Black and Decker is a major manufacturer of power tools, home appliances, and other household hardware. The company has a long history of producing reliable and affordable products for homes and construction sites. Black and Decker microwaves are popular among consumers looking for a basic countertop microwave oven at a reasonable price point. But who actually makes these microwaves for Black and Decker?
The History of Black and Decker
Black and Decker was founded in 1910 by S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker as a machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland. The company’s first product was a revolutionary electric drill known as the pistol-grip drill. This lightweight, compact drill became popular with automobile workers. In 1917, Black and Decker invented the first trigger switch drill, securing their dominance in the power tool market.
Over the decades, Black and Decker expanded into manufacturing a wide range of power tools, lawn and garden equipment, and household appliances. Major milestones included introducing the first portable electric saw in 1951 and acquiring GE’s small appliance division in 1964. This gave Black and Decker control over famous appliance brands like GE, Hotpoint, and Moffat.
By the 1990s, Black and Decker grew into a Fortune 500 company with manufacturing plants and operations spanning the globe. While still headquartered in Maryland, Black and Decker established manufacturing partnerships in emerging markets like China and Mexico to produce affordable versions of their tools and appliances.
Black and Decker Microwave Manufacturing
When it comes to Black and Decker microwaves, they are not actually manufactured directly by Black and Decker. Instead, Black and Decker partners with major appliance makers to produce microwaves to their specifications and quality standards.
Most Black and Decker microwaves sold in the U.S. and Canada are made by the Whirlpool Corporation, headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Whirlpool is the largest appliance maker in the world and produces microwaves under license for the Black and Decker brand in several factories across Asia and Latin America.
For example, many basic 0.7-0.9 cu. ft. Black and Decker microwaves are produced at Whirlpool factories in China, Indonesia, and Brazil. They use proven Whirlpool microwave technology and components tailored to meet Black and Decker’s affordability requirements.
Higher end and larger capacity Black and Decker microwaves are often manufactured by LG Electronics in South Korea, another major appliance producer. LG makes 1.0-2.2 cu. ft. microwaves on behalf of Black and Decker in LG factories located in South Korea, China, and Mexico.
Black and Decker Microwave Models and Manufacturing Locations
| Microwave Model | Manufacturing Location |
|---|---|
| BCM1410W | Whirlpool – China |
| EM720CB7 | Whirlpool – Indonesia |
| EM925BM9 | Whirlpool – Brazil |
| EM925CM9 | LG – Mexico |
| EM925CP1 | LG – South Korea |
This demonstrates how Black and Decker sources production of its microwaves to established appliance makers like Whirlpool and LG with factories around the world. The companies benefit from the economies of scale and regional supply chains already in place from these major manufacturers.
Black and Decker Microwave Quality Control
Although Black and Decker microwaves are made by third party companies, Black and Decker maintains rigorous quality control standards for any products bearing their brand name. All contract manufacturers are closely monitored to ensure adherence to Black and Decker’s specifications.
Black and Decker quality control teams oversee the end-to-end manufacturing process, from component sourcing to final testing and inspection before shipping. Sample microwave units from each production run undergo thorough safety and performance vetting at Black and Decker certified labs.
Microwave ovens must meet or exceed regulations for electromagnetic emissions. They are also tested for:
- Heating uniformity
- Power output
- Door seal integrity
- Durability
- Temperature, humidity, and corrosion resistance
- Electrical safety
Any microwaves that fail the stringent quality checks are rejected before earning the Black and Decker brand label. Only the microwaves that pass every operational and durability test are approved for retail sale under the Black and Decker name.
Common Features of Black and Decker Microwaves
While produced by different manufacturers, Black and Decker microwaves share similar performance capabilities and features tailored to the Black and Decker value position in the market.
Key common capabilities include:
- Compact sizes from 0.7 to 2.2 cubic feet capacities
- Simple manual microwave controls with dial or buttons
- 700-1000 watts cooking power
- 10-12 power settings
- Glass turntable
- Push button door release
- Black or stainless steel exterior
- Affordable pricing from $60 to $150
These microwaves aim for straightforward, no-frills functionality for basic reheating and cooking tasks. The streamlined features allow Black and Decker to minimize costs while still meeting customer expectations for microwave performance and convenience.
Black and Decker Microwave Warranties
Customers can purchase Black and Decker microwaves with confidence thanks to product warranties. Standard warranties cover repair or replacement of defective microwaves within the warranty period.
Coverage terms for Black and Decker microwaves include:
- 1-year limited warranty on most models
- 2-year limited warranty on higher end models
- Warranty covers all parts and labor
- Warranty only valid with proof of purchase
- Not valid for commercial use
- Excludes damage from improper installation
Black and Decker also provides helpful customer service and support for troubleshooting microwave issues. Customers can find authorized service agents nationwide to handle any warranty-covered repair needs.
Black and Decker Microwave Reviews
Overall, Black and Decker microwaves earn positive reviews for offering an affordable, entry-level countertop microwave option. They are not as feature-rich as more expensive models, but provide the basic functionality many households require.
The top pros of Black and Decker microwaves highlighted in customer reviews include:
- Low cost makes microwaves accessible to more households
- Small footprint saves counter space
- Simple manual controls are easy to use
- delivers enough power for typical reheating and cooking
- Reliable performance backed by warranty
The most common cons mentioned by reviewers are:
- Limited features compared to pricier models
- Maximum microwave power could be higher
- Size may be too compact for some families
- Build quality feels lightweight and basic
Overall, customers agree Black and Decker microwaves provide very solid value for a fundamental microwave oven at an affordable price point. They make a great basic microwave option for college dorms, apartments, office kitchens, or other settings focused on no-frills functionality.
Top-Selling Black and Decker Microwave Models
Here is an overview of some of the top-selling Black and Decker microwave models representing the brand’s most popular options:
Black and Decker EM925AB9 0.9 Cubic Foot Microwave
- 900 watts of cooking power
- 0.9 cubic feet capacity
- 10 power levels
- Pre-programmed cooking buttons
- Glass turntable
- Push button door
- Black or white exterior
- 1 year limited warranty
This compact 0.9 cubic foot microwave is one of Black and Decker’s best-selling entry level models. It delivers 900 watts of power for reheating and cooking in a streamlined microwave measuring just 19 x 14 x 11 inches.
Black and Decker EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven
- 700 watts cooking power
- 0.7 cubic feet capacity
- Digital control panel
- 10 power levels
- Interior lighting
- Child safety lock
- Stainless steel or black exterior
- 1 year limited warranty
With a compact 0.7 cubic foot interior, this is one of Black and Decker’s smallest microwaves. The digital controls and interior light add nice functionality. The child safety lock also makes it great for households with kids.
Black and Decker EM925BM9 SmartChoice Microwave
- 925 watts cooking power
- 0.9 cubic feet capacity
- Express cooking settings
- 10 power levels
- turntable
- Push button release
- Black stainless steel exterior
- 2 year limited warranty
This SmartChoice microwave steps up with 925 watts of power, a few more cooking features, and a 2 year warranty. It remains compact at 0.9 cubic feet but delivers excellent microwave performance for the price.
Conclusion
Although Black and Decker’s name is on all their microwaves, the actual manufacturing is handled by major appliance companies like Whirlpool and LG. This allows Black and Decker to provide reliable, affordable microwaves that are produced efficiently at global scale. Rigorous quality control ensures all Black and Decker microwaves meet exact performance and safety standards. The result is an excellent lineup of basic, value-focused microwaves perfect for shoppers looking for everyday functionality on a budget.