Metal in Microwave behavior?

Question

Frigidaire Microwave Oven Problems. Recall?
I have a Frigidaire/Electrolux Microwave Oven. Model # PLMB 186CCB
Manufactured in 10/2003.
About 4 months ago, I was melting some butter and the microwave
started sparking as if metal had been placed in it and turned on. I
immediately opened the oven and then reset the timer and tried again.
Once again, it started that sparking and it was making very loud
"Zapping" noises. I gave up and didn't think about it again until
about 3 weeks later when he same thing happened. I decided to
completely rinse out the inside of the oven and also thooughly wash
the glass rotating dish inside. I didn't have anymore occurances
until 3 days ago when I was heating up some coffee and I had left the
room to give my baby a bottle and when I returned (approximately 30
seconds later) the oven was on fire inside! A hole was burned through
the top of the oven and after contacting Frigidaire, they told me that
my warranty was up but they would give me a 50% rebate on my next
Frigidaire microwave oven.
Thing is, when I asked the service rep about what had happened, his
response to me was "Yes, i've had other calls where the same thing has
happened". So i'm thinking they really should be replacing my
microwave. I mean, if they knew about this sort of thing taking place
(the rep called it "spontaneous interior combustion") shouldn't they
be recalling the oven? Anyone know of someone I can contact regarding
this issue? Frigidaire doesn't give out their email addresses, it's
one of those form pages that you send to them. So i'm just thinking
if this is something that happens, consumers should be aware of it.
Any info would be great. Thanks

WOW. I sure didn't know this question would get this sort of reaction. First let me say this, my house didn't even come close to burning down. The oven is built in and encased ... for lack of a better description. Anyway, yea, it was enough to freak me out a bit, but the hole inside the top of the microwave oven is about the size of a dime.
And to Emily, who felt it her job to lecture me on how I should react to certain things:
I am very careful about what my kids are exposed to. I have boys, ages, 17,12,4, and 2 and they are well taken care of. The sparking noises I mentioned, were what commonly happens when metal is put in the oven. Since I hadn't put metal in the oven, I thought perhaps the glass rotating dish that sits turns in the bottom of the microwave had ... I dont know, maybe some SOS pad left on it and maybe that was causing the noise/spark. This wasn't anything "electrical". But the last thing this forum is for is for another person to be so critical. Not necessary

Answer 1

Check this website about the warranties.

Answer 2

This is a knee jerk responce here. I'm just thinking about if it were me that almost lost his house and contents too a fire.

I would call them again and behave as if it were the ***first*** time I called. I would record the conversation on a tape recorder. In the conversation I would stress the fact that the reason I'm so upset is because this three year old appliance very nearly BURNT MY FRIGGEN HOUSE DOWN! I would keep pushing that point.

Then... at the completion of the phone call I would go shopping for attornies.

That's just me. I take great offence too someone elses stuff up very nearly BURNING MY FRIGGEN HOUSE DOWN!

Call me over sensitive. Call me litgious. Call me a raving loon.

Bottom line. I dun like like the idea of a house fire.

Answer 3

All I gotta say is are you nuts??? Like after the first sparking I would have been afraid to use it again.... And meanwhile you tried to use it another 3 times??? And then wonder why there was a fire?? Like you had all the warning signs -- There was obviously an electrical problem there... And cleaning it is not going to solve that, your just lucky you didnt get electracuted while cleaning it, and didnt burn down the house at the end...

I would have called the number the first time this happened!! Maybe then it would have been before your warrenty was up???
If not, then I guess you were out of luck from the get-go... But honestly if it were past the warrenty date, then why would they replace it, regardless of they knew of the issue??? They're offering 50%, thats not bad... I would just take that, and learn my lesson for the next time, cuz we're not just talking about a microwave being replaced here... We're talking about almost burning your house down... You mentioned you had a baby, what would have happened if your baby died in that fire, if it had spread past the microwave??? Count your blessings, and move on...

Answer 4

You did not mention where you are from. I worked for a big retailer in Massachusetts and by law a microwave was under warranty for a year. Have you tried calling the store where you purchased it? You could also try calling the district attorney's office in your state. They will be able to tell you where to go for help. Good Luck.

Answer 5

you really should call the appliance store that you got it from and chew them out, that was a very dangerous situation. complain and request what you need