One of the most common reasons for microwave oven repair is the burn-out of the magnetron screen (mica plate).
The perfect condition of this element is very important for the safe operation of the oven. Therefore, if it is damaged, it is necessary to take prompt action or to postpone the use of the appliance indefinitely.
Why does my microwave mica plate need to be replaced?
There are two causes of mica burn-out:
Splashes during heating or cooking. Liquid droplets and small pieces of food periodically splash onto the surface of the mica cover and gradually heat up. This results in arcing and subsequent burning of the mica cover.
Inefficient use of the microwave oven capacity. With small quantities of food (less than 100 grams), the microwave oven is almost completely empty.
The electric field strength on the plate is high, which leads to intermittent breakdowns and soon burns through. In such situations, microwave repair is almost inevitable.
If the condition of the plate has deteriorated noticeably, it must be replaced. Otherwise, the rest of the oven structure will risk premature wear and tear, and the appliance itself will quickly become inoperable.
Microwave mica plate replacement with your own hands
The best solution would be to order the service from specialists, but with an understanding of some technical aspects, you can repair the microwave yourself. The main requirement is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.
The repair itself is carried out in several stages:
Removing the plate. The fasteners are usually in the form of self-tapping screws or rivets. In both cases, the fasteners can be removed with simple tools. Next, it remains to slightly pry the plate and pull it out of the slots in the wall of the microwave oven.
Note that the magnetron screen must be removed very carefully, as it will become a reference during the preparation of the new plate.
Cutting out the replacement plate. It is necessary to prepare a rectangular blank, place it on a flat surface and then place the previously removed plate on top. Then transfer the dimensions of the sample plate to the workpiece and, using a ruler, cut out the new piece with a knife. Strictly along the contour. Next, it will be necessary to make holes (you can use an ordinary screwdriver for this), and then carefully treat the resulting plate with a piece of sandpaper.
Cleaning the chamber walls. Before repairing the microwave, it is necessary to clean the inside of the device. It is necessary to carefully clean the surface of the walls of stains and grease, as well as sandpaper burnt and melted places. Finally, wipe the microwave oven with a slightly damp piece of clean cloth.
Installing the plate. The final step is to dry the walls and place the new plate. During this task, the previously used fixtures must be used. It is important to reproduce the position of the burned plate exactly. Only then will the work be considered complete.
Microwave repair as an alternative solution
Sometimes it is possible to do this without replacing the microwave mica plate. A number of conditions need to be fulfilled. Firstly, this option is only relevant for plates that are asymmetrically positioned in relation to the oven cavity wall. Secondly, the puncture must be placed on the contour of the hole at the edge that has a smaller contact area with the wall of the microwave.
In such a situation, it is sufficient to carefully deburr the place of the piercing, then turn the plate 180 degrees, carefully make new holes for fasteners, and then attach the product, making sure that the place of the piercing overlaps the oven wall. The method is simple, but not suitable in all situations.
Is it expensive to replace the microwave mica plate?
The financial cost of the aforementioned microwave repair is minimal. Owners of home appliances only need to buy suitable sheets of mica (sold in specialized shops). There will be no more expenditure. Unless, of course, you get it right the first time. If not, the costs will at least double.
In this case, it is better not to take the risk, and immediately call the specialists from our company. Experienced craftsmen will perform microwave repair in Poway with real quality and at a good price. The customer will get the necessary service with minimum time and effort, which is exactly what they need.
Poway appliance repair company will help you to solve any of your problems. Our Poway appliance repair technicians are experienced with many different brands.
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