This night our son was cying for his bottle of milk.

So I went downstairs to make some. Yes I was tired and sleepy.

In our kitchen we have a kind of shelve of which the door opens up to the top. Lately that door didn’t remain up… I think it lost some of it stiffness so you really had to hold it up for some time to “keep it there”. I had it on my to do list to look at that although I didn’t really know what to do about it.

This night, somewhere at 5, I pulled the door up, then opened the magnetron door, took the milk… and BAM. the drawer door slammed on the magnetron door. Not a problem in itself but it actually hit EXCACTLY on the little pins in the magnetron door that fit in the openings of the magnetron itself (yes Murphy, one centimeter difference would be no problem but of course for me it hits exactly on that spot) (so the magnetron knows when it is safe to be on or off) and one of the pins broke off, well.. not really, it was bend inwards and a little later broke off inside the opening in the magnetron because I tried to fiddle with it.

So there I was at 5 o’clock in the morning with a bottle of milk and a crying son upstairs.So I heated some water and prepared the bottle au bain-marie which really took a long while.

Now I have to decide what todo with the magnetron. The only thing that is wrong with it is that one of the little pins that broke off on the right side is now stuck in the opening on the right side. Just one little pin… but the whole machine is now useless. It feel silly to replace the complete machine just because of that single pin, especially if I feel how much it weights… Unfortunately that little pin is “part of the door” and the door itself is attached via 2 metallic pins to the rest of the magnetron.

I don’t know what todo. The magnetron is pretty essential at the moment and I really need it quick. Then again… do I need to spend 400 euro for a replacement for our WhirlPool Futura (from 2002) ?
I very much liked the Crisp function of the magnetron, ideal for making perfect pizza’s, the come out perfect. (the appliance giant’s CEO, Jeff Fettig, has a favorite word: innovation. His company has used it to set earnings records and build a cutting-edge brand) so I just want the same model or maybe just the new model with the new functions (Whirlpool has now something that is called sixth sense, might be handy). I read about the JetChef, nice (if I read this, I want to buy it, completely in line with Whirlpool’s strategy. What a sucker am I. The Whirlpool JetChef JT359 seems to be the nicest model and sells for € 549, it is the complete inox edition. But they also have:

- Whirlpool JetChef JT358 – € 399
- Whirlpool JetChef JT357 – € 349
- Whirlpool JetChef JT355 – € 299

this part: http://www.whirlpool.nl/app.cnt/whr/nl_NL/pageid/pgcbtechfire001 on the 6th sense technology is also nicely written:

Van het bewaren tot het koken van het voedsel, van luchtzuivering tot de afwas: alle activiteiten die in de keuken plaatsvinden, zijn gelinkt aan vier elementen: vuur, stoom, water, ijs. Om die elementen perfect te beheren heeft Whirlpool de 6th Sense® technologie ontwikkeld die alle parameters voelt, aanpast en controleert om perfecte kook- en bakresultaten te garanderen met besparing van energie en tijd.

I have to find out what the difference is, the problem is that I don’t have any time todo it.

So…let’s check the repair function first. On the WhirlPool site I find:

Wilt u telefonisch een serviceafspraak maken, dan kunt u onze medewerkers van de Whirlpool Consumenten Servicelijn op werkdagen tussen 08:00 en 18:00 uur bereiken op telefoonnummer 076 – 530 64 0

Let’s call them tomorrow or else order the JetChef.

update: when I searched for “magnetron repair” I also got a gazillion listings. Maybe this is also interesting to check. e.g. http://kopen.marktplaats.nl/diensten-en-vakmensen/reparatie-en-onderhoud-witgoed-en-apparatuur/c1397.html

another choice is to buy a second hand one since many people seem to sell those when moving in with other people I need one with these sizes:

update: once again I find outletplanet who offers the JetChef JT359Ix for € 339 :

I also found our model on marktplaats, though I dont know what she asks for price

(but sold shortly after I made a bid. tip: On marktplaats you always have to call by telephone if you want to buy something since bidding is most of the time no use)

update: found the JT 379 IX as the new model but also began looking at other magnetrons. Lots of choice nowhere a complete comparison of all the functions on the LG, Sharp etcera unfortunately only millions of affiliate comparison sites showing the latest prices.
I began reading somewhat more on magnetrons, this story: http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2005/4/2005_4_48.shtml is a great story on how this device took a long road to enter the world as a meme. Really a recommendation to read.

update: the repair will cost at minimum € 100 this is without extra components and other extra costs. So we think that probably will turn out to be € 200 IF they can get a new door… It is actually silly, just one little pin and I need to buy a new magnetron. But whatever what is is, so let’s get a new one and ditch the old one.

update: The JT 379 IX for sale for € 322 at electrokoopjes AND it is the #1 magnetron on: http://www.kieskeurig.nl/magnetron/beste ( out of 333 magnetrons). The only problem is that the display is now at the top and we are only short people… (and it will be placed fairly high GRIN).