Yesterday a new assistant in training used the NACHI microwave tester for about 30 seconds. About 10 minutes later there was the smell of burning electronics and smoke coming from the microwave. I disconnected power of course.
Does anyone have knowledge of whether using that thing for the extended time of 30 seconds or so could have caused that failure?
He did not follow the instructions printed directly on the product. You need a load in the microwave so put a cup of water in there with the tester. (the tester weighs less than an ounce). And never run the microwave for more than 10 seconds. you can damage the testing device. these instructions are printed right on the device.
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Ha Ha… Dave… Same time!
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Years ago we didn’t have a glass of water available and used it without the water for less than 2 seconds, probably less than 1 second, get the camera ready, turn it on, catch the flash and immediately shut it off(open the door). That’s how we do it now.
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Don’t see how that did anything. I have tested many for 10 seconds without the water. I open the door as soon as I see the tester blink. Accidentally ran my own microwave with nothing in it a merely melted the plastic turntable rollers (thought I was using the timer and hadn’t hit the right button sequence).
Related… we have found 2(maybe 3?) microwaves (out of thousands) that didn’t work over the years. Unit ran, but didn’t light the device.
As soon as the light flickers, I shut it down.
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One of those units was mine several years ago. Unit ran, hear the fan, turntable spun but no heat was generated. Little microwave tester came in handy to condemn the microwave.
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Let’s make it easy and effective as a test.
- Use a small microwavable cup to draw water from the refrigerator water dispenser. That will test it as well. If no dispenser on the refrigerator just draw it from the sink.
- Place cup in the microwave and test for 60 seconds. Watch to make sure turntables move, light comes on, etc.
- Take cup out and scald your finger placing it in the water to test to ensure it heated it.
- Test the manual light, fan function, etc. and Voila done in less than two minutes.
I never stick anything in the microwave that was not intended to be there in the first place. Of course unless there is a rat running around and I have my electrical tape handy!
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Way too long
My method was simple. I always carried several paper towels in my tool bag. Simply dampen a paper towel and place it in the microwave and run for 5 seconds. If the towel was warm/hot when I removed it the microwave was working.
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What? No one uses popcorn anymore?.. LOL
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I carry a small Gatorade bottle with water in it. Put it in the microwave for 30 sec. Scan it with the thermal camera before and after. Voila working microwave or not