Microwaves are essential appliances in most homes, used daily to quickly heat up or cook food. However, with regular long-term use, parts like the glass turntable can become damaged or broken. Replacing a broken turntable or plate in your microwave is an easy fix you can do yourself at home, as long as proper precautions are taken.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through all the steps needed and safety measures to take when replacing a broken microwave plate.
Assessing the Damage
Before proceeding with any repairs, you first need to thoroughly assess the damage to determine the best course of action.
Inspect the Interior
- Carefully open the microwave door and visually inspect the interior for any damage. Look for:
- Broken glass pieces
- Cracks or chips in the walls or floor
- Damage around the metal rim where the plate sits
- Use a flashlight to see all corners and edges clearly. Broken glass can hide in hard-to-see areas.
Check the Glass Plate
- If the glass plate itself is damaged, examine it closely to assess:
- Size/severity of cracks
- Whether the plate is fully broken in half
- If there are any smaller broken shards
- Even hairline cracks that go across the entire plate mean it should be replaced.
Test Microwave Functions
- Heat a microwave-safe container with water for 1 minute to test basic functionality.
- Ensure the microwave turns on
- Check if automatic turntable rotation still works
- Verify it successfully heats the water
- Report any error messages or abnormal sounds immediately.
Once you’ve thoroughly inspected for damage, you can determine whether you need a full replacement plate or professional repair.
Choosing a Replacement Plate
If replacing the plate yourself, choose the right replacement piece that fits your appliance.
Match Your Model
- The owner’s manual should specify replacement part numbers. Locate the retail part number or original manufacturer’s part number for your exact microwave model.
- Alternatively, remove the old plate and bring it with you to the store when shopping for a new one.
Size Matters
- Carefully measure the diameter of your microwave turntable. Standard sizes are normally:
- 10 inches
- 11 inches
- 12 inches
- Purchase a new plate with the same diameter to ensure proper fitting. Even a 1/2-inch difference prevents the plate from sitting correctly.
Material Considerations
- Most microwave plates are made of tempered glass designed to withstand extreme heat. However, you might also find:
- Ceramic plates – More budget-friendly but less durable
- Glass-ceramic – Very durable but expensive
- Tempered glass is the standard recommendation for durability and safety.
Getting an identical fitting replacement is crucial so your microwave functions properly after repairs.
Safety Tips Before Replacing Plate
Replacing a broken microwave turntable requires caution to avoid injury. Follow these preparatory safety steps first.
Personal Protection Gear
- Wear safety glasses to protect eyes from debris
- Use thick rubber gloves to guard against sharp glass
- Cover bare feet properly with closed-toe shoes
Appliance Precautions
- Ensure microwave is unplugged before beginning work
- Allow appliance interior to fully cool if recently used
- Clear countertop area to avoid accidental tipping
Oven Interior Care
- Remove any remaining food bits or debris
- Carefully pick up and discard broken glass pieces
- Vacuum interior floor thoroughly to remove hidden shards
- Clean surfaces with soapy water to eliminate grime before installing new plate
Taking key precautions prepares your microwave for safe repair and helps prevent painful injury from glass or hot surfaces.
Removing the Broken Plate
Once safety preparations are complete, you can begin removing the damaged microwave plate.
Locate Plate Fixtures
- The turntable plate sits on top of a rotating mechanism underneath.
- There is often a circular hub or spindle the plate rests on.
- An outer rim or bracket around this hub holds the plate firmly in position.
Remove Plate Assembly
- Carefully lift broken plate shard edges, sliding the piece upwards to detach it.
- The full rotating plate assembly, including the base hub and rim braces, may lift out together.
- If not, keep investigating to locate screws or clips securing the hub and rim components.
Take Pictures
- Use your phone to take photos of the plate apparatus from all angles once removed.
- Pictures serve as a reference to assist proper reinstallation later.
With the damaged plate successfully dismantled, you can thoroughly rid the interior of debris before setting the new plate.
Cleaning Interior Before New Plate
Eliminating every tiny glass shard or residue buildup before installing replacement parts ensures user safety.
Extract Remaining Debris
- Recheck all corners and crevices for glass using flashlight.
- Use tweezers, small vacuums or sticky tape to extract stubborn debris.
Wash Surfaces
- Mix warm water with a bit of mild soap in spray bottle.
- Spray down interior walls, floor, rotating mechanism.
- Wipe away grime using microfiber cloths.
Disinfect
- Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in spray bottle.
- Evenly spray solution over all interior microwave surfaces.
- Wipe clean with paper towels.
Thorough cleaning rids the appliance of glass, contamination, and clears the way for new plate fitting.
Also Read: How to Clean a Microwave
Setting New Replacement Plate
Once confident no more debris lurks inside, carefully establish the new turntable plate.
Review Removal Pictures
- Examine original pictures showing plate apparatus.
- Identify order of parts and location.
Set Hub, Rim and Brackets
- Place any retaining brackets or rim pieces back first.
- Ensure they align properly to hold the turntable plate.
- Set the rotating hub/spindle piece in centered position.
Position New Plate
- Carefully place new glass plate top-side up onto the hub piece.
- Align edges directly over rim retainers to sit flat.
- Spin plate manually to check clearance.
Confirm Proper Functioning
- Do doors fully shut?
- Does plate rotate smoothly when running?
- Are there any unusual sounds?
With the new microwave plate correctly realigned, wipe down the exterior before testing.
Testing Microwave After New Plate
Before regular ongoing use after replacing parts, confirm appliance functionality through testing.
Appliance External Test
- Wipe down outside with stainless steel cleaner and dry cloth.
- Ensure door opens/shuts properly.
- Check buttons work to activate cooking modes.
- Verify interior light turns on when door is open.
Heating Test with Water
- Place microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water inside.
- Set cook time for 1 minute at high power.
- Allow to run full cycle.
- Carefully feel side of bowl – is water hot?
Heating Test with Food
- Place frozen dinner meal in microwave.
- Cook according to package instructions, normally 2-6 minutes.
- Check if food is steaming hot/fully cooked through.
Follow manufacturer guidance for any calibration adjustments if turntable speed, sensors, or heat intensity are impacted after repairs.
Ongoing Microwave Plate Safety
Your microwave turntable resumes normal functionality after a new plate installation. But proper habits prevent future cracking or replacements.
Hand wash only
- Over time, excess moisture and high heat from dishwashers can damage glass plates.
- Gently hand wash plate with mild dish soap and soft sponge only.
Leave in place
- Never run the microwave without the glass plate sitting securely inside.
- The plate distributes heat – without it, appliance damage or fires could occur.
Use microwavable containers
- Only microwave-safe, non-metallic containers should directly contact the glass plate when cooking.
- Unsafe materials like metal cans could shatter the glass when heated.
Following basic precautions keeps your microwave newly repaired and running safely for years beyond a broken plate replacement.
When to Call a Professional
While a broken glass plate is an straightforward fix, other types of microwave damage require hiring appliance specialists.
Microwave Sparking
- Repeated sparks inside oven while running requires immediate investigation of root causes.
- Sparks indicate problems like damaged door mesh, interior leaks, or faulty power tubes better addressed by professionals.
Structural Damage
- Cracks in oven walls, a buckling ceiling, or door misalignment signify structural issues.
- Attempting to run a severely damaged microwave could be hazardous.
Strange Smells
- Bad odors while operating, like burning plastic or smoking insulation, usually mean dangerous breakdown issues.
- Unplug immediately in these cases and call for service right away.
Though replaceable parts often enable DIY repairs, critical malfunctions should be diagnosed and resolved by qualified experts.
Conclusion
Microwave glass turntables inevitably crack after years of continual use. By carefully assessing the damage first, removing broken shards safely next, then installing a proper replacement plate, you can fix the issue yourself and restore performance. Just be sure to confirm the oven functions normally after the repair through heating tests.
Then keep your microwave running safely for the long run by properly caring for the new glass plate going forward. Hand washing only and leaving the plate always in place prevents future cracking. With the right replacement plate and smart care, your microwave survives a broken turntable incident.