Mica for microwave oven

Modern kitchen can not be imagined without a microwave oven. She firmly entered our life, because thanks to a microwave it is possible to prepare various dishes and to warm up the food. However, in addition to the benefits, the technique can deliver a lot of unpleasant moments, when the microwave turns on and starts to crack at start-up. Do not rush to immediately transport the device to a service center. Most likely, the mica plate has burnt through, and such a breakdown can be corrected independently. Today we will tell you why you need microwaves, and what to do if the device sparks inside.

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Why is microwaves needed and where is it located?

The microwave oven was invented by accident, thanks to the US military, who simply forgot his hamburger lying under the direction of radar radiation. After a while, the young man drew attention to the smell of toasted meat in the product, which is what prompted the creation of special equipment, which eventually gained worldwide popularity.

Important! Many users often wonder why the cell phones, computers and Wi-Fi network are not working well near the microwave. The thing is that many devices operate at the same frequency, because any household device should use only the allowed frequencies. One of those is the 2.4 GHz section on which the

• Mobile phones operate.
• Bluetooth.
• Wi-Fi.

This frequency is well absorbed by water, while micas for microwave in this area is a window. That's why materials based on mica are used to isolate the working compartment from the waveguide and magnetron.

Important! Mica for microwave is a dielectric and through it pass any radio waves.

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Kinds of mica

Mica varieties:

• Powder.
• Intumescent.
• Sheet.

Natural varieties of mica are easily crumbled. Therefore, to somehow compensate for this feature, the material is applied on a flexible basis. The result is something like geotextile, but a little thinner( 0.4-0.5 mm).This material is called microwaves. The color of mica for a microwave is gray, white and indefinite.

Important! All owners of microwave ovens should know that a magnetron - microwave oscillator is installed inside the equipment. The magnetron is connected to the working chamber by means of a waveguide, the output of which covers the mica plate. Usually this detail looks like a dense fabric or as a blotter. The plate can be located on the right wall of the device, in the center or below.

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Why is it necessary to separate the waveguide from the working chamber?

If you press your finger on the plate, you can feel the hole of the rectangular waveguide. The walls of the waveguide should always be perfectly clean, because otherwise the efficiency of the device will decrease, but also turbulent oxidation processes will begin. The purpose of micas for microwave is precisely to protect the waveguide from contamination.

Important! Do not forget about the appointment of a plastic cover - it must cover the plates. If grease and dirt get on mica, an electric breakdown can occur, due to the violation of the propagation of electric current. It is under these conditions that the plate burns out.

As soon as the fat gets to the mica plate, it under the influence of direct rays of the magnetron starts to burn and destroy the mica. Through the formed slit, the rays from the magnetron fall directly into the body of the microwave, as a result - the microwave sparks inside and cracks.

Simultaneously with the mica lining, the magnetron cap can also burn out. Also under the plate can burn and paint. In any case, if a malfunction in the device is detected, the microwave oven should be turned off and not used.

Important! Experts argue that neither paint nor a burnt-out cap adequately work the device does not interfere. This is all until the antenna of the magnetron burns to the ground. And you can not allow this.

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When is it time to change the mica?

The first sign that there was a breakdown is the crackling when turned on, and the microwave itself is sparking inside. You can even see the electric arcs in the area of ​​the mica plate. The cause of unusual phenomena is the fat that got to the surface of the mica lining. Even ordinary steam can carry aromatic molecules that can gradually contaminate the tissue. Over time, a breakdown of the lining can occur, which visually looks like a real lightning inside the case.

Important! To keep the equipment as long as possible, regular care is needed. Manufacturers recommend as often as possible to clean the internal surfaces of the microwave oven from food residues. Smooth surfaces of the body should be washed with minimal use of detergents, in addition, the rough surface of the protective plate should also be kept clean.

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Microwave spark in - what to do?

If a microwave sparkles, there may be several reasons:

1. A mica plate has burnt.(We will explain the replacement of the gasket below).
2. Damage to the camera enamel. The reason for this malfunction is the lack of regular cleaning of the walls of the working surface. Strong pollution and promote the formation of sparks. To remedy the situation, it is necessary to restore the enamel by specialized means.
3. The presence inside the casing of metal dishes or ceramic utensils, finished with gold or silver powder. In a microwave oven, you can not use any type of cookware with a metal finish.

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Replacing the mica plate

If the fault of the malfunction is a burnt mica plate, then it must be replaced with a new one. Any owner in the house can do this work independently.

Step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting

To correct the malfunction, proceed as follows:

1. Buy mica for microwave. To buy a new plate is not difficult, you can search in the store or order online.

Important! Mica for a microwave oven must have all the necessary certificates, so that later there would be no health problems.

1. Remove the old plate. Depending on the model of the device, the options for fixing the mica plate can be different: self-tapping screws, plastic latches.
2. Wash the old gasket in warm water to remove the remaining fat.
3. Mark and cut out the new plate, using the old as a stencil. It is most convenient to cut a gasket with a stationery knife. Do holes using either a drill of the correct diameter or an awl.
4. Blank the workpiece with sandpaper to remove defects.
5. Rinse the duplicate in running water to clean it of dust and crumbs.
6. Dry the gasket.
7. Remove all grease from the mica, clean the inside of the work surface completely.
8. Remove the magnetron and evaluate the quality of the protective cap. If the cap is burnt out, replace it with a new one.
9. With a pelt, clean all the burnt out areas and paint the charcoal enamel with a special paint.
10. Install the new plate. The installation of mica for a microwave oven will not cause great difficulties, since it is installed either in a special pocket attached to one side with a screw or held by the metal tabs of the housing. In this case, the plate needs to be slightly bent to fit it into place.
11. Check the functionality of the device. But do not forget that the microwave can only be turned on if there is some moisture-containing product in it, for example, a 200-gram heat-resistant glass with water.

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Useful advices:

1. During the extraction of the magnetron, observe all safety precautions:
   1. Disconnect the microwave oven.
   2. Short-circuit the capacitor.
   3. Short-circuit the magnetron.
2. Remember that microwaves are very fragile material, so cut it with a sharp cutter( shoe or wallpaper knife) along a steel ruler.
3. To prevent fat and food from accumulating on the walls of the chamber, clean regularly: first, warm the camera at low power for 10-15 minutes with water inside, and then wipe the walls of the work surface with a soft sponge soaked in a detergent with a fat-releasing effect.
4. Do not use too bulky utensils to heat food. If even a dish placed in the camera does not touch the walls of the camera, then when the tray rotates, it can move slightly and touch the surface. As a result of constant friction of dishes about the walls of the chamber, the enamel will thin out, as a result - its deep damage.

We hope that our tips helped you to fix the malfunction and the microwave no longer spark. And in order not to come across a similar problem in the future, follow the rules of equipment operation, and when choosing dishes for the microwave oven, follow the signs on the products. The drawn waves indicate that the dishes do not damage the device and will not deteriorate from the effects of microwaves. Take care of the technique, and it will thank you with delicious hot breakfasts.