Why is My Microwave Sparking Up
It wasn’t until 1967 that the first countertop microwave was first sold. Over the years they have become an indispensable necessity in most kitchens - being used on a regular basis to reheat food such as homemade soups, last night's leftovers or even to pop popcorn.
However although generally reliable they have been known to malfunction. If not cleaned or maintained, leftover splatters and spillages will continue to cook eventually burning and causing smoke as well as the other components malfunctioning.
Waveguide Cover
One of the most common faults for a microwave sparking is a brittle or damaged waveguide cover. This cover is a metallic sheet fitted on the inside, which guides the waves from the magnetron to cook your food.
If your microwave starts to spark up when you've put something in to reheat, your first reaction would be to switch the appliance off and look for a new one. Well with our help you won’t need to splash the cash for a new appliance if the fault could be resolved with a simple cost effective replacement spare part.
However, first, you will need to diagnose and confirm that the fault can be fixed and here we will help you to identify if it does lie with the waveguide cover.
Safety First! Please make sure that you have disconnected the appliance from the mains before beginning any repair.
- Remove and check the waveguide cover for any signs of damages or burn marks - it is usually held in place with screws or push clips.
- Any food debris needs to be wiped off - clean with warm soapy water taking care not to bend the waveguide cover as it may break - don’t forget to dry it thoroughly.
- If damaged simply replace.
eSpares Top Tip: Use a non-abrasive cleaner to clean your microwave once a week, so that you can avoid dried-on food stains from clinging on.
If you’re in need of a new waveguide cover, surf our online catalogue and get yourself a replacement here.
For our guide on how to replace your waveguide cover watch our helpful video that is sure to aid you in fixing your microwave.