Here’s How Long Microwaves Last (4 Aging Microwave Signs)

Appliance Analysts ^ | 9/4/25 | Craig Anderson, James Blackford

[DallasBiff]

Are you wondering how long do microwaves last?

You’ve come to the right place! Understanding the lifespan of your microwave can help you plan for its replacement and budget accordingly.

The lifespan of a microwave can vary depending on the frequency of maintenance, type, brand, and extent of use. A well-maintained microwave can last up to 10 years.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: appliance; microwave

[skr]

Thank you. My options are very limited. Very, very few microwave ovens don’t have a turntable. The last thing I need is one more thing that can go wrong in any appliance, and I like a flat floor for whatever container I need to use. Bells and whistles are to be avoided here, too.

[ShadowAce]

A well-maintained microwave can last up to 10 years.

LOL! I bought our current one in 2008--17 years.

[Albion Wilde]

I kept the glass turntable from my last failed microwave and it is identical to the one in the new microwave—they must be an industry standard. It comes in handy because I can put a clean one in the microwave and put the food-dripped one in the dishwasher whenever I’m ready to run a load, without being inconvenienced if I need to nuke something during the dishwasher cycle.

[Albion Wilde]

“What did you do? Did you put an egg in the microwave?”

Been there. Christmas time: wanted roast chestnuts. I poked the necessary holes in the chestnuts to let steam out, but they exploded in the microwave anyway. It was loud and spectacular!

[skr]

Good idea. If we’d ever had a turntable, I would’ve kept it for a trivet or something, lol! I found an Anchor-Hocking microwave tray that just fits into the oven. It keeps the oven’s floor clean and lets me pull out the food in whatever container it’s in without burning fingers. And it’s manual! :D I use a Panasonic commercial microwave oven so the inverter does the work of a turntable. However, I’ve noticed that nothing is as effective in distributing the heat as does stirring the center to the outside and the outside to the center and flipping non-liquid food items over.

I just keep hoping my oven doesn’t give out. My aging arms aren’t able to lug ovens around if replacement is necessary, and I use mine for nearly everything I used to use a regular oven for. Speed is addictive, lol!