Microwave Meltdown

[oldhouseman]

I was wondering if this has happened to anybody else here...

Yesterday afternoon when we returned home from the work the microwave was beeping and flashed "SENSOR ERROR" across the control panel. I reset the machine and didn't think to much about it since we have power outages frequently in the summer.

A while later (2 hours) the machine started the beeping again and the same message flashed across the panel -except this time the entire machine was so hot I could not touch it! I thought it was about to catch fire it was so hot. It left a bit of a burn mark on the counter.

I unplugged the unit. After it cooled down last night I decided to take it the the curb and dump it. I cut the power cord off so nobody would try to use the machine, I believe it's not safe.

The machine was only a little over two years old, GE, 1200 watt profile countertop model.

Has anyone else had this happen with a microwave?

I have decided not to replace the machine. I never used it. My partner wanted to have one on hand so we decided he can pick one out if he is so inclined.

 

[pdub]

Speaking of Amana Radaranges

Here is one I got for free off of craigslist. It took forever to connect with the person getting rid of it but it was worth it. I looked for this for a long time as I had previously owned a Touchmatic II and sold it to a friend once I had a built in one above the stove.

 

[pdub]

Here were some of the things that came with it.

 

[blackstone]

I have never heard of a microwave heating up by itself. Normally, they stop working, not start working. Just another reason to get an older microwave oven with a rotary mechanical timer, instead of the push button flat panel variety.

 

[whirlcool]

The only negative experience we have had with a microwave was with a 1977 Litton. Karen was popping some popcorn in it and all of a sudden we heard this "crash" sound. It was very loud. What happened was the removable glass plate that goes on the floor of the microwave cavity exploded while popping the popcorn.
The door contained the entire mess. I think the problem was that the popcorn bag should have been put on a plate or something and not directly on the glass.
We still have this microwave in our garage, it works but we don't use it without the glass. We have been most unsuccessful in finding a replacement glass.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Hi Allen,

Replacement glass plates/trays can sometimes be found on eBay (59 show up using "microwave glass tray" for the search and 55 using "plate" instead of "tray"). We sometimes pick them up at the transfer station as they make great serving trays once run through the dishwasher! None are from a machine that old though (more of the newer ones give out quicker?). I'm guessing yours was stationary?

There's also a website that has them (link below). A search for "Litton" yielded only one item, and it wasn't a plate/tray. I wonder if they might know where to get one?

Good luck,
Chuck

http://microwaveglasstrays.com/shop/

 

[toggleswitch2]

Here are four little words I beleive in for electroics:

Hard power-down swich.

A simple switch that cuts off all line voltage.

Forget the B/S electronics. And if one MUST have them, give me a good 'ole mechanical (Toggle) switch that cuts off all the power. PERIOD.

Glad you are ok and your house is still standing.

 

[laundryshark]

Sunbeam to Hamilton Beach

I once had a Sunbeam Microwave, which was a Wal-Mart cheap-o. It was a small unit with a turntable, but with a set of two knobs, one for starting and timing, and the other for power levels. Only had this micro for about three years and one day, it caused the outlet to pop out the safety switch. Glad I gave total respect to that safety measure or else I would be asking for big trouble. Still have the small turntable plate, along with the tracking ring or whatever it's called that causes the plate to rotate and fit properly in that particular unit. Now I have this Hamilton Beach unit with synthetic speech. It's a bigger model, but with turntable and buttons or knobs that can be pressed or turned.--Laundry Shark

http://www.hb-microwaves.com/87108.php

 

[rp2813]

I just left my mechanical timer 1980 Panasonic behind at the house we moved out of. It was too big to fit under any of the cabinets at the "new" place. I loved that oven and it had a temperature probe, something you don't find anymore today. I would have kept it if it wasn't so large.

I replaced it with another Panasonic that seems to be the easiest type to use with a knob to turn to set the minutes. It seems like the least amount of touchpad nonsense is required with the Panasonic system. I also like the "Inverter" technology that actually reduces the power level rather than cycling on & off when you are cooking at lower speeds. It has nearly double the wattage of the old one, so for now I'm pleased with the new oven but will definitely miss the ease of use the old one afforded.

 

[coldspot]

ow must be that time of the year. My microwave witch I never use much is being a odd ball. You can run it with the door open. NOT SAFE at all. It is a samsung unit. Unlike most of the other one I seen there safety switch is not inside the unit but even with the frame behind the door. Odd thing I say.

Bad thing I like the oven and grill part of this one. Gave samsung a call they no longer make counter top type units in the usa. Odd wonder if they had a problem with them before. I got this one in 2002.

The price now days with the oven and grill is out the roof. I paid new about $89.00 for it and it is big with the pull down type door. Witch I also like a lot more then the swing type door. Also has the oven racks and pans to bake on. Sucker gets up to 450f and about 3 minuets flat. Well it use to elements also are getting odd they fold down from the side of the unit and the gear is starting to go bad. They also no longer make that part for this unit.

The inside is made of porcelain and hard aa heck to clean.

 

[cadman]

Oh heavens..

Guys, one word: Radarange.

You would not believe the emails I routinely get from folks looking for a replacement tray for their Amana. The stories always mention how dear the machine is to them and how their parents bought it new in 197x and how they wouldn't think of replacing it and so on and so forth. In many cases they've looked at store-bought replacements since where are you gonna' find a tray? and can't believe what things have come to. A sad, sad, state of affairs.

 

[jeffg]

How does one know it's time to replace a microwave oven? We've been using the same one for 20+ years (a Panasonic) and it still works fine. But I assume the magnetron/wiring/etc has some kind of lifespan?

 

[whirlcool]

One thing I have noticed..

is that modern microwaves are quieter than the older ones. Our Litton (Model 412) was a manual dial variable power model. It was pretty quiet when you had it on full power, but if you used, say "Roast" it would make this LOUD click noise as the magnetron cycled on and off. You couldn't hear it across the house, but you definitely knew it was running.
It also seems modern microwaves are more even in their cooking too.

 

[sudsmaster]

Friends don't let friends buy (new) GE appliances...

;-)

 

[jaytag]

GE Microwave

I had one GE that I bought for my parents in 1985 that lasted until 2003. I had one that I bought for my self in 1995 that caught fire in 2000. Prior to that it would stop working due to overheating. I think they had an issue. But now, most microwaves regardless of American name brand are made in china....just about like all of our other appliances will be in 10 years, thanks to George W Bush.

 

[whirlcool]

I'm willing to bet that the long lasting GE model was a JET model.

 

[gansky1]

Oh - I thought of you a couple of weeks ago, Cory. I saw an Amana Radarange micro-convection unit. One of the originals, giant beast that the owner had a cabinet built for in the kitchen - remodeled about the same time. It was mint and had all the goodies with it (books, etc.) but it wasn't for sale. "Stays with the house" is always the reply. That means until the dumpster shows up in the driveway two days after closing!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

The church I grew up in had an Amana Radarange in the kitchen. It had nice big push buttons. We grew up with a Tappan with woodgrain around the sides. It had a square glass plate, with no turntable. It had a probe and a browning feature. It seemed to work well.

Now, I have this one in my apartment...

I got it at Big Lots for 80 bucks. I actually bought it because of the bread maker attachment, which I use regularly. It's not the most fully featured or powerful microwave in the world, but it seems to do OK. It has a toaster oven feature (but doesn't work great), a breadmaker (works great), a cake baking/fried rice pan (never used), and a rotisserie attachment (used twice, once fine, once I made "blackened" cornish game hen, but NOT on purpose)... It talks as well. It has the voice of an Asian female child according to everyone who's heard it... it says, "Attention, it's hot; error; please select mode or press start." When I first plug it in, it says, "Welcome to the use of this microwave oven." The display lights up blue at night if I have the clock set, but I don't do it because the blue light makes an annoying hum sound. I don't expect it to last long, but it's been OK for the first couple years. This model wasn't popular (things that end up at Big Lots usually aren't), I can't find anything out about it online. I don't know who made it for Cooks Essentials (the QVC brand). I just wanted stainless steel and a bread maker!

Sorry about your melt down, but I'm glad it wasn't more serious and that there was no real damage to the home!

 

[blackstone]

Huh??

7/32/08????

 

[gansky1]

You got a Frigidaire washer with your Radarange, Patrick? Cool!

My aunt and uncle in Kansas City were the first family we knew with a microwave oven and your Touchmatic was the model they bought. I thought it was neatest thing I'd ever seen.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Microwave Ovens that switch themselves on

The UK had problem microwave ovens, around about 1985/1986, in the shape of Hoover (UK) machines. I think they were made by another manufacturer, but sold as Hoover.

They switched themselves on; apparently due to a faulty electronic control circuit. BBC consumer programme, "Watchdog", reported on it.

I seem to remember that they had a full-size, non-turntable glass tray; possibly employing a 'stirrer' wave-aerial system to compensate for lack of dish movement. (Our Comet Store own-brand 'Solavox' had both turntable and stirrer mechanism, at the time).

 

[rolls_rapide]

Here is a reference...

to the Hoover machines:

http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/fire_safety/recalls/detail.asp?id=117