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Six Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Microwave

Any home design would be incomplete without a microwave.

Any home design would be incomplete without a microwave. Microwave ovens are becoming an indispensable part of the modern kitchen, useful not only for reheating leftovers but also for defrosting frozen food and quickly cooking a nice meal. Unfortunately, no appliance can last forever, and similarly, the time to replace your microwave comes when it starts showing signs of wear or inefficiency. At some point, you may need to get it repaired or replaced. With the help of Pittsburgh Appliance Repair Company, you can extend the life of your microwave with regular repairs and maintenance.

However, if you are looking to replace your microwave, there are certain signs you need to check or take note of.

It Takes A Longer Time To Cook

Microwaves are known for their quick-heating capabilities. Therefore, when it takes longer to cook, then there is a problem. Microwave not heating is a common problem.

If you think your microwave’s power is waning, you may want to give it a test. Place a mug of water in the microwave and set it at high power for 2 minutes. If the water doesn’t get steaming hot, then there might be a problem with the magnetron. In case the magnetron is burned, you will have to replace the microwave, as it cannot be repaired. Other causes behind this problem can be capacitor burn and faulty diodes.

Unusual Sound

Microwaves generally are quiet, making no more than a gentle hum. However, when the microwave starts making an unusual noise, then something is amiss.

The first thing you need to do is check the turntable blades if they get jammed. Check if there is any food or debris lodged in there. Also, you can check if the plate is touching the walls of the microwave.

Try again after cleaning and resembling the plate. If the sound continues again, there might be an internal issue. To resolve the internal issue, contact a repair company, or replace the microwave.

Microwave Is Too Old

Usually, most microwaves are built to last for ten years. But depending on the company and maintenance, they might last longer.

Even if your microwave passes the decade mark and is working properly, you can still consider upgrading it with new technology, which is more energy-efficient compared to the older one.

Spark And Burning Smell

Spark, smoke, or burning smell is a sign of a serious problem. When you notice this, unplug the microwave. This is the sign that the magnetron is burnt or your microwave has failed. Never try to fix the problem yourself; electric shocks from microwaves are fatal.

If this happens, your microwave has failed, and this is the time to replace it.

The Door Doesn’t Seal Properly

The door seal is an important safety feature designed to contain low levels of radiation. If the door seal is not working properly, it can leak the microwave radiation.

Although microwave radiations are non-ionized, this does not mean they are risk-free. The radiation from the microwave can cause damage to blood tissue, in a similar way it affects the water content to heat the food.

So, if you see something like a crack on your microwave’s door, it’s time to replace the door or replace your microwave.

Keypad Stops Working

The keypad is an integral part of microwave cooking. If the keypad fails, things may go downhill. The reason might be the touchpad or control panel is defective or has been damaged. Another possible reason can be the defective main control board.

Sometimes, the keypad only requires a simple cleaning. If it doesn’t start working with normal cleaning, then you might have to call the microwave company or get the microwave replaced.

If you think your microwave is not working properly, you must consider all these steps before replacing your microwave. Because in some cases cleaning and maintaining the microwave can make it work properly.

If you have already bought a new microwave, make sure to schedule a maintenance appointment with trained professionals. This will increase the lifespan of your microwave.