Is it worth replacing the magnetron in a microwave?
Without it, your food is as good as cold. Replacing a microwave magnetron costs between $100 and $200 on average. Labor for replacing the magnetron makes up half of the cost, so if you want to save money, consider installing this replacement part yourself.
Our survey results suggest that you should consider repairing the broken microwave if it's still under warranty or if it's 5 years old or less, but you'll definitely want to replace it if it's more than 5 years old.
Magnetron tubes have a lifetime of only a few thousand hours—from 2,000 hours up to 8,000 hours depending on the tube. Magnetron tubes are also difficult to troubleshoot and service, which can result in costly downtime and repairs.
The most common cause of microwave failure is its magnetron. The magnetron is what produces the microwaves that cook your food, and it's also the part that is most likely to burn out. Symptoms of a faulty or burned-out magnetron include a microwave that doesn't heat food properly or doesn't work.
Our survey results suggest you might consider repairing a broken microwave in that price range if it's still on warranty, and consider a repair if it's two years old or less, but you'll definitely want to replace it if it's three years old or older.
If the microwave is turned on when it is empty, this cause the magnetron to burn out. A burned magnetron has to be replaced as it cannot be repaired. Other probable causes behind this problem are faulty diodes, capacitor burn, defective door switch and transformer failure.
If you take good care of your microwave up into its old age, there's a low risk of harm, but if it's damaged in any way you may want to get it checked out. If you've looked after it well, there's no reason why a vintage microwave should be dangerous.
The first indicator that your microwave is better off replaced is the five-year lifespan. Microwaves can last a long time, but they have the shortest lifespan of household appliances. If your microwave is over 6 years and especially if it's approaching 10 years old, you're likely better off with a new microwave.
Old age. If your microwave is approaching the 10-year mark, consider replacing it with a new, energy-efficient unit. Odd smells. A burning smell, smoke, or sparks are a sign something is amiss and you should immediately turn off and unplug the microwave and call for a repair.
The magnetron component of a microwave oven, which generates the microwaves, does eventually wear out. Microwave ovens may be a hugely convenient, easy-to-use device, but they sadly have an expiration date. You can expect to get over 10 years of use out of your microwave.
What is the cost of a microwave magnetron?
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Questions & Answers on Magnetron.
| Magnetron Price Range | No of Products(%) |
|---|---|
| Rs 590 - 820 | 30% |
The most common cause of a microwave not working is that the main fuse has blown. The fuse will often blow because of a power fluctuation or a defective door switch. It can also blow because another part, like the magnetron or capacitor, is defective.
A broken magnetron is the most common reason that your microwave is running but not heating your food. The magnetron is an essential part of a microwave which is responsible for creating the microwaves needed to heat your food.
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Old microwaves are generally safe to use, with one caveat
If the screen or the rubber seals around the microwave door have been tampered with or damaged, it is possible that a higher amount of radiation could leak out of the machine.
The cost to replace a magnetron is $100 to $300. Microwave diode replacement costs $80 to $170. The labor cost of microwave repair is $50 to $125 per hour.
Cracked Magnet(s)
This is caused by the magnetron over heating, some instances this is because of reflected microwave energy. Solution: Replace the magnetron and check why the magnetron has overheated.
Most microwaves last about 10 years. If you keep it clean, your microwave may last much longer. Of course, the less you use it, the longer it will last too. If you own an OTR microwave, make sure to clean the microwave filter about every six months.
Upgrading to a new microwave saves you money in energy consumption by greatly reducing energy use on standby. Microwave ovens reduce cooking time from hours to minutes, while convection models further reduce the duration. Over time, an over-the-range, built-in, or countertop microwave loses some of its power.
Old microwaves are as safe as any other appliance, assuming they don't show any signs of physical damage. If that's the case, I highly recommend buying a new one, or finding a qualified tradesperson to inspect it. It's much more likely that the magnetron inside the microwave will have worn down.
Is microwave over stove outdated?
Is a microwave above the stove outdated? No, over-the-range microwaves are a great way to free up counter space and consolidate your appliances. They come in a variety of different sizes and designs, so you can find the perfect style for your kitchen.
Children under age 7 should not operate the microwave unless they are closely supervised. Instruct and supervise older children and if they are too young to follow written directions, they are too young to use a microwave oven without supervision.
To avoid replacing yours more than about once every 10 years—which is how long most manufacturers tell us they should last—you'll want to take care of it. Your microwave may not get as grimy as your oven, but even so, one of the best ways to keep it humming along is to keep it clean.
If it is faulty or defected, you can replace it either yourself or either by taking professional help. It is suggested to leave this task of replacement to experts or electricians. You can easily get a qualified and experienced electrician if microwave not working by contacting Mr Right services.
If microwave ovens are used while broken or altered, it is possible for them to leak electromagnetic radiation. Microwave radiation leaks are hard to detect because you can't smell or see microwaves.
Copper is the most profitable component when recycling microwaves. This is because copper is used in many different parts of consumer electronics. So, even if you don't have anything to scrap with your microwave, you can still make money back by reselling it in scrap metal.
You do not need to remove the door or the button panel to access the magnetron. Organize the screws in small dishes for each side so you don't lose them. Don't touch any wires inside the microwave since they could possibly still have a charge.
If your microwave oven is sparking or 'arcing' during cooking it may be that the waveguide cover is damaged. Usually the cover is made of a material called mica. Although strong and tough when new, over a period of time this cover absorbs moisture and food debris and becomes soft or breaks.
Sometimes, when you're troubleshooting a microwave, it can be tricky to tell whether or not the magnetron tube is bad. In the case with many GE microwaves, the magnetron can test good according to the filament resistance specifications yet fail when you're actually trying to get the damn thing to heat up your bagel.
It is advisable to estimate the remaining resource in advance and have a magnetron in stock for replacement. On average, the work of the magnetron on transmission should be 3000 hours. By experience I will say that S-band radars have a resource of up to 4000 hours, and x-band up to 10,000 hours.
Which company is best for magnetron?
Hitachi Magnetrons are highly evaluated for their superior quality and reliability in the industrial heating use.
No. Considerations of physical and voltage compatibility aside, nearly all magnetrons are built to operate at some specific frequency out of a very wide range of possibilities, and there's only one narrow range that is effective for heating water (which is how microwave ovens work).
Bad microwave magnetrons can make various noises, and the noise is often very loud. Usually, faulty magnetrons make a high-pitched screaming or screeching sound. A magnetron may also make a loud buzzing or humming noise, depending on the issue.
Unfortunately, that heightened demand hit at a time when manufacturing around the world was taking a significant hit. Pandemic-caused factory shutdowns made it nearly impossible for manufacturers to keep up with demand, creating a backlog that the appliance industry has yet to fully recover from.
The power of a magnetron declines over time1. While not noticable for most consumer applications (A 2000-hour lifetime would last over 20 years if the device is used only 15 minutes a day), this is a problem in industrial situations.
The microwave's magnetron produces the microwaves that heat and cook the food. If the magnetron fails, the microwave will not heat, and it may also cause a fuse to blow, which can disable the microwave completely.
If you take good care of your microwave up into its old age, there's a low risk of harm, but if it's damaged in any way you may want to get it checked out. If you've looked after it well, there's no reason why a vintage microwave should be dangerous.