Microwaves are great and simple to use, but they can act up occasionally and require some repair. One very good thing about the way microwaves work is that much of the time, what seems like a problem really isn't; it's a matter of changing how you cook something or just learning more about the inner workings of the appliance. But occasionally you find something that really does need professional evaluation and repair. Instead of worrying about everything that seems out of the ordinary, however, double-check first whether it's something that does need help.

Air Coming from the Front of the Microwave

Was there a breeze coming from the microwave before? Was it that strong? Maybe you're imagining things?

No, you're not, and chances are high that the breeze has always been there and you just never noticed. Microwaves have fans to cool down the motor, and the air is vented usually out the front from under the door. If you're not hearing unusual noises and the air isn't scalding hot (or any other truly weird quality), then that air is normal. It could be that you're feeling it now because you stood in front of the microwave for longer than usual or that it's very cold or still in your apartment and the airflow was thus more noticeable.

Vegetables Not Cooking as Quickly as Usual

One sign that makes many think the microwave needs repair is that foods don't cook as quickly as they used to. This is not necessarily the case. If you've noticed that vegetables, in particular, seem to have a problem cooking all the way through, it could be the vegetables themselves. Foods high in minerals, especially when they are cut into cubes -- in other words, when they have those pointy corners -- are subject to an arcing effect that can produce sparks because the minerals act like little pieces of metal. When this happens, the vegetables won't cook as quickly (the arcing takes away some of that power). The next time you toss some cubed carrots and green beans into the microwave, watch it for a bit and see if you see some sparks. These are generally harmless, by the way, but they can look alarming.

The Keypad Isn't Working

It's possible for a microwave keypad to stop working because it's become too dirty or because the microwave needs a literal reset (unplugging for several minutes). However, if gently cleaning off the pad and then unplugging it and plugging it back in doesn't work, then you need a repair specialist. If the keypad does not work -- even part of the keypad -- that indicates that the circuitry has deteriorated. While it could be that a simple connection needs to be shored up, it's also possible that there are more serious problems forming that could affect the motor of the microwave. If cleaning and resetting it don't work, don't try to open up the keypad or any other part of the microwave's circuitry.

Call a microwave repair company to learn more.

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