Space aliens have attacked our microwave oven!

[Buzz]

Unless y'all can come up with a more reasonable/plausible explanation.....

I set the power level down to 5 or 6 ("P 6") on our Costco/Panasonic 1.6 cu ft microwave oven, just like I've done many thousands of times before. Then I set the timer for the desired number of seconds ("50"), again just like I've done many thousands of times before. I visually confirm the settings, just like I've done many thousands of times before. Yep, next I push the "Start" button, just like I've done many thousands of times before.....

Then the space aliens show up.

The microwave goes on a power/time spree all its own, and won't shut off.
It's wrecked a few meals when there was too much ambient noise, and I didn't catch it on time. Luckily, I caught this AM's oatmeal in time, but it finally pissed me off enough to check it out. It's all electronic, except for the door latch, so I'm thinking it's a hitch in the controller board's giddyup. Something is getting triggered (I think) when the "Start" button is pressed. It's about 7 - 8 years old, and it's a successor to a previous Costco/Panasonic microwave.

Please help figure out what that hitch is, and maybe find a possible solution so that it doesn't keep happening.
Thanks.
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[GGD]

Have you tried rebooting (unplugging).

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Do they smell like fish?

[Buzz]

GGD wrote:
Have you tried rebooting (unplugging).

Many times.
The front panel data entry looks OK...., until sometime after the "Start" button is pressed.
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[hal]

Costco would probably give you a new one if you bring it back

[TheCaber]

It sounds like moisture/condensation from the 'thousands' of steamy cooked items have finally got to the control panel/control board. You could try to locate a control board and replace the wonky one. I'd only try it if it's a custom over-the-stove install that would be a hassle to deal with. If it's a countertop model, just replace it; it is 7 years old. Even with range hood style, get a replacement unit (measurements!) at an appliance store and get one with installation of the new and remove/dispose of the old. Costco may provide those services (I do not know).

[lost in space]

I'm surprised to hear that it gets so hot. They have an over-temperature sensor that's in the power circuit that should have cut off power.

[RAMd®d]

If it's a countertop model, just replace it; it is 7 years old.


This makes me sad.

My Litton countertop was ~44yrs old when it's magic smoke escaped.

But then, they don't make 'em like they used to.

No turntable, only 600W, and over 50lbs.

Cooking like a savage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwKptgFZZHY

[Buzz]

TC - I always air it out after nuking, and it gets cleaned a few times a week, so we're doing our best, or close to it. The other humans nuke their coffee, or sometimes reheat stuff and aren't as careful as I am about airing it out; but when I see 'em do that, I'll open the door again.

Our ancient, 1970's Litton, a la Rammie's, developed some condensation damage after about 25 years, so when Mrs. Buzz could no longer tolerate the arcing and sparking inside, we sadly had to say goodbye. It's been about 20 years of Costco/Panasonic use since, and my daily nuking average is at least 5x, so the total X's nuked is in the tens of thousands.

With Panasonic's inverter tech, you can get more even cooking, and over the years I've learned to nuke things a few/several times at lower powers to get truly excellent results. My morning oatmeal gets nuked 2x, dinner stuff gets nuked a bunch of times, and depending on how many mouths we're feeding, the 'wave gets a workout. The old Litton had an analog dial that controlled its power, so we could adjust the power while cooking, and not have to use multiple sessions. FWIW, its timer was analog dial set, too.
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