How to fix a burned microwave

Happy Valentines Day peeps. Now that I've dispensed with the pleasantries I need some TT advice. I've added a new notch to my culinary belt - I burned my microwave. Yes the actual microwave. I was warming up a potato, a potato dammit on a glass plate, and I accidentally added one zero to many. Anyhoo I got busy chattering, though nothing to do with midgets, clowns, pikeys or what have you, and I forget all about it. Next thing I know my kitchen is all smoky. So I've got it all cleaned up, plate is burned and so is the micro. I've tried cleaning it properly and airing it out (24 hours) with a bowl of vinegar in there. It works fine, I've cooked other stuff which temporarily masks the smell - yay bacon- but the burned plastic smell is still strong. I know you're thinking no way does that microwave smell from a potato, hell if it wasn't my micro I'd call me a liar but sure enough, I have a very clean, fully function but noticeably smelly microwave...how long will this last? Right now, the word linger comes to mind, which I have just added to the list of words I can't stand, i.e. moist and linger. Its a short list.

Anyway, aside from giving it a good cleaning and leaving the door standing, is there anything else I should try?`

Activated charcoal? Supposed to be better than baking soda. Don't know where you get it though. Happy V-Day.

What burned? A microwave has typically only metal parts in the main oven to form the Faraday cage, plus a venting system. Could it be the heat of the overheating has burned plastic components behind the metal inner shield? If so, then it's danegeous, especially if the burned plastic was previously protecting electrical components such as the magnetron (which is fed with high voltage) or the control electronics. If you feel the smell is coming from anywhere else but the cooking compartment have it checked over by a professional or replace it. If the heat has damaged the door seals or the magnetron waveguides, don't cancel the sterilisation appointment at the family planning clinic - it might no longer be necessary.

thought Vag day was on 8th & 9th March??

If you completely nuked the spud, ie reduced it to a walnut-sized cinder of its former Rooneyesque glory over a longer period of time, the chances are that arcing has occured and you've damaged the magnetron. As YL6 says, get a professional or replace it. Malfunctioning magnetrons are potentially quite dangerous.

Wow, I was expecting something along the lines of "rub it down with lemon juice during the next full moon like wot Martha says" not "you busted a magnetron and now all the nuts in a 3 block radius are going to fall off." Sounds like I should go shopping. Thanks guys!

j-shaking fist at magnetrons and new potatoes-ml

Or start a new thread: Homemade Radar/Microwave Deathray - How Do I Build One Out Of My Banjaxed Microwave?

Thank you jml You've made me laugh (quite out of control, I might add) on what was a horrible Friday morning. Happy shopping for a new microwave. If it makes you feel any better, you can whistle "Taps" before you drop the old one in the elektroschrott container

Donate the dead microwave to your neighbors.

Better yet donate it to a neighbour you do not like or do not get along with.

JML does not like the words "moist" and "linger".

Situations to avoid include Ireland during any season and sapphic stuntperson conventions.

Awesome manga film. One of my favourites.

If they ever remake Flesh Gordon this line has to be used. Priceless!

Go buy a proper microwave instead some cheap tat from a flea market, jml. I mean, whomever heard of a spud killing a proper, well-built PROFESSIONAL microwave? You'll be telling us a pea dislodged the controls next, or molten butter caused the glass plate to slip off and cleave your cleaning woman's head right off.

And another thing, if you're intending microwaving your neighbours for 'a bit of a laugh', then it is entirely possible that the plastic, throwaway variant of microwave that can be destroyed by a solitary spud might, just might leave you looking stupid standing in nothing but a Superperson's outfit in their doorway, wielding said kitchen appliance and well within twattable range.

Failing that, read the guarantee and prepare thyself for a legal action.

When is the funeral for the spud and where do we send flowers and condolences?

Fuck me!

I thought nobody else but me and a posh girl from Headington Girls School had ever seen this.

Flesh Gordon was a classic. Saw it when I was a young lad and had never seen a nekkid lady in my life. Though it was the most exciting thing I'd ever experienced.

Keep meaning to hire it out again. Its on video in the English video store!

Just remember geez that microwave ovens retain a massive current for several hours after they've been switched off so don't go taking it apart! A mate of an old work colleague was killed trying to do some home repairs to his. Having once completely set fire to a microwave at work once & stunk the office building out, I had the worrying job of picking it up & throwing it out. Be carefull

Oh my goodness...I agree with Oden, this is the best laugh I have had in a while! Much needed after a cruddy week!

@jml: You are not the only one that has done this. I set fire to a bag of popcorn two months ago and still cant get rid of that stinky burnt corn/plasticky smell!

I guess I better dump mine in the bin too. If my husband wakes up and finds his treasured nuggets missing, he will surely blame me for it!

Wha...???