Customer Reviews

Kitchenaid KHMS2050SSS 2.0 cu. ft. Capacity 1,200 Watts Architect Series II

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Quite frankly - the best microwave I've ever used. Read several reviews around the net, and decided to go for it despite its fairly high price. So glad I did. First, it's flat-out great looking in my newly remodeled kitchen. More importantly, it seems to be more powerful (or at least more efficient) than any other micro I've ever used. It's simple to use - you can punch in time and power settings just like any other micro, but its preset and sensing options so far seem to be extremely accurate. That's quite a "bonus," as I really did not expect those to be much more than gimmicky, but they've proved me very wrong. Note - many micros in this price-range have convection (or more aptly "convection lite") built in; this one does not, but for me it wasn't an issue.

One thing to watch for is your vendor actually having it in stock. I actually tried to purchase this from 3 different vendors who advertised it as "in stock"; however, all 3 had to get it from the manufacturer. Not sure if this is industry-wide, or if I just had a little Schleprock-syndrome. On the first 2, I canceled the order once I got delivery estimates; on the 3rd one, I acquiesced and just waited the extra week. If you need it immediately, beware; if you can wait a week or two, settle in and wait - it's worth the wait.

UPDATE: After one year, it's still performing fine. Note however, this is one of the "leakiest" microwaves I've owned (from an RF perspective). When this microwave is running, it effectively kills any WiFi 802.11 b/g/n signal anywhere around. My profession involves wireless networking, and microwaves are notoriously bad about this, but I have to admit, this one (at least the one I have) is one of the most disruptive I've experienced - you absolutely cannot keep an 802.11 b/g/n connection with this microwave running ... good thing it's quick and doesn't run long ;-). (In case you care, I've had multiple routers/wireless APs and multiple wireless clients with the same results, so the "issue" seems to be with the microwave versus my computer equipment.)

This is a love hate microwave. We loved the microwave up until the "lugs" in the wave guide melted and the microwave stopped heating up food. No big deal right? Just get the part and replace it. Wrong, this is a non serviceable part (take your microwave out and bury it in the back yard). This problem was out of warranty and not covered (Warranty is 12 months). If you like to replace things every 2 years, this is the microwave for you! The folks at Kitchen Aid were very nice to talk with, and offered a discounted replacement. Just not sure that I want to plunk good money on a microwave that lasted less than 2 years.

Problems:
Parts that are not replaceable and force the owner to buy a whole new appliance.
Less than 2 years of service for a very expensive microwave.

Solution:
Buy the extended warranty if you like this one, but plan on service outages.

This product looks great, but it is not reliable. Kitchenaid is non-responsive and does not seem to care. They just refer you to their outside contractors.

Seven "visits" from their "factory" service people, which in reality is "A&E" (actually Sears), and they still could not fix it. When I say "visits," I mean appointments that were made with a four to five hour window, that does not mean that A&E actually showed up. Seven days when either my wife or I stayed home from work to be there. If you do not want to take my word for just how bad these service people are, look them up in your local Yelp. Last time I counted, out of about 100 reviews, they had five or so that were not one star.

After the seventh visit from A&E with no resolution, I hired a different person to fix it. Now it is broken again. This is twice in two years.

I would avoid Kitchenaid at all costs. There are better brands that cost the same.

I strongly caution against purchasing this device. Please take a moment to read the other negative reviews about this microwave. It is a very attractive model with nice features, but if you are expecting to have your $800 investment last longer than a couple of years, you are mistaken. If you browse around you will find that this is true of other Kitchenaid products as well. Be very careful with what you purchase! I also cannot express strongly enough that the service provided under the Kitchenaid warranty is nothing more than additional revenue for their company. After many visits, they left me with only the option to purchase a completely new unit. The service and the quality of the unit were absolutely terrible.

I've had the Kitchenaid KHMS2050SSS-2 microwave for 6 months. It totally broke; would not turn on. Of the 6 months I've had it, it has been in a repair shop twice. The 1st time for 3 weeks, the 2nd time for 2 1/2 months. They said could not fix it, as it was unrepairable. I took it to a 2nd repair shop under the advice of Whirlpool Corp. Its been in their repair shop for 2 weeks, and now the 2nd repair shop is telling me the same thing, as they have been unable to fix it.

I am now dealing with Whirlpool for a new microwave. Or as they call it, "a replacement microwave." You see it is their decision on what type of microwave oven they give you for its replacement; i.e., you may not get the same model, but a less expensive one. I'd rather just get my money back and then go buy a different non-Whirlpool brand, but I don't have a choice.

In the mean-time, I bought a $69 countertop Sanyo microwave when the Kitchaid broke for the 2nd time. The Sanyo also broke after about 2 weeks use, and we had to get it fixed, but it only took 2 weeks for those repairs.

I am very disappointed in this product and the customer service provided by Kitchen Aid. Our door shattered because we were unaware the in a previous use the rack became ajar.. the corner protectors are not continuous (design flaw) and the exposed corner came in contact with door inner glass in a cycle and shattered the inner glass on the cycle after that! Customer service would not provide a part number but wanted to send a tech our ($100+ for showing up because not covered under the warranty) It is something I could repair, but they will not allow end user to do so!
This was caused by clearly a substandard design.

In addition - this unit will sporadically turn itself on and cycle thorough iterations and beeping to the point it has to be unplugged to stop it and rest. It will happen again though!

With my experience with this unit and my other Kitchen Aid appliances - it will keep me from buying another appliance with a name Kitchen Aid or Whirlpool.

I do not recommend spending the money on this microwaves. Better off buying a best-value microwave. Our Goldstar was working fine and never had an issue like this and we only replace because of color and style to match other new appliances purchased!

*****************************************

I have upgraded to 5 stars!

Almost a year ago - Kitchenaid did make good on this item...
they repaired and ever since - it has performed quite well!
The dialogue with the manufacture improved greatly and they became most responsive!
This microwave - since then has been working properly- and this is the best I have ever owned!
It is very powerful too!
It has not bothered my WIFI network either!

I am a first time customer of Kitchen Aid. The microwave that was installed on Nov 19th and it stopped working on Dec 3rd, 2010. The unit stopped heating food, turntable stopped working and the mircohood vent fan quite working. So essentially the entire unit malfunctioned.

To top this, when I called the customer service, they advised me that the earliest they can provide service is on Dec 6th. When I insisted they provide me service sooner, I was told that the microwave is not an essentially appliance and hence it is a company policy not to assign it immediate service priority.

Still waiting for the service technician to analyze the problem.

I am extremely disappointed in the product and service Kitchen Aid/Whirlpool has provided so far. This experience will certainly prevent me from buying another product from Kitchen Aid/Whirlpool.

My recommendation don't spend money on this highend microwaves. You would be better off buying a value microwave, since all the component are made by a handful of suppliers worldwide.