I've had the 1100 watt Sharp Carousel for over 3 years, and I love it.  The higher wattage makes it possible to boil water which allows me to cook pasta in my microwave!  It is especially good for cooking vegetables, both fresh and frozen.  Since most items are tested at 700 - 800 watts it is important to use the lowest cooking time on the label.  It is also very important to turn/flip/stir items while cooking.

More and more items now have microwave instructions.  I just made tapioca pudding in the microwave from the recipe on the box, and there are lots of recipes online, even for cakes.  I regularly finish enchiladas, stuffed shells, and such in the microwave.

With my schedule, I would probably starve if it weren't for the microwave. Well, maybe not starve, but I would be very limited on what I ate. Randyman: A new General Electric! That's what I have, it works great, and isn't all that expensive. Don't expect it to last 20 years, because they don't make anything like they used to. I had one for about five years before I got another, but I will add that I use mine A LOT. Even when I use the traditional oven, I use the microwave to defrost or heat up side dishes.

I have had the same microwave since 1986. It's a General Electric, and it still works perfect, but it does look outdated. My wife wants a new one, any suggestions?

i don't know what life would be like without one. this has become a necessity.

I should try that brie cheese part out; I love brie :) I usually bake it, tho. I use my microwave primarily for popcorn and reheating a quick plate of food. Don't like doing actual cooking in it, never seems to have that true cooked/baked flavor.

A microwave oven can come in handy for many things. Other than using it to reheat my cup of coffee two or three times over, I use it to soften ice cream that is too hard to scoop, for popcorn, to melt butter, reheat leftovers and for brie cheese to make it a bit melted and smooth.