Microwave door frame fell off! Is it still safe to use?

RemotecUK

The stainless steel frame on the front of my Microwave door has fallen off!

Looks like it was originally attached with double sided tape which has now perished.

It's a Panasonic model which I bought in 2003 so it's had a decent life.




On this picture the part would be D5 which I think is called an "outer frame".

Is this just a cosmetic part and is the microwave still safe to use?

I was thinking I could clean up the old adhesive and stick it back on however not sure which adhesive to use given it get's hot and I don't want it to give off any fumes.

Thanks in advance for any help received.

tacpot12

I think that the outer frame might affect how any microwaves would leak out, so I would not use the microwave (or at least stand well back from it) until you can refit the frame. You can get heat resistant double-sided sticky tape on eBay, so I would use some of that to reattach the frame. The frame won't get really hot - it will be exposes to the steam at 100 degrees C at most. 

Section62

RemotecUK said:

Is this just a cosmetic part and is the microwave still safe to use?

The door, and particularly the fit between the door and the body of the microwave, are safety-critical as they prevent microwave leakage.  (standing well back doesn't do very much as microwave energy can travel long distances).

From what you say it appears the part may just be cosmetic, but I would treat it as a sign (on a 2003 machine) that it is near the end of its life.  I probably wouldn't attempt a repair unless the reason why the part came away was fully understood.  For example warping of the main door frame could be a cause of detachment of the trim , and that would be an underlying fault which is dangerous.

I don't think it could be recommended to carry out any repairs on a microwave door without carrying out a microwave leakage check (using a trusted meter) before putting it back into use.

If you don't have a meter (most people don't) then the question has to be whether the cost of buying a new microwave is excessive compared to the cost of having the tools and materials to do a safe repair.  Unfortunately I'd suggest replacement is likely to be the only winner here.

Rosa_Damascena

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

Microwaves are one of the most cost-effective pieces of kitchen kit so spend a few quid and replace it. Anything else is not MSE, its just asking for trouble.

tacpot12

Microwave Ovens - Safety - Radiation - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Ebe_Scrooge

I've got to agree with previous posters - a basic microwave oven these days is cheap as chips.  I'm one who will always attempt to repair anything (usually with great success), rather than throw it away - fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, TV, numerous kids' toys, you name it.  But the door on a microwave is safety-critical - unless it's blindingly-obvious that something really is only cosmetic, and it's blindingly-obvious how to fix it, then forget it.  I've no doubt it could be repaired by a competent "repair-man", but even then it's probably going to be cheaper to just buy a new one.

Eldi_Dos

Salutary news item on BBC webpage for Edinburgh about what can happen when a microwave goes faulty, got to agree its time for it to go.

RemotecUK

Thanks for all the comments.

I am pretty certain if you look at the construction of the door this is a cosmetic part. The inner shielding including part D3 (above) extend deeper than this piece of trim. 

However, I do completely agree - it's had a good life and it's time for it to be replaced. 

Will order a new one shortly. Just not sure if we should get a normal microwave or a combination even one.

I quite like the idea of being able to do a pizza & jacket potatoes etc quickly in a smaller oven than our ageing gas oven. Reviews are really mixed on them however and most of them still have a turntable which limits what you can put inside for convection cooking.

Any thoughts welcomed!

Section62

RemotecUK said:

Will order a new one shortly. Just not sure if we should get a normal microwave or a combination even one.

I quite like the idea of being able to do a pizza & jacket potatoes etc quickly in a smaller oven than our ageing gas oven. Reviews are really mixed on them however and most of them still have a turntable which limits what you can put inside for convection cooking.

Any thoughts welcomed!

I've had a Panasonic Combi since about 2015, completely happy with it, saves time and electricity when only cooking a small amount compared to putting on my main oven.

The equivalent model to mine is now the NN-CT55JWBPQ, and that's what I'd probably get if mine stopped working.

https://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-appliances/microwaves/combination-microwaves/nn-ct55jwbpq.html

They are quite a lot more money than a basic microwave though.


I also noticed Panasonic do a flat bed version, that might be what you were looking for -

https://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-appliances/microwaves/combination-microwaves/nn-df386bpq.html

Alderbank

I have this Panasonic Combi and can endorse that it is excellent.

It comes with a metal tray which fits over the glass turntable for combi cooking

RemotecUK

Thanks. Got a Panasonic combi. Happy with it so far