CANTON, Mich. - April 20, 2007 - Apart Office workers have all seen it: the neglected microwave oven that contains the remnants of many lunch explosions. Microwave ovens cook fast, are convenient and are relatively inexpensive-which means they're often taken for granted and not treated as well as other appliances. Can they be repaired if they fail? What about replacing broken parts?

If a microwave oven stops working, Chris Hall, president of RepairClinic.com, recommends that consumers not dismantle them: "There are some high-voltage components inside the unit so we don't advise the average consumer to attempt internal repairs. But years of fielding consumer questions about microwave ovens means that we can offer some important use and safety tips, as well as provide those appliance parts that can be replaced."

Common microwave oven problems

Here are some areas that can need attention, and some easy fixes:

Broken door handles. A common casualty in the RepairClinic.com appliance ER: disconnected door handles and snapped door latches - the result of door slamming and jerking. Never operate a microwave if the door will not close properly.
What to do: If the door handle, latches, hinges or the frame that surrounds the microwave oven are broken, they can easily be replaced. After any door repairs, check to make sure the door aligns properly with the microwave frame.

Was it chili, soup or a hotdog? Today's powerful microwaves can result in some messy food explosions inside the oven. It's important to keep the interior of a microwave clean because particles of food that remain inside the unit actually absorb energy each time the oven is used, resulting in hot-spots inside the unit. It's particularly important to keep the plastic panel inside the microwave clean (it's normally located on the ceiling or wall).
What to do: Wash off any food splatter from the plastic panel to prevent damage and improve efficiency.

Units over stoves require extra care. Many households today have microwaves that are mounted over the cooktop, providing the dual function of microwave oven and venting of heat, steam and smoke from the stove beneath. Nowadays, with glass cooktops increasingly popular, it's a common occurrence for a hot container to be dropped as its being removed from the microwave and to shatter the glass cooktop. Watch out! Luckily, RepairClinic.com also sells replacement cooktops.


Top microwave maintenance tips

1. Microwave cleaner. Clean the inside of your microwave frequently. Food particles and splatters absorb some of the microwave energy while the unit is operating and may cause burns and other damage to the microwave. You can clean the interior with soap and water or some diluted vinegar to help remove food odors. Commercial microwave oven cleaners are also available.

2. It matters what the food is placed on. TMicrowaves use special components to ensure food is cooked evenly. Broken trays, dishes and turntables should be replaced.

3. Running on empty. Never operate a microwave oven without food or liquid inside it. Microwave ovens heat by bombarding the food or liquid in the oven with high-frequency microwave energy. If there's no food or liquid in the oven to absorb the microwave energy, it can feed back to the microwave itself, permanently damaging the internal components.

RepairClinic.com provides tools and parts for all brands of microwave ovens, along with some additional maintenance and cleaning tips here.