After a decade of use, you might be wondering how old your Sharp Carousel Microwave is. This article will teach you how to find out when a microwave was manufactured and help you make sure it is still working at its best.
As microwaves are typically expected to last around 10 years, they should be replaced after this time frame.
But before we talk about how to figure out the date of manufacture, let’s review some basic information on microwaves in general. How Old is a Sharp Carousel Microwave?
Related Article: Do Scrap Yards Accept Microwave Ovens?
By looking at the model number
The model number of your microwave is often located on the back of the unit, along with the serial number. The model number may start with “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or “E”.
These were some of the first microwave models made by Sharp. They were manufactured in Japan and have a reputation for being very reliable appliances.
If your microwave model number starts with either “A” or “B”, your carousel microwave is at least 20 years old. If it starts with “C”, it’s at least 15 years old. “D” and “E” models are at least 20 years old.
By looking at the serial number
On the back of the microwave, there should be a sticker that says “Model No. _________ Serial No. _________“ There should also be a date on the sticker. If you can’t find the sticker, it might be inside the microwave.
Check the back of the door frame. If the serial number begins with “H” or “G”, your microwave is at least 20 years old.
If the serial number begins with “P”, your microwave is at least 15 years old. If the serial number begins with “S”, your microwave is at least 10 years old.
If the serial number doesn’t start with an “H”, “G”, “P”, or “S”, then your microwave is at least 10 years old.
By looking at the manufacture date
On the back of the microwave, there may be a sticker that says, “Made in ___________“ The “Made in” date is the manufacture date and will tell you how old your microwave is.
If the microwave was manufactured in 2000 or earlier, it’s at least 15 years old. If it was manufactured in 2001, it’s at least 10 years old. If it was manufactured in 2002 or later, it’s at least 5 years old.
Identifying Other Sharp Microwave Models by Age
If your carousel microwave doesn’t fall into any of the above categories, you might be able to identify it based on the age of the model.
If your microwave was manufactured before 1995, it’s at least 20 years old. If it was manufactured between 1995 and 1999, it’s at least 15 years old. If it was manufactured between 2000 and 2003, it’s at least 10 years old.
If it was manufactured between 2004 and 2007, it’s at least 5 years old. If it was manufactured between 2008 and 2013, it’s at least 3 years old. If it was manufactured between 2014 and 2019, it’s at least 2 years old.
How to Tell What Year Your Sharp Carousel Microwave is From the Back Panel
If you can’t find the manufacture date sticker, you can also look at the back panel of your microwave to see what year it was made.
The panel should have an imprinted number. In the “9” position, the number is the year of manufacture. If the number is at least 19, you have an older model. If the number is at least 19, you have an older model.
If it’s a “4” or a “5”, it was manufactured in 2014 or 2015. If it’s a “6” or “7”, it was manufactured in 2016 or 2017. If it’s a “8”, it was manufactured in 2018. A “9” means it was manufactured in 2019.
How to Tell What Year Your Sharp Carousel Microwave is From the Front Panel
Another way to determine the age of your carousel microwave is to look at the front of the microwave. If there is a panel on the inside of the door, you can see the model number there.
The model number should start with “CB’ or “CC’. CB models were manufactured between 1998 and 2000. CC models were manufactured between 2001 and 2007.
If there is no panel on the inside of the door, the model number should be on the outside of the microwave door. If the model number starts with “KC’, “KD’, or “KE’, it’s at least 15 years old.
If it starts with “KF’, it’s at least 10 years old. If it starts with “KH’, it’s at least 5 years old.
How to Tell What Year Your Sharp Carousel Microwave is By Its Model Number
If you can’t find any serial numbers or manufacture dates, there is another way to determine the age of your microwave. The model number will tell you the age.
If your microwave model number starts with “A”, it’s at least 20 years old. If it starts with “AB”, it’s at least 15 years old. If it starts with “B”, it’s at least 10 years old. If it starts with “C”, it’s at least 10 years old.
If it starts with “D”, it’s at least 5 years old. If it starts with “E”, it’s at least 5 years old. If it starts with “F” or “G”, it’s at least 3 years old.
What’s So Special About the Carousel Microwave?
The carousel microwave was made by Sharp, one of the most trusted names in the kitchen appliance industry. The carousel microwave was especially popular during the 1990s.
Models B1085, B1087, and B1089 were very popular and were available in white and black. With these models, the rotating tray and door were not attached.
The tray was on a stationary platform, and the door was on a rotating plate. This created more space in the microwave and allowed larger trays to be placed inside.
Models B1085, B1087, and B1089 are the only carousel microwaves that allow you to use the door as a tray.
The tray that rotates inside the microwave is large enough to hold a full-sized serving dish and is perfect for steaming vegetables or holding a hot casserole.
How to Determine the Age of Your Sharp Carousel Microwave
Now that you know how to determine the age of your carousel microwave, you can better understand how to use it.
If you’ve recently purchased a Sharp carousel microwave and you’re having a hard time figuring out how to use this appliance, it’s probably because you don’t know how old your Sharp carousel microwave is.
The age of the appliance will determine the functionality. If you were gifted this appliance, or if it was left to you in a will, there are ways to figure out its age.
Now you know how to determine the age of your Sharp carousel microwave.
FAQS
How do microwaves work?
Microwaves heat up food by making water molecules rotate rapidly. When these molecules stop spinning, they release heat which makes the food warm to the touch.
What does a Sharp Carousel Microwave do?
A Sharp Carousel Microwave is a type of microwave that rotates trays and dishes so that you can cook or reheat multiple dishes at once.
How old is my microwave?
If your microwave has stopped working, you can use this blog to figure out how old it is!
Conclusion
Microwaves are a modern convenience that most people couldn’t live without. The technology is a staple in kitchens and restaurant kitchens alike, and it’s not uncommon for people to own microwaves at home too.
But if you’ve been using your microwave for more than 10 years, it may be time to replace it with a newer model.
Microwaves tend to have a lifespan of about 10 years, after which the molecules in the magnetron stop rotating and produce less heat.
As microwaves wear out, the power of the magnetron also reduces, meaning that microwaves will take longer to heat up food.
These microwaves are also less energy efficient, and can have an impact on the environment due to their increased power consumption.
So even if you love your old Sharp Carousel Microwave, it may be time to say good-bye.
