I think that this is a curse of modern-day appliances. I guess it’s cheaper to manufacture a screen, computer board, etc. vs mechanical controls, while being more expensive for consumers to repair (ex: car repairs – oh it’s a computer chip…)
I’m at the point where I dislike screen interfaces, LED lighted numbers, everything electronic and sensors…
Plus, the old Singer sewing machines (the ones with the treadle for power) used no power at all. I think there was a small light bulb on some models, but foot power was the primary source.
Yep…but they somehow try to make it even worse. I just bought a new range/oven and my old range I set a temperature and it started. I set a time and it started a countdown. ON the new range If I set a temperature, I have to press “start” or it will not start. Same thing with the timer. WHY??? I set a temp, obviously want to cook something but I failed to push the start button After giving it what I thought was enouogh time to preheat - nothing. Ugh.
I can tell you from multiple painful childhood experiences that you never want to get your toes or fingers under that treadle. 
My guess (without any kinds of research) is that setting a timer or temperature may require a “start” or “enter” command to set the value into memory.
One other difference between two microwaves might be the digits. Pressing “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” or “5” on the keypad of mine starts it immedietly with with that number of minutes. So If the door is closed and I press “1” it immedietly doe 1 minute. If I need “10” minutes I have to go through a whole different sequence. This particular model assumes that you want a quick start and I guess most people only need 5 or less minutes most of the time. If the unit is already running, pressing START again adds 30 seconds. So “1” and START gives 1 minute 30 seconds.
My Mom used to have a microwave with a dial which she loved. She could not see well and just twisted the dial and pressed START and hoped for the best.
It is all what the 'Microwave Overlords" decided the public wanted.
My old Kenmore lasted 40 years without a service call. My new Roper (5 years old now) blew in the 3rd year. I had to replace the start-up capacitor. $5 from Ebay. New machines are a different experience. They are full of moronic safety features that drive me crazy and wastes my time. For example, the Roper lid wont open until the machine fully stops, and issues a “clear to open lid” signal 3 minutes later. Ridiculous. I feel like throwing the whole machine out the window and finding an ancient kenmore on craigslist. I loved my old Kenmore. I took it everywhere with me.
That’s just like my Whirlpool…and since the loads are out of balance so often (and won’t shut down for an out of balance condition) I have to manually stop it and wait the eternity (it seems) for it to stop completely before I can rebalance the load.
When our 30-year-old microwave finally quit, I looked for a similar replacement that had the same one control, a timer that you rotated, then closed the door and it started. I was finally told that restaurants were the only place that might still use such an “antique” device. I found an online restaurant supply house that did sell such a simple, heavy-duty microwave, a Panasonic Commercial Microwave, Model NE-1024F. I ordered one, and it has been in use now for 15 years with no problems. Load, turn the dial, close the door, that’s all! It is just what a cook in a busy restaurant would want, no bells, beepers, or buttons— just load and go. I see that Katom only has the NE-1025 in stock right now. [https://www.katom.com/182-NE1025.html]
Can’t remember if I mentioned it before, but my Gradmother (the one with the Singer treadle sewing machine) also had a NEW dryer with end of drying cycle notice.
Here’s a good You Tube channel that discusses many different appliances.
The diswasher episodes changed my life!
(1453) Technology Connections - YouTube
Dishwasher episodes:
(1453) Technology Connections - YouTube
I replaced my Whirlpool with a GE stackable and there is a world of difference between the two. Everything that was frustrating with the Whirlpool is flawless with the GE.
Not exactly sure how old my washing machine is but probably close to 10 years I’d say maybe a tad more. But I’ve done fixed this part 3 times already, and I just know it will break yet again and again. Other than that 1 part, it works well, but I would still rather have an old school style washing machine. The part I’m talking about is a pump and it has plastic impeller and it breaks every time. Now my dryer is one that I had as a teen, and probably at least 20 years old. Still running strong. I will never get rid of it until it gives it all up. Just about everything is junk now a days as nothing is built to last but rather built to die after the warranty runs out.
