• sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz
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    24 hours ago

    I had a microwave-air fryer combo that broke last week. It’s been agony trying to replace it because I bought it for $150, and now they’re going for like…$300-$400. Even a solo microwave is like $180 for a decent one.

    When did microwaves get so expensive?

    • LordKitsuna@lemmy.world
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      22 hours ago

      I’m curious what part of the world you live in, a basic microwave can still be had for like $40 in my area

      • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
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        21 hours ago

        I think it’s the air-fryer part that makes it substantially more. I agree that a microwave can be bought for $40 in USA. My partner asked for an air fryer two years ago and I probably spent $120 getting one of the best ones on Amazon, but there were cheaper ones for sure. I don’t know anything about prices above that or prices today.

          • rumba@lemmy.zip
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            8 hours ago

            Yes. There have been microwaves with heat elements in them for ages. You remove the glass plate, put in a wire rack, and run it in convection mode. They generally already have modest fans to help combat hot spots. I’m not sure about the brand-new ones, but the last one I had either ran in convection mode or microwave mode.

            Air fryers usually have a massive coil tucked away in the top and blast heat+IR down on the food, but you can’t just throw a large metal coil in the middle of a microwave, You could cover it over with a mica waveguide, but those don’t love to pass through heat.

      • sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz
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        21 hours ago

        I’m in Canada!

        I could probably get a $40 no-name microwave from Walmart or something, but I don’t know if it’ll last more than a couple of years and I don’t really want to create more e-waste (hence “a decent one” in my og comment). I’ve been looking at Panasonic ones because those seem to be the ones people recommend for longevity.

        Additionally, it’s the combo air fryer/microwave that’s troublesome to find under $250 here. I don’t really have the counter or storage space currently to have multiple appliances, so my previous appliance was a huge convenience.

        If any Canadians have any input or recommendations, I’d be happy to hear it!

        • LordKitsuna@lemmy.world
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          21 hours ago

          You don’t have to worry about a No Name microwave because literally all microwaves are the same microwave. There’s only one company that makes the inverters and everybody else just slaps their brand on it

          https://youtu.be/YSrVG74Emyk

          *edit naturally I’m sure there’s at least a couple other companies but the point is that no matter what you buy you’re probably getting a midea

          • sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz
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            19 hours ago

            This is so helpful, thank you!

            edit: Of course Half As Interesting would have a video about microwave manufacturing lol. Time to pull them up on Nebula.

    • admin@sh.itjust.works
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      22 hours ago

      When did microwaves get so expensive?

      When households started having 3+ children who won’t bother cooking. Idk if is a generational thing, but I’ve noticed most people my age won’t even bother to learn how to cook SMH.

    • Septimaeus@infosec.pub
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      21 hours ago

      A temporary solution can often be found for cheap or free in local classifieds like Craigslist or at a thrift store like Goodwill.

      Edit: whoops, didn’t see the reply. My b.