Damn see no one mentioned to check the fuse which is a simple and easy fix.

jonathan18:

 

Yeah, last time we bought one I debated about the merits of a combi unit like that; would save using the oven sometimes, for sure...

 

Happy with the functioning and looks of the LGs, but have to admit to being worried about their bulk - being larger than our current Sharp, there'd be only 2cm space either side within the space, certainly a lot less than the recommended 10cm in the instruction manual!

 

Should this be enough reason to not purchase this model and look for something smaller? Given it looks like inverter models are somewhat more fussy (and potentially shorter-lived) I am a little bit hesitant. That said, they're not the most expensive appliance... 

 

Keen to hear how you get on, if you do end up buying the LG.

I'm in pretty much the same situation - our old Sharp microwave is on its last legs, so I'm looking at replacing it with the 42L LG NeoChef (MS4296OSS).

I'm a bit worried about the ventilation space as well. The microwave space in our kitchen is 60cm wide, 42.5cm high and 56cm deep, so there would only be 2-3cm clearance each side (rather than the recommended 10cm).

The other option I'm looking at is the Panasonic NN-ST665BQPQ, because it only requires 5cm clearance each side.

So far so good with the new LG. I think I’d be more concerned if we frequently ran it for long periods of time, given any microwave can get pretty toasty. One thing to be mindful of with these models is the pull handle for the door is on the side, but even in a narrow space (similar to yours) this doesn’t seem to be a problem in our case.

Interestingly, unlike our last Sharp, the fan doesn’t continue to run after every single use. Plus the fan’s quieter, which is nice. 

The programmed cooking/heating options aren’t as easy to use as on the Sharp as, rather than using actual words on the screen (eg ‘pizza’) it’s a damn number - who’s going to remember 6 = pizza reheat or whatever. (So supply it with a card listing the codes.) That said, these seem to work well, eg butter softening worked perfectly first time.

Not sure if it’s an issue for you, but we found the lack of a one-touch start on Panasonics too frustrating, and this ruled them out for us...

Pretty much every microwave manual says to allow more clearance than you'll ever get in the standard size "cubby" that is often fitted above a 60cm wall oven. But we still opted to not get the 42L LG NeoChef because we were worried the clearance would just be too small though as it would've been pretty snug. Whether it would have ever caused an actual problem I don't know, but since we generally only use the microwave for reheating I suspect we probably would have been fine - but we decided to err on the side of caution just in case.

The Sharp that we got still doesn't have the clearance that the manual says it should have, but it has more than the NeoChef would've and we're happy enough with the smaller size (34L I think).

lNomNoml: Damn see no one mentioned to check the fuse which is a simple and easy fix.

My ancient (+10years) Sharp stopped heating a couple weeks ago. Was just the fuse. Going fine again now. 

tripper1000:

 

lNomNoml: Damn see no one mentioned to check the fuse which is a simple and easy fix.

 

My ancient (+10years) Sharp stopped heating a couple weeks ago. Was just the fuse. Going fine again now. 

 

And if there were to be such a fuse on my microwave, whereabouts would I find it?

The manual makes no mention of this, and the trouble-shooting does indicate to take it into a repairer (if the light goes, turntable spins etc but there's no heating). This is the model: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/756434/Sharp-Carousel-R-350ys.html?page=1#manual

I'm happy to keep the new LG model, but it'll be nice to be able to give it away if it's easily fixable...

jonathan18:

 

The programmed cooking/heating options aren’t as easy to use as on the Sharp as, rather than using actual words on the screen (eg ‘pizza’) it’s a damn number - who’s going to remember 6 = pizza reheat or whatever. (So supply it with a card listing the codes.) That said, these seem to work well, eg butter softening worked perfectly first time.

 

On mine, the codes are listed on the MW itself, along the top edge when the door is opened.

Before taking the cover off your microwave be safe and pull the plug out of the wall. And before powering it back up, be sure to put the covers back on - that way you can't get electrocuted, burned or irradiated.

There are generally 2 fuses. The 240v fuse is generally on the power supply board near where the mains lead terminates inside the microwave and the other fuse is a high voltage fuse (2.5/5Kv) generally found between the transformer and high voltage capacitor and is an inline fuse inside a rigid plastic tube. 

If the 240v fuse blows the microwave will be entirely dead. If the high voltage fuse goes the microwave controls & lights appears to work normally but it no longer heats the food. If it repeatedly blows the H.V. fuse, the H.V. capacitor or magnatron are likely faulty.