Microwave ovens have always been a part of kitchens for easier warming up of the food. This is because microwave ovens are extremely practical and reliable, which help prepare and warm up the food within a few minutes. For the same reason, Thermador microwave ovens have gained extreme popularity. These drawers are opened, so you can put them in the food bowl and heat it up. However, if you have a Thermador microwave drawer, not heating is a common complaint of the users, but it can be fixed with the following solutions!
Fixing Thermador Microwave Drawer Not Heating
1. Diode
The diode is integrated into the microwave oven for converting the AC power output of the transformer into DC output, which doubles the voltage to over 5000V. This high voltage is responsible for powering up the magnetron that heats up the food. However, when the diode burns, the magnetron will not receive sufficient voltage for operation, which restricts heating.
The diode stops working when it’s burnt. So, it’s recommended that you inspect the diode and replace it if it seems burnt. In most cases, the browned diode is the clear indication of a burnt diode, but you can also opt for a multimeter to determine the continuity. However, you must be extremely careful while checking the continuity because the diodes hold a charge, which can cause electrocution if you aren’t careful.
2. Door Switch
The microwaves are designed with three to four door switches, depending on the model. When the door closes, the switches tend to actuate in a proper sequence to make sure the door is locked in place. On the other hand, when the switch fails, the microwave won’t start heating, hence the issues in warming the food.
The right way of inspecting the door switch is to use a multimeter to determine the continuity in every door switch. When you find the door switch with zero or lower continuity, it should be replaced but make sure that you hire a licensed electrician to replace the switch.
3. Magnetron
For those who don’t know, the magnetron is designed to use high voltage and high-current power to generate a frequency that warms up the food. However, when it burns out, the microwave will fail to heat. Keep in mind that the magnetron cannot be repaired, so hire an electrician to replace the magnetron. Also, to purchase a new magnetron, you should tell the electrician the exact model of the Thermador microwave.
4. Capacitor
The microwave ovens are integrated with high-voltage capacitors, and the Thermador microwave is one of them. This capacitor is responsible for converting the transformer’s output into DC voltage and increasing the output voltage by 2x. So, when the capacitor burns out, the high-voltage circuit stops operating properly, which restricts the heating process.
You can opt for a volt/ohm meter to determine the defects in a capacitor. This is because the VOM meter can be used to check the capacitance. So, if the capacitor is damaged or burnt, get it repaired or replaced to make sure the microwave drawer starts heating normally.