I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was great, minus the fact that we broke our microwave plate. Luckily, I did some research so I could answer all of your questions about what to do when you break your microwave plate. Keep reading for the answers!
1. Can You Use a Microwave Without the Glass Plate?
Yes, you can use a microwave without a glass plate. However, it is not as effective as having the glass plate in place.
The microwaves will heat the food more evenly if there is something rotating it while it is being heated. The glass plate serves as a turntable and helps to ensure that the food is exposed to the microwaves evenly.
While it is possible to use a microwave without the glass plate, doing so may not heat your food evenly. This can cause some portions of the food to remain uncooked and increase your risk for salmonella or food poisoning.
In order to make sure the food cooks evenly without a glass plate, you’ll need to microwave in short increments of time (30 seconds-1 minute). Then pause and rotate your dish manually after each increment repeating the process until the food is fully cooked.
In essence, you are trying to manually replicate the rotation that would happen if you had a glass plate to do it for you.
Did you know that there are newer model microwaves that don’t require a glass plate? A flatbed or turntable-free microwave does not come with a glass plate typically found in traditional microwaves.
Instead of using a glass plate to direct the microwaves towards the food, it uses rotating antennas from below to deflect the microwave energy. This allows for more even cooking.
The upside to these microwaves is that they are easier to clean because there is no glass plate to worry about getting dirty or stained. The downside is that they cost more than traditional microwaves.
2. What Causes a Microwave Plate To Break?
In the 30 years, I’ve been working in the kitchen, I’ve only seen a glass turntable break once. It’s a pretty rare occurrence, but it can happen.
There are a few reasons why it might happen, such as if the plate is cracked or chipped or too much internal stress caused by the heat.
3. What Plate Can Replace a Broken Microwave Plate?
When your microwave plate breaks, you should only replace it with the exact same plate from the manufacturer. Trying to use a different make or model of a plate can cause your microwave not to work correctly.
A microwave oven’s glass turntable is critical not just to heat food but to eat up excess microwave energy and protect the microwave tube from high reflective energy. This is why it is dangerous to try using a plate that isn’t made for your microwave.
There are several places where you can find replacement microwave plates.
Amazon is a great place to start when looking for a replacement microwave plate. They have a wide selection of plates from different manufacturers or you can also go straight to the nearest thrift store in your area.
I like to go to thrift stores for all sorts of things. You never know what you may come across, and it’s a great place to find hidden treasures, including microwave plates.
Yes, that’s right! You can find many different plates here, often at much more affordable prices than other places.
If you’re not having any luck finding a replacement microwave plate on Amazon or at thrift stores, you can also try Craigslist or FreeCycle. On Craigslist, you can place a “wanted” ad for your particular microwave model, and someone may have a plate that they’re willing to sell.
FreeCycle is a website where people can post items they no longer need, and others can then take them for free. Since there are lots of broken microwaves out there, where people have a good plate, you may find one on this site for free.
4. Can You Glue Back Together The Broken Microwave Glass Tray (The Turntable)?
When your microwave’s glass tray breaks, it can be tempting to try and fix it yourself with some glue. However, this is not a recommended solution, as it can create a number of safety hazards.
When you try to fix a broken microwave glass tray with glue, you run the risk of creating dangerous hot spots on the tray. If there are any bubbles or voids in the seal, they can cause the glass to break under the heat.
The seam will also be an opportunity for uncleanliness. If you’re not careful, food and other debris can get stuck in the crack, which can be difficult to clean. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Don’t try and fix a broken microwave glass tray on your own. Instead, replace it as soon as possible. It’s not worth the risk to your safety and health.
5. The Replacement Plate Fits The Microwave, But It’s Smaller In Diameter Than The Original. Is It Still Safe To Use?
Yes, it is safe to continue using a microwave plate that is smaller in diameter than the original. As long as it fits properly on the turntable and rotates smoothly, it will work just fine.
The smaller size of the replacement microwave plate won’t hold as much food as the original plate, but that usually isn’t a problem. Most people don’t need to microwave large amounts of food at once, so the reduced capacity shouldn’t be an issue.
6. How To Measure Microwave Plate Size?
There are a few ways to measure the size of your microwave plate.
The first is to measure it with a tape measure or ruler. Compare the diameter of the microwave plate to the measurement provided by the specs of your microwave. You can find these specs in your owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
Another way to measure the size of your microwave plate is to compare it to the size of your china plates. For example, if the microwave plate is able to fit 10-inch to 12-inch china plates, then it’s likely to be around that size.
7. Is It Cheaper To Buy a Whole New Microwave Oven or Just Replace The Microwaves Plate Myself?
If you have been using the microwave oven for some time, you may want to consider buying a new one than replacing the new microwave plate. The new microwave ovens come with improved features to make your cooking experience better.
The cost of a new one is not much more than a replacement plate. The price for a replacement plate usually starts at around $25 and can go up to $50, depending on the brand and model. Meanwhile, the price of decent microwave ovens can range from $99 to $150.
For instance, the TOSHIBA 3-in-1 EC042A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Oven offers excellent value with its versatile features and performance.
These microwaves are already good enough for everyday use in most households. They have come with all the features that you will ever need to use at home.
Features such as LED panels with a digital clock that can also be used as a convenient kitchen timer, presets for different food items (popcorn, baked potato, pizza, etc.), option for speed defrosting, etc.
With such a low price difference, it’s often worth it to invest in a new microwave oven instead of just replacing the plate.
