Vintage Microwave in our Vintage Motorhome

[SyrenSkywolf]

So, I didn't give it much thought before, but starting wondering: The microwave in our '78 Tioga is a true vintage. I haven't seen one with turn dial operation in years. Do the vintage ones pull more amps than newer ones? Would I be better off to replace it with a newer microwave?

[whem2fish]

mine in my 1985 southwind has the dial if it works let it be i have had to replace the fuse once

[Senior Chief]

The older microwaves were relatively low wattage. You can plug a Kill-A-Watt meter into the spot where your micro plugs in and see exactly what it pulls while running.

Compare that with your presumably newer micro in the house and see for yourself.

[SyrenSkywolf]

Thanks guys. Figured I would ask while I was working on the motorhome :]

[RedneckExpress]

If its an older microwave with no turn table foolishness, keep it going as long as you can, especially if its an old Rada-Range, those things were great microwaves and far more durable than the newer chinese things.

[whem2fish]

i agree mostly i use mine on low power towards the end of trip for leftovers

[TXiceman]

I have a vintage 1979 microwave setting in the garage. Has a tern dial and a mechanical ding. Last we used it, it was working.

ken

[wildtoad]

If it works to your satisfaction then I suggest leave it be. When I bought a used '88 Winnebago Superchief the MW would barely pop popcorn. Replaced it with a GE from Lowes (probably made in China) worked quite well.

[SyrenSkywolf]

It's a Magic Chef

[wa8yxm]

Do they pull more amps.. Depends on the wattage, The efficiency is roughly the same as today.. Not a lot of room for improvement in that area.

That said a 650 watt mini-Mircowave pulls less amps that say a 1300 watt industrial kitchen model (By about 1/2) age is not really a factor.

[whem2fish]

that is the same as mine if it works leave it alone

[TexasPSDX]

Had a Magic Chef in our 1983 Avion just like that when we bought it. My wife got tired of counting to 15 or 30 seconds when using it. I replaced with a new magic chef from Home Depot. I gave the old one to a friend for the deer lease.

[SyrenSkywolf]

Thanks for the input guys, it is much appreciated.

[Jambonee]

That is the exact same one that is in my 1983 Jamboree, ours still works great. I'd use it until it croaks, if it croaks.