Tricky Panasonic microwave oven cooks hand

[Dargo]

Okay, here's what is going on. For some reason, when anyone opens the door to our Panasonic microwave oven it kicks on, fan, lights, turning platter and all. That makes for a rather uncomfortable situation when you want to put anything in the microwave or to remove something from the microwave! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It sort of stinks since this microwave is a "built in" unit and not easy to remove. Anyone ever heard of this? Any ideas what it might be?

I called Panasonic to see if they would do anything about it because I just don't think it is a good idea to microwave your hand. They only told me that it sounded like I needed to have it serviced! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif This sure seems to be a safety issue to me. Any thoughts? I'm thinking of shutting off the breaker today before one of my kids microwave their hand. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[DUMBDOG]

We had a microwave do that once, threw it out, but for a built in might not be such an easy option. The prices of microwaves are really quite cheap. They are meant to be thrown away rather than serviced. With a built in, the prices might be more economical to have it serviced, check out the prices both ways.

 

[bczoom]

That sounds like a SERIOUS problem!!!

I would disconnect immediately.

How old is it?

BTW - if you end up looking at a new one, I recommend Sharp.

 

[ericinmich]

Throw it away now. Getting a built in replacement shouldn't be to hard.

-or-

Keep using it and sue them when you start getting cancer... and dying...

 

[Dargo]

Okay, I'm leaving for a lunch break and I'm going to unplug it now. Right now. My thoughts are not clear right now. I've been nursing my wife and daughter through having both the flu and mono, and my very close grandfather just passed away on Sunday at the age of 92. I have a "tough guy" image, but I'm just an old "softie". A year ago I still had all four grandparents. Now I have one. I'm having a real time concentrating now. This self induced sleep deprivation is really affecting my cognitive thought process right now. Sorry to ramble. Thanks for the good, and appropriate, advice.

 

[BB_TX]

Built in may mot be as bad as it looks. Ours is also "built in". But it is really just set into the cabinet and a bezel or frame installed around the front of it. I replaced my 20 year old unit last year. Still worked but heated unevenly. When I removed the frame, the unit was basically just a counter top model setting on a couple metal runners inside the cabinet opening. Had a regular power cord that plugged into an outlet in the back of the cabinet opening. I bought a new unit of similar size with a new frame to match it. Turns out there is standard sizing for the frames. The new frame almost exactly matched the cabinet opening that was built 20 years ago. I did have to put some shims under the feet to make the unit line up better with the frame opening, but really no big deal.