[darthsmozers]

Hello,

This is going to sound like an odd question but here it goes: Our Kenmore microwave is brand new - it was installed in Summer 2011, so its only a year and a half old. Its over the stove and vents out to the outside. In the Northern Virginia area, stinkbugs are a common pest. They measure about an inch long. Its expected they can get into the home through openings like vents and windows, so its not unheard of that one would enter through the ventillation of the microwave. However, I was shocked to find one on New Year's Day inside the glass of the microwave's door. It was alive in between the two panes of glass. A week later, he's still alive in there, too! I'm sure he'll die soon enough, but wow, what a fighter.

I looked all over the microwave and I could only find two openings in the inside of the door: The hinges and the clamps that close when the door shuts. Neither of those seem like ways a stinkbug could get between the two panes of glass because I would assume the inside of the door is designed to be sealed airtight to protect from microwaves. There are no instructions for disassembling the door, rightfully so, since that could cause a leak in microwave radiation.

So, the purpose of me writing is to ask someone familiar with the design and construction of Kenmore microwaves to give their opinion on how an inch-long bug could have gotten between the panes of glass. And further, does this opening represent a hazard that could allow microwave radiation to escape if it could allow a large bug to enter.

Thanks so much! :thumbsup:

 

[Missouri Bound]

Look up your microwave number at Searsparts. There is an exploded view of all the parts and the screws that hold it together. You can order new glass for the doors so it's a replaceable part. The illustrations show you how to disassemble the door. I'd take the door off and open up the frame, I'll bet one of the corners on the glass has a hole in it. Either way, if the glass is compromised in any way you need to have it checked for radiation. I'd get that bug out of there before it dies because you won't ever get the smell out of there if it does.

 

[darthsmozers]

Just a quick reply ... Using an arts and crafts pipecleaner, i could stick it in where the hinge is and can see the pipecleaner through the glass. Possible entry?

 

[darthsmozers]

Look up your microwave number at Searsparts. There is an exploded view of all the parts and the screws that hold it together. You can order new glass for the doors so it's a replaceable part. The illustrations show you how to disassemble the door. I'd take the door off and open up the frame, I'll bet one of the corners on the glass has a hole in it. Either way, if the glass is compromised in any way you need to have it checked for radiation. I'd get that bug out of there before it dies because you won't ever get the smell out of there if it does.

Thanks, im in touch with sears via email, though i imagine its going to take numerous rounds of emailing.

If the hinge is indeed the entry point, then does that make the microwave unsafe or is it ok as long as its closed. And if it was closed, how did the bug get in? Weird.

 

[Missouri Bound]

Just a quick reply ... Using an arts and crafts pipecleaner, i could stick it in where the hinge is and can see the pipecleaner through the glass. Possible entry?

Of course. And that's a question you need to ask Sears. If that door is supposed to be sealed....and if it is, yours is defective. Ask for a replacement. But in my opinion it probably doesn't need to be sealed tight.
The door has a grid which prevents the "low low" radiation from being harmful. But tha bug still has to go.:laughing:

 

[rkentzel]

Alot of manufauctures will not sell door parts only complete doors. Just because a bug got in there does not mean its defective. They dont want you to mess with the wave guide material in the door that could harm you.

 

[tingler4]

darthsmozers - did you ever find a solution to the problem? We are having the same issue.

 

[JasperST]

You probably can take the door apart, carefully. Most are snapped and screwed together and it's easy to break the snaps. Go slow and methodical. I also have ran the screen through the dishwasher if it had a grease buildup.