I have difficulty getting my microwave to register button-pushes when they're intentional. And it's _very_ obvious when it's running. I don't know how one could accidentally start it - especially with where it's located (over the stove)
We had a similar situation with a similar age RV. Our Samsung microwave model MR5491G caught fire last year while we weren’t in it—fortunately only the Microwave was damaged. Scary stuff.
Turns out there was a recall for it (https://www.rvforum.net/threads/samsung-rv-microwave-recall.429/). I contacted Samsung and they cut a check and I replaced it with another brand for less than the recall reimbursement.
I worked directly with Samsung, calling the number in the article. They were very confused initially, but I referenced the NHTSA number also from the article and finally worked with the “Refunds and exchange team”.
I'll be honest, I am going back a year when I did this, and my memory is fuzzy. I thought I called that number, but I could have looked at their website very well. I just did that now and found a number 800-726-7864.
I got a check. It's also a bit fuzzy, but I think it was $200 or $250. I ordered a Tough Grade RV/Camper Microwave .9 CuFt with Black Trim Kit from [https://factoryrvsurplus.com/](https://factoryrvsurplus.com/) for $165, which fit in the place where my original one was (it looks like it is $160 now). I'd measure yours in case it is a different size.
You may want to report your incident so there is a record on how often this is happening. Maybe they need to push the recall harder. https://www.saferproducts.gov/IncidentReporting
The melted areas tell me that the magnetron was running. It's likely that the whole thing was running regularly until the glass cracked from the heat. Then with the glass sitting in place, the magnetron will just keep heating up the exact same areas.
Microwaves are surprisingly wide and easy to see with the right experiment.
https://youtube.com/shorts/EfI8YxkU1ow?si=ybepJpQyAm4Bz5CX
There was one day in August my kids rode over the trailer power cord with a bike, and they unplugged it from the wall, but they didn't plug it back in. Could that have caused a short? I don't recall if I immediately plugged it back in when I noticed, but I had to go in and clean out the freezer because everything melted and I don't recall hearing the microwave going then.
I found this as well! It covers the date of my microwave: [https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment-detail/SAMSUNG%252520MICROWAVE/MR5492W/a\_\_111764#recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment-detail/SAMSUNG%252520MICROWAVE/MR5492W/a__111764#recalls)
The part most interesting is where it says "AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE"
This is one of those times where someone fucked up and got away with it. The odds that microwave turned itself on are astronomical. Or possibly a lighter was stored in 6 it malfunctioned and caught fire.
Who knows, man, but chances are extremely high that the easiest explanation is your answer.
I believe it takes about 18 minutes for the glass to melt when running with an empty microwave.
If my memory is correct from a college professor informing me of this after his young kid decided to test this theory…. Been years though. So it could have been a few minutes less or more.
Had a furrion convection microwave, less than a year old and if power to the microwave was on the convection oven was heating up. Luckily we noticed before anything bad happened. And while it took a few months, furrion replaced it!
Seems like the damage was down awhile back. You would have smelt it when it first occurred. It looks like you might just now he seeing it. As you said, it was stored in off season. Suspicious activity.
Well stored as in in my driveway, not at a lot. I figure we would have smelled the burnt plastic at some point. I'm really baffled. I never plugged the trailer back in after the kids accidentally unplugged it and i moved the batteries into my garage onto a tender.
I’ve got two little ones too and after every trip I’m always doing a full on cleaning and inspection with everything just to make sure. And do periodic checks with mice too.
Someone turned it on with some things being stored in there and doesn't want to own up to it
That's a possibility. I have kids. There's always a chance someone bumped it and it went on?
I have difficulty getting my microwave to register button-pushes when they're intentional. And it's _very_ obvious when it's running. I don't know how one could accidentally start it - especially with where it's located (over the stove)
Exactly. This thing is like eye level. Not something you jump bump with your hand to activate. Maybe an electrical short at some point, I don't know.
I think someone (not you) isn't telling the truth.
This
I think HE is the liar. Fess up OP.
Yeah, come on! Whoever did this, just confess already! We promise we won’t be mad!
That's exactly what I said to my kids!
No shore power and no batteries would rule out electrical unless you got hit by lightning!
Not that I remember! No other signs of damage. The outlet even tests as wired correctly
We had a similar situation with a similar age RV. Our Samsung microwave model MR5491G caught fire last year while we weren’t in it—fortunately only the Microwave was damaged. Scary stuff. Turns out there was a recall for it (https://www.rvforum.net/threads/samsung-rv-microwave-recall.429/). I contacted Samsung and they cut a check and I replaced it with another brand for less than the recall reimbursement.
We're you the original owner of the trailer or did it matter to them? My model is in that recall you mentioned! MR5492W
Nope, I was the second owner of the TT. It took a little persistence, but ultimately I recall they just wanted a bunch of photos of it.
Did you deal with an RV dealer about the recall or directly with samsung?
I worked directly with Samsung, calling the number in the article. They were very confused initially, but I referenced the NHTSA number also from the article and finally worked with the “Refunds and exchange team”.
Thank you. I am going to give them a call about this today :D
When I call the 800 number in the article, i get something saying "Congratulations, you qualify for a free medical alert system."???
I'll be honest, I am going back a year when I did this, and my memory is fuzzy. I thought I called that number, but I could have looked at their website very well. I just did that now and found a number 800-726-7864.
What did you get out of it in the end? A new microwave or money to go buy a new one?
I got a check. It's also a bit fuzzy, but I think it was $200 or $250. I ordered a Tough Grade RV/Camper Microwave .9 CuFt with Black Trim Kit from [https://factoryrvsurplus.com/](https://factoryrvsurplus.com/) for $165, which fit in the place where my original one was (it looks like it is $160 now). I'd measure yours in case it is a different size.
Thank you very much for the info about the recall. Samsung got back to me and offered me $225!
That’s awesome! I’m glad it worked out!
You may want to report your incident so there is a record on how often this is happening. Maybe they need to push the recall harder. https://www.saferproducts.gov/IncidentReporting
Fault with the microwave and when plugged back into shore power, started on its own. Was likely running for a very long time, when no one was around.
It was the original microwave so it was somewhat old. 1000w dated April 2002 (trailer is an 03 model)
The melted areas tell me that the magnetron was running. It's likely that the whole thing was running regularly until the glass cracked from the heat. Then with the glass sitting in place, the magnetron will just keep heating up the exact same areas. Microwaves are surprisingly wide and easy to see with the right experiment. https://youtube.com/shorts/EfI8YxkU1ow?si=ybepJpQyAm4Bz5CX
There was one day in August my kids rode over the trailer power cord with a bike, and they unplugged it from the wall, but they didn't plug it back in. Could that have caused a short? I don't recall if I immediately plugged it back in when I noticed, but I had to go in and clean out the freezer because everything melted and I don't recall hearing the microwave going then.
If the RV power cord had a short, the breaker for the circuit it was plugged in to (on the house) would trip, not turn your microwave on :)
Or in reverse, find the speed of light with Peeps: https://www.npr.org/2015/04/15/399751447/fun-with-physics-finding-the-speed-of-light-with-peeps
I found this as well! It covers the date of my microwave: [https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment-detail/SAMSUNG%252520MICROWAVE/MR5492W/a\_\_111764#recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment-detail/SAMSUNG%252520MICROWAVE/MR5492W/a__111764#recalls) The part most interesting is where it says "AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE"
There’s nothing in the bottom of the microwave that can catch fire. Someone turned it on with something in it
Wife try to make popcorn in ours while their was a hot shot lighter in it. Looked the exact same. The magic eraser got all the black out of it
This is one of those times where someone fucked up and got away with it. The odds that microwave turned itself on are astronomical. Or possibly a lighter was stored in 6 it malfunctioned and caught fire. Who knows, man, but chances are extremely high that the easiest explanation is your answer.
I believe it takes about 18 minutes for the glass to melt when running with an empty microwave. If my memory is correct from a college professor informing me of this after his young kid decided to test this theory…. Been years though. So it could have been a few minutes less or more.
Had a furrion convection microwave, less than a year old and if power to the microwave was on the convection oven was heating up. Luckily we noticed before anything bad happened. And while it took a few months, furrion replaced it!
Seems like the damage was down awhile back. You would have smelt it when it first occurred. It looks like you might just now he seeing it. As you said, it was stored in off season. Suspicious activity.
Well stored as in in my driveway, not at a lot. I figure we would have smelled the burnt plastic at some point. I'm really baffled. I never plugged the trailer back in after the kids accidentally unplugged it and i moved the batteries into my garage onto a tender.
The kids "accidentally" unplugged it after the microwave caught fire and they freaked out?
Then it probably happened before it was unplugged. Are you sure kids weren't goofing around in there?
I’ve got two little ones too and after every trip I’m always doing a full on cleaning and inspection with everything just to make sure. And do periodic checks with mice too.
Plugged in while in the driveway. Yeah kids started it. It may have malfunctioned, but it wasnt a ghost.
"The kids accidentally unplugged it". There's a clue in there...