Microwave

[gwishon]

The microwave oven in our 2015 R-29 died on us this week. Has anyone replaced/upgraded their microwave? Any recommendations appreciated.

Gordon

 

[Wee Venture]

We replaced ours recently. If yours is the same as ours it is the Muave 0.7 cu ft 700 watt (“cooking power”) model. We found an exact replacement but they are getting hard to find. Perhaps supply chain issues are contributing to the problem.
There is a model with the Zest brand that seems to be essentially an exact replacement. It appears to have the same dimensions and features and panel layout.

Here is a link to the original Muave model:
https://www.salvinco.com/muave-small-microwave

And here is model that is said to replace it:
https://www.salvinco.com/Zest-small-mic ... p_539.html

John

 

[gwishon]

Thanks. Although it looks the same, ours came with a manual that identifies it as a Franklin Chef model FR787S. I guess if the dimensions are similar it doesn’t really matter.

Gordon

 

[Wee Venture]

Thanks. Although it looks the same, ours came with a manual that identifies it as a Franklin Chef model FR787S. I guess if the dimensions are similar it doesn’t really matter.

Gordon

Unfortunately, the Franklin Chef unit appears to be a fraction of an inch smaller in all dimensions. Unless yours was installed with an oversized cutout, you may have to enlarge the hole a bit and cut new trim. Doable but a PITA just to replace a failed microwave.

John

 

[gwishon]

The Franklin Chef is 17.3X13.0X10.2inch, the Zest (alternative to the Mauve) is 17.3X13.2X10.2inch. Hopefully the 0.2inch difference won’t matter.

Gordon

 

[CaspersCruiser]

……Hopefully the 0.2inch difference won’t matter….

It would in my world!

I replaced some 12V plugs on my R27 Classic with USB. The USB were 1/16” larger diameter. I thought, “Well, the holes are probably a fraction oversize.” Not a chance. Out came the rotary file. Good luck!

I’m in St. Augustine doing a Loop section and enjoying this nice Florida weather. It was 32° this morning, but should rebound to the 60s.

 

[Wee Venture]

The Franklin Chef is 17.3X13.0X10.2inch, the Zest (alternative to the Mauve) is 17.3X13.2X10.2inch. Hopefully the 0.2inch difference won’t matter.

Gordon

I would want to double check the actual dimensions of the cutout before making a decision on how to proceed. The dimensions of the Franklin Chef as listed on SalVinCo are (cut and pasted):

Dimensions: Exterior: 17" W x 10 1/8" H x 12 3/4" D

SalVinCo link:
https://www.salvinco.com/Franklin-Chef- ... p_384.html

Here is what they say about the Franklin Chef line:

Franklin Chef product line was discontinued and the company closed in 2014. SalVinCo provides information for the products we carried and have a few spare parts such as microwave glass trays or roller rings. Please DO NOT contact us for warranty or parts of Franklin Chef products.

When we replaced our microwave, I found that the cutout in the fiberglass was so tight the microwave was scraping on all sides as it was removed and replaced. I would expect some retooling will be necessary if replacing the Franklin Chef with a current model. If not, that will be a happy surprise.

John

 

[gwishon]

The dimensions of the Franklin Chef I posted above came directly from the manual that came with the stove. The Zest dimensions came from the Salvinco website. I guess we’ll find out the true dimensions when it arrives. We’re headed for Key West right now so I won’t be attempting to replace it for a couple of weeks at least. I’ll report back at that time.

Gordon