Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

Well, I think the only thing you can do is turn this into a game, and mebbe
make some money:
Take bets on just how long this oven will last--2 bangs, 5 bangs, 10
bangs....

Clearly you don't want to walk away from this thing while it's on. In fact,
you might just want to unplug it when not in use.
If it were me, I would do as I just said, and use it under a watchful eye,
and start shopping for a replacement now.

It might could be that in some previous use, food "exploded" into some
internal connection, and it occasionally burns off, energetically.
The only solution is to take the whole thing apart, clean what's dirty,
mebbe pull/re-seat the magnetron etc.

Either way, you got a crap shoot on yer hands.
I would take it apart, as I think it might be inneresting, and imo you
really don't have much to lose.
--
------
Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY

Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way*
to Materially Improve Your Family's Life.
The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive!

entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

wrote in message
That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

Give the history of fire, I'd not want it in my house. For $60 to $100,
there are all sorts of models with features probably very close to what you
have. Repairing it will probably cost more than a new unit with a warranty.

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4


Clean the area up real well and get a new cover (wave guide). Some appliance
dealers can cut you a new cover from bulk stock.

Might try this website...

www.RepairClinic.com

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

DA had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...le-230744-.htm
:
wrote:


I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire.

A microwave may be repairable but the one that "occasionally catches on
fire"?! Why even bother? Compared to having to deal with a major fire in
the house started by this MW, shelling out a $100 or less on a replacement
seems a total no-brainer to me.


\//.
-------------------------------------




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Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
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Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

On Jul 3, 2:23 pm, (DA) wrote:
DA had written this in response tohttp://www.thestuccocompany.com/maintenance/Microwave-oven-catches-on...
:

wrote:
I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire.

A microwave may be repairable but the one that "occasionally catches on
fire"?! Why even bother? Compared to having to deal with a major fire in
the house started by this MW, shelling out a $100 or less on a replacement
seems a total no-brainer to me.

When the kid at Best Buy wants to sell me an extended warranty on a
microwave, I tell him, "Microwaves are like toasters. When they quit
working you throw them out."
Frank

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:

wrote in message
oups.com...

I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4



Clean the area up real well and get a new cover (wave guide). Some appliance
dealers can cut you a new cover from bulk stock.

And then sit back and wait for the next fire?

Surely you jest sir... G

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

"Jeff Wisnia" wrote in message
...
kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:

wrote in message
oups.com...

I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4



Clean the area up real well and get a new cover (wave guide). Some
appliance
dealers can cut you a new cover from bulk stock.

And then sit back and wait for the next fire?

Surely you jest sir... G


No, clean the cabinet and replace the shield and it's as good as new.

That's the reason it happened the second time, cause he didn't replace the
wave guard cover!

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

"Frank" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Jul 3, 2:23 pm, (DA) wrote:
DA had written this in response
tohttp://www.thestuccocompany.com/maintenance/Microwave-oven-catches-on...
:

wrote:
I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire.

A microwave may be repairable but the one that "occasionally catches on
fire"?! Why even bother? Compared to having to deal with a major fire in
the house started by this MW, shelling out a $100 or less on a
replacement
seems a total no-brainer to me.

When the kid at Best Buy wants to sell me an extended warranty on a
microwave, I tell him, "Microwaves are like toasters. When they quit
working you throw them out."
Frank


True, but for $5 dollars, this one can be fixed. :-)

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:
"Jeff Wisnia" wrote in message
...

kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:


wrote in message
egroups.com...


I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4



Clean the area up real well and get a new cover (wave guide). Some

appliance

dealers can cut you a new cover from bulk stock.

And then sit back and wait for the next fire?

Surely you jest sir... G



No, clean the cabinet and replace the shield and it's as good as new.

That's the reason it happened the second time, cause he didn't replace the
wave guard cover!





I defer to your knowledge and experience, but my curious mind wants to
know what material actually cought on fire. Was it part of that 2T of
margarine which vaporized and combined with air to form a flammable mixture?

I can't recall reading any warnings about stuff like that, but like so
many folks I don't always RTFM for "self evident" things like microwave
ovens. G

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

"Jeff Wisnia" wrote in message
...
kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:
"Jeff Wisnia" wrote in message
...

kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:


wrote in message
egroups.com...


I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4



Clean the area up real well and get a new cover (wave guide). Some

appliance

dealers can cut you a new cover from bulk stock.

And then sit back and wait for the next fire?

Surely you jest sir... G



No, clean the cabinet and replace the shield and it's as good as new.

That's the reason it happened the second time, cause he didn't replace
the
wave guard cover!





I defer to your knowledge and experience, but my curious mind wants to
know what material actually cought on fire. Was it part of that 2T of
margarine which vaporized and combined with air to form a flammable
mixture?


The cover is normally a cardboard material that has a special coating on it,
very few are made of plastic.

The materail that caught on fire is a combination of food that has splatter
on the wall of the oven over the last few weeks, months or years. This is a
pretty common issue with microwaves.

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

wrote:
I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4

It should be replaced. Regardless of that, ANY microwave, when heating
something small in volume, place a cup full or water in the microwave along
with it. Read the booklets; they'll tell you that, too.

Pop`

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

wrote in news:1183484540.809993.300820
@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com:

I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4



Samsung=consumables=disposables

... fire coming from behind a cover...
....
... I have used the oven since, and it is still working fine.

Willing to bet your life on it?

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

In , kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:

(On fixing a microwave that has had fires develop in it more than once
before)

True, but for $5 dollars, this one can be fixed. :-)

Would I want to be supervising it every second it was running in case
the fix did not fix the right thing or in case there was more than one
problem and not all problems got fixed?

One more thing: Cooking of popcorn requires some attention. Its rate
of temperature rise accelerates after it is "done", especially in a
microwave, and popcorn is normally as done as it should get before every
poppable kernel has popped.
Several months ago the Daily Pennsylvanian mentioned cooking of popcorn
as being a major cause of fires in student residences.
Extra vigilence is recommended if you try a different quantity or brand
of popcorn, or a different microwave from one you are used to for
microwaving popcorn.

- Don Klipstein )

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 23:06:59 +0000 (UTC), (Don
Klipstein) wrote:


Several months ago the Daily Pennsylvanian mentioned cooking of popcorn
as being a major cause of fires in student residences.

Of course they're stupid, and known to have a water fight, take a
ahower, study for a test, and go to sleep between the time they start
the microwave and the time they turn it off.

Extra vigilence is recommended if you try a different quantity or brand
of popcorn, or a different microwave from one you are used to for
microwaving popcorn.

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

"Don Klipstein" wrote in message
...
In , kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:

(On fixing a microwave that has had fires develop in it more than once
before)

True, but for $5 dollars, this one can be fixed. :-)

Would I want to be supervising it every second it was running in case
the fix did not fix the right thing or in case there was more than one
problem and not all problems got fixed?


If your not up to the repair, by all means knock yourself out and purchase a
new unit.

However, I have repaired many microwaves that has this little issue and it's
an easy fix. But I guess you just replace EVERYTHING when something little
malfunctions!

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

Yeah...small problem.

On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:42:20 -0700, wrote:

I have a small problem with my Samsung microwave where it occasionally
catches on fire. It last occurred when I was heating 2T of margarine
in a cup. I heard a bang, then saw the fire coming from behind a cover
which is presumably where the magnetron tube is. But I have used the
oven since, and it is still working fine. This same sudden fire
problem occurred many months before, where again, the oven worked fine
afterward. I have melted margarine like this many times since and used
the oven many times during those months, so I don't know why all of a
sudden it decides to go pyro on me.

That's the basis of my query: Can anyone tell me what might be causing
this, what to check and how to fix it so it doesn't happen again? I do
not want to risk fire when I am not around to monitor what's going on
with the oven, but at the same time, I do not want to replace it. I
have looked at getting another oven, but there's nothing that I like
as much as my Samsung. It has the size, the looks and the advanced
controls (ie. one touch, defrosting, etc) that I like.

This is a pic of what the damage looks like on the interior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...mtxmvt&thumb=4


And one of the exterior:

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...noyvgd&thumb=4

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

"FM" wrote in message
...
Toss the stupid thing and buy a new one.

This is why we are running out of space for landfills.

They're filling up to quickly, cause when things break, throw it away! :-(

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

In article , kjpro @
usenet.com wrote:

"Don Klipstein" wrote in message
...
In , kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:

(On fixing a microwave that has had fires develop in it more than once
before)

True, but for $5 dollars, this one can be fixed. :-)

Would I want to be supervising it every second it was running in case
the fix did not fix the right thing or in case there was more than one
problem and not all problems got fixed?


If your not up to the repair, by all means knock yourself out and purchase a
new unit.

However, I have repaired many microwaves that has this little issue and it's
an easy fix. But I guess you just replace EVERYTHING when something little
malfunctions!

If something has caught fire a few times, I don't think that's some
little malfunction. I have repaired electronic equipment before. If a
piece of equipment that is not particularly expensive has had a few fires,
I think my time is better spent earning money to buy a replacement than
repairing it and making sure it is really fixed and that no critical
damage was caused by any of the fires.

- Don Klipstein )

Microwave oven catches on fire. Repairable?
 

"Don Klipstein" wrote in message
...
In article , kjpro @
usenet.com wrote:

"Don Klipstein" wrote in message
...
In , kjpro @ usenet.com
wrote:

(On fixing a microwave that has had fires develop in it more than once
before)

True, but for $5 dollars, this one can be fixed. :-)

Would I want to be supervising it every second it was running in case
the fix did not fix the right thing or in case there was more than one
problem and not all problems got fixed?


If your not up to the repair, by all means knock yourself out and
purchase a
new unit.

However, I have repaired many microwaves that has this little issue and
it's
an easy fix. But I guess you just replace EVERYTHING when something
little
malfunctions!

If something has caught fire a few times, I don't think that's some
little malfunction. I have repaired electronic equipment before. If a
piece of equipment that is not particularly expensive has had a few fires,
I think my time is better spent earning money to buy a replacement than
repairing it and making sure it is really fixed and that no critical
damage was caused by any of the fires.

- Don Klipstein )


The issue of more than one fire is nothing, when he has NEVER actually fixed
the real problem.

Ex. House fire, electrical wiring. Replace wiring in question or build a
complete new home??????