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Due to excessive cooking heat, your microwave fan will turn on by itself to cool off the cooking area. After researching, I found this excellent (2:06-minute video). In it, you’ll see the microwave fan running by itself. This video also details why your microwave fan turns on by itself and what you should do.
The good news is that your microwave isn’t hunted. Just for the record, all microwave brands are equipped with this safety device. For example, during holidays or long weekend celebrations, family and friends gatherings will involve long cooking periods, creating excessive heat under the microwave. Now, some kitchen cabinet designs will allow the microwave to be installed away from the stove. Again, if your microwave is above the stove, expect to see the microwave fan turn on by itself when cooking for long periods.
Related: What is a built-in stove
Microwave Fan Turns on When You Open the Door
A bad microwave door switch is the most common problem that will cause any microwave fan to turn on when you open the door. This door switch is usually located on the top right of the microwave. When this switch breaks, it will interrupt the circuit, causing the microwave to act strangely. In some cases, the microwave glass turntable will start working as soon as you open the door. As I mentioned earlier, this problem also applies to all microwave brands. The microwave door switch’s average price is about $24.00, depending on the brand.
Microwave Fan is Not Working Properly: Simple Troubleshoot
Let’s review why your microwave exhaust fan does not work correctly; we will see the components involved and how to check them.
1. Check the Microwave Filters
The first thing you should consider to check is the filters, whether you use a standard grease filter or a charcoal filter, to ensure they are clean and not clogged. You can wash the grease filter with hot water and soap, and the charcoal filter you will need to replace.
2. Check for Proper Airflow
If your microwave is vented to the outside and not working correctly, you may have a problem with the damper. The shock absorber is located where the microwave meets the outside ventilation system. You should drop the microwave from its mounting position and inspect it for signs of damage or deformation, or a broken spring in the shock absorber assembly obstructing the airflow.
3. Check if the Exhaust Fan Motor is Obstructed
Now, suppose your exhaust fan doesn’t work at all. In that case, you will have to inspect it to ensure that if it is the motor or the controls that make it work, you will have to remove the microwave from its assembly. You can then inspect that motor, first verifying that the motor fan will spin freely; if not, you can conclude that it is defective and will have to be replaced.
4. Check for Voltage
If the fan blade moves freely, the next thing to do is to check the voltage. If there is no voltage on that motor, you will have to go back to the control board and determine if you have a faulty connection or if the control board is that fault.
Is It Dangerous to Use a Microwave Oven?
We all want to take good care of ourselves. That’s obvious, but sometimes movement can get in the way of healthy alternatives, so let’s dispel this food myth with some good old-fashioned signs. One of the most typical myths about using the microwave is that microwaves are bad for you and take away your nutritional value. This is a double whammy that we’ve heard for a long time. To understand and have a more transparent and better view, let’s dive into three simple factors that will help us understand how a microwave oven works.
How Do Microwaves Work?
You may be surprised to learn that microwave ovens make fair use of microwaves. A form of electromagnetic radiation, like light, directs and excites the water molecules in your food to spin to a state of hyperactivity.
Can Microwave Radiation be Harmful?
Well, yes, but radiation doesn’t always mean that something is radioactive. In this case, it means that the energy it radiates from a source of prolonged exposure to microwave radiation can negatively affect the body. Still, the FDA has regulations on the number of emissions that can come from microwave ovens over their entire life. Five milliwatts of emissions per square centimeter are consistent 2 inches from the surface of the oven that’s well below the amount that can harm you. Again, the measurement is 2 inches distant from the microwave. If you’re 20 inches in the distance, it would be about 1/100 of that. There’s never been any research that shows that microwave ovens can cause any harm.
Do Microwaves Take the Nutrition Out of Food?
Now, as far as your food is concerned, microwave ovens are designed to affect water molecules quickly. This is due to the short cooking time and lack of excess water using potentially absorbent microwaves, which save much more nutrients than boiling, steaming, or frying. Even if they cannot affect other things in your food, they are not in time to do so. Contrary to the myth that the microwave is one of the best ways to maintain its nutritional value.
When Buying a Microwave: What to Consider
So, what should you contemplate when buying a new microwave for your kitchen? Let’s start with the five types of microwaves that are available on the market. The five types of microwaves available on the market include Countertop, Traditional side swing, Over the range, Drawer, and Dropdown door.
The microwave is an essential element of the kitchen. Of all the appliances in your home kitchen, you might be thinking it is the easiest to replace well unless you are replacing a countertop microwave. This could not be further from the truth. Most difficult types of microwave to replace include Built-in, Over the range, and Drawer microwaves. All of these types of microwaves can be some of the most challenging appliances to change. If you’re not careful, the smallest appliance in the kitchen could quickly become the most expensive to replace.
When Replacing a Built-In Microwave
Let’s first review what you need to know when replacing a built-in type microwave. Now there are three key factors you should consider before replacing your built-in microwave including The size, The type of ventilation, and The electrical capacity. Choosing the right size microwave is essential because you have to make sure it will fit your cabinet. For all brands, standard microwave sizes are 24 inches, 27 inches, and 30 inches. These sizes refer to the microwave’s width from left to right, but they are not exact and often vary by an eighth of an inch or more.
So it is not easy to replace a 30-inch microwave with a 30-inch one? Even if it is the same brand, sizes can vary since modern microwaves are typically larger than models manufactured 5 or 10 years ago. The most critical measurement is the height and width of your existing microwave. For traditional side-swing microwaves, this will include the trim kit, which is the frame that surrounds your microwave. A trim kit ensures that your microwave fits perfectly into place, hides any gaps around the unit, and can make a visual difference when installed on top of a wider oven.
How to Measure Your Old Existing Built-In Microwave and Why?
You will need to measure the height and width from left to right of your finish kit, as well as the cabinet in which it is located. The logic for this is to make sure that the new microwave and finishing kit fit appropriately within the horizontal and vertical space you have in the cabinet. For example, suppose your current finishing kit reaches the top of the cabinet. The new finishing kit is not even three-quarters of an inch higher. In that case, it will not be easy to open the cabinet doors above it. If the new trim kit is too small for the existing one, it may leave a rough edge of its previous trim exposed, which is not a very good look.
Difference Between Drawer Drop Door and Over the Range Microwave
The difference between the drawer drop door and the over-the-range microwave is that no adjustment kits are required. So you measure the microwave unit itself. Since these units (over-the-range microwaves) do not have adjustment kits, there is less room to move around when it comes to size. If your new microwave is too small than the old model, you might consider getting filler pieces that can go on the sides or top and bottom of the microwave. Otherwise, you’ll have to replace your cabinets. Keep in mind that the dimensions are significantly different. Again, you may have to change your cabinet.
When Replacing an Over the Range Microwave
Over-the-range microwaves are an excellent way to save space because they combine a vent hood and a microwave in one. However, over-the-range microwaves are only made in 30 and 36-inch widths. They can only accommodate cooktops and ovens up to 36 inches wide. Here are the three essential factors that you should consider before replacing your over-the-range microwave.
- For the ventilation to be adequate: It needs to cover the surface below; otherwise, odors and vapors will escape from the sides. And from a creative point of view, your over-the-range microwave kitchen should match the widths of your cooktop below.
- For any style of microwave: You’ll also want to know the depth of your cabinet if you’re buying a high-end microwave. Keep in mind that modern units have a larger capacity and are usually 15 1/2 inches deep. So they stand out 3-4 inches more than older models. Still, if your cabinet is larger than 15 1/2 inches, you’ll need to buy a high-end unit with a recessed door hinge to make sure it opens properly.
- The average lower cabinet: Is 24 inches deep. Suppose you’re replacing your under-counter microwave, and your cabinet is less than 24 inches deep. In that case, you’ll need to buy a space-saving microwave so that it doesn’t protrude anymore.
Over the Range Microwave Ventilation Types
Over-the-range microwaves come in two types of ventilation including Ventilation and Recirculating. The best way to see if your old microwave is vented, open the cabinet above the microwave. If you see a vent taking up most of the cabinet’s space, you have a vent on the microwave, and you should vent your next microwave. You could replace a vent in the microwave with a non-vented recirculating model. Still, it will require additional installation costs to close the vent connection to the outside and leave a large hole in your top cabinet.
Where Are Recirculating Microwaves Generally Found?
Recirculating microwaves are usually found in apartments and condominiums. Rather than venting dirty air to the outside, they introduce it through a series of filters and place it back out through the top grille. If you have a recirculation unit, you should see an air filter or grill on the microwave’s bottom.
What Electrical Capacity Do Microwaves Use?
The average capacity that a microwave use is 120 volts and about 15 amps. Microwaves can vary in voltage and amperage specifications depending on the technology they use. However, microwaves with fast cooking technology may require up to 240 volts. If your outlet is plugged into 120 volts, a 240-volt microwave will not work correctly in your outlet. You will obtain a fraction of the cooking power and risk burning a fuse if you are not sure how much voltage is in your outlet.
In a U.S. home, the accepted electrical current ranges from 110 to 120 volts. Some circuits used for large appliances like dryers, stoves, and ovens use 220 to 240 volts. Microwaves with a higher power or convection technology require 18 to 20 amps instead of the traditional 15 amps. A 20 amp plug looks different than a 15 amp plug, so it will be easy for you to tell the difference, or you can check the microwave’s user manual.
Suppose your new microwave requires a different voltage or amperage than the one you currently have in your home. Then you will have an electrician to adjust the circuits. If you are entirely changing the microwave configuration or moving your microwave location and are unsure of the necessary modifications, ask your appliance store for an estimate. Estimates typically incur a small fee. Having a certified installer assess the situation ultimately reduces the chances of encountering costly problems when installing your new microwave.
