Microwave turntable started to squeak .

[Geezerette]

Just started to squeak and not move smoothly today when I was hearing a cup of water for tea. It’s a Sunbeam 700w, no precious problems, about 5 or 6 years old I think. Looked up the problem on line and seems probably to be the motor underneath giving out. Anyone had any experience with this type of thing? I’m not about to try to turn it upside down & take it apart. Thanks. Guess I’ll start looking for a new one, eh?

 

[Aunt Marg]

We don't have a turntable in ours and compared to microwaves with turntables, I notice no difference in heating times and efficiency or lack thereof between the two, mind you we don't use ours much other than to reheat the odd thing.

Maybe look for a turntable-less microwave this time around, Geez. Be one less thing to worry about.

 

[Murrmurr]

Just started to squeak and not move smoothly today when I was hearing a cup of water for tea. It’s a Sunbeam 700w, no precious problems, about 5 or 6 years old I think. Looked up the problem on line and seems probably to be the motor underneath giving out. Anyone had any experience with this type of thing? I’m not about to try to turn it upside down & take it apart. Thanks. Guess I’ll start looking for a new one, eh?

Sometimes the turntable plate slips off the wheels that keep the carousel in the groove underneath, and that makes sort of a squeaking sound. Take the plate out and make sure the little wheeled carousel is in the grooves. If that's not the problem, replacing the oven would probably be cheaper than paying someone to repair that motor.

(Motors are pretty simple, though. Easily fixed most of the time.)

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Yeah, check the little cradle with wheels, directly underneath the large glass turn table. Food particles can mess up the wheels And if you need a new microwave, get a one with a turntable.. It more evenly warms your food. Otherwise, you'll find over cooked and raw portions. 9 years is the average life of a microwave., but if you're like me; mine will give up the will to live well before that.

 

[Jules]

Start searching the ads for a sale. There should be one every weekend. If you belong to Costco, they have a great return policy if something goes wrong.

Panasonic is a reliable brand. I like that mine has a button for Sensor Reheat. The one type I don’t like has a knob to set the cooking time.

 

[peramangkelder]

Just started to squeak and not move smoothly today when I was hearing a cup of water for tea. It’s a Sunbeam 700w, no precious problems, about 5 or 6 years old I think. Looked up the problem on line and seems probably to be the motor underneath giving out. Anyone had any experience with this type of thing? I’m not about to try to turn it upside down & take it apart. Thanks. Guess I’ll start looking for a new one, eh?

@Geezerette yes please do not turn your microwave upside down because there is a magnetron from Professor Google
'The cavity magnetron is the main component of a microwave. The magnetron is an oscillator where electrons are emitted from a hot cathode and whirl past resonant cavities which are part of the anode at speeds that generate microwave energy. ... The magnetron is a high powered vacuum tube.'
Dangerous to attempt a repair but maybe check to see if any dust or dirt around the moving parts of the turntable
Most times it is more expensive to repair than to replace....once again our throw away society
Maybe time to check online for a new one that takes your fancy

 

[Fyrefox]

My aged microwave also began making creaking, grinding noises related to its turntable...

...and I can never hear the word magnetron without thinking of "Magneto" from the X-Men, a villain so cool you liked him anyways!

 

[Geezerette]

It’s working again fairly quietly. I keep it pretty clean but I did a really thorough job yesterday, including tipping it up not quite upside down to clean under it. Haha, I think maybe shaking it it helped a bit;maybe something was crowding the magnetron. Thinking maybe that was an old age warning symptom & I should start sizing up replacement candidates. Thanks to all who responded, especially peramangkelder

 

[fmdog44]

Time was when the home was filled with things easily fixable. Those days are gone forever.

 

[debrakay]

Time was when the home was filled with things easily fixable. Those days are gone forever.

Much like our vehicles too. I can still change a tire but that is about it.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

It’s working again fairly quietly. I keep it pretty clean but I did a really thorough job yesterday, including tipping it up not quite upside down to clean under it. Haha, I think maybe shaking it it helped a bit;maybe something was crowding the magnetron. Thinking maybe that was an old age warning symptom & I should start sizing up replacement candidates. Thanks to all who responded, especially peramangkelder

I don't cook, I nuke everything. I eat most frozen foods. My microwave began to act up. It would stop mid cooking something. It was clean, and i needed one to keep eating, so I ran out an bought a very expensive model. Then it, too, began to act up. Turns up it was the wall plug that was defective. If you jiggle the cord it would cut off. So now I have two microwaves. Story of my life..........

 

[Aneeda72]

I don't cook, I nuke everything. I eat most frozen foods. My microwave began to act up. It would stop mid cooking something. It was clean, and i needed one to keep eating, so I ran out an bought a very expensive model. Then it, too, began to act up. Turns up it was the wall plug that was defective. If you jiggle the cord it would cut off. So now I have two microwaves. Story of my life..........

Same with my drier, told husband it was the wall plug, he said nope. Paid for the drier tech, it was the wall plug.

 

[timoc]

That squeak? Is there a mouse trapped in there, taking the 'Mickey'?

 

[Mike]

Just started to squeak and not move smoothly today when I was hearing a cup of water for tea. It’s a Sunbeam 700w, no precious problems, about 5 or 6 years old I think. Looked up the problem on line and seems probably to be the motor underneath giving out. Anyone had any experience with this type of thing? I’m not about to try to turn it upside down & take it apart. Thanks. Guess I’ll start looking for a new one, eh?

Try some liquid soap on the little wheels, use a
tooth pick or similar to put it on.

Mike.

 

[Geezerette]

Very interesting idea, Mike! I wonder if a tiny amt of very light vegetable oil would work. I’d be concerned that soap might emit a chemical smell when it got hot in there.