LG NeoChef MS3036NPB

I replaced a smaller LG Neo after 5 years of unbroken use, then a further year of intermittent problems with the control panel. It didn’t last nearly as long as its predecessor, but I’ve had to accept that appliances are now being built with a design life. So I replaced it with the same, but slightly larger (30 litre) model. The reason for dropping from 5 stars to 4 is a simple design problem that the larger model introduced.

The microwave is designed to sit on a flat surface, usually a benchtop of a built-in alcove (often above an oven). All of these come with a smooth surface of differing degrees of slipperiness. The smaller Neo opened by gripping a protruding lip on the door and pulling it towards you. It required little effort, and the microwave rarely moved. If it did start top move, it was simple to use the other hand to block forward movement or push it back into position.

The larger NEO has a “traditional” catch requiring pushing on a plate at the bottom of the control panel. It is quite stiff and requires a hefty push – which causes the microwave to slide backwards. There is no handle or other means of holding the microwave to stop it moving away from you.

I “solved” the problem for myself by acquiring some special “sticky” material that I cut to size and inserted between the microwave and the shelf. A rubber or similar “sticky” mat from Kmart (or Target or Bunnings or ..) should(?) also work.

Since the microwave’s “legs” are inherently slippery, and LG don’t provide any such mat to compensate, I’ve downgraded my review.

LG Microwave (MS4266OBS) - Nothing enjoyable about it. Annoying beep, rust prone... only bought 2019 & now land fill – Looks good I guess but from day 1 discovered it had a most annoying habit of continuing to give me a reminder beep to remove food - I hadn't taken it out because I was either doing other stuff in the kitchen or wasn't ready to use it. Very annoying. But much worse, mine has rusted on the inside, so not so Easy Clean... unless they figure chucking it into landfill & buying another one is a cleaning solution. I highly not recommend staying away from LG microwaves in general. Now I have to get onto researching for a new mic. Thinking about Samsung as they have a 2yr Warranty, even Westinghouse has only 1yr. These things are made uneconomical to repair, companies need to become financially responsible for the landfill that they are creating.