Left microwave on - What now...

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455 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1772135 28-Apr-2017 20:27

freitasm:

Some of you folks need to have your brains checked. Turning on a microwave oven with nothing inside, to use as a timer? Sheesh. Timers cost a dollar a dozen. Microwaves, not so much.

OP, take it to the repair shop.

Looks like that model has a kitchen timer function.

RunningMan

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#1772136 28-Apr-2017 20:28

Most microwaves have a timer function specifically for this purpose - much like the timer on any stove / conventional oven etc. OP hasn't deliberately run the oven empty as a timer, just pushed the wrong button when using the timer function provided my the manufacturer.

Nobody is suggesting you run the oven empty as a timer.

RunningMan

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#1772137 28-Apr-2017 20:34

ZollyMonsta: [snip]
Just don't use your mobile as a timer whilst charging its battery in the microwave ;-)

No no no no - you've got it wrong. If you drop the phone it the toilet, you can dry it in the microwave, not charge the battery

freitasm

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#1772138 28-Apr-2017 20:35

Must be very a modern microwave ovens then.

JimmyH

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#1772139 28-Apr-2017 20:37

Mine has a timer on it, and it's quite a few years old.

I used to use it quite a bit, and what the OP did by accident is actually an easy mistake to make.

lxsw20

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#1772140 28-Apr-2017 20:43

freitasm:

Must be very modern microwave ovens then.

My folks had one of the very first digital display Panasonic microwaves that had a timer on it too. It's been around a while!

alasta

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#1772141 28-Apr-2017 21:00

Dynamic:

My dearly departed Nana used to keep a glass of water in the microwave at all times, just in case of an accident like this.

Way back in the day my father always taught me to put a glass of water in the microwave before changing the clock for daylights savings, just in case of accidentally setting it running. I still do it to this day out of habit!

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sonyxperiageek

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#1772156 28-Apr-2017 21:34

alasta:

Dynamic:

My dearly departed Nana used to keep a glass of water in the microwave at all times, just in case of an accident like this.

Way back in the day my father always taught me to put a glass of water in the microwave before changing the clock for daylights savings, just in case of accidentally setting it running. I still do it to this day out of habit!

Did those microwaves back in the day not make huge noises when switched on?

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#1772197 28-Apr-2017 23:02

Filterer: Wait, you run the microwave with nothing in it as a timer?

Wow this is right up there with the tea cup holder

lNomNoml

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#1772199 28-Apr-2017 23:09

freitasm:

Some of you folks need to have your brains checked. Turning on a microwave oven with nothing inside, to use as a timer? Sheesh. Timers cost a dollar a dozen. Microwaves, not so much.

OP, take it to the repair shop.

Not to mention the wastage in electricity, talk about a power hungry "timer".

Dynamic

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#1772276 29-Apr-2017 08:23

sonyxperiageek:

alasta:

Dynamic:

My dearly departed Nana used to keep a glass of water in the microwave at all times, just in case of an accident like this.

Way back in the day my father always taught me to put a glass of water in the microwave before changing the clock for daylights savings, just in case of accidentally setting it running. I still do it to this day out of habit!

Did those microwaves back in the day not make huge noises when switched on?

There was no mistaking that her original microwave was running. She had a reasonably early model, as they had won the grand Golden Kiwi prize in the early 80's.

I'm wondering if they has less 'accidental empty activation' protection in those days and the microwave's manual might have recommended it, or perhaps the retailer.

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#1772278 29-Apr-2017 08:49

I can't imagine the cost of a new microwave would be worth the risk of opening it up as an unqualified person, and injuring yourself, or potentially killing yourself.

boland

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Ultimate Geek

#1772301 29-Apr-2017 09:06

Indeed I wanted to use the timer function, but accidentally turned it on.

I'll get it checked. Cheers

neb

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#1772446 29-Apr-2017 14:20

blakamin:
I just say "OK Google, set timer for 10 minutes" and my phone takes care of the rest.

I look up at the clock. Terribly old-fashioned I realise, but takes no effort and is about 1000W less power than running a microwave to do it.

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#1772447 29-Apr-2017 14:22

RunningMan:
Most microwaves have a timer function specifically for this purpose - much like the timer on any stove / conventional oven etc.

Ugh, that sounds like some cool "feature" a marketing guy dreamed up with no input from actual engineers to point out that a certain percentage of the time it's going to result in people inadvertently frying their microwaves.

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