Whirlpool Low Profile Over the Range Microwave - Unique Design, is it worth it? Appliance warranty

[@doedoejean1197]

I just bought this microwave. I only paid $279. It was on sale for $349 with 20% off if I opened an account, so I did and will just pay it when I get the bill. I like it so far, It came with one year warranty, but I bought 5yr for $79.00. Only because I have bad luck with microwaves. I love this style, fingers crossed it will last.

[@poodledad]

That seems like a great deal. Hope you don't have to use the warranty, but 5 years is nice to have.

[@FrauJen79]

Have the same microwave, didn't last more than 3 years. Paid $89 for a tech to come out and share that it will cost about $450 to replace the parts and pay for labor. At that price point, I will have to buy a new one. Others started having a problem at the one-year mark too. Tech shared not to get a whirlpool when I replace it.

[@poodledad]

Dang. Similar to my experience, though we opted to repair when whirlpool finally was willing to do the parts. It's hard to find another microwave that fits this space.

[@robhashemi3559]

I had the same Experience

[@wendyfan8071]

Thanks for that! Good to know

[@shawnarodriguez3352]

That sucks, I just got this microwave cause my GE was 7 years old and it died. It was brandy with the house and that people say not to get GE or Samsung. So I get world pool but now you're saying there's an issue with it. But I don't know why it would vent out into the room From the top bench when I have it vinting outside. That is a really weird thing. Why would I want any air coming back in.

[@michaelsullivan1216]

What failed in your microwave? Is it the magnetron or something else?

[@Jennspage1]

For anyone that still have air flowing back inside the house when they have it vented outside. If you attach the damper to the duct (and not to the microwave), some air will still leak and flowing out from the top of the microwave because the hole on the microwave where the damper supposed to be attached to is not fully covered inside the duct (or loose fit). The best way to get all the air out to the duct is to attach the damper to the microwave as instructed and MAKE SURE the duct covers the entire damper to avoid air escaping. This happened to me, and we had to remove the damper from the duct and attached it to the microwave. Now we have no issue with it. Yes, there's still some cold air flowing out from the front left vent, but that's not steaming (cooking) air, it supposed to be a cool air to help cool the microwave while venting or warming up food. Also, don't hire Home Depot installer, they did a very bad job on making sure the duct covers the entire damper.

[@GUNNERBASS]

This does nothing for the awful design of the microwave cabinet. It’s literally designed to suck air out the microwave and blow greasy smelly air onto your cabinets Try this: run only the microwave, no fan. Put your hand up top left. Feel that? That’s all the air from your microwave blowing into your kitchen. That has nothing to do with configuring the damper.

[@markginimalanaphy8963]

I ( mark ) do not buy the warranty. Because I have found it is a waste of extra money. After you purchase warranty’s, most , if not all, warranty are sold to a 3 party company and you have to jump through loops to get anything repaired. Plus - you always have to pay for the maintenance

[@poodledad]

Agreed. Warranties also have fine print about how much you pay for a claim which I find pretty mind-blowing. Just keep your money and deal with an issue when you have one.

[@MasterGrenadier]

I have had one for five years. Only thing I did to it was replaced the incandescent bulb with an LED. Only problem with this is the LED is the same brightness on either bright or dim. I installed it myself. No issues with venting either. My wife was searing sim meat and outside you can see the smoke bellowing out the vent in the roof.

[@poodledad]

Awesome

[@terirudnick3197]

Mine was a 2020 and the left side controller went out. Told no parts, said maybe 3 weeks, maybe 3 months, they just had no idea when. Now I get to climb a chair to unplug it so the fan will turn off. Turns on all the time by itself. Didn't vent as well as I hoped.

[@poodledad]

Yikes. yeah the venting is a bit dissapointing.

[@GT-bx1jp]

I've had multiple microwaves and other appliances that have broken down. The last micro broke down multiple times during the warranty and also recently departed my kitchen just after the 3 yr warranty expired. I will not buy another appliance without the max extended warranty! A few days ago, I bought the KitchenAid low profile over the range microwave, which is the same mfg as Whirlpool

[@poodledad]

Hope it lasts

[@MaryZink-e1x]

I buy warranties on some appliances. I have a high-end oven. I bought the warranty and sure enough we had to make a repair about six months before the warranty ran out.

[@poodledad]

dang, yeah with some of these expensive appliances I think it makes sense. I've had lots of issues with my bosch dishwasher and have some videos on my channel about it.

[@doncline4238]

I just brought the stainless steel one and got the 5 year warranty for $105. I read about the unit having problems after a year, so I got the extended warranty. The unit will not be install until December. They had none in stock.

[@poodledad]

great idea!

[@LBCAndrew]

I may buy extended warranties, but it all depends on the appliance. Highly computerized appliances that would require a degree in electronic engineering to repair, like an HDTV, i'd buy a warranty for. Gas range? Nope. Washing machin? Nope. Water heater? Nope. As for Microwaves, my current one is a GE SpaceMaker that has been working great since 1994. I just completely disassembled it in order to clean out the blower fan assembly and all the ducting and the amount of grease is incredible. I had to start with a paint scraper, then a wood chisel. Ugh...

[@mainesuspect]

I have it and love it

[@poodledad]

Awesome. It's definitely a cool design.

[@michics100]

I just installed this same microwave. Sad to hear about the parts failure on the repair hoop.

[@poodledad]

Hopefully won’t happen to you!

[@maestrozilla]

Are you gettin alot exhaust leakage into kitchen? My cabinets are coated in a tacky residue

[@poodledad]

@@maestrozilla I haven't noticed a residue, but the microwave definitely leaks exhaust. I talked about that in the video and it seems like a design flaw. I saw a lot of reviews of the microwave mentioning that. I also climbed onto my roof to verify that exhaust is being pushed out of the vent, which is it, but it also leaks through the front of the microwave for some reason, even with the proper damper settings.

[@winstonmei30]

Have the same model and it just quitted working a few days ago after less than 4 yrs of service (considering lucky than most of you). Basically the lights, fans and turntable work just fine but the heating (humming sounds) is intermittent, and sometimes displaying error code F1E4. I took down / opened it / checked / did a lot of research and tested components.... Pretty sure it is caused by the main power Relay failure.. I just placed an order for this Relay (part# HF25F) which costs for $1 big buck and patiently waiting for the shipment from China, the only place on earth I can get it from. Will need to practice my soldering skill to replace it (does high school still learn this?) It will take a month for the parts to arrive. (Question: Why the hell we can't get this part in North America? ).. I will update the outcome when is available in a month.

[@poodledad]

Yeah they don't want you to work on it yourself is why. It's amazing that they would rather we throw the whole thing out and start over. It's a throw away world.

[@eddyhaze8239]

yeah it sucks there is not much low profile ones out there and seems from what I hear they don't last long , I have a GE on counter that's been going strong for over 5 years but want more counter space I am out of room .

[@poodledad]

Definitely a counter space saver. And the venting works fairly well which is a plus.

[@summere1609]

All of my otr microwaves have lasted 8+ yrs. In fa t. None have broke, just changed out due to remodeling or wanting a different color. My current one is over 6 years old and doing great however, I do want a low profile one

[@maestrozilla]

How are your cabinets holdin up? are they getttin coaated in film like mine? i have same instal as you..

[@poodledad]

I'm not impressed with how they are holding up. I do have a touch up paint stick that can touch up any areas that get dinged. They are very prone to swelling/cracking if they get wet. I definitely regret getting the contoured faces as the gap in the trim is impossible to clean, ha.

[@GUNNERBASS]

I have the same thing. It’s terrible design. There’s another exhaust that sucks air from inside the microwave and blows it into your kitchen. That’s where the grease slick on your cabinets is coming from and why it still smells

[@CS-hd9xu]

my microwave that came with my house, the light went out, it is a Whirlpool, and the light was the only problem, it would have cost over $300 to replace the light on this microwave, so I moved it, had someone come and cut out the cabinet, I had room and then I bought a hood for over the stove, I really want to get this microwave so I'll keep my figures crossed. It just took me four tries to get a new dishwasher, so, now I've decided to do one appliance at a time.

[@poodledad]

Awesome, let me know how it turns out.

[@kellybarthel8060]

It's 4 screws to drop out the light cover??? How in the world would it cost $300?.

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

your light seems much much brighter than mine. mine is so dim it is ridiculous for over a stove top, you need to be able to see what you are cooking. so far that is my only gripe. the light inside the unit is dim as well you can barely see in at what is happening while it is running but that part doesnt bother me much , the down light being so dim does and I dont see any way to get a brighter replacement!

[@poodledad]

When I was shopping they did have two types of light. One was LED and the other was the older bulb style. I made sure to pick the LED so that could be the difference.

[@poodledad]

When I was shopping they did have two types of light. One was LED and the other was the older bulb style. I made sure to pick the LED so that could be the difference.

[@timdraher6059]

We have this microwave and was wondering if you can raise the volumne on the timer? It is so quiet we can barely hear it when it goes off.!!

[@poodledad]

Yes, there are three settings. Hit the clock button twice and it will let you in the sound options.

[@Nickosdant]

I tried setting my volume on 3 the highest volume and 2 is louder can’t hardly hear it tech came out and said that’s just the way it is what a joke

[@christophe3281]

What’s the minimum depth of the cupboards to allow for this microwave? 12” or 14”?

[@poodledad]

Minimum is 12 according to the install instructions

[@Rustyrailhead]

Mine about 5 years old and now the tap button for light and fan does not work

[@poodledad]

Dang! But everything else works? Tried unplugging and then plugging it in?

[@anafonseca8748]

Did you remove the carbon filter, since it's venting out?

[@poodledad]

Yes.

[@anafonseca8748]

@@poodledad thanks for your response 👍

[@Jennspage1]

Our whirlpool is vented outside but still blows air out from top left n right vents. I’m wondering would it be ok to cover those 2 vents? Or it supposed to be left opened?

[@poodledad]

I have the same thing. I have no idea why that is. As long as you change the damper settings during install, it seems like there is still a little air that comes out the top. I did have to verify on my roof that it was pushing air out the vent as well.

[@Jennspage1]

@@poodledad Thank you for your reply

[@Jennspage1]

Also, do you remove your charcoal filter since it's venting outside, or you left them on since some air is blowing inside? I am so confuse. Please advise

[@AgnesStupak-p1k]

MY SAME MICROWARE JUST HAD NO POWER AT ALL,ANY IDEA WHAT COULD BE WRONG WE SAW THAT SOMEONE SAID FUSE NEED BE REPLASE BUT WE CANT FIND ANY FUSE INSIDE DO YOU HAD IDEA WHERE SHOULD BE? PLEASE THANK YOU

[@poodledad]

Oh no. Yeah, not sure on that. Are you able to verify that the outlet it is plugged into has power?

[@alanstrassberg]

Good info, thanks!

[@poodledad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brendalowery236]

How to replace light under range 🤔

[@poodledad]

Do you have the model with the LED or standard bulb?

[@JP-vk9eb]

I bought this microwave in late 2019 and it started not heating. The cost for tech $150 parts $220 and labor? First whirlpool microwave and last….so irritating

[@poodledad]

Dang. Sorry to hear. What did you replace it with?

[@ek8652]

Can you list the parts or part numbers of the ones that failed and needed replacing?

[@poodledad]

So, they actually didn't do any sort of diagnosis. Sympton was the microwave wasn't heating, so they just replaced the magnetron, capacitor, and I believe the logic board.

[@ek8652]

@@poodledadso basically the most expensive parts that make it work. The replaced instead of diagnosing the single issue.

[@poodledad]

@@ek8652 yep

[@mariontorain664]

great review, nice voice.

[@poodledad]

Glad you liked it!

[@markglenn24]

They don't make appliances like they use to. My Whirlpool high-end microwave has been nothing but problems after just a couple of years and several repairs had to scrap it and buy something new This time I bought a 5yrs extended warranty for $135 and paid for it with my Citi Rewards Plus card which adds an extra 2yrs for a total of 7yrs.

[@poodledad]

Dang. Yeah, seems like everything inside is cheap plastic. It's also crazy that it tends to be cheaper to buy a new one than to repair.

[@williambaldwin9346]

I mean is that repair common or a one off?

[@poodledad]

Hard for me to know. But it has been working since then.

[@CapnCavMan]

Does anyone else's make a standard humming noise when heating, then make a louder humming, then returns to a normal volume? It seems to alternate every 10 or so seconds. Is this normal?

[@poodledad]

I do notice this noise if I drop the power level, so you can hear when the heating kicks on/off. But normally I don't notice it.

[@michaelsullivan1216]

I think I just would have taken those parts from the manufacturer and installed them myself. Most parts are pretty easy to replace yourself. Could have saved $120.

[@poodledad]

In this case they wouldn’t sell them to me but maybe there are third parties who would sell them. Great idea though.

[@michaelsullivan1216]

@@poodledad so what parts did it need? What parts failed?

[@terilee3662]

I bought one for $450 only because of Lowe’s discount. Bottom line is I just don’t like it. It sticks out way too far and because of that I can’t reach my top cabinets. Also, I have trouble cleaning it because it is so deep. Did I mention it is very heavy! I don’t like the inside control panel and the small print on the inside door. Frustrating. The fan is better than my old microwave but it is loud. I bought this to free up space on my backsplash area to hang utensils above my range but this whole concept has missed the mark. It’s a good idea but these design flaws ned to be changed then maybe it will be worth the money they charge. I am going to remove it and put a top notch range hood there and relocate a portable micro in another area of my kitchen.

[@poodledad]

Yeah, that's actually what I was planning to do, but my kitchen design didn't really allow it. I would also prefer a over the range vent hood. Not sure how difficult it would be to swap it out.

[@donniewagenbox68]

mine just crapped at 4.5 years. i would never buy one again.

[@poodledad]

Dang. Hoping this one can last a while.

[@ferx2001]

Buy the same one and return the broken one... screw these multi million dollar companies making junk products to make more money

[@poodledad]

Definitely would have returned if I could, but it was also during Covid when they had over a year wait for a new one!

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

I have done this and have zero guilt about it! they need to make longer lasting products, if we keep just buying new they just keep making money , the only way they will be inclined to make things last longer is if it hurts their bottom line so yeah I am all for this and have done it myself more than once!

[@robhashemi3559]

Not worth it, these stop working around year 3 or 4. Parts are really expensive and repair companies are worthless. You will end up needing to buy a new one

[@poodledad]

I agree. Repair is out of the question. It's unfortunately cheaper to buy a new one.

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

if it last 3 or 4 years I will be happy with that! I am hearing they die after like 1 year with is truly ridiculous considering how much they cost. I guess time will tell. we do not use ours very much at all, like maybe twice a week to reheat leftovers which is why we wanted a low profile and to not have it on the counter taking up space anymore. fingers crossed !

[@StrongMonica-v2b]

Martin Matthew Jackson Elizabeth Martinez Barbara

[@jessejames586]

Appliances don't last at all anymore. I was told by a vendor to buy a cheap microwave and expect to replace it every couple years. What happened to America? I've been using my original house Caloric microwave for 25 years heavily and it's just now starting to act up. Everything in this country is going to crap because we import this garbage from China. My expensive shitbox Samsung fridge has had nothing but problems since the day I bought it. Try finding a good fridge nowadays. There aren't any! Every dealer says the same thing. argh! It's infuriating!

[@poodledad]

Very true. Consumers mostly look at price. Nearly everything inside is plastic.

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

we bought a whirlpool fridge and it has been really good, maybe we just got lucky.....

[@GUNNERBASS]

What people don’t realize is the design of this unit is 100% flawed. Yes the air sucked from under the microwave leaks out the top left when configured properly. BUT the bigger problem is when you microwave something, there is another exhaust fan that sucks the air out of the microwave and blows it onto your top left cabinet. Literally all the stinky greasy air from the microwave just gets shot out into your kitchen. And don’t even get me started on all of air from below just getting blown into the casing. Disgusting and unsanitary. And for almost $500 absurdly cheap design This is truly class action lawsuit worthy

[@poodledad]

dang! I hadn't noticed that!

[@EmzDiary]

Good job! Keep up the good work! #vrafam

[@SoulFire209]

Thanks!