clean-up was quick and efficient.
Nevertheless, I was counting down the days and literally jumped out of bed this morning, as excited as a kid at Christmas. I was dressed and outside clearing snow by 7:00 a.m., in case the technician arrived at the beginning of the 8-12 service window. Dustin, a good looking young man in the Air National Guard, was on the job shortly after 10:00 a.m.
After removing a few screws and performing a few minor tests, Dustin diagnosed a bad magnetron and diode, an easy repair. The bad news: the parts in his truck are mostly for old machines and he didn't have the parts for our newer microwave. The repair is now scheduled for January 29, and I'm simply resigned to waiting it out. I did enjoy learning that customers often get quite angry when told bad news, and, not for the first time, was happy that I no longer have to deal with end-user temper tantrums.
January 29: the parts arrived about a week ago and Kyle the Repair Guy was here shortly after 8:00 a.m. this morning. He removed the microwave from its over-the-range location and took it apart on the kitchen table. After replacing the magnetron, the appliance still didn't work. Kyle looked at the wiring and found what looked like a burned out plastic terminator for a couple of wires. I reluctantly let him out the door to get parts from his truck, and the whole thing was soon back together and in place. Water heating test was successful!
The good news: I have a better command of the cooking workstation and I really know how to integrate stovetop, oven and microwave. And I'll never again take my microwave for granted.
