We have an OTR Advantium 240V over a gas cooktop.

We use the Advantium nearly everyday, and it has been trouble free for ten years but for defective display upon delivery and a failed magnetron nine years into the ten year warranty for that part. The display and the magnetron were replaced under warranty, but I had to install the magnetron myself.

I specifically mention that I had to replace the magnetron because that experience has given me a great exposure to the internal design of the OTR Advantium 240.

I, too, read about handle breakage problems. All I can say is that either GE had a batch of plastic handles that were weak or that Advantium owners were applying undue downward directional force on the handle as the door was opened or closed. I cannot imagine anyone breaking the handle under normal usage. The attachment method for the handle is simple and direct, although you do have to remove a "snapped in place" plastic surround from the door to remove/reinstall two screws.

Keep in mind that a very short person (child) will pull downward on an OTR microwave door as it is opened.

Regarding the light bulb problem...

Yes, the location of the light bulb makes replacement very difficult and therefore labor intensive.

(Note: the light bulb is not illuminated when the microwave is in use. The oven is dark at these times. If the "Speedcook" feature is in use (i.e., the microwave and halogen lighting are both on, there is no need for an oven light as there are 3000 watts of bright light already on!)

The reason for the difficulty in replacing the oven light is that the oven must be removed from its mounting location and disassembled about 50% of the way before the bulb can be reached. This is a poor design from my perspective. On a positive note, however, the lamp used in this location is an excellent design that is meant to last nearly forever. The filament is supported in multiple locations and the glass is strongly sealed to the base. We have had two Advantiums in two different homes and neither has had a burned out lamp.

Unfortunately, the location of the lamp is behind a perforated section of the stainless steel interior. This allows some splatters of the cooking food to reach the lamp's glass surface. These splatters do coat the lamp somewhat and eventually slightly darken/tint the lighting. The only way to clean the lamp is to disassemble the oven...which no one will ever do.

So...would I recommend an Advantium? Yes, I strongly endorse them. I actually bought a used Advantium that I've stored just to be sure I have one should something serious happen to the one we now have. If GE discontinues the product I want to be able to continue using one. Note that the 240V Advantium is now over tens years old in its present internal design. There have been subtle exterior changes over this time period, but nearly all internal parts are interchangeable within the 240V products.

The one other thing I should mention is that the vacuum fluorescent display used on the Advantiums, has the same problem as all the green or blue green vacuum fluorescent displays you see on radios, stereos, microwaves, clocks, etc. These displays have a tendency to fade after many years of being illuminated. The display generally begins to show darker horizontal bands across the digits. The only solution to this problem is to replace the display. This can be done in the Advantium with 10 minutes of time. The replacement displays are always being sold on eBay or via repair parts sellers. I have never had to replace a display, but I did have GE replace one for me a week after we took the delivery of the first Advantium...that display was apparently damaged during shipment of the Advantium

As I mentioned. I do recommend the Advantium

Thank you for the detailed post. I really fell in love with it and I love to hear when people are happy with a product :)

Mr. Timewise--Thanks for your detailed post ;). Can you tell me, please, what year is your 240? I'm trying to figure out if mine is covered with the 10 year magnetron warranty, or only 5. I bought it in 2001.

Thanks again!
Laura

We had a GE Profile Advantium 120V OTR unit over a GE Profile gas range for 7 years in our last house (installed in 2003). I plan to buy another Advantium for our new house when we remodel the kitchen, although I may go for the built-in wall oven this time because I plan to buy a higher-powered range and want a serious hood. The Advantium is the best microwave I've ever used. It is powerful and easy to use. I did not use the speedcook and bake features often, but when I did they worked well.

The first year we had the Advantium, the plastic part connecting the metal door latch to the door broke. It was repaired under warranty and that was the only problem we had.