Microwave Problems

Frigidaire Microwave Oven Problems. Recall?

I have a Frigidaire/Electrolux Microwave Oven. Model # PLMB 186CCB Manufactured in 10/2003. About 4 months ago, I was melting some butter and the microwave started sparking as if metal had been placed in it and turned on. I immediately opened the oven and then reset the timer and tried again. Once again, it started that sparking and it was making very loud "Zapping" noises. I gave up and didn't think about it again until about 3 weeks later when he same thing happened. I decided to completely rinse out the inside of the oven and also thooughly wash the glass rotating dish inside. I didn't have anymore occurances until 3 days ago when I was heating up some coffee and I had left the room to give my baby a bottle and when I returned (approximately 30 seconds later) the oven was on fire inside! A hole was burned through the top of the oven and after contacting Frigidaire, they told me that my warranty was up but they would give me a 50% rebate on my next Frigidaire microwave oven. Thing is, when I asked the service rep about what had happened, his response to me was "Yes, i've had other calls where the same thing has happened". So i'm thinking they really should be replacing my microwave. I mean, if they knew about this sort of thing taking place (the rep called it "spontaneous interior combustion") shouldn't they be recalling the oven? Anyone know of someone I can contact regarding this issue? Frigidaire doesn't give out their email addresses, it's one of those form pages that you send to them. So i'm just thinking if this is something that happens, consumers should be aware of it. Any info would be great. Thanks

Public Comments

1. This type of failure is caused by grease and food particles getting in an area where the microwaves are concentrated such as where the microwaves enter the oven cavity. The buzzing and sparking and yellow light is this dirt burning. There is also some carbonizing of this material as it burns and where this carbon builds up it is more susceptible to arcing with the buzzing and sparking and yellow flashing. If this is not cleaned off there will eventually be more and more arcing and eventually a small fire. This is not considered a great danger as the unit will shut down with excessive heat in the oven cavity and the fire is contained and will not spread and will die out quickly after the shutdown as the material in the oven cavity does not support combustion. This can happen in virtually any brand microwave. Some are more susceptible than others.