So I get super powers, right?

November 18, 2011 2:56 AM

Why does this happen and is it dangerous? When I heat anything in the microwave for about two minutes or longer, the timer/clock display casts a blur on the glass in front of the numbers, i.e. if the display says 2:30, the glass in front of the display will have a very blurred 2:30 on it. From the front it looks like the display itself is blurry, but if you stand at an angle to the side you can see how far back the numbers are from the glass in front of them. The blur will disappear after a few minutes. Should I be concerned?
posted by Nattie to technology (8 answers total)

Do you think the space between the glass and the display is filling up with steam?
posted by grouse at 2:59 AM on November 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

I was just about to suggest the same thing as grouse. It's got to be steam condensing on the glass.

Does the microwave have ventilation slots anywhere that might have become blocked or accidentally covered?
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 3:06 AM on November 18, 2011

Time for a new microwave. A few years ago I had one that started doing this very thing. Somehow steam from the cooking food was getting into control/display area-an area the manufacturer seals to prevent this very thing from happening.

A few weeks later buttons stopped working and a few weeks after that, kaput.

I guess you could take it apart and attempt to reseal the area, but why bother with the hassle?
posted by chosemerveilleux at 3:26 AM on November 18, 2011

Not necessarily a sign of imminent failure - my microwave has been doing this for more than a year and works fine - it is definitely steam.
posted by leslies at 3:56 AM on November 18, 2011

Ahhh, steam makes sense! There aren't any blocked vents, but it's probably steam.

I really hope ours doesn't stop working because it's only a month old. We can't return it because it was a display model. :-/

Thanks everyone!
posted by Nattie at 4:35 AM on November 18, 2011

We can't return it because it was a display model. :-/

It is worth trying to return it. Be persistent. It's defective.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 9:26 AM on November 18, 2011

I really hope ours doesn't stop working because it's only a month old. We can't return it because it was a display model.

Display model doesn't necessarily negate the manufacturer's warranty. Check the manual, most have a 1-year warranty. You will likely need a receipt/proof of purchase.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 9:57 AM on November 18, 2011

Display model doesn't necessarily negate the manufacturer's warranty. Check the manual, most have a 1-year warranty. You will likely need a receipt/proof of purchase.

Disclaimer: I work for a kitchen and laundry appliance manufacturer.

All of our products that are sold "off the floor" (i.e. they were display models) carry a one year "as-is" manufacturer's defect warranty. Basically, that means that if the store lost parts or damaged the appliance in the course of display, those items are not covered. Anything else is.

It is my understanding that providing this sort of warranty is an industry-wide practice. I would confirm with the store first. If they say you have an as-is warranty, then contact the manufacturer for service.
posted by magstheaxe at 1:19 PM on November 18, 2011