Last Updated on April 25, 2025 by Francis
How Long Do Microwaves Last?
If you are not careful, you can end up wasting a lot of money on a microwave oven and having the machine breaks down.
For one thing, it is a lot cheaper to buy a brand new model rather than replace an old one.
In some collected data on the microwaves according to Yale appliance records on service and repair service, the general average life expectancy of the Microwave is about 9 to 10 years.
You have to be very careful with the door.
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I have chosen the Yale Appliances since they are in business since 1928 and their data collected is undeniable proof on the appliances records.
The same is true for items that you keep in your kitchen that are expensive; this includes things like spice racks, pots and pans and other kitchen appliances.
You would never think that you would need to replace these items, but if you ever start to notice that they are rusting or other problems, you may need to replace them soon. So how long do microwaves last?
Like all appliances, they have certain common problems that everyone experiences. For example, there are always issues with the heating element of the oven.
In the case of a microwave, this happens when the fluid that drives the device is corroded. If this is happening frequently, you may want to check out a repair kit that can help repair the problem and keep the item working for years to come.
When the fluid is corroded and not working properly, the temperature is going to be lower than it should be and you may experience some burning in the oven that is more than just a simple clean up job.
It is possible that your oven will shut down after this happens. If you want to avoid this type of situation, you may want to consider purchasing a new appliance.
Different models of the same brand can experience a wide range of problems as well.
For example, one product may come with an electronics panel that causes it to be prone to leaking water and other build up, while another model may not.
This is why it is important to know how long do microwaves last before you make the purchase.
You want to make sure that you do the proper research to find out the answer to this question.
This way, you can avoid costly repairs in the future and make sure that your family is using an appliance that will be with them for a long time.
Do Microwaves Wear Out Quickly?
Do microwaves wear out quickly?
You can still find microwaves that are still in good working order, even after several years.
Though they look like something you would be better off throwing in the trash can, you have to be careful when buying used microwaves.
It is important to check all the boxes on the box when purchasing a used microwave; you don’t want it not to work properly because of something that was not checked in the past.
A few things to consider when buying a used microwave:
The first thing is to check for the label on the box that says “used”. Many microwaves that are considered to be “used” are now “recycled” and are being resold for pennies on the dollar.
When buying used, you need to ask yourself if the seller knew how to operate the appliance and if the seller could still tell you how to use the equipment properly.
Ask them questions about any potential damage and if the seller can give you pictures of any repairs they may have had to make to the unit.
These pictures will help you see the damage that may be occurring with the use of the machine.
You also want to ask about the units that are “recycled” to see if they were even bought new or used in the first place.
You can find microwaves that are never used or not ever put to use, from sellers that sell secondhand. Sometimes these microwaves are sold at auctions or thrift stores.
There are many places where you can find microwaves that have been gently used.
These microwaves may be slightly more expensive than one that has been “used”, but you get what you pay for in these cases.
If you are going to purchase a used microwave, make sure you research all the issues that you should be aware of so that you are not buying a dead appliance.
What Are the Signs That a Microwave is Going Bad?
When you buy a new microwave, you want to know what are the signs that a microwave is going bad.
If you find that the problem has been caused by water in the center of the bowl, then it is an indication that the microwave is not up to specification and is going to need to be replaced.
You will also need to know how long the oven has been out. All ovens are not made the same and some will last longer than others. Look at the inside of the box first as this may be the cause of the issue.
The only time that you can be sure that a microwave is bad is when you see water in the middle of the bowl. It is an easy way to tell if it is a faulty microwave. The water should not be deep in the bowl, it should be just on the surface of the food.
When you look at the inner parts of the microwave, you should be able to tell whether the part has been properly cleaned.
If the part has been slightly dirty, then it may not be perfectly clean. If this is the case, then you should be looking for a replacement of this part because there is something wrong with the machine.
There are other times when you need to know what are the signs that a microwave is going bad and these include when your oven has been left outside for a long period, when the oven is left on when it is not in use, or when you start to hear a popping sound when you turn on the oven.
These are all signs that it needs to be taken off the shelf and replaced. If you are not sure what are the signs that a microwave is going bad, then you should not have to wait until it is too late to get a replacement oven.
A professional oven technician can give you more advice on what are the signs that a microwave is going bad and then be able to tell you if you are at risk of having to replace the unit.
Here is the list that alerts you that the microwave is about to be replaced.
- Door Seal – must check it properly since if it is broken then there will be some low level radiation leaking out
- Keypad – check to see if all buttons are functioning properly
- 10 Years – this is normally the time that the Microwave oven will have problems and need to be replaced
- Cooking – if you placed your food for 2 minutes and then it came out to be not as expected then the elements that needed for the microwave to cook is not working properly. You can make a simple test on a cup of water for 2 minutes. If the water is not hot then your microwave is broken
What is the Average Life of a Microwave Oven?
The average microwave oven lifespan is about 9 to 10 years before it needs replacing, and it comes with a one year warranty.
Most of the new microwaves that are coming on the market today do not have as much power as older models, but you will still get more out of the same wattage than you would from an older model, although it does not use as much power.
The amount of heating power a microwave oven has can directly affect how long it lasts.
If you turn up the heat too high, your oven will get so hot that it will eventually burn your food.
Although infrared sensors are easy to find and use, if you want a microwave oven that will be durable and last you for years, you should look for one that uses this technology and is extremely easy to use.
Here are some maintenance tips for your microwave oven:
- Do not turn on the microwave oven when it is empty
- Use hot water and gentle soap for cleaning
- Do not put metals inside the microwave oven
- Make sure there is adequate space for air circulation
- Apply a surge protector on the microwave oven
How Often Should You Replace Your Microwave?
A frequent question I get asked is, “How often should you replace your microwave?” This depends a lot on what type of cooking you do.
The type of cooking is the biggest determinant of how often you need to replace your microwave. If you like the ultra low temperature cooking you’ll probably use your microwave every day, it’s that good.
If you like high heat cooking, you’ll want to buy an extra big oven so you can go at high temperatures.
Most of the time we only think about the big oven once when we get it.
We don’t realize how much damage our oven can do until we have to replace it.
Your oven will be the most important appliance in your kitchen and if you don’t take care of it then it will be a big cause of health problems in your family.
You have the option of either buying a brand new one or fixing the one you have. Of course that will cost you a little more money but it will also give you a lot more quality for your money.
The problem with buying a brand new oven is that you don’t know how long you will use it before you have to buy a new one. You also don’t know how big the oven is going to be until you open it up.
So now you’re buying a brand new oven and it looks like a million bucks. So how often should you replace your microwave?
Probably every two to three years or so. Before you get a new one always make sure you are replacing the current one with a refurbished one.
You don’t want to risk any major damages to the oven so spend some money on a refurbished one.
Are Microwaves worth repairing?
Do you own a microwave or intend to buy one?
If you are asking that question, chances are that you are considering repairs or replacement of the device because it has developed an unresponsive program or malfunction.
Before you embark on replacing the device, or even if you were planning to purchase one in the first place, you should know that the appliances may be repaired and you might just discover that the cost of repairs can be a lot cheaper than buying a new one.
Many people own microwave ovens.
In most cases, the problem with the microwave is that the power switch is in the “on” position or may not be in the off position.
This is the first clue that the device may be worth repairing. After checking for the switch, next check the battery.
If the battery is dead or the current consumption is high, the device is also worth repairing. On the other hand, a dead battery or low current consumption does not necessarily mean that the device is useless.
However, it does not mean that the appliance will function well even if it has been repaired. Further, the constant use of the device may also lead to eventual damage.
There are certain tips that will help you determine whether the device is worth repairing or not.
For instance, check whether the buttons are working well. Do they function at all times?
Another thing to do is to check the temperatures of the surface which has been used in the cooking process.
There may be hidden damages that are concealed by the cover of the appliance.
While removing the cover of the appliance, you will find a lot of hidden damages. These are some things that you need to do when you want to decide whether the device is worth repairing or not.
Sometimes with these malfunctions, it would be wiser to get a refurbished model or a used one.
How Do You Know If a Microwave is Leaking Radiation?
It is very important to make sure that your microwave oven leaks and this can be prevented by a simple leak test.
There are two main types of leak tests and these are the Faraday cage and the leaky tag.
Leaky Tag Test
A leaky tag is a simple leakage test that involves opening the oven door using a wire coat hanger, or sometimes by simply using a twig with nails inside it.
The leak can be detected by pressing the hanger into the metal where the air is escaping and if there is any water, the test should not be repeated as it could damage the oven.
Faraday Cage Test
The Faraday cage leak is a little more complicated as it involves the use of a copper foil in order to test for any leakage.
A leaky tag is similar but this uses paper or cloth, which must be removed from around the oven in order to get a reading on how much air is leaking out.
This test is best done before cooking as it gives you a good idea of what exactly is causing the leak. You can use the information that you find to choose the appropriate fix for your leaky tag oven.
When checking for leaks in your microwave oven, you should take the following steps to ensure the correct results are achieved.
You should make sure that the oven is fully sealed by testing the edges for any holes and then closing the door, preferably with a tape to ensure that you are not too much tape to cover the gap.
You should also make sure that you have filled up all the water to a safe level inside the oven.
If there is still a water level to be filled, you can use some wet towels to work around the leak until the water is replaced. You should also remember to close all the vents on the oven as this could prevent the leak.
The leaky tag leak is a standard leak test that can be performed by opening the oven door and placing a piece of wire coat hanger against the metal.
There are a few things that you should remember when performing this leak test.
The first is that it is best performed when the oven is empty and when it is completely shut down.
Second, you should ensure that the test is performed in a place that is away from possible sparks and heat sources, such as the kitchen stove or radiators.
The third thing that you should be aware of is that the leak can not be detected if you have the oven running. This is because the leak will not be visible through the flow of electricity.
The Faraday cage leak test is a common leak test that is performed with many ovens and is useful when fixing a leaky tag or black box.
If you want to make sure that you are safe from a leaky tag or a black box, then make sure that you always perform this leak test before using the oven.
Mobile Phone Test
Microwave ovens emit radiation in a specific range of EM Frequencies.
The Microwave ovens actually are Faraday cages, meaning that when you place your phone inside the Microwave oven the “Faraday Cage” will not allow any external electromagnetic fields or electromagnetic waves coming from the phone to cancel out inside the Microwave oven.
If you place a phone inside the microwave oven and call it, it should not ring which means that our microwave oven is not leaking.
If your phone rings then there is probably a small leak, which is mainly caused by a faulty door with a small gap or space.
To make sure that this “Faraday Cage Theory” test works, you simply wrap an aluminum foil around your phone and try calling it, it will surely not ring since the aluminum foil acts as a “Faraday Cage”.
Do you need to worry on Microwave Oven Radiation Leak?
Actually it is not a problem, FDA regulations allow a small amount of radiation leak about 5 mW/cm2.
The FDA said that it requires a high does of radiation that will cause harm to you.
There is nothing to worry about radiation leak from microwave ovens.
Microwave Advice – How Far Should I Stand Away From a Microwave?
FDA regulations say that a small amount of radiation leak about 5 mW/cm2 which means that if there is a leakage of radiation from the Microwave oven then a safe distance of 2 inches is good enough.
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So definitely 12 inches to 20 inches away from Microwave oven when cooking is pretty safe distance.
