General Arcing and Sparking - Microwave Drawer
Possible Solutions
Prolonged arcing can damage the oven and/or the utensil.
If caught at once, arcing should not damage the oven. Remove the offending utensil or food from the microwave and either substitute a microwave-safe utensil or cook the food by other methods.
To Test Cookware or Dinnerware for Microwave Use:
- Place cookware or dinnerware in microwave drawer with 1 cup (250 mL) of water beside it.
- Cook at 100% cooking power for 1 minute. Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the water stays cool.
Are the utensils and/or cookware microwave safe?
Metal cookware and bakeware, gold, silver, pewter, non-approved meat thermometers, skewers, twist ties, foil liners such as sandwich wrappers, staples, and objects with gold or silver trim or a metallic glaze should not be used in the microwave oven. If used, they could cause sparking or arcing in the microwave.
Check out What Type of Dishes can I Use in my Microwave? for more information.
Was metal or aluminum foil used in the microwave?
Aluminum foil and some metal can be used in the microwave oven. Aluminum foil and some metal can be used in the microwave drawer. If not used properly, arcing (a blue flash of light) can occur and cause damage to the microwave drawer. When using aluminum foil, only use small, flat pieces placed smoothly on the food. Foil should not come closer than one inch to any surface of the microwave drawer.
Review: Can Metal or Aluminum Foil be Used in the Microwave? for more information.
Were vegetables being cooked in the microwave?
When cooking certain vegetables with high mineral content in a microwave, an arcing effect may occur in or on the food itself.
Review: Why Certain Vegetables May Cause Arcing for additional information.
Is there soil buildup in the microwave oven cavity?
Soil build-up on cavity walls, microwave cover, cooking rack supports, and areas where the door touches the frame can cause arcing.
Refer to the Use & Care manual for complete details on microwave cleaning.
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