The average microwave oven lasts about seven years with normal use, and even less with heavy use and poor maintenance. A large family may find themselves replacing their appliance every four to five years as they become more reliant on its use to heat up snacks and leftovers, or to defrost meals.
You should replace your microwave every ten years. There are times, however, when you may need to replace it earlier. For example, when you damage the microwave, when it smells like smoke, when food is not heating up correctly, or when the keypad no longer works.
If your microwave is relatively new and the repair costs less than replacing it, the fix is worth it. But are microwaves worth repairing if something major is broken? Probably not. Consider getting a replacement appliance for about $100, which should work for 7 to 10 years.
If you take good care of your microwave up into its old age, there's a low risk of harm, but if it's damaged in any way you may want to get it checked out. If you've looked after it well, there's no reason why a vintage microwave should be dangerous.
Old age. If your microwave is approaching the 10-year mark, consider replacing it with a new, energy-efficient unit. Odd smells. A burning smell, smoke, or sparks are a sign something is amiss and you should immediately turn off and unplug the microwave and call for a repair.
If microwave ovens are used while broken or altered, it is possible for them to leak electromagnetic radiation. Microwave radiation leaks are hard to detect because you can't smell or see microwaves.
Although the average life of a magnetron tube is 22 years, a number of factors can cause that number to diminish and for the microwave oven to lose power more quickly.
Microwave cost
The average cost of a microwave is $100 to $600. In comparison, a new microwave costs $50 to $500 for countertop models, $150 to $600 for over-the-range types, and $400 to $2,000 for built-in.
If you have WiFi that operates on a 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) band, then you can use your cell phone to determine if a microwave is leaking radiation. Your microwave should read 5 milliwatts (mW) or less at a distance of about two inches from the microwave, according to the FDA.
If you're not sure if your microwave has been damaged, you can test it by putting a microwave-safe container with water inside and then running it for a minute. If the water isn't hot, the microwave has been damaged. If the microwave still heats, it hasn't been damaged and can still be used safely.
The most common cause for a microwave oven not working at all is a blown main fuse. The microwave main fuse will cut the flow of electricity if too much current passes through it.
New microwaves run more efficiently, and feature an enhanced standby mode that will further reduce your power bills. Efficiency: Not only does this power efficiency reduce your power bills, it also reduces the time it takes to actually cook the food. You can't put a price on your time!
Most people prefer a microwave with 700 watts (or more), as these models are still affordable and work great on microwave meals, popcorn, and other small items. If you're planning to do heavy-duty cooking in your microwave, you'll want a model with around 1,000 watts of power.
Models with a smaller footprint tend to be underpowered and usually don't perform as well in our tests. Microwaves from Breville, Hamilton Beach, Insignia, LG, Proctor-Silex, and Signature Kitchen Suite stand out as the most reliable brands; all six brands earn an Excellent rating.
The average life of a microwave magnetron tube is 2000 hours. It's possible to cook and heat food in a microwave oven for 2,000 hours before the oven loses power.
Replacing a microwave magnetron costs $100 to $200. This includes a part price of $50 to $100 and $50 to $100 for labor. A magnetron is the primary component that produces heat for the appliance.
Yes, you can stand a safe distance in front of the microwave. Microwave ovens are designed to keep in radiation. Against the glass, there is a protective mesh screen dotted with tiny holes.
The most commonly-used household item you should never put in the microwave is aluminum foil. It's essentially very thin metal which, when exposed to microwave radiation, will reflect the energy instead of absorbing it. This, in turn, can create sparks that could ruin the appliance, or worse, start a fire.
To check your microwave for leaks, turn the lights off, put a cup of water in the microwave, and run it for one minute. As it runs, hold a straight florescent lightbulb 5 cm from the surface of the microwave and move it 2.5 cm a minute. If the bulb begins to glow, you'll know you've found a leak.
The most common cause of an overheating magnetron is when too much energy is reflected back into the device. This can happen when you run your microwave empty (something you should never do), or if the turntable has been removed.
Don't leave the microwave on for too long because it will leave your food dry or burnt. Don't set the time for longer than 5 minutes without stirring or shaking your food to distribute the heat.
Take a resistance measurement between each of the magnetron's terminals by touching each probe to one terminal each. Reverse the probes and take a second resistance measurement. Each measurement should read less than one ohm. TEST 2: Set your ohmmeter to its highest resistance scale.