Microwave screw holes corroding - repairable?

hoggle87654321

Hello!

The fan motor has gone on our combi oven/microwave. The local repair man won't touch it as it's also a microwave and Siemens charge £100 just to come out. Before we pay that we wanted to know if the repair is possible in theory because...

The screw holes in the main frame that hold the back panel on have ever so slightly corroded, which means the screws no longer hold the back panel on tight. As it's a microwave it's been recommended we don't use it due potentially undesigned 'gaps'. Will an official microwave/oven repair man be able to use bolts or special screws to fix this? Or will he say now it's corroding get a new one? We just don't want to pay a call out if someone can answer this question before they get here!

Thanks in advance for any expertise!

societys_child

I doubt he'll have special screws.
More likely condemn it if it's rusting.


How old is it?

hoggle87654321

That’s what we thought might happen, and didn’t want the £100 charge for the advice... we think it’s 8ish years old.

societys_child

I know this is MSE but I'd be investing a new one.


Cooking does cause steam and moisture, Stainless Steel doesn't rust . . .

owen_money

societys_child wrote: »

I know this is MSE but I'd be investing a new one.


Cooking does cause steam and moisture, Stainless Steel doesn't rust . . .

Stainless steel can rust,

From the British Stainless Steel Association web site,

'Although stainless steel is much more resistant to corrosion than ordinary carbon or alloy steels, in some circumstances it can corrode. It is 'stain-less' not 'stain-impossible'. In normal atmospheric or water based environments, stainless steel will not corrode as demonstrated by domestic sink units, cutlery, saucepans and work-surfaces.

In more aggressive conditions, the basic types of stainless steel may corrode and a more highly alloyed stainless steel can be used.'

But yes in general domestic situations it wont rust

societys_child

Yeah ok owen. Pedantic or what. I'l try again:



My SS 900w microwave/ oven/ grill doesn't have any sign of corrosion or rusting and still looks as good as new after 14 years of regular domestic use. Cheap from Aldi as well.


Is that ok with you?

owen_money

societys_child wrote: »

Yeah ok owen. Pedantic or what. I'l try again:



My SS 900w microwave/ oven/ grill doesn't have any sign of corrosion or rusting and still looks as good as new after 14 years of regular domestic use. Cheap from Aldi as well.


Is that ok with you?

Yes thats fine. Just pointing out stainless steel can corrode as many people think it doesn't.
I cant see why you've got upset about me pointing it out, if anything you should be happy I've taught you something new.

snowcat75

owen_money wrote: »

Yes thats fine. Just pointing out stainless steel can corrode as many people think it doesn't.
I cant see why you've got upset about me pointing it out, if anything you should be happy I've taught you something new.

Of course, Ask a fabricator and describe something as stainless and your get a blank stare, Many different grades, Many different property's depending on what its final use is... All corrode with exposure to certain chemicals...…316 per example is typical marine grade so highly resistant to salt and moisture, but typically 308 is used in the food industry as its greater resistance to chemicals, sulphur iirc being 316s weakness.

societys_child

owen_money wrote: »

Yes thats fine. Just pointing out stainless steel can corrode as many people think it doesn't.
I cant see why you've got upset about me pointing it out, if anything you should be happy I've taught you something new.

What makes you think I'm upset owen? I know the capabilities of SS.
You've taught me SFA owen, I know more than you'll ever know, now just stop it, you're making yourself look stupid.

owen_money

snowcat75 wrote: »

Of course, Ask a fabricator and describe something as stainless and your get a blank stare, Many different grades, Many different property's depending on what its final use is... All corrode with exposure to certain chemicals...…316 per example is typical marine grade so highly resistant to salt and moisture, but typically 308 is used in the food industry as its greater resistance to chemicals, sulphur iirc being 316s weakness.

Exactly, the correct material selection is key. I've used 316 in many marine applications as it has better corrosion resistance to say 304, which is a more common ss.

Many engineering projects have failed due to incorrect or poor quality material

owen_money

societys_child wrote: »

What makes you think I'm upset owen? I know the capabilities of SS.
You've taught me SFA owen, I know more than you'll ever know, now just stop it, you're making yourself look stupid.

Yes I'll leave it there. I'm not sure why you are so defensive and angry, maybe there is something else going on in your life?

All I'll say is I hope everything works out and that you feel better soon. All the best