Microwaves were a pretty great invention. They save us a ton of time and energy for a quick, hot meal. What to do if Your Microwave Plate Breaks is discussed here.
You’ve been prepping for this day. You have a plan! There are some steps you can take to try and fix it yourself before you call the repairman.
It might even be as easy as placing a dish towel underneath the broken plate to keep things from spilling out the sides. If that doesn’t work, then you may want to contact a microwave repair service or just replace your old microwave with a new one.
Related Article : Why Do My Microwaves Keep Dying?
What to do if your microwave plate breaks
If you have a broken microwave plate, don’t panic! The process can be surprisingly simple depending on the cause of the break.
Your microwave’s plastic or glass plate may have shattered when you tried to remove it. The best way to remove the plate is to hold the edges with an oven mitt and use a pair of pliers to pull out the remains of the plate.
If your dish towel slides around in your microwave, it’s likely that your floor is uneven or that there are high points in your dish towel that are sliding offs corners of the microwave.
Try using a thicker dish towel or place something underneath to make sure there are no gaps.
If you notice any cracks in the front panel window, replace it immediately as it can lead to an electrical surge and electrocution hazard. Repairing these plates should only require one screwdriver and about five minutes.
Check for damage
Before you do anything, be sure to check if your microwave plate is actually broken.
If your plate has a small crack, the microwave will likely still function normally, albeit with a small reduction in efficiency due to the reduced surface area of your plate.
In this case, you can still use your plate as normal, but you should be careful and use lower power settings if you notice it is cracked. If your plate is warped and bends inwards, it’s probably not usable.
Most microwaves have a turntable that rotates your plate when cooking, and plates with a warped surface will likely get stuck and cause the turntable to break.
If your plate has melted, warped, or grown a hole, you should replace it immediately to prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
Repair or replace your plate
If your plate has a small crack, you can try to repair it with super glue or epoxy. Just make sure you don’t have any food on your plate – the glue may get stuck to your food and you’ll have to throw it out.
If your plate is warped, you can try to heat it up with a hair dryer to reshape it. You can also purchase a microwave repair kit to patch up your plate.
However, if your plate has a large crack, melted holes, or is otherwise irreparable, you’ll have to replace it. If you’re not sure where to find a replacement plate, a quick Google search will help you out.
Check the warranty
If you purchased your microwave new, you may be able to get a replacement plate for free. It’s worth checking the warranty section in the owner’s manual to see if this option is available to you.
Some microwaves come with a limited warranty that covers defects in parts and materials, including the plate.
If you think your plate may have been damaged due to a defect, you may be able to get a replacement plate without spending any money.
Install a glass plate
Microwaves are excellent for reheating leftovers, cooking small snacks like popcorn, and quick cooking items like hard-boiled eggs.
However, microwaves aren’t well-suited for large meals that require a lot of water to be added (such as pasta, rice, and soups), or for baking. If you mostly use your microwave for these cooking tasks, you may want to try installing a glass plate in place of your metal plate.
A glass plate will allow you to use your microwave for everything, including baking and large meals.
Some glass plates are microwave-safe and can be used in place of a metal plate, while others have a special coating that allows them to be used safely in microwaves.
Fix with tape
If your plate broke while cooking, don’t try to remove the broken pieces. Instead, cover the broken area with a piece of tape.
This will prevent the microwave energy from escaping and cooking your food unevenly.
If your plate broke while you were finished cooking, you can still salvage your food by covering the broken area with a piece of paper towel.
You can also try transferring your food to a smaller plate or bowl to reduce the risk of food escaping and getting stuck in the broken plate.
Purchase a new plate
If your plate breaks and you don’t have a warranty that covers this issue, you’ll have to purchase a new plate.
Since microwaves come in a variety of sizes, it’s important to check the size of your plate and make sure you’re purchasing a replacement plate of the same size.
Otherwise, it won’t fit and you won’t be able to use it. If you want to buy a plate made of glass, be aware that it won’t have the same microwaving power or functionality as a metal plate.
You’ll probably have to increase the cooking time and use lower power settings to make sure your food doesn’t burn.
However, you may have the option of purchasing a microwave that comes with a glass plate as part of the cooking compartment.
Repurpose your broken plate
If you have a broken plate, don’t throw it away! You can repurpose it by using it as a pot holder, a gardening pad, or a water pad. You can also use it as a drying mat, a pot stand, or a plate for small snacks.
You can also use your plate to mark lines for cutting and measuring. If you have really creative kids, you can use your plate to inspire their creativity.
You can use it as a paint palette, a stamp pad, or even as a stencil. You can also use your plate as a decorative piece or as a gift.
You can use your plate to decorate your table, or you can use it as a gift wrap. You can also use your plate to repot plants.
You can also use your plate as a bookmark, note paper, or to store your jewelry. You can also use your plate as a mini greenhouse.
Clean up the Broken Pieces
If your plate breaks and you can’t salvage it, try to keep the broken pieces together as much as possible. Dispose of the pieces in a clear plastic bag to avoid the risk of injury.
Since sharp pieces of metal can be dangerous, you should take care not to step on them or otherwise risk injury to your feet.
You can put the broken pieces in a bag and dispose of them with your regular trash. If you have a compost pile, broken microwave plates can be added to your compost as they are biodegradable.
Buy a New Microwave with a Metal Plate
If you microwave plate breaks and you don’t want to replace or repair it, you can buy a new microwave.
You’ll obviously have to choose a model that comes with a metal plate, so that you can use it the same way as your old microwave.
However, you can use this opportunity to upgrade to a model with new features that will make your life easier.
It’s worth noting that microwaves come in a range of price points, so you don’t have to break the bank to get a new microwave.
FAQS
Is there any way to fix a broken microwave plate?
Plastic plates are more breakable because they’re thinner. If you have a metal plate, try sticking it in the freezer for 15 minutes and then testing it. Lots of times that will help repair the plate. You can also try to tape over the cracks with duct tape or try wrapping your plate in a dish towel to keep things from spilling out if it breaks.
What do I do if the microwave is already broken?
If you don’t want to call a repair service, you can always purchase an inexpensive new microwave at many stores.
How long does it take for my microwaves to break?
That really just depends on how often you use them and what you’re doing with them. A lot of people say that microwaves typically last about three years before they start breaking down.
Conclusion
Microwaves are a kitchen staple for many people, especially for busy individuals who want to prepare quick and easy meals. However, the metal interior of microwaves is also their weakness.
Since metal can easily conduct heat, it’s not surprising that the most common problem with microwaves involves the metal plates inside.
If you use your microwave regularly, you should take precautions to prevent its metal plates from cracking or breaking.
However, accidents happen and it’s even more likely if you have an older model or one that hasn’t been used frequently in recent years. If your plate breaks while using your microwave, don’t panic.
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