Microwave failure

[altivo]

Microwaves have weird failure modes. Our old Sharp has been working for a long time (more than 13 years I'm sure) but in the last year the light inside has been erratic. Sometimes would come on, sometimes not. Sunday morning as I was making breakfast, though, something else failed in a more spectacular mode. I had put some butter in there to melt

Comments

[keeganfox]

If there's no appliance recycling program (tend to be in Europe), then would be inclined to cut the cord off right up against the appliance, and disassemble it. Recycle the steel, aluminum and glass; crush the rest and trash it.

$0.02. YMMV. Be careful of electrical components (short with insulated screwdriver or similar)

[altivo]

Gary cut the cord off and put it out for the trash pickup last night. I didn't think he'd act so quickly, but it's gone, whether the scavengers took it or the actual waste removal truck.

[mondhasen]

We used our first microwave for close to twenty years. When it finally gave up the ghost I dragged it down the dirt driveway to the street (to scuff it up) and then cut off the cord. If anyone thought it was usable and was willing to rebuild it after that, I imagined they knew what they were getting into.

I cut the cords off all my old appliances for fear of the 'pickers' taking something which could be hazardous. Some of these, generally the heavy duty, three-prong numbers, I keep for 'spares.' Others I toss in recycle (I don't know if they'll try to capture the copper at the plant or just toss them out).

[altivo]

I checked. This one was 15 years old. The previous one had only lasted about 9 years. Both were the cheapest models we could get, though.

[bladehorse]

It sounds like the gun has detuned and is out of frequency. They tend to crap out in power after 10 years or so anyways. Making the 500w into an actual heating of 100 w :p

[james_b]

The magnetron is most likely "mode hopping".

[altivo]

I probably wouldn't have tried salvaging electronic parts, but thought about reusing the cabinet for something. Too late though. Gary moved fast for once and it went away with the trash early this morning. I'm not sure our waste disposal people would take it though, so someone else may have grabbed it.

[bladehorse]

Oh and that burned hole in the fiberboard is no problem(Except it will continue to burn.) Pull it out Its just there to stop food spray from working its way into the gun proper.
Make sure any metal in there is on the floor and walls only, or at least 1" off the plate. this will cause things to burn out in short order, But Im sure your used to the NO metal rule of years ago.

[lobowolf]

Yeah, the one in my microwave has a small hole in it and it works fine. As you said, it's just a cover to keep food out of the Magnetron.

[lobowolf]

Make an ATV transmitter out of it!!!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14004815/atv-transmitter-from-a-microwave-oven

[altivo]

Amusing idea, though I have little interest in ATV myself. Thanks for the link.

[lobowolf]

But....come on...it involves possibly getting electrocuted AND cooking your brains with microwave radiation! How could you resist such a project????

I rolled my eyes when I heard about this several years ago just because it seemed so dangerous :P

[altivo]

Because I even resist using my cell phone since I prefer not to cook my brains any further than they are already cooked?

But think of the science fair project potential: The Electronic Brain Cooker! No Tesla coil required! Fry bugs without the sun or a magnifying glass! Amaze your friends!

And if they aren't amazed, just cook their brains...