Naturally, if you see white smoke from the microwave you are of course going to be alarmed. It could be something fixable or it could be a more serious problem that could be a fire hazard. A smoky microwave could be an issue with the internal electrical components, food or liquid residue, or something else that only a trained technician could diagnose.
Hopefully it’s nothing too serious and it’s something simple that you can fix on your own. We have put together the most common issues and solutions for smoke coming from your microwave.
Table of Contents
What To Do If White Smoke Is Coming From Your Microwave
If you see white smoke coming from your microwave, or any smoke for that matter you should follow a few steps immediately.
Do’s
- Turn the microwave off at the main switch.
- Open windows and doors to let the smoke out, particularly if the microwave is in a confined space like a caravan.
- Don’t stand directly in the path of the smoke, it could be toxic.
- After you have turned off the electrical supply to the microwave, give it a minute or two to see if the smoke subsides.
- If the smoke continues to billow out we recommend carefully removing the microwave and placing it outside.
- A fire could potentially occur, and if your microwave is on the wall or in a cupboard this could be even more dangerous. So it’s best to remove an integrated microwave as quickly as possible.
Don’ts
- Don’t wear any jewellery when touching the microwave if you suspect there is an electrical problem. Even if you have turned off the electrical supply there could still be a danger of electrocution.
- Don’t try to dismantle the microwave but leave it to a professional technician. Things like fixing a microwave door can be undertaken by yourself if you know what you are doing. Any internal issues or electrical faults should be left alone.
- After it seemingly works again and no smoke appears to be coming from anywhere, don’t leave the room and let it cook. The smoke could reappear or a fire could start.
- Don’t have your face in the white smoke from microwave as this could potentially be toxic.
Microwave Smoking After Cleaning
If your microwave is smoking after cleaning the good news is this is most likely just steam from when you have wiped the inside where the food goes. Have a look and make sure that’s where the smoke is coming from. Stop the microwave and open the door, does the smoke stop? If so, dry the inside with a cloth or towel.
Put it back on, use the microwave display to set it at a short time like 30 seconds. Keep an eye on where the white smoke from microwave was coming out to check if it still is.
If you still have smoke coming out, please follow the steps above as there may be an internal problem that could be dangerous.
Why Is My Microwave Sparking And Smoking?
A microwave sparking and smoking could is due to a serious issue. Smoke coming from your microwave is one thing but combined with sparks is something that needs to be taken care of immediately. The first thing to make sure is that you haven’t accidentally put in aluminium or any sort of metal like a fork.
If this is the case you can stop the microwave, remove the item that doesn’t belong there then continue to cook. Sparking however means there is a serious fault that should be taken care of straight away.
Turn off the microwave at the wall and make sure the sparks have stopped before you touch it. Unplug the microwave then take it outside to a safe location not close to any flammable material.
Sparks really shouldn’t occur in a new microwave, and if it is indeed recently bought you should contact the manufacturer or store and explain. This could be an isolated problem with your microwave or it may be a common problem with this appliance and they need to be recalled.
Styrofoam in the microwave can cause it to melt if the power is too high or it’s on too long also. Either way it’s best not to try and repair it yourself. The best option is to purchase a new microwave, you can find many options on places like Amazon at prices for all budgets.
Dirty Microwave Signs
If your microwave is dirty there are a few signs you need to clean. A build up of food residue or crumbs in the microwave can cause smoke to billow out. Office microwaves or somewhere that has a lot of people cooking with the microwave can be a hazard if not cleaned properly. White smoke from microwave may be visible when in use as the build up of residue is burnt. You can easily fix this though with a good clean of the microwave.
Can You Use Microwave After It Started Smoking?
Yes, you can use your microwave after it started smoking as long as it isn’t an electrical fault. That is, if you have left water inside after giving it a clean and it’s just steam coming out, or you mistakenly popped something in the microwave you shouldn’t have. If you have fixed one of these issues but the microwave continues to smoke there may be a more hazardous issue.
White Smoke From Microwave Solution – Recap
White smoke coming from your microwave has a few solutions. Any electrical appliance with smoke coming out is of course a cause for concern. Always turn off the electrical supply and remove the microwave safely from the house. Only do this if there is no sign of an electrical fault such as sparks coming from the microwave.
We recommend removing any jewellery before touching the microwave incase of electrocution. White smoke from microwave could just be something like steam or some packaging you have forgotten to take off the food before cooking it.
Any electrical appliances from fridge freezers, TV’s, or microwaves shouldn’t be ignored as they could have deadly consequences.
FAQ’s
In this section, we will answer some common questions about white smoke from your microwave.
Why Is My Microwave Smoking?
Your microwave is smoking because there is some sort of issue or it’s just steam. Microwaves with smoke billowing out are usually down to a few common problems. Unclean microwaves, or those with a lot of built up residue with crumbs and whatever else can cause smoke to appear as these are burnt. Secondly, an electrical issue may be the cause and you need to turn off the microwave immediately. Don’t try and fix it yourself, call a technician or better yet, buy a new microwave. Over cooking your food is the most common reason smoke is coming from your microwave. Always check the label and follow the cooking guidelines, and make sure your power isn’t on too high or the timer.
Is Smoke From A Microwave Dangerous?
Yes, smoke from a microwave can be dangerous. Smoke coming from your microwave has the danger of being toxic, particularly if it’s due to plastic burning. Turn off the microwave and wait to see if the smoke dissipates, then remove the microwave from your home. Remember to open all the windows and doors. If it just turns out to be steam you have nothing to worry about as it’s just water.
What Are The Signs A Microwave Is Going Bad?
There are a few things to look out for to check if your microwave is going bad. Firstly, if your food is undercooked or burnt but you are using the proper cooking methods, it may be time to upgrade. If smoke comes out of the microwave anytime you use it you should throw away the microwave immediately and buy a new one.
