Thread: A question for the microwave gurus.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Can a microwave oven loose its microwaveability? I thought they either worked or didn't, but ours seems to take ages to warm food. Could it have lost some of its capabilities?

I'm no guru, Ian, but the short answer is yes.

Thanks John, so yes they can become less efficient?

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Thanks John, so yes they can become less efficient?

Yes, like old CB radios. The electronics deteriorate. A microwave oven is just a transmitter, after all. They will get weaker.

I've had a microwave do the same thing in the past, so yes based on this.

As above - yes, although it is unclear just what the details would be. Most likely a component failure has upset the operating conditions for the magnetron. This will gradually lose power, but it takes a lot of use and time, so my guess is that it is not that (my microwave is still working perfectly well - my wife had had it for a few years when I married her in 1989!).

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Can a microwave oven loose its microwaveability? I thought they either worked or didn't, but ours seems to take ages to warm food. Could it have lost some of its capabilities?

They might not 'loose' it Ian. But they definitely 'lose' it.

Seals leaking?

My understanding (very little) is that a microwave should act like a faraday cage.

Knowing this i put my phone in our microwave and called it. Damn thing rang didnt it!!

I think i need a new microwave.

Different frequencies, the phone operates in the 800Mhz - 1 Ghz range Microwaves operate at 2.45Ghz. The screening is designed to keep higher frequency microwaves in, not lower frequency phone signals out. If you are worried about your microwave leaking leakage checkers can be had for less than $30. In a past life I used to check the microwaves for leakage in NSW schools, the doors had to be literally hanging off before any leakage was discernible so I wouldn't be too concerned unless the door fits like a Defender one.



Regards,
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