Microwave Busted

[GilpinGuy]

Kid put a metal bowl in the microwave and now it doesn't heat. What busted? And is it worth repairing or too much hassle? Same microwave is about $250 new.

[00tec]

If it looks and sounds like it is running, but no heat, it's probably the magnetron

Determine part price to see if it's worth your time. I had 1 fail under warranty on my whirlpool microwave, then it failed again 4 months later (of course out of warranty at that point). It wasnt worth it to me to fix it. I think the part was like $80 or $100, but after repeat failures, I wasnt going to roll the dice.

[DFBrews]

Depends on how old the kid is if he is a surly teenager can’t repair until 25 or so when the testosterone drops

[Gman]

Microwaves are pretty much disposable. The magnetron is the most expensive part of it.

[Mercula]

There is almost always a small fuse behind the vent panel or control panel. Might want to take a look there first.
i had a fork pop one at work just the other day.

[Erni]

Unless it is a built in and replacing it is impossible or requires buying an oven to match just get a new one.

Changing the magneto is possible, but you need to take caution to not ride the lightning.

[buffalobo]

Depends on how old the kid is if he is a surly teenager can?t repair until 25 or so when the testosterone dropsHaha, could probably shorten it up with some labor added in.

[earplug]

Craigslist. Or a refurbished from Amazon.

[Irving]

Buying a used microwave is gross, I've done it. Having your own grease is gross enough, but when it's someone else's, it just feels worse.

[battlemidget]

Did you let the smoke out of it?

[Gman]

Did you let the smoke out of it?

If you let the magic smoke out, it never works again. ;-)

[beast556]

Check the fuse like other poster said, if not the fuse replace it.

[SideShow Bob]

As mentioned, it could be as simple as a fuse, if it is dark, no lights, no display. Take the metal cover off and look for fuses, follow the wiring to the circuit board an look along the way and on the board.
If you have lights but no display, you probably have a fried circuit board. Depending how much the microwave oven cost and the price of a replacement circuit board, you may be better off getting a new oven.
If you have lights and displays but no warming when turned on, the magnetron is fried. Same as above , buy a new oven.

[Duman]

My history with nukes is the electronics surrounding the magnetron go bad. Replacement electronics cost about price of new nuke.

Magnetrons are pretty robust.

[Not_A_Llama]

Fuse. Magnetrons are basically unitized and sturdy these days.

[GilpinGuy]

I haven't had a chance to mess with this thing yet. We've not had a microwave for a few months now and I only miss it for heating up leftovers. The teenager who broke the thing hates not having it because he has to actually COOK FOOD instead of microwaving crap. That was part of the the point of not fixing/replacing it anyway: stopping the microwave garbage food. Haven't bought any since it busted and won't after we fix it/get a new one.

This thing is just over a year old. Everything works (lights, display, vent, turntable thingy) but wont heat anything. Most likely the magnetron then I guess. [Mad]

Thanks for the replies.

[Duman]

I've got a couple magetrons kicking around.... might not fit, but we could try, maybe light up your house..... [Coffee]

[Gman]

Hmmm, wireless power. Tesla would have been happy.

[BushMasterBoy]

Do NOT ever take a magnetron apart. They contain beryllium oxide. This stuff is almost as toxic as plutonium. The magnetron is not as tough as they say. If the output cavity is damaged, the whole thing goes to the landfill.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_oxide

[electronman1729]

Do you still have the microwave?

[Duman]

Do NOT ever take a magnetron apart. They contain beryllium oxide. This stuff is almost as toxic as plutonium. The magnetron is not as tough as they say. If the output cavity is damaged, the whole thing goes to the landfill.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_oxide

As long as you don't muck around with the ceramic, you're fine. I doubt the toxicity is as high as plutonium.

[BushMasterBoy]

As long as you don't muck around with the ceramic, you're fine. I doubt the toxicity is as high as plutonium.

Plutonium is what killed my father. Beryllium is what damaged my sinus. 2 micrograms per cubic meter is OSHA limit. The Air Force didn't give a flying fuck about either of us.