Microwaves keep burnin up

Tenants have been in for over a year. OTR microwave stopped working - looks like it is working but not heating food. Put a used one in - that worked before. Within a day or two it was working but smelled like electrical issue, burnt plastic etc. This electric line is on it's own circuit

Odd but ok.

Put another one in - but plugged into a different outlet and set on counter. In a day it started to smell like electrical issues and burnt plastic.

No chance 2 microwaves broke in the same way immediately. All were used but still. These were not the cheapest microwaves either.

Wiring test did not reveal surges or anything out of the ordinary.

Ideas?

My guess is wiring issue (seems unlikely - 2 different circuits tested) or tenants recently started doing something wrong (unlikely they have been there over a year).

--65.185.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 12:10 PM
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Could be the same circuit you tested. Check microwave circuit and make sure you're not pushing 220 through that line. It's possible. --174.201.xx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by OPM [OR]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 12:31 PM
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they may be using foil. --162.247.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by Robin [WI]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 1:00 PM
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Are they putting metal in the microwave? Do they know how to use it? --204.210.xxx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by Lana [IN]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 2:00 PM
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You ever see what happens when you put metal in a microwave?

--216.23.xxx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by DonV [OH]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 2:21 PM
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They say they are using it correctly and considering they have been there over a year I believe them. We tried 2 different circuits and both caused an issue and both read correct voltage --65.185.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 2:42 PM
Message:

Just replaced our own Microwave.Started to spark for no apparent reason.Nothing to do with the wiring.Just used up it's lifespan.This was yesterday.wouldn't dare put in s used one,too much risk.Your house is not worth burning down unless your tired of it ,and its well insured.My daughter almost lost hers with a malfunctioning unit.only she was there watching what she was heating,the kitchen cabinets would have been gone in a few minutes.The one we got at Home Depot was a Magic Chef.They didn't have Whirlpool.They are cheap now,compared to years ago.around $70.at Home Depot and Walmark,how much less can a used one be. They're all made in China,doesn't matter which brand you get.wellmade and looks good.And no sparking.Thats more important.Don't you think Don...... Charlie...... .... ... .. . ........... --174.199.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by Sisco [MO]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 2:50 PM
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Check for loose wire connections in meter and panel. --72.172.xxx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 2:53 PM
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My daughter took the old one back to the reclycing center in Boston.Why do you think you were able to buy a used one,?No one gives up a Working one,I wouldn't give up one that was still ok. Would you?................charlie................................... --174.199.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by Skunk [KY]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 4:01 PM
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Both were *used*? I applaud your thrift, but am thinking it's your problem. --74.139.xxx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 6:10 PM
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I would get my info from the plugin kilowatt meter, I wish I could get something like this for 230 VAC. --76.188.xxx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 7:03 PM
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They might be using a dish that has some metal fibers in it or a dish that has gold decoration. Also a twist tie will light a fire in there. It seems to me it is something new that they are using to cook food in. Sometimes there are items sold on tv like microwave egg cookers etc. that could be not OK and they just got whatever it is. Ask them if they added a new microwave "safe" cooking item. --69.141.xxx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 7:19 PM
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Maybe food high in -iron-, hehe... --76.188.xxx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 7:56 PM
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Vee, if yo want something using 220 volts,you'll have to contact some of the advertising in the Irish or British newspapers like the Belfast Telegraph or The News of the World,don't know if they'd ship it here or not,also the Dungannon Enquirier.Try it,who knows?.........charlie..............good luck.................. --174.199.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by Tom [FL]) Posted on: Mar 12, 2018 8:04 PM
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Go buy a new microwave for the unit. A used microwave could be your issue. Check the breaker, double check the screws on the breaker. and the ground and neutral wire as well. Make sure there are no issues there.

Double check the electrical outlet, remove the cover, unscrew the outlet and check the screws/wires and the outlet as well.

Did you have any bad lightening storms and the lightening knocked the units out???

I saw lightening hit the house twice several years ago. First time it came into the light fixture in the bedroom. The second time it came into the receptacle in the kitchen. On several of our major appliances I have surge protectors and I have a surge protector on the electrical meter. I have the appliances double protected, plus both TV's and computer & phone chargers on surge protectors. Florida can have some major lightening in a short period of time during a storm.

--99.56.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 12:05 AM
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Tom, there doesn't really have to be a storm.Lighting can strike anytime,different with the Lottery.........charlie............................................. --174.199.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by DonV [OH]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 6:50 AM
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I get used BUT one was my own microwave - worked fantastic, unplugged and stored carefully.

Do you realize the odds of 2 microwaves that were working breaking in exactly the same manner within a day? Again both work but smell bad.

Odds are literally thousands to one.

Buying a new one is a bad idea - until I find source of the issue. --65.185.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 7:08 AM
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A quick Google search reads: Odors. Burning odors such as melting plastic or burned wires when the microwave is in use indicate that the electrical components within your microwave are failing. Do not attempt to repair or troubleshoot electrical issues with your microwave, especially if you smell burned plastic or wiring. --99.203.xx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 7:09 AM
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More Google search:

Step 1

Try to heat a food item. If the microwave does not heat the food or the food is only slightly heated despite a few minutes inside, this is a sign of a failing microwave. The likely cause in this instance is a failing magnetron, a tube which is the nucleus of the microwave's high-voltage system.

Step 2

Listen to the microwave. If it makes a loud buzzing sound when in operation, this is a sign that the power diodes may be failing. Loud, unexplained noises coming from the microwave are also indicators.

Step 3

Watch the microwave during use. If it shakes, vibrates excessively or you see flashes of light or sparks inside, it is failing. Smoke can also be a sign of a dangerously failing microwave.

Step 4

Smell the air around the microwave during use. If you smell burning that does not smell like food, such as the smell of burning electronics or plastic, the microwave may have electrical problems. --99.203.xx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 7:11 AM
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First off, You need to determine if the burning smell is coming from the Microwave itself or from the receptacle that provides power to it. Most wall receptacles are rated for 15 amps and should easily handle your microwave ovens power requirements. A simple check might be to run a hair dryer on the same receptacle without the microwave plugged into it. They draw comparable power so that should eliminate the recptacle as the culpret, On the assumption that the burnt wire smell is coming from the microwave itself, then your best bet is to return it to the store for a repair or replacement. Unless you are properly trained on how to sservice that, you probably shouldn't attempt it. As stated in previous comments, it should still be under warranty. If you have a bad filament transformer, magnetron or the wiring between them, that is not something you want to fiddle with yourself.

In summary, eliminate the receptacle on the wall as being the problem first.

If you find tha your receptacle is the problem, then you may be able to remove or disable power to it by switching off teh appropriate circuit breaker or fuse.. then take off the face plate and check the integrity of the wires going to that receptacle and making sure they are tightly secured to the terminals of the receptacle. I would assume that if that were the problem, you would notice a burnt smell as soon as you took off the face plat --99.203.xx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 7:12 AM
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I recall something about they should not be plugged into a gfi... Change the plug... At least look at it maybe a wire is loose. --99.203.xx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 7:15 AM
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Did you look up any recalls on the used microwaves? --99.203.xx.xxx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 9:03 PM
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Nothing wrong with the outlet,that's what you get for buying used microwaves,I wouldn't take them if you handed them to me for nothing,just like offering me peanut butter.........charlie.................both. horrible................................

..... --174.199.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 9:22 PM
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Don,buy a couple of new microwaves before the ass on fifth avenue slaps another tariff on them to dig himself out of the hole he made for himself........................................charlie.................................... --174.199.xx.xx

Microwaves keep burnin up (by DonV [OH]) Posted on: Mar 29, 2018 6:50 AM
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Thanks finally sent an electrician out and he is claiming:

"You have a 60 amp meter feeding a 50 amp box with. 40 amp circuit and a 50 circuit and another 50 amp circuit which is feeding 100 amp sub panel"

Keep in mind I have owned this rental over 10 years and had no issues until I installed a OTR microwave - and we ran a line straight to the box

Over my head anyone? --65.185.xx.xx

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Microwaves keep burnin up

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