Why are there sparks inside oven cavity while cooking ?
If you notice sparks during cooking, check for cookware and food residue.
Use only available microwave safe heat-resistant cookware.
If the sparking issue experienced is related to a conventional electrical range oven and not a microwave oven, please be advised of the following :
- Conventional electric range oven bottom heating element sparking usually results from the element having deteriorated and become defective. The user will just need to replace the heating element.
- On some occasions, the problem could be caused by a piece of tinfoil (aluminum), or some food particles stuck down inside or in around the heating element in the process of calcinating. Again, the user will just need to replace the heating element.
Cause and Symptoms
Cookware is not microwave safe, or the oven is being operated while it is empty.
- Use microwave-safe cookware. When in doubt, test cookware before use.
- Do not operate oven while it is empty.
- Wire twist-ties have not been removed from paper or plastic bags, or the metal rack was installed improperly.
- Remove wire twist-ties from paper or plastic bags.
- Place the rack securely in the four plastic supports.
Additionally avoid using recycled paper products in the microwave oven. They sometimes contain impurities that cause arcing and sparking.
Checkpoint
- Applicable Some metal accessories are safe to use in microwave oven as all their edges, no exception, are rounded off, meaning there are no subtle nook or cranny the microwaves might be trapped in resulting in arcing and sparking.
- If a metal container were placed inside the oven, its shell would reflect the electromagnetic microwaves preventing the food inside from cooking therefore defeating the purpose.
- For microwave featuring a metal temperature probe, avoid leaving it lying inside the oven cavity on the turntable. Should you do so operating the microwave oven and the probe fell off the turntable it would literally burn through the metal flooring rendering appliance permanently out of use.
Note
When foil containers such as instant noodle soup container come in contact with microwaves, sparks will occur and risks damaging unit, worse catch fire. Use of microwave safe containers is highly recommended.
- Food residue or grease inside oven cavity can spark when microwave heat is applied.
Note It is safer to use the appliance when good care and maintenance are performed regularly. Please wipe the inside of the oven cavity with a wet cloth after cooking.
Try this
- Check if the inside of the oven is coming into contact with aluminum foil or the metal parts of cookware.
- Check if there are any food residues inside the oven.
If food residues are present, it may spark due to carbonization.
- Do not use cookware with gold lines or silver lined patterns as they may cause sparks.
- Use only available microwave safe heat-resistant cookware.
Dishes safe to use
Note
- Placing hot dishes in a cold environment can break or deform the dishes.
- Do not use plastic wrap or storage bags for food with a high level of fat. Use oil paper instead
- To warm up bread or fried dishes, cover lightly with a paper towel and heat for a short period of time.
Plastic Wrap
- Plastic wrap can be used as lid as it prevents moisture loss.
- Check if it is microwave safe.
- Loosely cover a dish or make holes so that wrap does not stick to the food or inflate.
Storage Bags
- Storage bags can be used for steaming for a short period of time.
- Make holes before use to prevent a explosion.
