Of all the kitchen appliances you have, the microwave probably has one of the shortest life spans – roughly around nine years or so. However, the good news is that both countertop and built-in microwaves on the market are usually quite inexpensive and you will be able to get another decent one without bursting a hole in your wallet. Here are the top 5 signs that indicates it is time for you to get a brand-new microwave.
Your Hear Loud Noises While It’s Cooking
If you have been hearing banging or buzzing noises while your microwave is cooking, it is not normal. If you take a peek in and notice that the turntable is off the base or the plate is touching the microwave walls, either of these could be the cause. You can try to clean and reassemble the turntable and wheel. However, if you notice the plate spinning well, you can check if there are any spattered food found in the vents. If so, you should thoroughly clean the interior of the microwave.
After you have checked those things, do a test run on your microwave: Place a cup of water inside and zap it for around 10 seconds. If you still hear some kind of non-typical microwave sound, it means there is a sign of a defective diode, high-voltage capacitor, or magnetron. In that case, it is recommended to get a new microwave.
It Takes A Long Time to Reheat Lunch
All microwaves have different power and cooking speeds, but if you observe that it takes forever just for you to reheat your lunch, it probably means that the magnetron controlling the radiation is failing. To test how well the microwave is working, you can do the mug test again, for two minutes on high this time round. When the buzzer goes off, you should see that your water is steaming hot. Otherwise, the machine is not in a good condition and you should replace it soon.
You See Fire or Smell Smoke
Smoke, fire, or sparks are all obvious signs that you should stop using the microwave immediately. In cases where there is a fire, wait for it to die down completely before opening the door. These are signs of an urgent and serious issue. Stop whatever you are doing and unplug and turn off the microwave. In such cases, you should definitely get a new appliance.
The Door Does Not Seal Properly
When the microwave is closed, the door should be sealed entirely. The point of having a good seal on your microwave is to ensure that the microwaves are contained to a tiny space. This is a very important safety feature designed to contain radiation. If the door appears broken, cracked, or severely worn, it is definitely time to get a new microwave.
The Keypad Does Not Function
One of the most essential parts of the microwave is the keypad. If your keypad does not respond when you punch in the power setting, cook time, or start button, it means that something is wrong. It could be that the keypad needs a thorough clean. However, if that does not work, it is time for a replacement.
