DeDietrich DME555XE1 combination integral Microwave Sparking

[wookiebear]

Hi There
Have had the above appliance from new for just under 3 years and today it has started sparking in microwave mode behind the left hand inside panel behind what looks like two greeseproof cardboard rectangles.

At first when you start it in microwave mode (at whatever wattage you put it in) it appears to be ok then after a few seconds it makes a weird noise, light flickers and it starts sparking as mentioned above.

Does this sound like a common easily fixed fault by an engineer?
Or does it sound more costly than it is worth bearing in mind it cost £450 new less than 3 years ago.

Many Thanks

[helo_75]

nah
the wave guide cover has probably failed
not an expensive repair

ill not go into the reason why its failed, as i dont want to offend

[wookiebear]

helo_75 wrote:nah
the wave guide cover has probably failed
not an expensive repair

ill not go into the reason why its failed, as i dont want to offend

I wont be offended as I dont want it to happen again.

[helo_75]

poor cleaning,as a rule

[cockney steve]

Re: DeDietrich DME555XE1 combination integral Microwave Spar

I had the same problem with a couple of different ovens.

IMHO, the problem can be caused by TOO THOROUGH cleaning.

to explain:- the waveguide-cover is normally made of MICA…a naturally -occuring substance which is “flaky” like slate.
I think that when it’s wiped with a too-damp cloth, the edges of the laminae (posh word!) wick -up the soapy,greasy water by capilliary attraction…..eventually, the residue after the water evaporates, builds up sufficiently to track the microwaves to “ground” hence the sparks.

I have not found a substitute for Mica, that doesn’t rapidly degrade from the waves attempting to pass through,so i conclude that this is the cheapest,most readily -available, microwave-transparent, thin, flat substance the manufacturers can source. you CAN speed-up the lightning-display by letting the cavity (oven) get crudded-up,….but not in my case.

(I used them in a catering-business as well!)

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