How does your microwave work?

[rob62521]

I realize that's an ambiguous title, but my microwave, not a built in, but sits on the counter, seems to be on the fritz. I heated something for 5 minutes and whole exterior of the microwave was hot to the touch. While heating, it is getting noisier and noisier. I checked the company's website and they said that if there is extended heating, it is normal for the exterior to heat up. I sent an email asking what they consider extended heating, with the serial number and model number and asked if there was a recall, but I just don't think this is normal. I was emailed back saying it was normal. The microwave is about 4 years old so there is no warranty. But, if the outside is that hot to touch, I mean almost enough to burn the skin, I think there is something wrong. I'm curious if anyone else has noticed this on their ovens.

[jaksilee]

Mine is a new model...only 3 months old and I use it a lot. I can cook in it for 20 min or more and it doesn't heat up to the point you are saying. Has it just been doing it recently?

How is it heating the food? Are you noticing that it takes longer to cook something? IE: what took 5 min before is now taking 7. This happend to my sis's recently and then it stoped heating at all.

[rob62521]

Yes, it is taking longer to heat stuff so I bet you have the answer. My husband says just get a new one because he's worried about the safety features. I never noticed it heating up the exterior until recently. It's always been a bit noisy, but it seems to be getting worse.

Thanks for responding!

[PrincessPerky]

noise and exterior heat sound dangerous to me...I would get it looked at.

[Kris10Leigh]

I agree. It sounds like you need a new one.

I just noticed that mine seems to take longer to heat things, but my husband thinks I'm crazy. We may be needing a new one soon too.

[tgavin71]

I agree with others. It is time to get a new microwave. I put safety ahead of money in this instance. As painful as it may be people lived without microwaves for years so it can be done. It will give you time to save up if you need to.

[Kirbycruiser]

Yeah, I wouldn't take a chance. You can find them pretty affordable these days.

[Diolla]

My ex-husband was an appliance repairman and he said there were basically two things that can go wrong with a microwave. If it just dies and won't work at all it is usually just a $2 fuse, but if there are heating problems it is the magnetron(?) ( I mean the part that makes the microwaves) and you might as well throw it away. It's hard to believe a 4 year old one would have that problem, mine lasted 15+ years.

[rob62521]

My husband agrees with you and we should get a new one. The safety issue alarms me. The other microwave we had over 12 years and it was working fine, but it was huge (remember how big they were 16 years ago?). So, I guess we will be checking Consumer Reports.

Thanks for the info!

[lynclarke]

Microwaves can be very reasonable thses days. i bought a small one for my husband to use at work for $24!!! Years ago, I bought one on clearance at the Target- no box, no book, three "feet" ENORMOUS- for $65. I used it for 10 years and it is still in the basement family room to pop popcorn. I "married" a smaller one which fits on my small kitchen counter better. The days of a $400 microwave are gone unless you want to spend the money. lynclarke

[rob62521]

You are right on how reasonable they are lynclarke! We were looking at them yesterday and bought one at Target. It's even smaller than the one that was defective. I guess microwaves are like most electronics -- if you wait awhile the price goes down.

[lynclarke]

I saw on another board that LNT had a $49.99 rebate with a $25 rebate and the 20% discount. I couldn't think of what to do with another one. lynclarke

[rob62521]

Somehow I couldn't either. It seems the more stuff you have, the more work it is.