Popcorn my microwave will absolutely not make popcorn. I've left it in for 10 minutes! I've tried different temperatures....what now?

Try setting your timer for 2.75 mins to 3.25 mins

Sounds like the magnetron is over heating. Try putting a 4 0z cup of water in the oven along side the popcorn bag. See if this helps. Usually, the oven only runs 2 to 2.5 minutes for a bag of popcorn. You may have to experiment with the slightly different cooking time...

Popcorn is a low-moisture food which can cause a microwave to overheat, as can a failure of the cooling fan or blocked vents.

You should always turn a paper plate upside-down on the turntable (slightly off-center for better heating) and place the popcorn container on top of that.

The paper plate elevates the popcorn for better exposure to the energy and protects the turntable from excessive heat.

Placing food off-center instead of in the center increases exposure to the energy and prevents the same spot on the turntable from being overheated repeatedly, which leads to material fatigue and cracking.

It's also a good idea to put about 1/2 cup of water in a 1-cup microwave-safe container in the corner of the oven when cooking low-moisture foods like popcorn, bacon, and potatoes.

The microwave's magnetron has a thermal protector (thermostat, TCO, or thermal fuse) attached to it.

If the magnetron gets too hot, it can be damaged or destroyed, so the thermal protector opens and disconnects the power to the whole oven.

If it is a resettable device, the power will be restored when the device cools. If it is not resettable, the device must be replaced.

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Microwave Oven Control Panel Repair Nationwide
"Recycling by repairing since 1982"

Assuming your power line voltage is okay, it would not surprise me that after 27 years, your high voltage capacitor is drying out and increasing its capacitance. This will cause variance in the high voltage output, which can stress the magnetron and increase current consumption.

You can order Whirlpool parts my model number here.
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For more free DIY and other help & advice, feel free to contact me via my site.

William E. Miller, AS-EET
http://www.microwavecontrol.com
Microwave Oven Control Panel Repair Nationwide
"Recycling by repairing since 1982"

If the microwave functions normally while cooking everything else, but is only burning popcorn, there is no component problem that will cause this. You cannot adjust or replace any internal component to make it not burn popcorn. All power levels and program options are contolled by the consumer at the control panel. Refer to your owner;s manual for their recommendations.

If the oven is equipped with a popcorn feature button, it is programmed for a recommended power level and time. This is an ESTIMATED program feature. The manufacturers of both the oven and the popcorn will also give directions that tell you to turn the oven off when the popping slows to about a pop every 2 seconds. Failure to do so can result in burning.

If the microwave does not come with a popcorn feature button, the manufacturers of the popcorn have directions on the outside of the box that tell you what POWER LEVEL and TIME to set the oven on for the desired result. Again, the you still have to listen as the bag pops to ensure it does not burn.

In addition, on some microwave ovens, there is a feature that allows you to select the SIZE of the popcorn bag. Some popcorn manufacturers have smaller snack size bags that don't take as long to pop. You have to select the appropriate size to get the correct program option.

In any case, you never are to place popcorn in a microwave oven and walk away from it. All these program features are ESTIMATIONS based on manufacturers testing and recommendations for the best results. All microwave ovens are different and operate at different power levels. Your best judge is to listen as it pops.

I hope this helps you.

Popcorn is a food that has a very low moisture content, and microwave ovens rely on moisture content (water molecules) in order to cook.

If there is not enough moisture to absorb the microwave energy, much of the the energy is reflected back to the magnetron and damage it.

This is also what damages a microwave when it is run empty.

A simple solution is to add about 1/2 to 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe container in the back corner of the oven and cook your popcorn a little longer.

You'll have to experiment a few times to get the combination right for your particular model.

But allow our microwave about 15 minutes or so for the magnetron to cool down between popcorn cooking sessions.

Also, I would suggest putting a paper plate upside-down on the turntable tray, then putting the popcorn container on top of that.

This does two things: It keeps the extremely hot popcorn off the tray, reducing the chances it will crack, plus it raises the popcorn up so it will heat more efficiently.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

I would return the unit and get a different model or brand if possible.

Hi,

You are running the risk of damaging the Magnatron by doing this.

Check the packets you are using, you will have to reduce your power output.

This is because microwaves act by being absorbed by water. There is very little in popcorn and in fat. Once this has been evaporated, the microwave energy builds up (as it is still being produced - but not absorbed), and ends up cooking the magnatron itself.

I have seen countless posts on here after cooking popcorn!

More fun on the hob anyway - and cheaper to buy in bulk!

use Orville Rickenbacker ah you know who lol set it for five minutes when you hear it slow take it out works for me no the oven don't need repair popcorn's tough the best way i know to make popcorn is an electric skillet yum yum

The cooling fan is a must!

Otherwise, the magnetron will be ruined, and that drives up the repair cost.

If you or a friend decide to work on it, we have *critical* safety, disassembly, and troubleshooting info at our site, and our link is at our listing here on FixYa: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk

You can order parts here: https://www.mcappliance.com/partorder.aspx

To contact Magic Chef about getting an *authorized* servicer, see: http://www.mcappliance.com/contactus/contactus.asp

We're happy to help and we appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.