Microwave Smells Hot

[Tom and Kelley Crawford]

On a recent trip we noticed that after using the microwave, we would smell "electric hot" when we opened the microwave door right after it shut off. We were running an electric heater at the time (we have 50 amp service) and I don't know if that would cause it or not. If the circit was overloaded, shouldn't it have flipped (it has in the past when my wife runs the hairdryer, toaster, etc). The microwave was always running for just a short time period. Any suggestions on why this happened and is there a way for me to check it out myself without hauling it halfway across the state to the dealer? Apprecate any "words of wisdom" out there. Thanks in advance.

[Terrydactile]

What size circuit breaker is the microwave on? I would think if you only smell it when you use the microwave, it must be the culprit.

[geo]

I would recommend getting the microwave checked immediately. In fact, i would also suggest not using it until it is checked. It's an electronic appliance, so there are lots of wires and components that could be the problem. However, there is one component in particular that might be the cause. It's called a magnetron, or today's equivalent, and is basically a magnet with a tubular wave channel and a lot of very fine wire. This is what emits the microwaves. If that fine wire is damaged or fusing, you might get a wild fireworks show at some point. Be safe and have it checked.

Ron