One of the most important luxury appliances in the kitchen is the microwave. You just pop a dish in it, and it warms up your food within a few minutes. You don’t need to wait long to enjoy warm food or beverages.
But, if this microwave stops working, and your food is not getting warm enough, it will be a nightmare for you. You will need to fix this issue as soon as possible.
The thing that can cause issues in your microwave is the microwave plate. If it stops working, your microwave will not work appropriately.
In this article, we are going to discuss how you can replace or fix a microwave plate. If your microwave plate is broken, you wont want to miss this article. Lets get started.
What is a Microwave Plate?
Before discussing the issues with it, we will see what a microwave plate is and discuss its importance.
A microwave plate is a glass plate that ensures that food is cooked or warmed evenly in the microwave. If this plate is not present, the food will not be exposed to the microwave evenly. In this case, only some parts of it will be cooked and the other parts will remain cold and uncooked.
There are two types of microwave plates. One is turntable and the other is not. The turntable plate will move the food in a circle and will expose it to the microwave.
The other one, which is not a turntable, has a turntable antenna in it. So, these will expose the microwave waves evenly to the food, warming and cooking the food.
If there is no plate in the microwave, you can still use it. But, you need to keep your microwave’s settings at small time intervals.
For example, you keep the time interval at thirty to forty seconds. When the microwave stops, you will turn the food manually in the microwave. You need to do it again and again until your food is cooked properly.
This is a time-consuming process and a bit hectic. A microwave plate saves you from this hassle.
That’s why it is crucial to keep it maintained and clean. No one can afford this malfunctioning. The good news about it is there are fewer chances of it malfunctioning.
You don’t need to replace or repair it often. However, if you ever find yourself in the predicament, this guide will help you.
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When Do You Need to Replace Your Microwave Plate?
You need to replace your microwave plate when it breaks. There is no way of repairing it if there is any crack on it.
We have seen a lot of people putting glue on their broken microwave plates so that they can be repaired. But, we don’t suggest you to do this. Doing this is unhealthy and dangerous for your health.
This action can also create the formation of different hot spots on the glass tray. There can be bubbles or voids in the plate so it can break under the heat.
Moreover, the food can get stuck in the crack. So, you will not be able to clean it properly. This can lead to bacteria formation in your microwave.
So, it is not a wise decision to glue down or repair your broken microwave plate. You just need to replace it. But how?
How to Replace the Microwave Plate?
You need to find the exact model of your previous microwave plate. The same model will only work in your microwave. Otherwise, the other model will not work properly and can cause harm to your microwave too.
This means that you can’t put the microwave plate of your Thermador Microwave in a Miele Microwave.
So, you need to find the same model or manufacturer to replace it. There are a few places where you can find it.
The first and most ideal place is Amazon. You can find different manufacturers and models with it. So, it is easy to find the same model from here.
Otherwise, there are different thrift stores and local shops from where you can find it. A lot of people go to thrift stores because they can find inexpensive items there.
If you are unable to find anything in these places, you can check other websites too. Some helpful sites include Craigslist, FreeCycle, or Offerup.
On Craigslist, you can place a “wanted” ad for your microwave plate. Someone will have your model and will be willing to sell it. So, you can have it from there.
FreeCycle is also a good website. You can have the items for free from this one. People may have the microwave plate while their microwaves have been broken. So, you can take the plate from them for free on this website.
So, in this way, you can replace your microwave plate.
What if the size of your new Microwave Plate is Smaller?
If the diameter of your new microwave plate is smaller, it is not an issue. It just needs to be fixed on your turntable and should rotate properly.
If it is fixed in your microwave, you don’t need to worry about the size of it. There is no issue regarding it.
So, it is all about replacing the microwave plate. Now, how can you repair it? Let’s see the answer.
When Do You Need to Repair Your Microwave Plate?
You need to repair your microwave plate when it is not turning. This is the common issue with your plate that it stops turning.
In this situation, you can repair it either on your own or you need to contact a professional.
There can be different issues that can cause your microwave plate not to rotate. So, you have to take different steps to find them and tackle them.
Check the Turntable Installation
You need to check if your turntable is installed properly or not. If you hear a rumbling or thumping sound from the appliance, it means you need to re-install the plate on the turntable properly.
Before doing this, you should power off your microwave. It will ensure safety.
Clean the Roller Guide
The microwave plate turntable is present on a roller track. This track has small wheels that cause the microwave plate to turn. This roller and its wheels may also have issues.
To know about it, you need to remove the microwave plate and the roller guide. Inspect if it is dirty, sticky, or has a broken wheel.
If it is dirty, you just need a cloth, warm soapy water, and a sponge. Use soapy water and a sponge to clean the dirt, and then dry it with the help of a cloth. When the dirt is gone, put the microwave things back.
If the roller guide is sticky, you need to soak it in warm water for a few minutes. After that, dry the roller guide with a cloth or paper towel.
If the wheel or roller guide is broken, you need to replace it.
Clean the Microwave
Any type of dirt or food remnants can get stuck in your microwave track. These food pieces and debris can stop the turntable from turning properly.
If this happens, you need to remove the microwave plate and inspect the coupler and roller below. Check if there are any visible food pieces in the way of your plate’s spinning track.
Scrub the whole area and get rid of any sticky pieces and remaining food. You should make sure that your whole microwave is thoroughly cleaned. It is also important for hygiene and microwave maintenance.
Tray Coupler
The coupler is underneath the microwave plate which gives turntable force to the plate. There may be an issue in it that causes the issues in your microwave plate. It is made of hard plastic.
You need to remove the plate and inspect the coupler. If it is dirty, melted, or damaged, you need to either clean it or replace it.
The dirty coupler can be cleaned, but if there is any other issue, you need to replace it.
Drive Motor
If your microwave plate is turning in a jerky manner, or if its speed is fading with time, there can be an issue with the drive motor. This motor is just below the turntable and it gives the plate power to move.
You need to inspect it if you have checked all other components and they all are working fine. To inspect it, you need to shut off the power.
After that, remove the bottom panel to inspect the motor. You need to find two wires attached to the bottom of the motor. Disconnect and touch them with a multimeter to examine their continuity.
If the continuity is zero, then your motor is fine. If it is giving any other number, you need to replace your motor.
To replace the motor, you need a professional person. It is not a DIY project.
So, these are the methods of repairing your microwave plate.
If your plate is not spinning due to any of these reason, you don’t need to panic. You still can use your microwave, and it will work fine.
For any repairs, installations, builds, or questions; We recommend you to hire a professional. Find A Pro Near You Here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Cheaper to Replace the Microwave Plate or Buy a New Microwave?
There is not much price difference between the new microwave plate and oven. The normal range of plates is $25 to $50 depending on the model of your plate. On the other hand, a new microwave starts from $99. So, if you have a relatively old microwave, you should consider replacing it. We advise replacement because new microwaves also have various amazing features.
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