DS Forums

 
 

Microwave stopped heating - anyone know why?


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 14-05-2015, 15:04
bluefb
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,096

Hi. I just realised that my microwave has stopped heating things. Whatever I put in there, it just won't heat up. The timer works fine and it makes the usual sound when operating, but it's now blowing a little cool air from the bottom of the door hinge.

It's only a cheap device and around 8 years old, so I guess it will be better to buy a new one than get it repaired, but if anyone has experienced this issue themselves and knows a DIY solution, I'd be glad to hear it.
bluefb is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 14-05-2015, 17:42
PEARLY331
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 519
probably because its not longer working? what a stupid question!

regards pearl
PEARLY331 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-05-2015, 17:57
Toby LaRhone
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,197
Hi. I just realised that my microwave has stopped heating things. Whatever I put in there, it just won't heat up. The timer works fine and it makes the usual sound when operating, but it's now blowing a little cool air from the bottom of the door hinge.

It's only a cheap device and around 8 years old, so I guess it will be better to buy a new one than get it repaired, but if anyone has experienced this issue themselves and knows a DIY solution, I'd be glad to hear it.
One thing is likely.
It wont be worth repairing
I'm putting my perfectly ok old one on Gumtree for £20.
Check Gumtree in your area.
Toby LaRhone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-05-2015, 17:59
Toby LaRhone
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,197
probably because its not longer working? what a stupid question!

regards, knobhead
What a stupid reply.
Toby LaRhone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-05-2015, 18:57
bluefb
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,096
probably because its not longer working? what a stupid question!

regards pearl
Why do I get the feeling a town centre somewhere is missing its chief pigeon-chaser?
bluefb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-05-2015, 19:09
bluefb
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,096
One thing is likely.
It wont be worth repairing
I'm putting my perfectly ok old one on Gumtree for £20.
Check Gumtree in your area.
Yeah, I might go second hand, but I don't want that one packing up out of the blue as well.
bluefb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-05-2015, 19:51
Jellied Eel
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: In a jar, on a shelf
Posts: 31,654
You need science!

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2011...an-snack-food/

and see also-

http://what-if.xkcd.com/131/

I read that, and had to try the appalam thing. Yours may just sit there if the magnetron's knackered and there are no microwaves.

I'd suggest getting another cheap new one if you can, just in case your 2nd hand one was previously owned by a person like me.. But doing the grape plasma thing is FUN!.
Jellied Eel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-05-2015, 22:24
Toby LaRhone
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,197
Yeah, I might go second hand, but I don't want that one packing up out of the blue as well.
Pick one up for £15/20 and if it lasts 12 months you're sorted.
What do you use it for mostly?
Toby LaRhone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-05-2015, 11:53
noise747
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 22,785
8 years old is pretty good to be honest, most of the ones i have had lasted 2-3 years if that. Saying that I now got a Sainsburys basic one and that have lasted for over 2 years, so not too bad.

The magnetron is normally the thing to go and if your microwave is a dial timer type they will normally go through the motions, a digital one will not normally work as they come up with a error.

Not worth fixing these days.
noise747 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-05-2015, 12:03
davelovesleeds
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Leeds
Posts: 10,953
What a stupid reply.
Thankfully, he/she is now now banned due to things said in the soap threads I think, and other disruptive comments made elsewhere.

Asda use to sell a decent microwave for about £10.00 I think, maybe even a little less, and probably still do, I check when I'm next in if I remember. I'd say your better getting a cheaper new one than a second hand, but that's just my opinion. . My last microwave did exactly the same as yours and after about the same amount of time. Pity as it was a really good one with easy to use controls but all I want mine to do is reheat and the odd but of cooking so it's not worth it for me to spend loads on one.
davelovesleeds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-05-2015, 20:19
degsyhufc
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Up North
Posts: 58,791
Asda use to sell a decent microwave for about £10.00 I think, maybe even a little less
Doesn't that sound decidedly dodgy though?
I'm sure it's safe and tested etc. but just to imagine a device like a microwave oven being available to buy brand new for £10.

Basic kettles can cost more than that.
degsyhufc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-05-2015, 22:48
Toby LaRhone
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,197
Thankfully, he/she is now now banned due to things said in the soap threads I think, and other disruptive comments made elsewhere.

Asda use to sell a decent microwave for about £10.00 I think, maybe even a little less, and probably still do, I check when I'm next in if I remember. I'd say your better getting a cheaper new one than a second hand, but that's just my opinion. . My last microwave did exactly the same as yours and after about the same amount of time. Pity as it was a really good one with easy to use controls but all I want mine to do is reheat and the odd but of cooking so it's not worth it for me to spend loads on one.
Ten quid?
Has it got a starting handle?
Toby LaRhone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-05-2015, 09:44
walterwhite
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 21,720
Unless it's a super duper microwave with combi grill etc then just chuck it and get a new one.
walterwhite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-05-2015, 10:07
soulboy77
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Herts
Posts: 17,002
In most cases the high voltage fuse will of gone inside the microwave. It is not a particularly hard job to change but dangerous if you do not know what you are doing.
soulboy77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-05-2015, 14:40
Toby LaRhone
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,197
I just checked Gumtree locally - loads of choice from £10 to £30.
Toby LaRhone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-05-2015, 14:58
Orangemaid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Sat at computer with heatin on
Posts: 45,573
from has lasted from Asda, years ago, still going, and under £20

i say get a new one if you use it a lot
Orangemaid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-05-2015, 08:01
bluefb
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,096
Pick one up for £15/20 and if it lasts 12 months you're sorted.
What do you use it for mostly?
Mostly for defrosting/reheating frozen meals. I quite often in batches so it's something I do often. It doesn't need to have any special functions.

Didn't realise they could be had for as little as £10. The cheapest on Asda's website at the moment is £35, though. Had a look in Tesco yesterday, but a similar story. I'm gonna look in some of the big charity shops next time I pass. Thanks for the suggestions.
bluefb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-05-2015, 15:52
Sambda
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,228
I've had mine 19 years and it still works fine! It's in daily use (ready meals, cups of tea).
Sambda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-05-2015, 16:03
grassmarket
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 23,310
Mostly for defrosting/reheating frozen meals. I quite often in batches so it's something I do often. It doesn't need to have any special functions.
.
One thing to look at is the capacity! I made that mistake recently when I replaced mine. Went from a 20 litre to a 17 litre without really thinking it through - it makes a big difference if you need to heat two things at a time!
grassmarket is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-05-2015, 18:16
davelovesleeds
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Leeds
Posts: 10,953
One thing to look at is the capacity! I made that mistake recently when I replaced mine. Went from a 20 litre to a 17 litre without really thinking it through - it makes a big difference if you need to heat two things at a time!
Yes, I've made that mistake in the past too. It does make a difference so it is worth taking time to check out the capacity
davelovesleeds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-05-2015, 20:43
norbitonite
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 5,704
Mostly for defrosting/reheating frozen meals. I quite often in batches so it's something I do often. It doesn't need to have any special functions.

Didn't realise they could be had for as little as £10. The cheapest on Asda's website at the moment is £35, though. Had a look in Tesco yesterday, but a similar story. I'm gonna look in some of the big charity shops next time I pass. Thanks for the suggestions.
Not sure that charity shops are allowed to sell electrical goods. They certainly never used to be.
norbitonite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2016, 05:59
Margaret_Perron
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1

Hi. I just realised that my microwave has stopped heating things. Whatever I put in there, it just won't heat up. The timer works fine and it makes the usual sound when operating, but it's now blowing a little cool air from the bottom of the door hinge.

It's only a cheap device and around 8 years old, so I guess it will be better to buy a new one than get it repaired, but if anyone has experienced this issue themselves and knows a DIY solution, I'd be glad to hear it.
I have heard that most appliances, such as microwaves are actually built to last 7-10 years. So, If you got 8 years, you are doing well. Even if It seems to work perfectly well after so many years, because of its age, the oven could be dangerous and should be thrown out. The screen or rubber seals around the door may have perished and it may lead to radiation leaks. If they are focused on the eye, it can cause cataracts to form. Microwave radiation has also been found to cause Leukemia and other forms of cancer. So, it's better to avoid that old microwave and buy a new one. I have stopped using my 10-year-old oven since last year and bought a new one from 'Best Brand Appliance', Canada ( http://www.bestbrandappliance.ca/ ).
Margaret_Perron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2016, 09:28
walterwhite
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 21,720
I have heard that most appliances, such as microwaves are actually built to last 7-10 years. So, If you got 8 years, you are doing well. Even if It seems to work perfectly well after so many years, because of its age, the oven could be dangerous and should be thrown out. The screen or rubber seals around the door may have perished and it may lead to radiation leaks. If they are focused on the eye, it can cause cataracts to form. Microwave radiation has also been found to cause Leukemia and other forms of cancer. So, it's better to avoid that old microwave and buy a new one. I have stopped using my 10-year-old oven since last year and bought a new one from 'Best Brand Appliance', Canada ( http://www.bestbrandappliance.ca/ ).
Can you provide a link showing that a 10 year old microwave will give you cataracts please?
walterwhite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2016, 10:11
The Vonz
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 59
In most cases the high voltage fuse will of gone inside the microwave. It is not a particularly hard job to change but dangerous if you do not know what you are doing.
I agree the fuse is the most likely culprit - it would be a shame to ditch the oven for the sake of a fuse. They are cheap - search Ebay for "microwave fuse" and get one that matches the rating stamped on the silver cap of blown one.

OR

If you can't be arsed doing a proper job just wrap the blown fuse in aluminium foil, pop it back in and BING! - normal function should be restored!

The Vonz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2016, 14:06
Miss C. DeVille
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 1,648
My microwave is 39 years old. I used to make my sons porridge in it when he was a baby and he's 40 in a few weeks time! The only thing I've had to do was replace the light bulb in it a couple of years ago. It's used daily for cooking veg, poaching/scrambling eggs, reheating and defrosting things. I used to make loads of sponge puddings, which took all of 5 minutes, for my ex-husband, but I can't have them
I'll be very sad when it packs up but I wouldn't have it repaired, I'd just buy a new one as they're not really that expensive these days. Bet when I do it won't last 40 years though.
Miss C. DeVille is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:34.