kbarch wrote:
>
> It's a long and sorry story, but I need to replace a 24" Kichen Aid
> double convection electric wall oven that was less than 3 years old.
>
> In brief, we had a power outage, and then apparently a surge when the
> power went back on. It tripped and broke the dedicated 30 amp circuit
> breaker which was properly sized but old. Electrician hypothesized that
> the power got through the breaker, fried the motherboard of the
> appliance and was kicked back by the surge suppressor of the appliance
> which finished off the breaker. Who knows? We replaced the breaker. We
> also replaced the motherboard which was covered by a 3 year warranty.
> But the oven never worked right. Neither oven heated up right and kept
> cycling on and off erratically making impossible to bake anything that
> had to rise.
>
> The appliance repair people, who I do like and trust in this case and
> have known for years, say I will be throwing bad money after good to
> try to fix it because they think there may be some changes in the
> mother board for the newer versions, and both the temperature sensors
> and thermometers would have to be replaced. I don't need advice on
> repairs. I am past that.
> End result is that I need to replace this oven. I may be able to claim
> some on the insurance and the utility company might pick up some of the
> cost.
>
> So now I need to figure out whether to buy the same oven all over
> again. My options are limited as it is only 24 inches wide. I can buy a
> cheaper Maytag or GE without the convection feature which I never used
> much anyway, and without hidden elements, the advantage of which
> besides ease of cleaning eludes me. However with both those alternate
> options, I need to do some carpentry to reduce the size of the opening
> which will eat up the cost difference and maybe then some. I actually
> liked the KItchen Aid but I am afraid that with all the bells and
> whistles and the complex motherboard it is prone to breaking again.
>
> Anyone want to weigh in on this? I would really appreciate it.

Depending on where you are the power utility may be liable for the
damage if it occurred as a result of their errors when the power was
restored. Check with your neighbors and see if they had stuff blown up
as well.

I did stereo and VCR repair for a while and on several occasions
repaired equipment that the utility covered the cost on. In one case it
was due to a failed neutral connection on their lines which applied 240v
to the 120v items.

Pete C.