# My microwave oven is making "cracking" noises while it runs **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 25, 2015, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533 "2015-04-25T22:03:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2015, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/1 "2015-04-25T22:03:17Z")
…is that a bad thing? It’s kind of a cheap oven and about 12 years old. When I put some chicken mole in it a little while ago to heat up, it made a big \*crack \*sound, and then as it ran for two minutes, there was a series of smaller crackling sounds, sort of like crackling paper. The food heated up fine. Nothing burst into flames or anything, Is it time to replace it? ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/2 "2015-04-25T23:52:13Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > …is that a bad thing? > > It’s kind of a cheap oven and about 12 years old. When I put some chicken mole in it a little while ago to heat up, it made a big \*crack \*sound, and then as it ran for two minutes, there was a series of smaller crackling sounds, sort of like crackling paper. The food heated up fine. Nothing burst into flames or anything, > > Is it time to replace it? Usually you get that sound, when there is metal inside. The crackling sound your hearing, may be electricity arcing. Was there an odd smell, ozone is kind of distinctive. So , yeah, my advice would be to send it to recycling and get a new one with annoying beeps. Declan ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/3 "2015-04-25T23:58:19Z")
paints on dishes that have metal can cause that to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/4 "2015-04-26T00:09:27Z")
The standard test is to put a cup of water in it (use a Pyrex cup) and turn it on high for 1-2 minutes. If it makes the noise during that cycle, get rid of it. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/5 "2015-04-26T02:34:34Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > paints on dishes that have metal can cause that to happen. No metal. I was heating the chicken on a paper plate. > [@kunilou](#): > > The standard test is to put a cup of water in it (use a Pyrex cup) and turn it on high for 1-2 minutes. If it makes the noise during that cycle, get rid of it. Ok. I’ll try that. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/6 "2015-04-26T02:38:21Z")
Check the turntable runway for debris. Running over dried food an oven can make very substantial noise. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Spaulding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Miss\_Spaulding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Spaulding)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/7 "2015-04-26T02:39:41Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > …is that a bad thing? > > It’s kind of a cheap oven and about 12 years old. When I put some chicken mole in it a little while ago to heat up, it made a big \*crack \*sound, and then as it ran for two minutes, there was a series of smaller crackling sounds, sort of like crackling paper. The food heated up fine. Nothing burst into flames or anything, > > Is it time to replace it? Firstly, what the heck is ‘chicken mole’? Secondly, at 12-years-old, I would say that perhaps it’s time for a new microwave. However, the crackling could have just been the food popping. That does happen and it’s nothing to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/8 "2015-04-26T03:02:01Z")
> [@Miss\_Spaulding](#): > > Firstly, what the heck is ‘chicken mole’? [Chicken in a mole sauce.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_sauce) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/9 "2015-04-26T13:04:52Z")
> [@Miss\_Spaulding](#): > > Firstly, what the heck is ‘chicken mole’? > [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > [Chicken in a mole sauce.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_sauce) [Only The Food of the Gods.](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chicken-mole-recipe.html) ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/10 "2015-04-26T13:46:25Z")
I get the same sounds from my microwave occasionally. It is well over 9 years old (it has been in my possession for at least 9 years; prior to that a friend used it in her office at work and she let me take it home when my previous one died). No obvious reason (I never put metal in, no dishes with metal trim, etc.) and it has no turntable. I have no idea why and was curious to see what answers you’d get. In my case I’ll just use it until it dies a painful death and then decide what to get to replace it. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/11 "2015-04-26T13:59:54Z")
I always thought it was localized “superheating” of the food being warmed. I get pops and snaps a lot when I’m nuking anything soup- or stew-like. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/12 "2015-04-26T16:40:17Z")
Along the same lines as what **jz78817** said, there are some foods that when microwaved, always make that kind of noise for me. Chicken in any type of sauce is the main one. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/13 "2015-04-26T16:44:51Z")
chicken and ham can have pockets of liquid which explode in the microwave. small explosions can be crackling like. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/14 "2015-04-26T17:04:13Z")
**Another microwave question** : I accidentally ran my microwave last summer without putting food in it, and it burned a quarter size hole in the inside top. The microwave still works, though my wife and I are hesitant about using it. Any real danger from running the thing now? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/15 "2015-04-26T17:12:45Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > **Another microwave question** : I accidentally ran my microwave last summer without putting food in it, and it burned a quarter size hole in the inside top. The microwave still works, though my wife and I are hesitant about using it. Any real danger from running the thing now? It’s possible that this will lead to Something Bad. The first rule of safety is to assume that all the other Bad Things that will lead to an accident have happened and you’re just one step away from kaboom. So, assume the hole in the top is that one thing and that the other bad things have or will soon happen. The solution is obvious: chuck it. (Not Goodwill or anything.) As to the OP: Sometimes crud buildup causes this. Thoroughly clean the inside of the microwave and try it. But you can’t really clean the inside of the “horn” that feeds the microwaves into the box. Crud built up there is a major reason for shortened microwave lifetime. (And can be greatly reduced by covering things.) ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/16 "2015-04-26T19:09:27Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > …So, assume the hole in the top is that one thing and that the other bad things have or will soon happen. The solution is obvious: chuck it. (Not Goodwill or anything.) Actually, in some states, thrift stores will take old in electronic items for free for the purpose of making sure they’re recycled and not tossed into landfills and other areas, such as illegal dump sites. My state, Washington, is one of them. I doubt the smaller mom-and-pop thrift stores do this but check with Goodwill and the other larger chains in your area to see if they’ll take your nearly dead microwave off your hands. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/17 "2015-04-27T16:13:56Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > Along the same lines as what **jz78817** said, there are some foods that when microwaved, always make that kind of noise for me. Chicken in any type of sauce is the main one. Well, that’s exactly what I was microwaving–chicken in sauce. > [@ftg](#): > > … The first rule of safety is to assume that all the other Bad Things that will lead to an accident have happened and you’re just one step away from kaboom. … Hmmm…I believe this is The Principle by which I live my whole life. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/18 "2015-04-29T07:54:35Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Check the turntable runway for debris. Running over dried food an oven can make very substantial noise. Also check for food scraps on the sides & top of the oven – maybe not even very visible. Those too can cause noie while cooking. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2019, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-microwave-oven-is-making-cracking-noises-while-it-runs/718533/20 "2019-08-06T04:53:35Z")
Reported.