Strange smell and then a fire when heating an item in electrolux PLMV169DCC microwave

If you are not sure in ANY way about using this microwave BUY a new one. Simple as that!!
As long there where no sparks, strange noises or strange smells you should be OK to use it. Most modern microwaves have safety electronics built in that can act as a safety switch.
You can buy 'Plug In' adapters that are designed as a safety circuit breaker. Try searching for "Plug through RCD adapter". These 'Trip' if there is a power surge stopping the power to the item plugged into it. I have one for when I use big power tools.

This is most likely a defective magnetron, especially with the burning smell. There are two other parts that can be a problem, the high voltage capacitor and diode, all three work together to heat food. If the magnetron is the culprit, probably cheaper to replace the microwave oven.

That I can't answer! But I would replace your microwave/convection oven, it is completely unsafe and a major fire hazard, and I would get in touch with GE and lodge a formal complaint about their product, if there is a flaw in the design it needs to be brought to the table to warn others that have same item so they are not affected in the same way.

When the oven does not heat, the problem is usually due to the magnetron failing. It the part that generates the microwaves that heat the food. It fails by shorting out causing a loud buzzing noise. The burning smell is the being magnetron overloaded due to the short. It not worth fixing since the replacement cost of a magnetron is close to the price of a new oven. Sorry.

actually the two things you mentioned are a pretty reliable indicator :/

The only way to be positive is to check for power from the high voltage transformer. If you are not trained to work around electricity, i wouldn't mess with it because it can most certainly kill.

if there is no power coming from the HV trans, you then trace power back toward the cord. The component that has power going in but not coming out is the culprit.

the unit inside the microwave that heats food, called the "magnetron" has gone bad or the circuits that power the magnetron have failed. if its under warranty still, send it back to the manufacturer. if not you can call some repair shops and see how much it would be to service it, but its most likely going to be cheaper to purchace a new microwave since they are relatively cheap these days

if the magnetron is shot, then replace the microwave! the magnetron is what produces the 'microwaves' that do the heating. get rid of it! buy a new one! the smell is from overheating circuitry- don't want to take the chance of a fire!
these days you can replace it pretty cheaply- with a fine piece of technology made in china! but, if it lasts 3-4 years, it's pretty cost effective.
once again! if your getting a 'burning' smell from it, unplug it and dispose of it!
good luck!

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you to figure out what is wrong with yourMicrowave Oven....

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101
r

Turn if off, and leave it alone, remove it, if you can remove the unit, take it in for service, something is wrong if you smell electrical, most people for some reason can smell and identify correctly electrical or at least insulation burning smells, which means something is burning internally, not safe, fire hazard, unit needs to be repaired by qualified technician or replaced with new unit, take no chances, nothing you can do to repair this, could be a shorting transformer, or shorting power cables, but to attempt to trouble shoot this with email is a long shot, and depends on your experience expertize and testing equipment.

I wish I could give you a short easy answer, but the hazard and your safety is more important than a microwave.

Will

ya this is the same problem i too had...everything will seem to right but the part required for heating might be damaged internally...try changing tat...here i did the same...