Most homes have a microwave. When working, this technique always makes sounds. But if the noise gets louder, it means something is not working correctly. Let's figure out why the device may crackle or make noise.
Why does the microwave make strange sounds?
There are several reasons why a microwave may make a loud noise, spark, or crackle:
- The mica plate burned through.
- Inside the microwave there are dishes that are made of metal or contain metal particles.
- If you don't put anything in the microwave and turn it on.
- The enamel inside is damaged.
Burnt diffuser plate
The mica plate can burn out if grease and dirt get behind the gasket. In this case, the metal begins to burn through, and the magnetron will be damaged.
In 80% of cases it is due to combustion mica plate The microwave begins to make strange noises and sparkle. The diffuser plate is located on the right side on the inner wall of the oven.
The magnetron burned out due to damage to the plate.
What to do in such a situation
You can repair the structure yourself. To do this you need:
- Turn off the microwave.
- Short-circuit the magnetron and capacitor.
- Check the condition of the mica. If it is damaged, replace the plate. It can be attached to the wall with self-tapping screws or plastic latches.
- Remove the magnetron.
- Check the cap. If it is intact and unburnt, install the magnetron in place. If the cap is damaged, replace it. If there is no cap at all, you will have to replace the magnetron.
A mica plate is needed to let it into the chamber electromagnetic waves, which are released by the magnetron. It also serves to protect the magnetron itself from food and dirt.
You can buy a mica plate at any store. household appliances.
How to avoid damage to the plate
Keep the heating chamber clean. Always remove any leftover food and grease. When heating food, it is recommended to cover it with a cap or a dry napkin, then fat will not get on the plate.
Damaged plate
What exactly can spark?
If your microwave is sparking and you want to repair it, you need to know how the device works.
One of the main elements of the device is a magnetron, which generates electromagnetic waves. If their voltage is high, oscillations appear high frequency. If the wavelength is 12 centimeters and the frequency is 2.4 gigahertz, the microwave starts working.
To prevent microwaves from escaping outside the appliance, keep the door closed at all times. Water heats up when electromagnetic waves and molecules come into contact.
Why sparks may appear
An electrical discharge occurs when two conductors come into contact. If contact occurs, sparks will appear. Such guides can be:
- Metal utensils.
- Foil.
- Items that contain metal.
Therefore, it is prohibited to place utensils made of metal in the microwave. If foil is needed for cooking, the distance between it and the microwave should be at least 3 centimeters.
Sparks can also occur if there is a container inside the microwave that is too large. Such containers touch the walls of the heating chamber, scratching the enamel.
If the conductors come into contact, an electrical discharge appears inside, and this can lead to breakdown. This is why the microwave crackles and creates sparks.
LG microwaves crackle and spark if they are empty (no food inside).
Sparks in the microwave
Waveguide cover
The magnetron is not located inside the microwave, but in a special waveguide chamber. There is a special cap at the top of the waveguide that prevents current from leaving the chamber. Such lids are made of plastic or mica.
If dirt, grease or food particles get on the lid, they may catch fire and make a cracking noise. The electricity that hits this dirt burns it, causing sparks and crackling sounds to appear inside.
If this happens, the cover will be damaged. If it is damaged, it is unlikely that you will be able to limit yourself to just replacing the cover itself; most likely, you will have to replace the magnetron and its cap. There is no point in cleaning the lid from carbon deposits, since the burnt areas have begun to metalize. Such a malfunction is very difficult to repair on your own. You'll have to turn to the experts.
Magnetron is the most important and expensive part microwave oven. Its cost can exceed $100. If the magnetron is damaged, there is a chance that electromagnetic waves will burn through one of the walls of the microwave.
This is what the waveguide cover looks like
Damage to enamel
Sparks may appear if the enamel inside the microwave is damaged. Due to constant temperature changes, it begins to deteriorate. You need to buy special enamel (at a hardware store) and apply it to the walls of the microwave. Do not look for a replacement enamel, as other solvents can lead to negative consequences.
Microwave enamels can be electrically conductive or special food grade (based on organic substances). Apply new enamel It is recommended to first remove the remains of the old one (only those areas that are damaged).
Worn enamel
Microwave "shoots"
The microwave may "shoot" or squeak if one of the following parts is damaged:
- Capacitor.
- Diode.
- Magnetron.
To check the capacitor, attach an ohmmeter. If the arrow is on it, then the capacitor is damaged and needs to be replaced.
The microwave may also spark if operated for more than 60 minutes. Internal parts begin to overheat and may fail. It is recommended to rest the microwave every 40 minutes.
Diode
It is easier to replace this part than to check its functionality. There are no specific characteristics that could indicate that the diode is the cause of extraneous sounds. You can try checking the capacitor. If it gets hot, the diode is faulty. But this phenomenon does not occur in all models of microwave ovens.
Very often contacts come off in microwaves.
If the magnetron is faulty, the food inside the microwave stops heating. Check it for carbon deposits or cracks. Replace if necessary.
It happens that food particles get caught under the rotating plate. Because of this, the plastic spindle burns out.
There are many reasons why a microwave oven sparks, crackles, or hums. Sometimes just washing the device is enough. In some cases, it is necessary to find the damaged part and replace it.
Like any electrical appliance, a microwave oven can malfunction. If the microwave sparks inside, this is a sign that it is broken. After turning on the device, sparks appear near the plate, the microwave crackles. There is a burning smell and a grinding noise. In such a situation, the microwave requires repair.
Causes of sparks
Possible causes of sparks in the microwave:
- When using metal utensils and touching the walls of the microwave. You can use metal utensils if this is permitted in the instructions.
- The mica diffuser burned out.
- Heating food in dishes decorated with gold or silver. The use of metal-coated utensils is prohibited in microwave ovens.
- The inner enamel is damaged. If there are scratches on the walls inside the microwave, the enamel may need to be restored. It is necessary to apply only special enamel, as other products may evaporate and get into the food.
These reasons affect the operation of the microwave oven in different ways. Most often it crackles and sparks inside. In any case, it needs repairs.
Mica plate burned out
The mica diffuser burns out due to fat that gets behind the surface of the mica. Subsequently, with active use of the microwave oven, the metal located behind the mica begins to burn through. The magnetron may also be damaged.
Steps to fix the problem yourself:
- Check the mica for defects. If the mica surface becomes dirty or burnt, it is necessary to replace the burnt part with a new one. Before installing a new mica plate, you must thoroughly clean the chamber inside the microwave of any accumulated fumes and grease.
- Carefully remove the magnetron without violating safety regulations. First you need to unplug the microwave oven from the outlet. Then short-circuit the capacitor for a while. Also on a short time short-circuit the magnetron.
- See if the cap on the magnetron is burnt. If it has not burned out, there is only a small spot, then we install it in its original place and connect it.
- If the cap is burnt, you need to change it, return the magnetron to its place and connect the network.
- If there is no cap at all, then the magnetron will need to be replaced.
To avoid malfunctions in the microwave oven, it must be covered with a special lid when cooking fatty foods.
Grease can get onto the mica diffuser and then onto the waveguide, causing the microwave to crackle and spark inside. Sparks can damage the microwave magnetron, which is the most expensive to repair. It is even possible to burn through the body.
The sparking process and rules for using a microwave oven
Let's take a closer look at the problem of why a microwave oven sparks and crackles. Sparks are an electric arc or discharge that is formed between 2 conductors. Foil, golden ornaments of dishes and other metal objects can act as conductors. An alternating electromagnetic field arises in the microwave, due to which it appears electricity in conductors.
A discharge or arc begins to form between conductors with different voltages, which the dielectric is unable to hold. In the case of a microwave oven, air acts as a dielectric.
Therefore, when heating food in a microwave oven, you need to use dishes without applying gold, silver or other metal elements.
When electric discharges appear in the microwave, the load on the microwave increases. electrical circuits, which most likely can lead to equipment failure. It is better not to repair a microwave oven yourself without the intervention of a specialist. Serious damage to the magnetron, diode or transformer may occur.
The influence of the waveguide cover on the serviceability of the microwave oven
Particular attention should be paid to the failure of the waveguide cover. This is due to the fact that the antenna from the magnetron emits waves not in the microwave oven chamber itself, where the product is located, but in a special recess called the waveguide chamber. Microwaves that come from the magnetron antenna penetrate into the chamber.
The waveguide chamber is closed with a lid. To make the lid, take special material, which plays the role of a dielectric that does not conduct electric current. When contaminants accumulate on the waveguide cover, they will begin to burn. Since fire is a plasma, which in turn can act as a conductor, the microwave oven in this case sparks and crackles.
In the situation considered, a discharge of electricity appears between the burning fat on the lid covering the waveguide and the microwave wall, antenna or waveguide. To prevent fat from food from splashing around, it is necessary to heat the food by covering it with a special lid. This will help prevent microwave oven malfunctions and reduce contamination.
Cleaning microwave elements
If dirt or grease that gets on the waveguide cover burns, you should not only change the cover, but also clean the magnetron antenna and waveguide. If the microwave oven continues to operate, the magnetron cap located on the antenna may burn out, rendering the magnetron unusable. It is better to clean a microwave oven in special centers that have everything you need for your model of microwave oven.
Sometimes fat can accumulate under the plate on which food is placed, which gets there due to boiling or spilling of food. It is also possible to appear there electric arc. In this case, the plastic spindle burns out, which rotates the plate with food, as a result of which it burns out glass plate. Repair, as well as cleaning the spindle from carbon deposits, is problematic, since the burnt part is metallized, so the spindle needs to be replaced.
Microwave repair and cleaning is best done in specialized centers.
Not many people know what to do if the microwave sparks. But, as with other equipment, problems also occasionally occur with it, and sparks in the chamber are perhaps the most common. If sparking becomes noticeable during operation of the device, you need to immediately turn it off and then find out why the microwave is sparking. Failure to do so may result in serious damage.
Improper use of the device
The instructions for any microwave oven, as a rule, contain information about what dishes are suitable for use inside the device. Failure to follow these recommendations can also lead to the microwave sparking and cracking during operation.
Important! Do not use the device if it has been noticed that the microwave is shooting or sparking. Further operation can lead not only to complete failure of the equipment, but also to exposure of those who come into contact with it.
Prohibited utensils include hardware and plates or mugs with any metallic rim or design with gold and silver inclusions. The sparking may be short-lived, but repeated frequently can lead to magnetron failure and costly repairs.
When choosing plastic and other utensils for the microwave, you should be guided by the signs on the products. The drawn waves indicate that such dishes will not harm the appliance and will not deteriorate from exposure to microwaves. What kind of microwaveable dishes can be used and how to understand the markings: you will find the answer.
If sparking occurs due to the use of incorrect utensils or cutlery accidentally falling into the chamber, it can be easily eliminated. You just need to stop the microwave and remove the dishes. But if the microwave oven sparks even after all objects with signs of metal have been removed, then this sure sign that she was broken.
Mica plate needs to be replaced
The most common reason for sparks appearing inside a microwave oven is the burning of the mica plate, which is the microwave diffuser. If you do not care for your microwave oven carefully, grease and burnt food residues accumulate on the plate. This leads to overheating of the plate and its destruction. If the mica is not replaced in a timely manner, damage to the magnetron may occur, and this is the main element of the device and costs almost as much as the microwave itself.
To understand whether the cause of the sparking is really in the diffuser plate, you need to take a closer look at which side is sparking. If sparks only come from the mica side and there is a burning smell in the chamber, this indicates that the plate needs to be replaced. Using a microwave with a faulty plate is unsafe for the appliance.
Replacing a mica plate is one of the DIY repairs you can do. First you need to make sure that it is the microwave diffuser that is the problem and check it for burnt spots. Before installing a new plate, the chamber must be thoroughly cleaned of grease.
You can purchase a new mica plate from a hardware store or from the online store of the manufacturer of your specific microwave oven. The first option will most likely be cheaper, but the size of the plate may not match the one that was installed and will have to be cut. To do this, old mica is applied on top of the new one and sharp knife excess is cut off, and all uneven edges are processed sandpaper to avoid scratching the camera coating during installation. New holes for fastenings can be made using a hammer drill.
More detailed instructions How to replace the mica plate yourself can be found in the video:
After installing the plate, you need to check the microwave and make sure that the sparks inside have disappeared. During such a check, you cannot turn on the oven with an empty chamber.
Damage to the coating inside the chamber
Another common reason for a microwave cracking and sparkling could be due to damage internal covering device. The chamber where food is cooked and heated is coated with special enamel. Burnt food and scratches from dishes lead to the appearance of various damages on the walls.
Only special enamel is suitable for restoring the coating. Regular paint does not have the necessary properties. Of course, it is better to entrust this repair to specialists. The procedure is not that expensive, but you will have to tinker with finding coverage. But if there is free time, then you can do everything yourself.
Before restoring the coating, all dirt must be removed from the chamber walls. In those places where the old enamel comes off, it needs to be removed. Blow out the damaged areas with the purchased product and leave for a while. Then check the functionality of the device. If no sparks appear when you turn it on, then all manipulations were carried out correctly and gave a positive result.
To prevent fat and food from accumulating on the walls of the chamber, it is worth cleaning regularly. Grease and carbon deposits are easier to remove if, before washing the camera, warm up the microwave at low power for 10-15 minutes with water inside. Then wipe the walls of the chamber with a soft sponge soaked in a non-abrasive detergent with a fat-breaking effect.
Utensils that are too bulky and placed in the microwave can also cause damage to the enamel. Even if the plate placed in the chamber does not touch the walls, then when the tray is rotated, it may move a little. With constant friction of dishes against the walls, the enamel will become thinner, which will lead to deep damage.
Careful care kitchen appliances Extends the life of devices for a long time and reduces the likelihood of expensive repairs. For a microwave oven, it is important to clean the chamber on time and use only utensils intended for it.
In contact with
It is very difficult for me to imagine my usual day without a microwave oven. This device is a real lifesaver. But when I discovered sparks in the microwave when I turned it on, I panicked. I decided to figure out how serious this problem is and how to avoid it. And here's what I found out.
Probable 4 reasons
Why does it spark and crackle inside the microwave? Main reasons:
- Violation of the integrity of the enamel coating. The enamel is gradually destroyed by regular cleaning.
- Metal decor on dishes. If the plates sent to the microwave oven have a metal edging, it is almost impossible to avoid sparks.
- Using all-metal cookware. Due to the design features, it is prohibited to heat such dishes (unless there are exceptions specified by the manufacturer).
- Diffuser plate burnt out.
The microwave shoots and sparks for each of the reasons listed, but the most common is always mica burning.
Why does mica burn out?
During operation in the microwave oven, fat begins to accumulate on the walls and parts. Once on the mica plate, the fat begins to gradually burn out and because of this, the metal overheats (sometimes completely burns out). If you continue to use the oven, the cap and magnetron antenna may burn out.
A magnetron is a special device that generates high-frequency electromagnetic waves up to 12 cm long. The special design of the internal chamber allows water molecules to resonate at a certain frequency and heat food.
It is very important that there are no mechanical damage. Otherwise, the radiation will be able to escape and irradiate surrounding objects.
So why does a microwave spark? When working in a furnace, a very large load is placed on the electrical circuits, so over time some parts may malfunction. Waveguide covers especially often burn out (example in the photo below).
The waveguide in a microwave is a special recess containing the magnetron antenna inside. The waveguide cover is most often made of a material that does not allow electricity to pass through, but allows electromagnetic waves to pass through (dielectric) - mica and plastic.
When dirt and grease adhere to this plate, it begins to burn, which is why the microwave sparks when turned on from the waveguide side. It looks like some kind of cardboard is burning and sparkling inside.
Eliminating sparks
You can eliminate the appearance of sparks yourself, without turning to specialists for help:
| Image | Instructions |
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Step 1
Unplug the oven and, if necessary, allow it to cool.
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Step 2
Wash the inside of the camera without using harsh abrasives. |
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Step 3
Carefully remove the diffuser.
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Step 4
Remove the magnetron, observing the following rules:
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Step 5
Check the magnetron for serviceability:
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Step 6
Changing the mica plate:
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You can quickly save the situation if damage to the enamel inside the oven is detected. To do this, you need to remove the remains old paint and apply a special store-bought product.
To restore enamel in a microwave oven, you cannot use ordinary household paint.
Precautionary measures
You can avoid sparks coming from the microwave. For this I recommend:
- Cap. When cooking and heating food (especially fatty foods), use hoods and lids.
- Foil and metal. Do not use foil or dishes with metal edging (including all-metal plates).
- Pauses in work. If the microwave operates for more than 75 minutes without stopping, there is a risk of internal parts overheating. So try to take breaks to cool down.
- Cleansing. Clean and check the oven regularly for possible problems.
conclusions
If the microwave sparks, the situation must be corrected immediately. Most often, it is enough to wash it thoroughly, and sometimes it is necessary to replace some parts. I told you how to act. And the video in this article will show you how to check the operation of a microwave oven yourself. If you have questions, I will be happy to answer in the comments.
The microwave is so popular in everyday life that perhaps everyone knows it. Most often, food is heated in it. But problems can also occur in its operation. So, let’s figure out what to do if the microwave sparks and crackles.
Causes
It happens that during operation the microwave sparks and crackles inside, and smells like burning - this can happen due to the following reasons:
- Burnout of the mica plate of the diffuser;
- If utensils made of metal or with metal patterns were used;
- The microwave turned on turned out to be empty;
- Damage to the enamel inside the oven.
Diffuser burnout
The mica plate can burn if there is fat behind the mica gasket. As a result, further burning of the metal occurs and, possibly, damage to the magnetron.
How can I fix the problem?
Do-it-yourself repairs are carried out as follows:
- First, let’s check what condition the mica is in. If necessary, we replace the plate;
- We remove the magnetron while observing all precautions:
- unplug the microwave;
- We temporarily short-circuit the magnetron and capacitor.
- We check the cap. If its condition is satisfactory and there is no burnout, we turn it on after installing the magnetron;
- If the cap burns out, you should replace it, install the magnetron and turn it on;
- When there is no cap at all, we replace the magnetron.
Prevention
When cooking fatty foods, cover it with a special cap or at least a regular napkin. This will protect the plate from grease.
What exactly can spark?
To find out why a microwave oven sparks and crackles when turned on, you need to get acquainted with the principle of its operation.
The action of a microwave oven mainly lies in the ability of a magnetron to generate electromagnetic waves. With sufficient voltage, they emit high-frequency oscillations.
At a wavelength of 12 cm and an oscillation frequency of 2.4 gigahertz, a microwave operates. In order for the radiation to remain inside it, the door must be closed immediately when turned on.
Heating of water occurs when its molecules resonate at the frequency of a microwave oven.
Why do sparks appear?
For an electrical discharge to occur when the LG oven is turned on, two conductors are required. If this condition is met, the microwave will crack and sparks will appear. The conductors can be foil, metal or metallized dishes.
For this reason, do not use gold-plated or silver-plated microwave cookware. If foil is used, the distance between its sections, as well as the foil and the oven, should be at least 2 cm.
If an electrical discharge occurs inside the microwave, there is a high probability of its breakdown. Then it cracks and sparks appear.
Also, the Lzh microwave sparks and crackles if it is turned on empty.
Waveguide cover
Waveguide cover, what is it? The magnetron is not located inside the furnace, but in a special recess (waveguide chamber). The waveguide is covered on top with a cover that does not allow electric current to pass through. As a rule, plastic or pressed mica is used for its manufacture.
When the lid becomes dirty, microparticles of fat and food catch fire and the oven cracks. As everyone knows about fire, that it is plasma, which is electrical conductor. Thus, when turned on, the oven crackles and sparks inside. If you study how a microwave oven sparks and crackles in the video, you can see that fire is starting from the inside on the right side.
Use the hood and such malfunctions will not occur, and it will also be easier to care for the stove.
Such repairs are unlikely to cost only by replacing the damaged cover. The magnetron may break or its cap may be damaged. Cleaning the waveguide cover does not make sense because when electrical discharge the burnt area is metalized. It is unlikely that such a malfunction can be eliminated with your own hands.
It happens that the center of the microwave under the rotating plate becomes contaminated with boiling food. This may cause the plastic spindle to burn. In this case, the LG microwave oven will also need to be repaired at a service center.