\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Its defective; it needs to be recalled! The couple reports that they don't expect to fully recover from their losses, which were well beyond their insurance coverage. Always double-check before putting something inside of the microwave for best microwave safety practices. Paper towels are fine for use in a microwave, though the same cannot be said for minute metal flecks, pieces of metal, and a ceramic container. GE told Consumer The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If possible, place the microwave higher up so young children are unable to reach it. Microwave fires are commonly caused by overheated ingredients, so keep an eye on your food as you cook. The same cannot be said for garden variety metals, like aluminum foil, and many of the materials that go into food packaging. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. Place them on the burnt food remanent. Ever. BOSTON (Reuters) - General Electric Co is recalling 92,000 microwave ovens because they pose a fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Wednesday. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. They dont seem to be nearly as common as food-based fires, either: A representative from the National Fire Protection Association told us that 17 percent of microwave fires begin in the appliance housing (which is consistent with non-food fires). We independently review everything we recommend. The energy gets concentrated in a small space, so its prone to react with something in the air or food, creating a spark. If it's a grease fire, you can throw some salt or baking soda into the fire to smother the flames. In May, GE announced a recall of 2.5 million built-in dishwashers because of a fire hazard. How to Lower Utility Bills When the Temperature Rises. An extra three minutes can be the difference between a nicely baked potato and a charred, smoky mess. Never use metal materials like metal bowls or aluminum foil in microwave ovens. If the appliance fire never reached the wall, it means your home wiring is fire and you just need to replace your microwave. So far there have been no recalls. No injuries have been reported. GE knew of more than 30 cases of property damage, but no injuries related to the problem, the safety commission said. Can I put an item in the microwave if it contains 87.5 percent cotton and 12.5 polypropylene? When an appliance fire happens, it is recommended to have an electrician check your wiring. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). The fire. It is possible for the touchpads on the microwave to stop responding despite the display lights working as expected. (source), Were on a mission to fix the broken user review system. The A microwave can be used for a variety of tasks, including heating leftovers, popping popcorn, and cooking potatoes. Some other obscure reasons will also cause a fire in a microwave even nothing is in it. use, according to the official fire report. Tested. Thanks! A class action lawsuit has been waged against Bosch by consumers who claim the company's drawer microwaves are prone to catching on fire. Put the dryer sheets in the microwave. UL-certified microwaves (which is almost all of them) are designed to contain small fires started by common foods (like popcorn or potatoes), so it should be safe to leave a microwave alone while the flames suffocate. Control Features. If you notice something wrong with the microwave, do not use it until it is fixed. At GE, we rise to the challenge of building a world that works. The problem isn't limited to Samsungs. GE microwaves are safe, quality products that millions of consumers use every day. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Do not open the microwave if there's a fire. In addition, the photo of the GE combination microwave and conventional built-in wall oven which accompanied this release has been replaced with a high-resolution photo. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. by themselves, some causing fires. We conducted rigorous safety evaluations, and determined that this issue does not present a safety concern for consumers because of the built in safety features designed to contain potential heat damage inside the unit. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Avoid-Making-Your-Microwave-Catch-on-Fire-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Avoid-Making-Your-Microwave-Catch-on-Fire-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Avoid-Making-Your-Microwave-Catch-on-Fire-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid476952-v4-728px-Avoid-Making-Your-Microwave-Catch-on-Fire-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"