Microwave Problems

whirlpool microwave oven -question no one has ever asked!!?

I BOUGHT A USED MICR. OVEN AND WHEN I WAS CLEANING THE INSIDE I NOTICED SOMETHING VERY STRANGE. ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INTERIOR THERE IS A METAL PLATE THAT COVERS THE MAGNETRON. CLOSE TO THE TOP OF THE METAL PLATE THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED IN IT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. I REMOVED THE PLATE TO INSPECT. THERE IS A RECTANGLE HOLE W-4", H-1", THE HOLE WAS BURNED THRU THE METAL PLATE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT OPENING. THE MAGNETRON ROD SITS BELOW THE BURN ABOUT 1/2". THE TOP AND SIDE LOOKS LIKE SOOT FROM A FIRE, IT WASHED OFF. QUESTION??? IS IT SAFE TO USE? WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. THE METAL PLATE I SUPPOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT WORKS FINE, I ONLY SAW IT BECAUSE I WAS GIVING IT A GOOD CLEANING. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE A NUCLEAR MELTDOWN AT THE ABODE. TKS

Public Comments

1. IF YOU WON'T STOP TYPING IN ALL CAPS YOU WON'T FIND VERY MANY PEOPLE WILLING TO READ YOUR QUESTION.
2. it doesn't sound right, you may want to contact Whirlpool directly for this side note: you may want to not write in caps, it is known to signify you are e-yelling at the recipient.
3. Call whirlpool they probably have a 800number.
4. yes it should be there and its not metal i know it looks metal but it isnt sounds like to me smeone put metal in it at one time and that how the plate got burned . as long as its heating good you shouldnt have no worrys.
5. toss it in the scrap pile. In addition to the raggety burn marks the door seals may be damaged and you will receive an unnoticed energy level leaking out of it. It can be very harmful.
6. Aside from the safety aspects of this situation, your worry factor will be there until you have the microwave checked. I would take it to a Whirlpool appliance certified repair shop and show them the damage. If it isn't under warranty, and the cost to repair is not too much, you could go that way. Today's microwaves are so reasonable I would toss it, though, and get another one, unless this is one of those over the stove expensive machines, but I doubt it is worth the repair if you bought it used.
7. KEY WORD " USED" - JUNK IT! WHIRLPOOL DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN.