crackling Microwave

[showcrop]

Our microwave recently started making a faint crackling sound. There are no other sounds smells or anything visible going on with the sound which definitely does not sound like arcing. ( I have been in commercial food equipment service for thirty-five years.)To be safe WE UNPLUG IT WHEN NOT IN USE. REPEAT WE UNPLUG IT WHEN NOT IN USE. The unit is only about two years old, and has been doing this for about six weeks. I have not noted any change since it started doing this. Any one come across anything like this?

 

[Dean]

Look for evidence of arching in the areas where the door closes. It is not uncommon for microwave ovens to arch between the door and the cabinet.

When you find it, a layer or two of electrical tape (replaced every few months) will likely stop it.

Dean

 

[Lefty]

Arcing sound generally from 2 sources,
Magnetron breaking down
or
High voltage inverter problems.
Magnetron breakdown generall results in longer cooking times needed.
Hard to find repair shops and more,and may companies refuse to sell anyone but licensed repairman parts.DO NOT fiddle around inside without knowledge.Extreme high voltage and exposure to direct microwave radiation can result.

 

[bobs old iron]

come-on: not try be be a smart-a$$, do you really want to mess with something that could endanger your health. as cheep as they cost today, get a newer model with new features... i don't even buy the extended warranty, because the ext warr cost 1/2 of what a new one costs.

 

[[email protected]]

Microwaves are cheap compared to medical bills and funeral expenses. Toss that one and head to the store.

 

[GordoSD]

Even unplugged it could be a booby trap. Sounds like a gift for the MIL.

 

[Bob]

Have you EVER heard of a microwave hurting, much less KILLING anyone?

(UNLESS they opened up the cabinet and grabbed the HV terminals on the capacitor or magnetron?)

 

[Bob]

Look at the plastic or "fishpaper" "window" at the end of the waveguide, where the microwaves enter into the "cavity" for for any signs of heat damage/burning/charring.

I have seen time and again where a spatter of food lands there, gets charred, and carbonizes a little area of the "window" giving the opportunity for an arc to start.

If there is a "stirrer" built into the top of the cavity, there will be such a "window" beneath it, typically easily removable for inspection/cleaning.

In any case, if you find a charred area, use a sharp hobby knife and carefully scrape/cut away any charred area.

Have a CLOSE look at those areas for a SIMPLE problem before relegating it to the trash 'cause of a more serious ELECTRICAL problem.

 

[showcrop]

Thanks Dean and Bob old buddy for giving answers related to my question. I checked both suggestions, both negative. It's probably less than a year old, I'll have to check to see if it has warranty still in effect. I will keep on using it. I can't see or for that matter smell any indication that there is a significant problem. As I said initially I have enough experience in 35 years on commercial kitchen equipment to know that it is NOT ARCING. As always keep cats and small children out of microwave ovens!

 

[tech4]

Some of the microwaves have a fan that may be dragging or touching something

 

[elmersooner]

Bob--I used to take care of a fella that worked on microwaves in the early eighties----used to work on them with the door open at times when he was in his early twenties---he actually had microwave damage to his heart (cooked) we saw him in the ER every 3-4 months or so due to congestive heart failure. and have seen one electrocution with pretty wicked burn to the hand that a fellow lost a finger to. work in an emergency room long enough and you do see a little of everything.

 

[Bob]

Microwaves cook the "surface" of an organism. You saying that it cooked his heart is PURE AND SIMPLE BS!

Of course, we see a LOT of that on here!

 

[jackinok]

first look for burnt food spots inside,second look at distributor fan and make sure its turning,if it doesnt microwave will still work but food will be cooked unevenly.also it will make arcing noises while running.magnetron puts out sort of a beam of microwave energy directed toward cooking cavity,when it hits this metal fan and its turning microwaves bounce offf and are distributed from all angles inside box.if it stops turning microwaves hit it in one spot and it starts to arc.its generally in top of microwave under a plastic cover of some sort.

 

[elmersooner]

repeated exposure----damage to sa node of the heart. no BS

 

[Bob]

Are we talking about a home microwave here, or some industrial/microwave communications relay type of situation?

If a home microwave, it SURE must have been a VICIOUS one!

 

[elmersooner]

i just know what i read in the fellas report, but the older microwaves had more output....he was a nice fella--ended up having to have a pacemaker in his thirties...his injury came from repeated exposure over a few years. since he was worker comp, lawsuit he had a lot of documentation in his chart.

 

[Wilson]

The BS is BOB Stupid Yes microwave can and will cook soft tissue not on outside of body. One of first documented cases was short order cook took door off. Dies from liver failure as liver was partly cooked