With the convenience offered by a microwave, we consider it as an important appliance of our kitchen. It is capable of cooking and heating the food efficiently due to which a kitchen is never complete without a microwave.
But the problem arises when the microwave gets broken as this is the time when you feel helpless. You are not able to bake, cook, and heat the food according to your choice.
This problem needs an immediate solution and we are here to help you with this.
Given below are the options which you may follow for a broken microwave:
1. Try to fix a broken microwave
The instruction manual available with the microwave contains all the troubleshooting issues along with the steps to fix them and the warranty information. Read all the instructions carefully and follow them to rectify the issue you are experiencing.
In case, the issue with your microwave is not listed, you can even call the customer care number present in the manual. If the appliance is under warranty, you will get the repair done free of cost.
2. Take to a microwave repair shop
If the microwave is in bad condition but is working and you are not able to fix it by yourself, take it to a repair shop. They will look for the issue and try to find the solution. It may take some time but I am sure it will be worth it.
3. Sell the microwave
If the microwave is broken but you know the problem can be resolved but want to make an upgrade, it is good to sell it to someone who may require it.
You may inform your friends and relatives about it or can post your selling ad on online classified sites as well. With the money you get after selling it, it will help in buying a new microwave.
4. Donate the microwave
In case after repairing, you do not feel like using it anymore, there is a very noble option available. You can donate the microwave to a church, school, or any non-profit organization that accepts donations of working appliances as these are very expensive for them to buy.
You will get benefits as donations are tax-deductible.
5. Recycle the broken microwave
It may be a case when the broken microwave cannot be repaired and then the best option will be to recycle it. There are many options available for recycling the electronic wastes like –
- There are many recycling centers available that deal in disposing of e-waste. To find them, you need to search for “electronic recycling centers near me” and then contact any one of them. The centers take the appliance and dispose of the parts safely and in a proper way.
- Before buying a new microwave, ask for store incentives – Some electronics stores take the old electronic appliances and recycle them in exchange for incentives to the seller. You can use this money to buy a new microwave. With this option, you can easily dispose of your old microwave while taking advantage of the deal. To find the store which deals in this, you need to call different stores in your area and then purchase a new microwave from the store that offers this option.
- Check with the manufacturer – Sometimes, manufacturers help in the proper disposal of the electronic appliances by taking them back. For this, you need to either check on the website of the company or call their customer service support to find if this option is available. In this, you might have to pay a shipping charge but that will be a very small amount for being environmentally responsible.
6. Throwing a broken microwave
This is also an option for the broken microwave if you cannot either repair it or recycle it. There can be many ways to throw it which are mentioned below –
- Local trash company – Some local trash companies dispose of the bulky items properly and they even provide a pick-up service. You have to contact them and this service can be availed free of cost but they have certain guidelines associated with it.
- Local garbage center – Some trash garbage companies allow you to drop your electronic trash at their location. This will help you to avoid paying any pick-up fee as well.
Is it OK to throw away a microwave oven?
It is not ok to throw a microwave oven in the garbage can or dumpster. If it is done, you may have to suffer a fine imposed by the county or the city.
But, after taking permission from the city, you can throw it in a dumpster. Most of the time, microwaves and other electronic appliances are considered e-waste and there are special guidelines to dispose of.
It is also correct to say that disposing of a microwave safely is an easy task without having any legal issues. The most convenient way is to give your microwave when the bulk trash pick-up days are allotted for your area.
Every year, a separate day is fixed to pick the trash in bulk by the cities and localities. You can contact them and know the exact day for pick-up in your area.
Recycling is another method that will make you a responsible citizen as well. It will be better for the environment as well.
Can you throw a microwave in a dumpster?
Throwing a microwave in a dumpster depends on the rules set by different cities and countries regarding the disposing of a microwave.
In some cities, permission is given to throw the microwave in the dumpster while in others, it can be considered as ‘e-waste’ and cannot be thrown in a dumpster. For this, you need to follow the rules outlined by them.
You have to look on the website of your local government where information is provided about the way to throw away your old microwave. In case there are no specific rules for the microwave, you can throw it in a dumpster.
But, I would suggest either donating or recycling the old microwave as it is legal everywhere and is good for the environment as well.
Is a microwave oven hazardous waste?
No, the microwave oven is not a hazardous waste. It does not contain any harmful or toxic materials but it comes under electronic waste and it cannot be thrown with your regular trash.
The best way to dispose it of is through a bulky pickup when it is scheduled for your area. You can request up to four bulky pickups per year free of cost.
Are microwaves worth repairing?
The broken microwave can either be repaired or replaced. The option of repairing the microwave can be considered depending on the efforts it takes to do. If the repair is simple, easy, and cheap, it should be done.
On the other hand, if the cost of repairing the microwave is more, it is dangerous or requires much effort, you should not go for this option. Instead, you should try to replace the appliance and get a new one.
What Stores take old microwaves?
There are a lot of stores that take old microwaves for free or you may need to pay a small fee as processing charges. Just like you search for a big appliance dealer near your area, you can search for such stores as well.
The most common stores that accept old microwaves are –
- Staples
- General Electric
- Lowes
- ApplianceSmart
- General Electric
- Independent appliance repair stores
Can you sell microwave parts?
Yes, you can sell parts of old microwaves to the appliance shops but they might take them for a low price. Still, it is a good option as anything is better than nothing.
For this, you need to find a local electronic store that takes old parts of used appliances.
A microwave is made up of transformers, magnetron, heavy-duty wire, a small motor, and a large capacitor. Out of these all, it is not worth putting efforts into sorting the last two items and thus, it is better to sell them as mixed metal.
The magnetron can be sold along with the transformer at the price of a motor and you can get a good price if the magnetron is in working condition.
The reusable parts like panels and rotating glass trays can be scrapped for selling purposes at an acceptable amount.
Conclusion
After going through this article, you must have the information about the things you can do with the broken microwave. It is true that, unlike ordinary household items, microwaves cannot be thrown or discarded easily.
There is a proper procedure to do so and thus, it is recommended to consider the option of recycling and reusing first which will help in protecting the environment as well.