Important. If you remove the case from your microwave you must unplug it from the mains at least 5 minutes beforehand.
Never run the microwave without the case fitted securely in place-
there are very high voltages (3000 V) inside when it is operating..
One of the more common problems is that a microwave oven just "dies" after a period of use, then returns to life after about half an hour.
There can be several reasons for this;
1) A blocked air vent may be causing it to overheat, check all the air vents for blockages cleaning with a stiff, dry brush as required. Never get water into the air vents.
2) Make sure that the microwave is not sucking in hot air from a hob, gas ring or oven, this will cause your microwave to overheat very quickly. Also if its under a worktop, or inside a cupboard make sure there is plenty of room for air to flow around it; make sure there's about 50 to 60mm gap at the sides, and the top, with about 100 to 150mm gap behind the microwave. Plenty of ventilation and cool air is essential for your microwave oven.
3) If the air vents are clear, but the microwave still runs hot and "dies" after a period, then there is probably a problem with the magnetron or the cooling fan motor, if you can hear the fan "whirring" them there is a good chance the magnetron is overheating. The only cure is to replace the magnetron. Depending on the type of microwave a magnetron can cost from £30 to £60.
1) The usual cause is that the wavguide cover (this is a square or rectangular piece of mica -looks like cardboard- or plastic) has become burned due to food splashes causing a hot spot. Please remove the cover and check behind it to make sure that the re is nothing behind the cover which is damaged (such as the magnetron). The wavguide cover can be replaced quite easily. We sell new waveguide covers complete with fitting instructions through our retail website kitchenwareonline; NB. you will need to know the make and model of microwave to buy one as they vary quite considerably between different models of oven.
2) Sometimes the coupling under the turntable tray can start to burn if it's got a bit dirty from a food spilllage. These can often be lifted out, and a new one pushed into place, carefully as there is usually a flat on the dtive shaft which needs to be located correctly.
Make sure you clean up any burn marks or food debris before fitting a new one.
3) This can be caused by a faulty magnetron arcing to the waveguide cover, in which case both parts will need replacing. The part of the magnetron which is behind the cover looks like a ceramic ring with a metal cap on it, this is the antenna, if this is burned the magnetron will have to be replaced.
1) Underneath the turntable there will be a coupling of some sort (usually looks like a dark brown plastic "clover leaf" shape). If you can get this out without breaking it, check the shaft to see if its cracked or worn, if it is then we can probably sell you a replacement through our website kitchenwareonline; NB. you will need to know the make and model of microwave to buy one as they vary quite considerably between different models of oven.
If the coupling looks OK then the motor has probably failed, we also sell these through our website.