Customer Reviews

Troubleshooting and Repairing Microwave Ovens

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This is one great book for practical book on repairing microwave ovens. Lots of general and specific advice on major brands. Even though uWaves have become a commodity item, ie less than $$$, it becomes unlikely that a commercial repair shop can remain in business. But if you can get several uWaves, ie dumpster diving, and get a few spare/swap parts, the assistance of the book demystifies magnetrons, high voltage caps, safety interlocks, and fuses. I read this book at the local library ...

I purchased this book used through the Amazon reseller "Recycled goodies" [...]. It was in "as new" condition, just as described. They shipped promptly, followed up with a shipping confirmation email and service was excellent overall. Very highly recommended.



This fourth edition publication dates from 1997 and has been out of print for quite a while. Tracking one down is like trying to find the Holy Grail.
Nonetheless, [...]or not, this book is still valid and contains up to date electronic application and troubleshooting data. It has a great deal of in-depth information, for both general application as well as brand specific.
I did residential and commercial appliance repair for over sixteen years, in addition to other trades, and still found this book to be interesting and informative.
I believe it is now common knowledge that it is usually not cost effective to repair most small counter top household-duty microwave ovens manufactured in the last fifteen years or so. However, for many appliance technicians, microwave oven repair is still a valid art and can indeed supplement their annual income.
Depending on what geographic area you live in, many of the newer "top of the line" over the range [OTR] microwave/hoods can cost well over six hundred dollars, not including installation. Scrapping one of these ["check and condemn", as it is sometimes called] even after several years of use because of a bad touchpad, HV capacitor, diode, or magnetron, etc., does not make any sense at all, barring other evidence of abuse or complete neglect of the appliance on the owners part.
The larger commercial-duty, dual magnetron units used in restaurants can easily cost over fifteen hundred dollars, depending on which distributor they are purchased through. They are in a state of almost constant use and when they malfunction, as with any other commercial kitchen equipment, effective repair, not replacement is the normal, expected remedy.
There is only one other microwave repair manual I can find that rivals this ten-year-old book. It is from Microtech Productions and as far as I know, is only available on CD. Since this fourth edition book is out of print, and an updated fifth edition may never arise, Microtech's CD may be the only way to get the necessary in-depth knowledge for safe, efficient microwave oven repair.