Could the microwave be causing the electrical issue or is it just a coincidence after my son’s mishap with the honey bun TikTok challenge?
Asked by Isla Clarke 
5 months ago
Last Updated: August 11, 2024
So, my son totally overcooked something in the microwave, trying to do some silly TikTok honey bun challenge. Now, every time I try to use it, the microwave blows a fuse. I really don’t want to shell out for a new microwave (those things can get pretty pricey!) if the issue is actually with the electrical system. Our kitchen and wiring were all redone just a few years ago in 2018. Do you think the microwave is the culprit, or is this all just a strange coincidence?
Your microwave has been used
Worst case scenario, check the wiring as it comes out of the micro check plug. If the breakers are really old, maybe consider replacing them. But most importantly, give that child a stern talking to.
Thank you so much!
Try unplugging the microwave and testing the outlet with another device to see if it works. Breakers trip to avoid damage.
I noticed it’s a built-in feature, but I suppose it does make sense for us to remove it either way. At least that way we would have clarity. Thank you!
Hey there, just a heads up to be cautious when taking it out. Microwaves can still have electricity even after unplugging. It’s best to have an electrician handle it. I’m actually surprised it’s hardwired.
Hey , make sure to switch off the breaker before you start removing it.
When you reset the breaker, does it snap or does it gently click back in place? The springs tend to wear out, and a microwave consumes quite a lot of power.
Let me investigate. Appreciate it!
Seems to be having an issue.
I’m pretty sure the microwave is done for.
Have you considered trying to plug it into a different outlet on a separate circuit? Maybe the breaker is faulty.
Suggesting this as a solution to eliminate possibilities, but the microwave is probably the culprit.
Seriously, a microwave for $1000? The last one I got only set me back $75 and it’s still going strong after ten years. Is inflation really that crazy now?
I think it’s likely an exhaust fan microwave that is mounted above the stove
I only paid $350 for mine
Paid between 300 and 400 dollars. The installation could potentially bring it up to 1000 😞
Those designer brands can be quite expensive.
Yeah, but those are low quality.
Do you think the waves are better though?
/s
Lol! Nope, it’s simply an additional $100 per letter.
I only paid $300 for mine a few years back
Got a free installation with my purchase from Costco. And if you’re shelling out $500-$600 for installation, that’s insane!
I remember Lowe’s charged $600 for a sink installation 2 years ago, even though the old one was already removed. It’s frustrating when you have to rely on installers (I definitely can’t install a sink or a microwave)
Oh man that’s rough. Our microwave was installed for free and I’m planning to redo our sink next year. The silicone is starting to come off, but I’m pretty good at DIY and thank goodness for YouTube… when I first got my house, I was a single mom and couldn’t afford to hire anyone. I had to figure out a lot of things on my own since my dad passed away when I was 18 (he would have helped a lot)
Might have a Bosch model. Anything from Bosch tends to be quite pricey
I’m always setting these up.
We have one of these bad boys. It’s not just a microwave, it’s a speed oven too! This thing can cook Marie Calendar pot pies in just 15 minutes instead of the usual 50 in a regular oven, and you don’t even have to mess with the aluminum foil on the edges. That’s just one example of how awesome this appliance is. It’s definitely a game changer for my family of 8!
Why not give it a shot, ? I have a feeling you’re more than capable of doing it.
Oh yeah, . It has built-in convection. The cost to upgrade to a similar model is $800, not to mention installation, taxes, and an extended warranty.
Hey , I spent $300 on my microwave with an overhead exhaust fan.
Hey , it’s just a microwave. Should it be cleaning your butt?
It’s meant to serve as a hood vent. I prefer it to be a truly functional one. Combination units hardly ever function well as vents.
This was the top choice for my husband when we were at the store! I will share your review with him too. Thank you!
Oh no! It sounds like he needs to find a job to replace the time he’s spending on Tik Tok challenges until he can pay you back.
Isn’t that the incident where they heat up a honey bun in the microwave for 15 minutes and throw it at a homeless person to harm them while recording it? 🙄
Wow, , is that true?
Who even comes up with these ideas. Society is truly doomed.
Age wouldn’t make a difference if I catch someone doing that, I’m throwing hands.
Yeah, that’s the one. He wasn’t planning on doing that, of course, but seeing it made him crave a honey bun like a teenager (even though he had never tried one), and he thought heating it up in the microwave for 2 minutes would be enough to make it tasty without burning it. However, 2 minutes in the microwave ended up ruining it, so I’m pretty sure the person who suggested 15 minutes on TikTok is just trying to mess with everyone’s microwaves.
Have you considered gently tapping your son’s head against the microwave to see if that helps reset it? If not, maybe it’s time for him to get a new microwave and you can give him a helmet for Christmas.
I actually had to look it up. The bigger concern is talking to your son about why he microwaved that Honey bun.
https://www.tiktok.com/@knowyourmeme/video/7296985173437058347
Looks like you might have to get rid of the entire setup.
‘t attempt the honey bun challenge
Hey , I’m not into watching the Kardashians but her parodies on IG always crack me up 😂😂
Hey , I’m curious to find out who she is so I can have a good laugh too 😂
If you search for “kardashians” on Instagram, you’ll find Yuri Lamasbella 😂
Check out ‘s TikTok profile: https://www.tiktok.com/@yurilamasbella?_t=8h9a69plMdz&_r=1
Is so funny!
^^^Not a fan of the Kardashians, but this girl cracks me up! She’s so funny
This comment is gold 🤣🤣🤣 her parodies are the best
Lol why did I just imagine her voice when reading your comment 😂😂
Have the child take responsibility for fixing it.
Many fire stations accept unwanted microwaves for disposal.
I’m curious to find out what a $1000 microwave can do that my $20 one from the marketplace can’t. Does it come with extra features like a water sprayer for your backside and a gentle hand massage?
I hope they’re doing all of that for the price!
If you need help with your microwave, contact an electrician!
Well, the issue lies with the microwave.
$1000?!?
I recently set up a great whirlpool microwave/hood combination, 1.9 cubic feet, that I got from Home Depot for $248
It’s a good opportunity for your son to contribute some money or help out to fix this and truly understand not to repeat this mistake…but…
Your microwave is done for. I mean, for $1000 it might be worth checking if it can be fixed. A guy at work forgot to put water in his easy Mac n cheese and it caught on fire. The microwave did the same thing afterward. Had to throw it away.
Looks like it’s time for a new microwave.
I think your son just purchased a damaged microwave. Hopefully he has a decent job to replace it with a new $1000 microwave for you. Perhaps then he’ll realize not to attempt foolish TiK Tok challenges.
If the microwave was placed where a fan hood used to be, it should be a low wattage one and connected to a separate 20 amp circuit according to building code regulations. Fan hoods are typically linked to other kitchen outlets, so you might have tripped the breaker. Replacing a breaker is more cost-effective than buying a new microwave, so try that first.
Most likely, the magnetron or power module is fried (maybe both). I had to replace the magnetron in my LG because LG isn’t great. But there should be a skilled repair person in your area. Plan on spending $300 for parts and 2-3 hours of labor.
Halchak Mine is actually an LG too. I think after shelling out that much for repairs, I might as well just get a new one (with an extended warranty). If I had some guarantee nothing else would break in the next few years, I’d go for it to keep it from ending up in a landfill, but appliances these days are built so poorly.
Halchak, this is exactly the advice I needed. I had to change the magnetron in ours after running it for 20 minutes using the “timer” function, which was a mistake. Running it empty is not good for the appliance!
It seems as though the microwave might have a fault, possibly caused by overheating or damage to its internal components from the challenge accident. Since your kitchen was recently redone, it’s unlikely to be a wiring problem. However, before you think about getting a new microwave, it would be smart to check a few things:
1. Test plugging the microwave into a different outlet to see if it still causes the switch to trip. If it doesn’t, the issue might be with the original socket or circuit.
2. If the microwave trips a different circuit, it’s probably the microwave at fault.
3. Look for any visible damage inside the microwave, like burn marks or melted plastic.
4. Also, make sure to inspect the microwave’s door seal and hinges for any damage, as these could sometimes lead to electrical issues.
If the problem persists even after these checks, it would be best to seek advice from a professional before making a decision on what to do next. Safety first, as the saying goes.
Robert
I appreciate it, thanks!
Gives great advice.
I won’t be able to assist until you can prove that you have a $1000 microwave 😄
That’s typically the price for microwaves that double as convection ovens; they’re quite popular.
Oh, by the way, it’s a built-in model that I forgot to mention. The total cost is $1000 after taxes, including the extended warranty and installation.
Hey, make sure to make use of the extended warranty considering you did purchase it.
Hey, we ended up purchasing the house after they remodeled the kitchen.
: Our previous microwave cost over $1000 and broke after just 4 years. I replaced it with a $120 one from Walmart that looks identical and works even better. 🤷🏼♀️ We never used the convection oven function, so it wasn’t worth the price for sure.
: Since it’s a built-in, I might not find one as cheap (including installation), but I’ll try to find a more affordable option. We had a smart microwave in our old house that also functioned as a toaster oven and convection oven. It was fantastic and I used it daily, but I can’t seem to locate that model anymore. Maybe it faced too many issues and got discontinued. We’re soon going to be empty nesters, so having a smaller ‘oven’ without taking up counter space would be great.
: Wait, the microwave was included with the house? In that case, I’ll just replace it without spending as much as the previous owner.
This is the microwave I currently have. Thankfully, I haven’t had any issues so far. 🤞🏻
Mine is a built-in microwave. Built-ins usually come with a cover to help fit the opening. So if you decide to get a new microwave, make sure you know the measurements of the opening. Then you can order an insert cover to fill any gaps. My husband bought ours but we never really used the convection feature so it wasn’t worth getting another one. I suggest unplugging it and letting it sit for a bit before trying again. If that doesn’t work, it seems like you’ll have to spend some money if you want the convenience of convection. Sorry that happened. My son once did a science experiment in my new sink and ruined it. It corroded the sink and melted the rubber on the drain
You should definitely check if the microwave still has the extended warranty. I’d recommend calling the number and looking for the serial number or something similar, you might be surprised at what the company can offer when you just ask. Shark actually sent me a brand new floor piece for free for my vacuum even though I didn’t have a warranty, because the vacuum was less than a year old. I only had to pay for shipping
That small piece of paper is probably the culprit. Simply swap it out
Hey , thanks for sharing! I’ll definitely check it out.
I don’t have this problem right now, but I have a teenage son… so I appreciate this information that might come in handy if my son starts acting foolish. 💯
…. if. LMFAO
Encourage your son to purchase a replacement and kindly ask him to take a break from TikTok
It might be a good idea to get a new microwave, get rid of TikTok, and maybe even consider taking the phone away from the child.
My microwave got ruined when my son tried to cook Ramon noodles without adding water. It would turn on but not heat up. Thankfully, it was a countertop microwave since our built-in one was not installed yet. I can relate to your frustration
Oh , that’s happened to me too, twice. Both times years apart. I could never quite get rid of that smell and it just never functioned the same after that.
This is why we can’t have nice things haha
Is a wonderful person.
Oh my gosh, , I could go on forever about that! 😂
Haha, as an anonymous participant, I can relate as a mom of boys. Haha
Installing it yourself is actually pretty simple, in case you decide to replace it. I did it on my own, just double check that the microwave’s ventilation matches what you currently have.
I’m sorry to break it to you, but you’ll need to purchase a new microwave and consider uninstalling TikTok.
I think there might be a fuse inside. Look up your model online. I’ve never been successful at fixing those things. Just got a new ducted Whirlpool over-the-range for $200. I’m obsessed with it.
We recently got a Whirlpool smart microwave right before selling our old house and we absolutely adored it! We used it for almost all of our meals, especially the toaster oven function. Unfortunately, it’s been discontinued now, but I’m thinking of getting another Whirlpool (although my husband is eyeing a GE).
Purchase a microwave, wrap it up, and place it under the Christmas tree… From your son to you. Let everyone know that he donated all his gifts to buy you a new microwave. He probably won’t do anything foolish like that again 😊
That was a fantastic response
If you’re thinking of tinkering with the inside of your microwave, make sure to unplug it first. Microwaves can use high voltages, unlike most devices which use low voltages
Oh yes, they can be dangerous.
1. Teach your son a lesson.
2. Ask him to find a job and replace the microwave for you.
I started working at 15 1/2. Do teenagers face consequences these days? I would have bought my parents a new oven.
Said he put the honeybun in for two minutes. I never would have expected it to break. It seems like appliances are just made poorly nowadays. If I thought he had been extremely careless, he would definitely have to make it right.
Replacing a poorly made appliance shouldn’t cost more than $200, not the $1000 you mentioned. Maybe make him do some chores to help build his character and learn about consequences.
My daughter accidentally burned Mac n cheese and ours. I cleaned it out and it kept tripping. I unplugged it for a few days and then tested it again before deciding to throw it out, but surprisingly it worked perfectly.
You know, I think the first step should be to ditch TikTok. 😉
Is right. We should take Junior’s phone away until he’s paid it off. Some people are setting up tasks that are just asking for trouble and then sharing the chaos online.