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What causes this?

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bluedog225

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I’ve got a little burn spot forming on my microwave. It’s an old unit. Maybe late 90s. Panasonic inverter unit. Used to be fancy.

It’s developing a burn mark at the door seal area. See photos.

I’m not particularly worried about it. And I’ll replace the unit sometime soon.

But I’m curious what causes this? Was it a chip in the paint? Or maybe some food got caught there?

Any repairs options?

Thanks

IMG_4629.jpegIMG_4628.jpeg
 
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gmcgeo

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Its from some type of metal arcing at some point. some food containers can have traces of metal, utensils, foil, ect.

Or a damaged door gasket can allow microwaves to leak, potentially causing arcing or burns.
 
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bluedog225

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The area is clean of any food or metal. And it seems to be growing. Other than the area on the door and frame, the seal seems fine.

Maybe it‘s like a cavity and will just keep going once it starts. I wonder if there is a way to arrest it.
 
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gmcgeo

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Newer microwaves are more energy efficient, which can lead to lower electricity bills over time.
Older microwaves may have worn parts or lack updated safety features, potentially posing a safety risk. Its Arcing for a reason. Repairing and or repainting without knowing the cause it a potential hazard.

Your time is money, how much longer will this Microwave last after touching up the arc spot? After fixing will the arc come back?

Again, something is causing this. I would just replace it with newer model
 
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bluedog225

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Thanks all. I may try the paint. I dislike putting a a serviceable unit in the landfill. And microwave energy is non-ionizing. Just leave the room. Drops off very rapidly.
 
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Renegade1LI

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bluedog225 said:
Thanks all. I may try the paint. I dislike putting a a serviceable unit in the landfill. And microwave energy is non-ionizing. Just leave the room. Drops off very rapidly.
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I doubt it would go into the landfill, more than likely would be recycled. I would definitely go for a new new unit, probably smaller, more efficient & quitter.
 
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rlitman

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bluedog225 said:
Hire do you feel about inverse-square drop-off with distance?
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Microwave dose is a time-energy equation, so yes, increasing distance and not dwelling in front of your running (and probably leaking) microwave is a good starting point, but microwave ovens are disposable commodities. Running it as-is is not only a microwave exposure issue, but a fire risk, due to the arcing (not just at the arc site, but from the overloaded electronics).

Would you suggest someone with bald tires still drive, but only below 5mph?
 
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rlitman

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Old Man Roger said:
So me pressing my face up against the glass of my 20 year old microwave might be bad for me for me for me for me?
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Probably not. MOST microwaves don't leak all that much. Some do quite a bit. Could be due to damage/abuse or factory defect. Microwave leakage detectors are cheap (can be found for $20 and under). Leaking or not, the arcing issue MUST be fixed, because that's a real fire risk. A little sanding and some microwave cavity repair paint (to both surfaces) should be all that's needed. Being different colors, I leave it to the OP to whether to buy one or two different bottles.

If you have kapton tape, that might be a good temporary fix for the arcing.
 
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bluedog225

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Looking into microwave “testers.” Looks like they are mostly a mess. Not reliable or calibrated to give meaningful info.
 
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bluedog225

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gmcgeo said:
internals will be updated. i like digital, but if it works it works. Seems a bit high on the price, i think i was in Walmart and seen some dial version for under 200
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it does seem high. maybe tariff or just the new world of inflation.
 
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andyvh1959

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I understand your desire to keep an appliance working. We have a GE microwave a friend gave me for working on his motorcycle back in 2016. Ran great for a few years, then it kept tripping the breaker and would not work. I replaced the three micro-switches on the door and it was running again, but soon was tripping the breaker again.

Replaced the micro-switches again, but, this time I found out that all the power to the micro-wave goes through those door switches, and when you open the door while its running all the amperage arcs across those micro-switches, causing them to fail but also casuing the breaker trip issue. We changed our habits to turn off the micro-wave before opening the door, or just let the cooking cycle finish before opening the door. That was three years ago and no more micro-wave operation issues.

My top load Maytag washer is at least 24 years old. About 12 years ago (just after my future wife moved in) it quit running, she said why not just get new appliances? Nope, doing the work myslef I replaced the tub bearing, replaced the main rotary control switch, replaced the drive belt, still runs great, simple to fix, no electronics. Same for my front load 24 year old Maytag dryer, replaced the drive belt, replaced the heater coil, runs great, easy to work on. Same for my who knows how old Kitchenaide dishwasher, simple maintenance, filter cleaning, etc. I changed the color of the door and control panel to match my new GE fridge and dual over (Toyoto Duplicolor rattle can matched it well, clear coated for durability). I replaced the white touch panel with a black touch panel I bought on ebay. I did have to replace the main inline fuse in the wiring, but it works great and keeps on running, easy to maintain and repair.
 
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bluedog225

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I went ahead and ordered that tank I referenced above. And a tester and some paint.

If it turns out it’s not leaking badly, I’ll paint it up and move it out to the cabin. Having a microwave up, there wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. And can always just exit the premises whenever I use it.

Thanks all.
 
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rlitman

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bluedog225 said:
Looking into microwave “testers.” Looks like they are mostly a mess. Not reliable or calibrated to give meaningful info.
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Yeah. Think of them like a non-contact voltage detector. Useful around a known source; useless without one. But you should be able to get a comparison of the power levels near your WiFi, as opposed to near your microwave with a glass of water heating in it and learn from that.
 
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Beerhippie

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rlitman said:
Oh man, I remember my first RadarRange with a tick, tick, tick, tick, ding dial. And the matching toaster with a tick, tick, tick, tick, prolonged silence (no ding), beep beep beep (smoke detector) dial.
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My brother inherited my parent's Amana Radar Range. He used it into the '00s, when it was stolen in a break-in. Who the hell steals a 30+ year-old, 70 lb microwave?

But I sure did like the old dial settings and timer. I find no advantage and several disadvantages to digital microwaves. Not to mention, that microwave survived our childhoods--and two boys alone in the house after school can get up to some mischief... we loved watching the giant arcs jumping from a wad of aluminum foil... the way an egg in shell explodes... the way a kitten--oh, ****, did I say that out loud?
 
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Skooterj

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Beerhippie said:
My brother inherited my parent's Amana Radar Range. He used it into the '00s, when it was stolen in a break-in. Who the hell steals a 30+ year-old, 70 lb microwave?

But I sure did like the old dial settings and timer. I find no advantage and several disadvantages to digital microwaves. Not to mention, that microwave survived our childhoods--and two boys alone in the house after school can get up to some mischief... we loved watching the giant arcs jumping from a wad of aluminum foil... the way an egg in shell explodes... the way a kitten--oh, ****, did I say that out loud?
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Okay, this is crazy. I grew up in a house with an Amana Radar Range that my grandpa came home one day to find a break in in progress and the thief crawling out the laundry room window with the microwave in hand. The thief dropped the microwave in his haste to escape and we used that microwave for the next 25-30? years. My parents bought the house from my grandpa in the early 70's. It was still in the house when my parents sold it after I went off to college in the 90's. The door never quite closed properly after it was dropped, so we were never allowed to stand near it when in use.
 
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Bert_

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rlitman said:
Oh man, I remember my first RadarRange with a tick, tick, tick, tick, ding dial. And the matching toaster with a tick, tick, tick, tick, prolonged silence (no ding), beep beep beep (smoke detector) dial.
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Got this one in my kitchen that I use regularly
KIMG3334.JPG

Grabbed a little bit newer touchmatic a few years ago. Cleaned up good so I have it just in case.
Screenshot_20250611-165059~2.png
 
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