ArchAngel Appliance - Serving WNC -
24 HR Voice Service

Seems like microwaves only last a few years these days, and because they are relatively inexpensive to replace, they often end up taking up room in our landfills.  I have 3 of them in my garage right now since I'm reluctant to just send them to the dump, so my questions are:

1- Can microwave ovens be fixed without it costing as much to repair as to replace?

2- What are the problems that usually cause them to breakdown, particularly the ones that can be fixed fairly easily?

3. Where can you find replacement parts?

Thanks Brad for your questions!  Gr8 Question too and I've got several answers!!!

First, if you have a counter top microwave then I say it is sometimes best to simply replace versus repair.  This depends on what has broken down as magnitrons, capacitors, transformers, and the computer boards are all expensive to replace.  If you just have a fuse, microswitch, or thermostat though that has gone out these are fairly inexpensive parts and easy to replace.  I'll say more on that in the next paragraph....  I hate to say replace as well because we hate appliances going in the landfills.  In this instance if you choose to replace the unit I would say number one you can have some fun with your kids and take them apart.  This in itself is like a mini science class!  Microwaves are simply miniature nuclear type or power plants.  I might should give a class for students on this in the future....  Now this is Hugely Important -  Make sure the capacitor is discharged though!!!  This is a little silver piece that looks like a flask with two black nodules on the top.  You can always take your model number and look on Sears website, under their parts section, and find a diagram of your unit with a detailed description to help you find this part.  To discharge:  You do this by touching a screwdriver to each black nodule and then while holding the plastic handles touch the shafts of the two screwdrivers together, thus grounding out the capacitor.  This makes it safe to touch without giving you numb arms for three hours!!!  Next, Inside microwaves you will find giant magnets in the magnetron tube which you can reuse in science classes or make great fridge magnets.  My wife Kimberly has even taken other parts within the units or the chassis and made fun folk art!  Its always fun and great for our Earth to recycle recycle recycle.  So last you can take the parts to your local metal recycler and they will give you money to at least pay for the gas for your trip out there.

Second,  I wrote a blog a few months back about how to change your fuse in your microwave.  I will make it a point to write another on how to change your microswitch and thermostat later this week as well.  These are easy and inexpensives fixes that are usually caused by a power surge.  If you have a power surge and then your microwave goes out you know that one of these is most likely your problem.  I will post a link to the blog below as well so you can find it as it will take a little longer and more detailed post to show you how to fix these but it is good information.

If you ever have the magnitron, capacitor, transformer, or computer board go out then you definitely want to just purchase a new microwave.  You know, parts on an appliance are just like parts on your vehicle.  You could purchase a new appliance and sale the parts on it and make more than just buying a complete new appliance, just like on a vehicle.  I do not understand why but this is just so.  Countertop microwaves are inexpensive so when choosing to replace or repair keep this in mind.  If you are purchasing an overhead microwave, though, you have to keep this in the mix because they are much much more expensive and so that is a variable.

Last, you could purchase parts at the Sears parts website but they tend to be quite a bit higher than the supplier we use.  Also, we are praying about opening a store locally to sale appliance parts.  We hope to have an online store open soon where we will do so though.  In the meantime, the best place in our minds to purchase appliance parts is through GandE out of Spartanburg.  Their number is 1-800-226-8989.  Their prices are right on target, they ship same or next day, they keep their stocks high and we have had no issues with them when the wrong part is sent they take care of it asap.

I hope that answered your questions if you have further please reply back.  I'm sorry I didn't get to you faster but our server was down and didn't send me the note that I had a question lying in wait.  I'll start checking nightly instead manually.  I really appreciate your question and your membership on the site.  God bless you and your family,

ArchAngel