How Does a Microwave Oven Work?

[@veeeks2938]

Matt should honestly be hosting a science video, as he understands his stuff and explains it in an easily digestible way.

[@HotpointProductions]

Thanks very mutch for letting me know that I can replace my microwave plate! I bought one from your website and now my microwave oven works like new!

[@feddythechamp]

this guy explained it in so simple manner..i thought microwave might be very complex appliance to understand from inside!..tx bro

[@shvideo1]

Excellent video on the various components of a microwave. This is the best one I have found. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@eSpares]

Hi Daniel, thank you for your post and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@mowwow1998]

Excellent, concise and very informative intro video. Extremely well explained in plain english. Thank you so much, I now hope to go through all your other videos also.

[@seasonedtoker]

thanks, this video helped me explain the science behind the MW to my parents-in-law :) even though the idea of microwave oven is probably 40 years old, but it is still the most 'futuristic' equipment every kitchen has :)

[@ManojkumarYama]

Perfect video thank you so much guy's ❤

[@eSpares]

You are most welcome.

[@papacitoperez]

very good video, thanks for sharing. i have a question: what is the size of that fuse on that microwave? i have a sunbeam 700 w 250v, and dont have the original fuse. went to buy one and is too long, it is 15 a 250v, but needs to be shorter. could you help ? thanx and have a great day

[@eSpares]

Hi, Less expensive Microwaves are in no way dangerous but obviously may not have the functions and performance levels of a higher priced model. Thanks.

[@darrenforster99]

got a few questions on this - firstly had an engineer replace fuses on our microwave and then he ran it with the cover off, I was like so nervous 'cos I said to him can the microwaves not come out with the cover off? He told me that the Microwaves were all trapped in the oven cavity and as long as the door was shut its safe - didn't really believe him, but is that correct? Also sometimes on TV shows you see them blowing up microwaves just by putting metallic things in them...

[@alistairstuart2009]

If it is used a lot it could be that your magnetron has worn out. but it could also be the fuse in the plug or one of the internal fuse. wouldnt go inside it yourself as there is over 2000v stored in the microwave (even after being unpluged) I would recommend getting a professional to fix it or buy a new one as it is extremely dangerous inside a microwave. hope that helps

[@futureskills]

Very informative video.

[@MoonLight11023]

Thank you so much man. It's a very informative video.

[@mrsemifixit]

So the polarity of the water molecules are attracted to the opposite charges of the varying wavelength which causes them to twist and turn? Like - to + attraction?

[@hajikhanom]

Hi. Thank you for your explanation. Is the high voltage AC or DC? Thank you

[@eSpares]

In this case the issue is most likely to lie with the magnetron or the high voltage circuit, and unfortunately a repair by an unqualified person is very dangerous. We recommend that you arrange for a qualified repair person to take a look at it. Thanks!

[@Yulat-d2u]

Спасибо!Всё чётко и понятно!Теперь я знаю проблему))

[@chevyhighrider]

Great job, I found this pretty interesting thanks.

[@Madhatter1uk]

I've been told that i cant replace the bulb myself as there's a seal on the outer cover and if its broken it needs testing to make sure its not leaking microwaves. Is this true ? I'd have thought the seal would have been around the inner cavity and door .

[@eSpares]

Hi, Thanks very much!

[@Bigbennek2]

very good ,very well understandable

[@eSpares]

Thanks for the comments, a word of caution. If the covers are removed from a microwave it may be possible to contact the high voltage areas inside, these can remain charged for quite a long time and accidental contact can often prove fatal. This is why we will not show repairs inside that could lead viewers into danger and would recommend if you do have a problem that requires cabinet removal you get the unit repaired by an engineer with microwave training.

[@onlyramey]

This is done for proper discharge of the voltage stored in capacitor after switching off the power supply. Now the problem is that after switching on the power supply, I can not detect any microwaves. For detection of microwaves I am using a microwave leakage detector meter. I can hear smal voice from either magnetron or transformer during operation but the detector does not show any microwaves. Can any one suggest something to resolve the issue urgently?

[@santoshp.dhokate]

Thank you very much.

[@eSpares]

Hi Santosh, you are welcome.

[@clinthightowerclinthightow4950]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@eSpares]

Thanks for the comments Clint. We also have many diagnosis videos to help our viewers and customers identify problems with their home appliances. However we haven't produced a diagnosis video for microwaves as they can prove lethal if the high voltage parts accidentally are touched.

[@mugemhades1395]

hy bro.. I want to make a microwave-related experiment. that is the application of microwave waves to coal heating. what are the tools that i need right? in this case, i want make my own microwave oven, what spare parts that i need bro???

[@eSpares]

Hi Farisi, thank you for your post. As eSpares is a spares retailer, we cannot give manufacturing advice. Due to the high voltage inside microwaves, we recommend any work is carried out by a suitably qualified engineer.

[@aabisnathani8730]

If i plug a 230 V 50 Hz, Microwave Owen into a 230 V 60 Hz supply, will it work, Voltage is same only difference is Frequency please comment ?

[@eSpares]

Hi aabis, you would need to speak to a qualified electrician to get the correct answer.

[@Serostern]

"It can be quite dangerous" - as in LETHAL, yes. Before you do ANYTHING with a microwave oven make sure to discharge the capacitor (metal tube below fan) They almost always got a bleed resistor inside, but I have found ones that didnt, and it HURTS. Any part of a microwave is easily replaced. In a previous video you did a bearing job on a tumbledryer, that is FAR harder than replacing a magnetron.

[@Info-Tech-]

Great video

[@eSpares]

Hi Raheem, thank you for your post and glad you enjoyed the video have a lovely day from eSpares.

[@quizzer]

If ceramics won't heat up in a microwave, why can I heat bowls and plates up in my microwave? Despite having no food or liquid in them.

[@ELproductions1000]

Hi, My microwave is working fine but not making the food hot? Please may you help me as soon as possible!!!

[@elizabethb7438]

Two questions: 1. how come some potatoes will microwave no problem and some scare the crap out of me cause it seems like the microwave is electrocuting itself? 2. My microwave works fine however the bottom is totally rusted out. I have tried CLR and vinegar on trying to clean it up to no avail. Should I junk the microwave even though it works fine cause it is going to contaminate the food with all that rust and is there a Rustolemum paint or something I could use to do a fix. Make that 3. is there any other practical use for a microwave besides just food? Thanks

[@eSpares]

Elizabeth B Microwave energy can be very powerful and when cooking for a while the water content of the potato can be super heated way above its boiling temperature causing the potato to spit and crackle. To reduce this it would be better to 'turn down' the cooking power once the potato is hot and cook for a little longer. The rust will have been caused by the moisture from the food condensing on the oven walls. To prevent this always allow the cavity to vent with the door open after use until dry. There is little use for a microwave other than cooking and it is important that no holes allow energy to escape.

[@eSpares]

Elizabeth B :-)

[@herrakaarme]

I'm not sure if it's really practical, unless you are in criminal or espionage business, but a microwave oven can be used to destroy electronics and CDs/DVDs in mere seconds. I don't recommend trying it at home, though, as you might cause a fire or fill your kitchen with poisonous smoke.

[@mitkuberhe4074]

can you please tell how the power level is changed from the maximum rated power down with a single touch of the micro button ,i wanted to add some other micro power levels modifying the microwave .so can you suggest how the circuit is related with the input.

[@eSpares]

Most microwaves control the power by cycling the magnetron supply on and off, so for half power it is on for ten seconds then off for ten before repeating. Working inside a microwave could allow you to accidentally contact the high voltage supply that can often prove fatal. For this reason we advise that most work on microwaves should only be carried out by trained micro wave engineers.

[@mitkuberhe4074]

eSpares yeah I realized that it is related with duty cycle but I couldn't interpret it in to a circuit diagram ,then it seems kind of a bit clear.I am ok with the safeties I know I have to take care of the high voltage ,and discharge the capacitor before doing any measurement test or else...,so can u please recommend some related videos or documents to read on how to change the duty cycle from 100% to 0% continuously so as I can have as many power levels as I want .thank u so much for ur help and recommendations

[@eSpares]

Sorry we do not know of any information of this type so cannot help.

[@Kopanadidikharianto]

night sir … im subcriber you, i have microwave not heathing… when i connected to electricity fan is working … i havent push button start… may be you can give solution ? thanks sir

[@eSpares]

Hi Kopana, sorry but working on Micro Waves is exceptionally dangerous as the extra high voltage will easily kill if accidentally touched. For this reason we do not give Microwave advice other than to contact a qualified Microwave repair agent.

[@haryorsirny2692]

kudos

[@SleepParty30]

I know now the parts of a microwave, but not how a microwave works lol. I wanna know how the freaking waves "are born". How the magnetron creates them. Does that thing vibrate? Does it click on something? Does it work with black magic? How?

[@eSpares]

Hi Ralph, thanks for your post. For the purpose of keeping this video short certain topics were not discussed. Thanks for tuning in :)

[@Mana_Ski]

Hi Mr Spares, do you by any chance know the average life expectancy of a microwave oven?

[@eSpares]

Hi Mana, this depends most on how you look after it. Generally if the oven is kept clean inside we would expect between 5 and 10 years but often they can continue for over 20 years.

[@Mana_Ski]

eSpares thanks for getting back to me :) I just wondered as my parents still have one from the 80s and I often question how safe it is!

[@eSpares]

Most people do not 'understand' the safety issues with microwaves. It is very dangerous to take the case off a working microwave as contact to the high voltage will often be fatal. The other area of 'concern' is 'leakage' from the door. This only occurs if the door is damaged or not fitting correctly. Other than that if it still heats correctly we would not worry at all and think 'this one has certainly earned its keep'. :-)

[@blackmujlest5740]

hi can help me?? I have persintation about microwave oven parts what thir jobs and thir location in microwave oven ??

[@eSpares]

Hi, we advise viewers not to take the covers off a microwave as accidental contact with the high voltage area is likely to prove faulty and has killed a number of engineers over the years. We are happy to explain any particular questions on how it works but will not advise on repairs that involve potential contact with the high voltage area.

[@anush7386]

How to magnetron produce microwave

[@eSpares]

That is quite a technical question if you are asking about the physics. In practice the magnetron is a type of thermionic valve that has a high voltage supply to it and when powered produces a high powered electro mechanical oscillation. The resultant energy is directed into the cavity and cooks the food.

[@shadhanroy7307]

how to solve hitting problem

[@eSpares]

Sorry Shadhan, to repair a heating problem could expose you to a lethal electric shock so we do not advise on repairs in this area. Contact a microwave trained engineer for repairs. 😊

[@sofijehangir2373]

how to solve heating problem

[@eSpares]

Hi Sofi, we do not give advice on repairing microwaves due to the safety issues with dangerously high voltages.

[@xbeanx3000]

Do microwave manufacturers misuse the word 'oven' as it's still just waves but coming from the roof instead of the sides? They should just call them "microwaves-but-from-the-roof".

[@eSpares]

To quote 'wickipedia' "An oven is a thermally insulated chamber used for the heating, baking, or drying of a substance, and most commonly used for cooking. Kilns and furnaces are special-purpose ovens, used in pottery and metalworking, respectively." So in summary a cavity or enclosure to cook in. There are many other different types like the open Pizza ovens or the clay Tandoor oven used in Asian cooking. 😊

[@xbeanx3000]

Ah, so when a microwave oven is in 'oven mode' does it produce heat inside or remain cold like the normal microwave modes?

[@eSpares]

The micro wave produces heat in the food not in the air inside the cavity.

[@xbeanx3000]

I suppose their naming is wrong then or is an evolution of the oven definition. Sorry if I'm not understanding things but it seems "microwave ovens" just add an extra dimension too the waves (vertical and horizontal) and aren't really ovens per say. Thanks for your responses though and I enjoyed the video.

[@RuiSilvaPT]

Forgot to mention the h.v. capacitor.... if it fails there's no microwaves to begin with....

[@RuiSilvaPT]

***** yep! true...

[@esparesvideo8740]

This video was made to explain how a microwave works and not how to repair it. Due to the high chance of death if the high voltage area is accidentally contacted when on. We do not advise any one to remove the covers from microwaves and do not give fault information around this area.

[@esparesvideo8740]

***** Hi Mistanate88, Inverters are used as they can be more energy efficient. The mains power is rectified and used to run a high power switch than pushes the power through a high voltage transformer at a much faster frequency than the 50 (or 60) hz of mains electricity. This allows the transformer to be significantly smaller, lighter and cheaper to produce. Apart from this the microwave is exactly the same in principle as a non inverter Microwave. For this reason and to avoid 'accidentally' encouraging others to attempt repairs in this area we are unlikely to be updating this video soon.

[@boatking7039]

Why? You English know about potatoes my mom made great stew bad vid, there are much more to it? Make sure your bicycle chain is greased and make sure at Christmas there is Yorkshire pudding just like grandma makes GOD BLESS:

[@eSpares]

Hi, Yep, a lot of microwaves have lamps or bulbs that are not designed to be changed and are meant to last a long time (life of the machine in many cases). Check your manual or give us a ring to discuss whether a bulb is advisable to change on your model. tel: [phone] Thanks

[@Humza]

"MOT's are pants" -Photonicinduction

[@tomhardware2254]

Unplugging that doesn’t make it safe buddy.

[@eSpares]

Hi Tom, you are right that for safety reasons the capicitor must be discharged with suitable equipment before proceeding with any type of repair, thank you for bringing it up.

[@TheFreddiis]

50,043 views but only 21 Likes ? xD

[@vistigioful]

I've torn apart a microwave before.

[@hajikhanom]

نعم. فمن ذلك.

[@1marcelfilms]

only by specialized people... did it by me selfe

[@johnny45irish]

oh, you supply spares. i thought you were one of those crazy people that like to take apart everyday things to figuire out and tell others how they work. but i suppose nothings free.

[@abdullahw701]

شرح حلو بس مافهمت شي هههههههههه

[@Humza]

@AnasheedCast and Inverters are even more pants.

[@dandb3475]

thank you