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steve(ill) 
Orange Level Access
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 86137
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 Topic: Microwave repair
Posted: 31 Dec 2021 at 4:19pm |
This is interesting, though might help someone.
I had one of those $89. microwaves for 5 years and it stopped putting out heat a year ago.. I bought another one and put the old one on the shelf thinking i might use the box sometime... Skip forward a year and the NEW microwave does not heat good either.. Takes about 2 minutes to heat what use to take 30- 60 seconds... Looked on the internet and several different "possible " causes related to the "magnatron" thet generates the microwave waves that get things hot...
FIRST and most simple thing is there is a 4 inch square "window" inside the microwave that is made out of "MICA" ... apparently the WAVES come thru this and the "window" is to keep food from splashing up the hole and get on the magnatron..... The TEST was to remove the mica window and try to heat a cup of water... IT WORKS !! ... So i went out and got the old microwave and tried it.... sure enough IT WORKS..
I have never heard of this before.. The mica "window" dont have to be real dirty.. a little grease or crud smeared on the surface is enough to cut efficiency 50-80%.. You can buy these little mica windows as 5" x 5" sheets and cut to your specific size.. 4 of them cost about $10. on the internet... In the mean time, you can use the microwave without the window, but DONT get food / grease up the port hole toward the magnatron !
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Hubert (Ga)engine7
Orange Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Jackson Cnty,GA
Points: 6415
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Posted: 31 Dec 2021 at 5:54pm |
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Good advice, Steve. I have replaced a couple of those windows.
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Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.
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JW in MO
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Joined: 16 Feb 2010
Location: South KC Area
Points: 2649
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Posted: 31 Dec 2021 at 8:34pm |
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I've got one that all the sudden the turntable wouldn't work, everything else sounded like it was working but no heat. Found the door had 2 microswitches, one was bad, $2 later we're heating and turning again. Never heard of the window thing, wonder how many have been junked because of it?
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Maximum use of available resources!
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alan-nj
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: oxford, nj
Points: 847
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Posted: 01 Jan 2022 at 11:07am |
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Interesting. I still use the first microwave I bought....in 1984. Big heavy thing, branded JC Penny, made by GE. No turntable, plenty of room. Lately taking a bit longer to heat things....maybe its dirty?
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If ignorance is bliss, than happy days are here again.
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Dennis(IA)
Silver Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: IOWA
Points: 356
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Posted: 01 Jan 2022 at 1:00pm |
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Those first microwaves were very heavy.
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Brian F(IL)
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Paxton, IL
Points: 2707
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Posted: 01 Jan 2022 at 1:01pm |
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We've still got a microwave we received as a wedding present. Still works after 36 years.
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steve(ill)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 86137
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Posted: 01 Jan 2022 at 1:09pm |
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Our "first" lasted 20 years.. NEVER had to do anything to it.. Since then i have had 3-4 and problems more often... Wife set her cook book up against the vent on the last one.. Overheated and the TEMPS SWITCH went out... i have done a couple of them..also on the dryer.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Stan IL&TN
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Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Elvis Land
Points: 6730
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Posted: 01 Jan 2022 at 9:21pm |
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Steve if you would clean that nasty thing every decade or so you wouldn't have these problems.😜
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1957 WD45 dad's first AC
1968 one-seventy
1956 F40 Ferguson
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steve(ill)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 86137
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Posted: 01 Jan 2022 at 9:41pm |
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Ted J
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Joined: 05 Jul 2010
Location: La Crosse, WI
Points: 18923
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Posted: 02 Jan 2022 at 10:17pm |
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Thanks Steve, I'm gonna have to check ours out! Just doesn't have the zip (zap) like it used to.
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"Allis-Express"
19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17
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Steve M Ind
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Springport IN
Points: 64
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Posted: 03 Jan 2022 at 12:07pm |
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We still have a microwave just like you describe. JC Penney, big & heavy and wood grain look to it. Got it for a wedding gift in 1987. Still use it daily!!
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Gerry D17
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Joined: 25 Dec 2011
Points: 21
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Posted: 04 Jan 2022 at 8:40pm |
Hi all, just a bit of info on working on a microwave. Be aware that they hold a electric charge even when unplugged. Many have learnt this fiddling around with them 
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sho-man1
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Wylie, TX
Points: 191
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Posted: 05 Jan 2022 at 8:50am |
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The most expensive part in a microwave oven is the door interlock switch...That is one thing the MFG does not want to fail, but if it does, it fails with the magnetron shorted to ground. Then the breakers start tripping.
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