You are always cooking and heating food in your oven for years, but recently the food are not getting ready within the time limit and that’s making you late for your work? Maybe the orders are piling up in your restaurant, but the ovens are taking too long to bake pizzas? If so, it’s time to give attention to your oven.
“Do microwave ovens lose power over time?” Lamentably, yes. There are a few factors that control the power capacity of the ovens, your oven can stop working for a number of reasons, also, there are solutions, tips, and tricks to deal with these problems. To explore all of it about ovens, stay with us till the end.
Do Microwave Ovens Lose Power Over Time
Sadly, ovens lose out their power over time. It happens because the source compartment of heating weakens over-usage. That compartment, the magnetron tube, is a high-voltage system that uses electrical and magnetic fields to create oscillating waves which heat and cook the food by bouncing around the oven.
When this source of energy and power of the oven becomes feeble and less capable, the oven itself becomes less powerful and it will take a longer time to cook your food. If you don’t install the compartments properly, it can damage the parts and make the microwave oven lose its power over time.
Also, there is an RF gasket that connects the door to the face of the opening. This gasket can degrade as time passes or get damaged somehow, as a result, the power leaks. If the oven has a stirring fan, it can fail sometimes and the failure can affect the performance of that microwave oven.
How Many Years Does a Microwave Last
Microwave ovens can last from 1/2 years to more than 20 years. However, the average ovens last around 7 years with normal usage. If there are heavy usage and poor maintenance, the lifespan shortens. Also, improper installation and putting the wrong dishware inside the oven makes it closer to doom.
In a normal household with a large family, it usually takes 4-5 years to replace this kitchen appliance. This happens because they become more dependent on using the microwave oven to cook, defrost, and heat up leftovers and snacks.
How Do You Know if Your Microwave Is Dying
When your microwave oven is dying, it will show signs and grab your attention for a quick repair or replacement. In some cases, repairing is costlier than replacing this appliance. There are 5 major signs that tell you that the microwave is dying and you better replace it as soon as possible.
Old Age
Even if your microwave oven seems good, you should consider replacing it with a new eco-friendly and energy-efficient appliance after a decade. Because after a long 10 years, better ovens with more functions will be available within budget and the old oven will begin to lose its power slowly.
Odd Smell
When you see sparks inside the microwave oven, a burning smell or there is smoke coming out, immediately turn off and unplug the oven. Call for a repair, if it’s possible to solve the issue by repairing, the repairman will do his job or tell you that you need to bring a new member to your kitchen.
Keypad Issues
If you can’t use one or more buttons on the keypad, the microwave will be less productive and shorten the range of functionality. You may not be able to use it even for heating if major buttons get damaged. Call a repairman if a good cleaning does not help. If luck is not on your side, you may need to replace the oven.
Cooking Timer Problem
If there is a problem with the cooking timer, it will be a huge problem, you may burn the food or the food won’t be ready at all. To test if your oven cooks the food too quickly or too slowly, you can test the power with a cup of water.
Place a cup of water inside the microwave and set the timer for 2 minutes. If you don’t see the water is not piping hot when you take it out after 2 minutes, it’s time to say goodbye to your oven.
Door Seal Problem
The door seal helps in containing a low level of radiation. If this safety feature doesn’t work anymore, it will be harmful to you to be exposed to the radiation of the microwave and the oven will take a longer time to heat up the food. It’s time to welcome a new oven if this happens.
How Long Do Microwave Magnetrons Last
Any normal microwave magnetron can last for decades depending on its usage limit. Usually, a typical magnetron tube offers average life of 2000 hours of operation time. It means you can use that microwave oven for cooking or heat foods for 2000 hours before the oven begins to lose its power.
Although the amount of time seems not too much, if you are using the oven in your home sometimes, it can go way longer than you think. For example, if you use the microwave oven for a total of 15 minutes per day, your oven will take 22 years to reach the operation limit of the magnetron tube.
However, if you use the oven in a busy restaurant that requires the microwave oven to work for hours every day, you may need to replace the oven or the magnetron tube every few years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the magnetron tubes to lose power more quickly?
If you put too many metals in the microwave oven frequently, it will diminish the lifespan of the magnetron tube. Also, regular powering it through too high or too low voltage can hamper the lifespan. Improper installation and continuously using the oven at the upper limit of its heat tolerance make it weaker more quickly too.
What kind of safety features do microwave ovens have?
Usually, microwave ovens have safety features to notify when any problem arises. Such as, if the door is not closed, the oven won’t start functioning. However, damage to the seal is different, you won’t be notified, it will take longer to cook and energy emitted from the oven could lead to health problems.
How can I make my microwave oven last longer?
To make your oven last longer, ensure there is adequate air circulation around it. Never turn on the microwave oven when empty. Avoid using metal dishes inside, use a surge protector for the safety of the electrical components. And, use soft soap and water for cleaning, don’t use detergent or harsh chemicals.
Final Verdict
From “do microwave ovens lose power over time?” to “the ovens are working fine” is a tricky ride. You have to find out the real reason behind the problem and act on it. If you are not skilled with the appliance, it’s better to seek help from a professional before trying to fix things all by yourself.
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