Sharp R-2130JS Smart Carousel Over the Range Microwave Oven - Stainless

From Smart Minds Come Dangerous Products!

By Michael  Sep 22, 2009

Pros: Good price

Cons: Dangerous design

This review refers specifically to the Sharp R-2110JW. However, it may be useful to anyone considering a "smart carousel" design.

The Sharp “smart Carousel” design uses rotating magnetrons below the surface of the cooking chamber instead of rotating the food on a carousel. The rotating mechanism under the cooking chamber malfunctioned. As a result arcing occurred between the parts causing a fire and smoke. The unit was turned off in time to avoid a fire spreading to the surrounding cabinets. If no one had been present in the kitchen at the time a serious fire could have occurred.

The defect was bad enough. I consider myself lucky the damage was only to the microwave. Dealing with Sharp customer service was even worse. It has taken over two months to resolve this problem. Sharp offered me a replacement but couldn't get a new unit in white. We suggested paying the difference for an upgrade. We paid the difference for the upgrade...the sharp couldn't find it in white...even though I was able to locate a unit in white in about 5 minutes online. After giving up on a replacement and requesting a refund they "generously" offered me $183 for a product I paid $262. A product that endangered my home and family and had left me without a microwave for two months.