Fellow Jacksonville blogger Doyle wrote a great post on the death of her microwave. Her history with hers reminded me a lot of how we wound up with the one we still have here.
After Kaitie was born in 1986, Kelly took a few weeks off for maternity leave. Once she returned to work, I took a month’s leave from my Navy duties to stay home with our baby. We had a lot of fun, as I dressed her up, put little barrettes in her long hair and took her out and about.
One night, Kel was commenting on the hassle of cooking for three, especially after a full day of work, and this gave me an idea. The next day, I dressed up the baby and drove over to some appliance stores in nearby Orange Park to price microwave ovens. In spite of being together over seven years, the two of us never had a need for a microwave, since cooking simple stuff for two people didn’t require one. But with a baby, and our jobs (I worked the night shift at my duty station, so Kel would be alone with Kaitie most evenings), having something to make heating up our dinner, a bottle or baby food easier seemed like a good idea.
We wandered from store to store, looking at a vast array of devices. I carried Kaitie in one of those knapsack-like devices which allowed me to keep her right against my chest while keeping my hands free. In the last store we visited, I wandered up and down a row of microwaves, trying to compare the features and prices to see which one was the best buy. At one point, I looked at my infant daughter and whispered “Honey, why don’t you help Daddy out and pick one of these for me? I can’t make up my mind.”
I had no sooner said this than her little hand reached out from the pouch and the slapped the top of a microwave next to which we were standing. I stopped, looked at the features and the price, and decided that was the one. Who knew? Maybe this kid was pretty smart after eight weeks of life.
That was over eighteen years ago. That microwave (a Quasar, by the way) still sits in our kitchen, waiting to serve our every fast cooking and reheating need. Over the years, the only thing I ever had to do was replace a blown fuse. In addition to it’s cooking duties, the old Quasar also doubles as a handy storage device for bread and rolls.
I know I’ll feel like Doyle and her family if my microwave ever departs from this earth. In this day of throwaway consumables, some things should last forever, or close to it.
I still have my parents Quasar from 1984. Absolutely huge and still works great. In fact there’s a newer microwave sitting in my barn gathering dust because I’d rather use this one. One question, it’s model # MO7764XW. Does anybody know what the wattage is on this? 120 volts, 60 Hz. Thanks.
I’m glad I found this website. I thought it was just an old oversized unit until I saw all the happy Quasar owners.
My Quasar MQ 9968W, made in 1990, went on the blink yesterday. Symptoms: The light stays on no matter what. Close the door and the fan also comes on. Try the control panel and nothing works. Timer screen is blank. Help!
Aha! Further to yesterday’s post, I have discovered that one of two door latches has a broken piece inside the cutout section. Any ideas how to access that area? Thx much.
I stumbled on this website when looking for information regarding Quasar microwaves. I have one that I will be selling because of a kitchen remodel. Anyone know if there is a market for these and what one could reasonably expect to sell it for? I don’t have the model number with me, but it was the top of the line in it’s day. It has a coppery orange control panel with all the bells and whistles and still works perfectly! We currently have it mounted over the stove on something called a Microhood. I hate to part with it, but it just won’t work with the new kitchen.
Any thoughts?
I came across the Owners Manual for my Quasar Microwave Oven this morning and realized I had purchased it in October 1985. It went through three kids and I still use it on a daily basis. everything still works on it. Knock on wood. My neighbors have been through 3 microwave ovens in 7 years!
(See reply #54) Just got home … My microwave is a model MQ7740WW – 700 watts with Insta-Matic Cooking. I live in Virginia – anyone interested?
hi , i am so happy to find site give me information about quasar microwave.
i got this microwave MQ7774XW free from my previous tenant and it doesn’t have manual and i can not find any site or anyone give me information about this microwave untill finally i found this nice site,so please kindly could you tell me first is it usually have a glass tray as i try it without tray and it is work perfect and i put another microwave plat ,it did not belong to it and it works .
and the second question could you please tell me how to use cooking part …instmatic…
i saw words in the panel say that it can cook ,i need your help pleasssssss
thanks in advance for your concern and help
I have a quasar superwave, but for some reason, it just died on me. Do you have any ideas?
Is there a fuse somewhere because the back of the oven is really different from the others.
I just love this thing. It’s fantastic. It’s only about 3 years old.
Thanks,
Jill (Montreal, Canada)
As time goes by….. My niece came over Thurs and we tried to get the unit out. No dice. But I noticed yesterday that the door was closed, the fan & the light were both off. Tried to microwave – TA DA! The problem was the breaker. KISS.
Does Quasar still make micro convection oven. My Aunt is looking to replace the one she has had for 15 years.
I think I’ve beat all of you. I purchased mine in 1975 and we had burial services yesterday,
5-1-07. I am positive that I won’t be able to purchase another that will be that dependable. It was a great little microwave….my very first, I might add…and ‘she’ will be terribly missed.
I’ve had my Quasar Microwave/Convection oven since 1991. What a gem!! Still works perfectly. Recently my house was broken into and the door knob hit my push door opener. Now I have to open the door by pushing the release handle in and pulling the door open with the other hand. Any one have any suggestions. I’m in Detroit, Michigan. I went to look for a new microwave and was totally disgusted by the products they put out now.
I have a Quasar MQ8798/W and looking for a repair man/center in Brooklyn NY.
Any suggestions.
Thank you.
Our Quasar Microwave/Convection was Mfg. in 1980. We have been using it since we bought it in 1981. The Microwave still works but the Convection part just stopped working. Any ideas on what to look for to repair. It has been a fantastic appliance and I’d hate to give it up.
Our Emerson 1.5cf microwave bit the dust last week and a friend of ours gave us a Quasar Lifestyle II model MQ5555YH made in 1985. Unlike our Emerson, it has no turntable and is a lot smaller. Let me tell you though, it runs better, heats things faster and is more dependable than that Emerson! What I’d like to find is two things, what wattage it is and I’d like to find a manual for it. I’m hoping the Quasar will last a long time. Isn’t it something when you spend $50-$150 for a new microwave only to have it break down 3 days after the warantee is over? Many years ago my parents bought a quasar (at least 20) and it’s still working today. When you pay for something new you expect it to work for more than a year. Thank the Lord for Quasar.
for anybodylooking for a usermanual for them old qasars, http://www.service.us.panasonic.com\operman
yes panasaonic used to make those and they now making a almost identical one under the name … panasonic
Can anyone supply the name of a repair shop in the Toronto/Mississauga area for a Quasar convection microwave?
My mum gave me her quasar microwave and it works fantastic it’s older then me at 28 1/2 years but the only thing not working on it is the light!
Our Quasar MQ9968W1.0 CFT 800W Over the Range Microwave has quit working, with a loud buzz and no heating. The MW was in hour house when we bought it. I have the orginal paperwork and found the toll-free number to locate Quasar and panasonic repair shops. That number is still good and is:
Quasar toll free service locater: 800-545-2672
We’ve had our Quasar ‘Superwave’ since 89 and I’ve only had to replace a realy, connector and just todaythe light. Other than that it’s been chuggin along nukin’ everything we put in it ever since then
Oops, typeo.. I ment to type ‘relay’ not realy.
If you need parts for your Quazar here is the place. Bing’s Furniture, Dawson Creek, BC, Canada. Bill, the Tech, loves the Quazars. Just had the fuse & door switch replaced. The Sharp microwave is out the door donated to someone who needed it. Wouldn’t give up the Quazar. It’s going HOME to the Yukon in July with us.
Same here the Quasar I have is the best…had it since 1984 !! Only problem was it overheated because I didn’t clean vent in many years!! Still working the the quality product it is…afraid to buy a new one just to save space.. this is a big machine.. Nothing but praise for this product…What happened to quality like this…Quasar Quality come back!!!
I got my Superwave Microwave/convection Quasar 15 yars ago, now the firs time I have trouble with it,The light and time works but it no longer heats. doesn’t work, just the time pass but no heat. Please if somebody can help me with a manual. the model is MQC1408H GB1260035, fabricated on august 1991.
I can`t change my microwave, nothing like a Quasar.
Send me a mail to makolec@cue.satnet.net
I have a 1974 Quasar Microwave. It works 100%. I’m not even sure if the lightbulb has ever been replaced. The clock even works. I love that thing! I use it twice a day.
I have a great old model #MQ9968W that has a broken door opening push panel. Anyone have an old oven that has that opener? shulburt@gmail.com
My Quasar microwave was bought in 1984 and is still just fine. I’m amazed to find this site and all the other people enjoying an appliance obviously built to last!
Please don’t think I’m losing my mind– but the machine just played “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” twice in a row a couple of days ago, after removing something from heating. If anyone has heard of anything like this I’d be interested to hear about it! I’m wondering if it’s something planted by designers to indicate it’s on its last legs or something…?
Mystery solved. Rogue fridge magnet, had no idea it played music. Must have bumped… Sorry [smile].
I’ve had my Quasar for 20-21 years, still works perfectly except for an occasional rattle. Good to find out that other people have had them longer without breakdowns!
I have a Quasar microwave model MQ9968W which has started beeping every few minutes. Any suggestions on how to turn yhis off?
this is truly a great place to learn about old quasar microwaves, ive looked at a few of the links but alas, none of them seem to know anything about my microwave, its a quasar limited edition microwave, model MQ(s or 5)0 (8 or B)0 (8 or B)W, I would love to find out how many watts this is, it seems to heat better than our newest microwave that is 1100 watts… by the way our quasar is 18 yrs old
I recently bought a new (old) house with a Quasar Superwave Convection / Microwave oven. I’d love to have an electronic copy of the owners manual so I can figure out how to use this gem. MQC1408H is the model number..
Thanks
Can’t find the bulb underneath the microwave oven. Can anyone tell me where it is situated as it needs replacing.
thanks,
K.
I have had my Quazar Microwave since 1989 and it still works as well as the day I brough it home. The only problem that I have had is the light went out and I have not replaced it yet. Other than that I am considered as the Microwave Queen. Thanks Quazar
uUr newer microwave oven just went out—heating unit and we only had it 5 years. Must have a professional to repair. So we are using my aunt’s Quasar that was made in 1987–model # MQ7757BW. I need to cook things at different power levels, but there is no book with it. Does anyone know if that model will run at 50% level? It has a defrost Level which is 30%. If the power level can be changed, how do you do it?–instructions, please.
We have used our Quasar Microwave daily since purchasing it 18 years ago. It has NEVER malfunctioned, and I am now seeking another for a different location. I have been unable to find a dealer. Are they still being manufactured? Under a different name? Thanks.
I have the MQ5599H model-purchased in 1989.Dealer has vanished and can’t find a repair person. The light bulb just went out and I can’t figure out how to replace it. Don’t have any literature except the Use book with reipes. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Hello everyone, my dad was the Director of Engineering for Quasar in Franklin Park, IL. He died young (56) in 1983 but I’m sure glad the microwaves lasted longer than he did! I still have a working Quasar TV, 1983. A graduation gift to me, many years ago. Happy cooking with those microwaves.
WOW, the internet really has all information known to man. I have considered replacing my 1989 Quasar, for no decent reason beyond it’s old style and has no turntable. But I wondered, since most new products seem poorly built, am I better off with this oldie?
Answer: YES. It still does the job, I just have to rotate my food.
I have a Quasar microwave/convection oven, 1986 when I use the convection afther a second the F F F F appear. Anyone khow wath that mean because I don’t have a manual. Thanks
I bought my Quasar in May of 1978. All it says on the front is “Insta-Matic Cooking by Quasar”. It’s a very large microwave compared to today’s ovens. I love it!
Would someone please get back to me and tell me how to get to the lightbulb in my oven. The oven is 30 years old and still running. The bulb burned out and I need to get to it! Thanks
Chuck Boutin
We purchase our Quasar Microwave in 1983. We haven’t even had to change the lightbulb. Running strong for over 25 years!
just threw mine out after 25 years just cant find one like it ,worked great not one problem until the transformer burnt up…john
My Quasar microwave is 25 years old and just started to make a horrible noise when I turn it on. Sorta like a hundred marbles turning inside the unit. Does anyone know a repairman for Quasar in the Pittsburgh area? I can’t even think about replacing this microwave…that’s how much I love it. Help!!!
Model MQ6600, June 1978. Still going strong. Can’t find the Manual and can’t remember how to reset the clock. My wife did all that and she’s out of the state for a few months. We have marveled on how long this has lasted. We are the only owners and have thought about a “modern” looking stainless steel one to go with the other appliances, but why throw away a perfectly good Quasar Instamatic that has lasted for 30 years.
Moved into our home in 2004 the Quasar MQ9968W was installed in 1990 in the house. Has been great 18 years in service, but just the other day we started to reheat some leftoveors and it buzzed a little then popped and went dead. I think this might have been the capacitor. For $70 in parts it’s going to be well worth repairing instead of replacing.
Reply to #92, Chuck B. on 10/19/2008 @4:59 pm
Have had our Quasar since 1985, the bulb has been replaced twice, It is located inside the panel on the left side. Small bulb purchased at hardware store.
I too have a Quasar microwave – I bought it in 1981 – it is still working very well (knock on wood) and we joke that it is older than my son – I just love it and have been very happy with it for 27 years now!!! Wow!!
For many years, I’ve been wanting to get one of those counter top ovens that you can bake and broil with. This cotton picking Quazar microwave I got in 1984 is really annoying me. It is used often everyday and and nothing will go wrong with it.