Sharp R-1610 / R-1611 / R-1612 1000 Watts Microwave Oven

Pros: Nice looking, lots of features. Cooks well. Interior finish holds up well.
Cons: Poor design and internal quality, sad because it could have been a great product.

I purchased this microwave from Lowes. I haven't seen the plastic failures the others are talking about and use this microwave daily. However the rectifier diode has failed multiple times. It only costs $3.39 for the diode at www.electronix.com, but this ...

Pros: Can't think of any...
Cons: Cheaply constructed.

I actually cook in my kitchen and this microwave does not hold up. The vent grill has broken 3 times! It is all cracked and basically disintegrating. It cracks and breaks if you touch it. I can't even clean it anymore. I have given up on repairing it as my warranty has expired and the replacement part is 50.10 at Repair Clinic. Also, very early in ownership they had the replace the computer chip.

Pros: Has worked well for preparing food. Easy to use control panel.
Cons: Cheap hard-to-replace door handle.

Overall this microwave has performed well. But, now the trendy-looking door handle has broken off where it connects to the bottom of the door. I do not see a way to disassemble the door to replace the handle, and the handle appears to be a cheap rivet-through-plastic affair. Purchased at a Lowe's April 14, 2002 and used by a family of two adults and one now 10-year-old girl.

Pros: Attractive design
Cons: Short life, expensive to replace parts

I was initially very happy with my new over-the-range sharp and thought it looked "sharp" in my kitchen. Unfortunately the task lights burned out after about two years and then would never function again, even with a replacement bulb. Then the transformer began to shoot sparks OUT of the unit and then died. I spent $90 to buy a replacement transformer and it worked for about another two weeks (but the task light was still broken). At this rate, I am not going to pay to keep replacing such expensive parts when I can get get a newer, more reliable unit from another manufacturer.

Pros: There are no pros. Stay away from this company.
Cons: You get to buy a new microwave every year or two.

The plastic is disintegrating and falling in the food on the range below. Sharp says too bad it's over a year old and out-of-warranty. Local repair center stated that Sharp has this problem and replacement plastic parts are very expensive. Buy another NON-SHARP microwave. Don't get duped like I did.

Pros: Fit in the hole I needed to fill above my range unit.
Cons: Read my review....

I bought a second Sharp R-1611 after the first failed one failed at 14 months old. The second one just failed after 2 years. I will NEVER buy another Sharp product again.....

Pros: Many cooking options; Sleek design; Nightlight; Easy to use
Cons: Burned up in less than 4 years; Expensive to repair

We bought this over the range microwave in July 2002. I have loved this microwave & have had absolutely no problems with it until last week. It made a loud popping sound & awful smelling smoke began coming from the top vent. I called Sharp & they said it sounded like the magnetron had gone out. They referred us to Sears for repair. After being a week with no microwave, the repairman looked at it for about two seconds & said the transformer had went out & it would cost about $400 to repair!!! That's insane!! Needless to say, we will be buying a new microwave & it won't be a Sharp!

Pros: I love the way this microwave cooks. Has great memory and automatic settings.
Cons: 2 breakdowns in less than 2 years.

I am on my second breakdown with this microwave. I love the way it cooks, but 2 repairs in the first 2 years is not acceptable. I spent $125 just for the front LED main board (labor not included) the first time. I will not throw more money into this microwave. Don't know what is wrong this time, none of the buttons work and when you close the door the fan comes on, but it doesn't cook. There are only 2 adults in my house and this micro has not been abused. I emailed Sharp, but of course have not heard anything back. Spend your money elsewhere. I will buy another brand. I'm 50 years old and have had only 2 microwaves prior to this one. A GE that lasted 20 years and a Panasonic that is 10 years and still going.

Pros: Liked the look and the way it cooked
Cons: Didn't last longer

I have had this microwave for less than 3 years and it went out yesterday morning. I was shocked that a 3 year old microwave could have gone bad because my previous Litton lasted 17 YEARS! I will never buy a Sharp product again! I bought the oven from Lowe's and will let them know what happened. They should not be buying microwaves from Sharp since their merchandise is not of good quality. I e-mailed Sharp and of course their response was to contact a service representative. Are THEY going to pay to have it fixed? What do you think was their answer?

This microwave works great. The major problem is that the front is 90% plastic and does not hold up to heat, mine cracked in two places and I can't get parts to replace the bad ones. I would suggest to buy a better microwave and not this one.

Pros: NONE
Cons: UNSAFE! SHOULD BE RECALLED! IF YOURS HAS CAUGHT FIRE, REPORT IT TO CPSC!

We purchased this microwave a few years ago because of the features and installed above a smooth top range. A month ago it caught fire. Luckily, a family member came in to the kitchen which was filled with smoke and opened the door which shut it off. Fire department responded and found the fire was contained to microwave and hadn't damaged our brand new solid maple cabinets!
Sharp has given us nothing but the run around on this. The tech that came out told us the sensor or antenna was bad and that was what had caused the fire. Reported this to CPSC and waiting for response. It should be recalled before it kills someone!!!