5 Reasons Why Your Microwave Might Be Sparking
If your microwave seems to be sparking, there are a number of things that could be causing this. Soil buildup inside the microwave, internal component issues or metal inside the cavity are a few factors that can contribute to a microwave sparking or arcing.
Keep reading to find five possible reasons behind a sparking microwave and ways you can help mitigate them.
WHAT MIGHT CAUSE A MICROWAVE TO SPARK OR ARC?
Microwaves work to heat food by generating electromagnetic waves that create an electric field. Small pieces of metal can amplify this field, potentially causing sparks. Microwave sparking can occur for various reasons, so it can be helpful to try to determine what may be causing this issue to help prevent it in the future.
Find five possible reasons why a microwave may spark or arc below.
1. ALUMINUM FOIL IN THE MICROWAVE
Improperly using aluminum foil in the microwave can disrupt the electromagnetic energy and potentially cause sparking or damage to your appliance. For instance, if aluminum foil is crumpled inside the microwave or touches the microwave’s interior walls, it may contribute to sparking in the microwave.
It is best to not use aluminum foil in the microwave, but always refer to your appliance’s owner’s manual for specific guidelines and exercise extreme caution.
2. BAKING TRAY OR COOKING RACK INSIDE THE MICROWAVE
For certain types of microwaves, you may be instructed to use a baking tray or cooking rack in combination with specific settings. However, improper usage of these accessories could result in sparks. As a general rule, only use the baking tray in combination with broiling or convection functions, and only use the cooking tray when cooking items on the second rack level. Always refer to your owner’s manual for more specific instructions.
3. SOIL BUILDUP
If there’s a buildup of splatter and food soils on the microwave’s cover, turntable, cooking rack supports, cavity walls or the area where the door and frame touch, this can cause sparks or arcing. Using a cover to help prevent food splatter inside the appliance and referring to the use and care guide to learn how to clean your microwave can help.
4. CONVECTION RACK OR CRISPING PAN IS TOUCHING THE INTERIOR
If your microwave comes with a convection rack or crisping pan, check to make sure neither is touching the inside of the cavity walls, ceiling or floor, as improper use can cause sparking. You should also always place the crisper pan on the turntable rather than the convection rack or baking tray (on certain models with these features).
For more information on how to properly use these accessories, refer to your model-specific owner’s manual.
5. USING ITEMS THAT AREN’T MICROWAVE-SAFE
When using a microwave oven, it’s important to only use items marked as “microwave-safe.” The following is a non-exhaustive list of items that should not be used in a microwave, as they may cause sparking or arcing:
Metal cookware and bakeware
Gold
Silver
Pewter
Non-approved meat thermometers
Skewers
Twist ties
Foil liners, such as sandwich wrappers
Staples
Objects with gold or silver trim
Items with metallic glaze
Always reference an item’s manual or the original packaging to determine whether or not it’s microwave-safe. If you’re unsure, it may be best to refrain from using it in the microwave.
CAN A SPARKING MICROWAVE BE DANGEROUS?
Prolonged microwave sparking or arcing, a term used to describe the bright, blue flashes of light within an electrical field, can cause damage to the appliance. Sparking may occur when microwaving certain materials or foods, such as metals, aluminum foil and even green beans. If you notice sparking inside the microwave, it’s best to stop the cycle immediately.
CAN FOOD SPARK IN A MICROWAVE?
Yes, certain high-mineral foods can spark in a microwave. Green beans, carrots, green peppers and other dense vegetables have a higher amount of minerals such as iron, magnesium and selenium. This can potentially create an arcing effect in the microwave, which may produce sparks.
TIPS TO HELP PREVENT A MICROWAVE FROM SPARKING
Proper care and usage of your microwave can help it to function as intended. Find tips below for how to help prevent your microwave from sparking:
Regularly clean your microwave: Wipe down the interior after each use and perform a weekly deep clean to help reduce residue buildup.
- Only use microwave-safe items: Look for the “microwave-safe” label on your dishes and utensils to ensure they’re compatible with your appliance.
- Avoid overcrowding the microwave: Ensure that accessories like convection racks or crisping pans don’t touch the appliance’s interior walls.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® MICROWAVES
Maytag® microwaves are built tough enough to keep cooking for years, with select models featuring a 10-year limited parts warranty1 on the cavity and magnetron. Select Maytag® microwave models feature Sensor Cooking, which adjusts to the meal with the ideal time on select presets for everything from popcorn to frozen vegetables.
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FIND MORE WAYS TO POWER THROUGH THE DAY WITH MAYTAG BRAND
1. Visit maytag.com for warranty details.
