Any Electricians Around?? This Is About Microwaves…?
We recently redid our kitchen. The contractor put in a over the stove microwave. We have noticed that when we make things like baked potatoes, where they are in the microwave for 6 min or more, when we open the microwave around minute 5 or 6 to check on whatever is in there, the microwave will completely turn off…all light go off, almost like it overheated…it’s not the fuse b/c none of the other appliances on that fuse go off. We found that opening the door to the microwave and the cabinets above for about 5 min will get it to come back on….anyway, so I’m wondering what the deal is. Is this particular microwave not made for being built into the cabinets? Is it just not installed with proper ventilation? Is there something I can do to correct the issue or do I need to contact someone?
sound more like defective microwave than electrical prolem
If it a normal Range hood microwave, it can be vented two ways. Either by duct or ductless. You have to “set” it before you install it. It comes from the factory set for duct venting. If there is no duct above it, then the vapors have no place to go, thus overheating the unit. You will have to take it down, and check to see how it is set, and in order to do that you will have to have the installation instructions, NOT the owner’s manuel. Good luck.
There is a thermal fuse in the microwave that is being tripped, it cools down and resets itself. You may not have enough ventilation around the microwave, or the microwave may be plugged into the stove/oven which has a thermal fuse.
Check where its plugged into first, if it is plugged into the wall then the problem is the microwave.
Most likely it is over heating but the fact that when it cools down and comes on is a Misty, I would pull it out and set it on a counter and bake a potato and see if it does the same thing if not then you need to vent it and you just saved yourself some cash. I just find it hard to believe the guy didn’t plan for venting and it comes back on it’s confusing so try it like I said if it does not go off then you know that’s the problem and will have to vent it to the outside somehow or somewhere to allow the heat out. really have never ran into that and I have put in tons of microwaves and never had that problem.
The shutting of is probably a thermal sensor in the unit.
The unit is either not large enough, or more likely not vented properly. There should be a fan on the back that needs free airflow. If it is near a wall, it can provide enough back pressure to not allow the air to flow freely. Find out if this unit is designed for this application.
If it is over the stove and oven, I would guess you are cooking with those at the same time. Heat rises and will add to the heat of the microwave both from warming the air the fan is pulling into the microwave and heating the microwave case as well. The larger the difference in air temp and the temp of the microwave, the better the cooling. If the air is hot already, it won’t cool as well.