Keep the door closed and turn the microwave off. The U.S. Fire Administration's guidance is to turn it off immediately and never open the door until the fire is out (USFA). The closed cabinet starves the fire of air, and opening the door feeds it.
Do this first
- Press Stop or Cancel and keep the door shut.
- Unplug the microwave if you can reach the plug safely. For an over-the-range model, the plug is usually in the cabinet above. Don't reach over flames or heavy smoke to get to it. Switching off the breaker works too.
- If the fire doesn't go out quickly, or spreads outside the microwave, get everyone out and call 911. The CPSC advises calling the fire department immediately in a cooking fire (CPSC). Close the kitchen door behind you if there is one.
- Don't throw water into or onto the microwave. The CPSC's rule for cooking fires is never to use water or flour, and a microwave is still plugged-in electrical equipment.
In the next few hours
- Wait until the fire is clearly out and the unit has cooled before opening the door. Then remove the burned food and container.
- Air out the kitchen. Open windows and run a fan. If the microwave is over the range, don't use its built-in vent fan until it has been checked.
- Look at the cabinets and wall around it. Scorching, blistered paint or a smoky smell from the cabinet above an over-the-range unit means heat reached the wood. Have that checked even if the microwave looks fine.
- Check the door. The FDA says not to operate a microwave if the door doesn't close firmly or is bent, warped or otherwise damaged, and to contact the manufacturer if the hinges, latches or seals are damaged (FDA).
- Leave it unplugged until you've decided, with a technician, whether it's safe to use.
Before the technician arrives
Note:
- The model and serial number. It's usually on a label inside the door frame, visible when the door is open, or on the back or side. Over-the-range models often have it inside the door frame.
- What was cooking, for how long, and on what power level.
- Whether there was arcing (sparks) before the flames, and whether metal, foil or a takeout container was inside.
- Damage you can see: a scorched interior, melted turntable or waveguide cover, a warped door or a discolored cabinet.
- Whether the microwave kept running after you pressed Stop.
What not to do:
- Don't run the microwave "empty to test it" after a fire.
- Don't open the outer cabinet. Microwaves contain high-voltage parts that can hold a dangerous charge even after unplugging, and repairs inside the cabinet are for trained technicians.
- Don't keep using a microwave that runs with the door open. The FDA says to stop using it if that happens.
- Don't ignore a cabinet above an over-the-range unit that smells smoky or feels hot.
How to keep it from happening again
- Stay nearby when microwaving popcorn, small portions or anything with a short cook time, where overcooking happens fastest.
- Keep metal, foil and twist ties out, along with containers not labeled microwave-safe.
- Clean food splatter off the interior walls and the waveguide cover, which is the small panel on the inside wall. Built-up grease and food can burn.
- Follow package directions for cook time and power level, and start with less time.
A stovetop fire calls for a different response. See what to do after a grease fire on the stove. For an inspection after a microwave fire, see our microwave service page.
Sources
- U.S. Fire Administration: Microwave Oven Safety pictograph
- CPSC: Recipe for Safer Cooking
- FDA: Microwave Ovens
Keep in mind: A microwave that has had a fire inside should stay unplugged until someone has checked the door, the interior and the cabinet around it.
Call ProFix Dallas at (469) 886-1122 to have the microwave inspected after a fire.