Burn Marks Behind Microwave

[DoctorD]

After 4 years, our High Pointe Microwave/Convection Oven died. I replaced the internal 20 amp fuse, but it kept blowing so we needed to replace the microwave. When I removed it, we found the back of the microwave and the wall to be severely burned. Has anyone else seen this? Is this something to be concerned about before we install the new microwave?

[jcurtis934]

I would say that microwave had really serious issues. Have not heard of one going meltdown mode, but it must happen on occasion. If it were me, i would just restore the walls tolerance to excess heat by covering that burn area with aluminum tape used by hvac people since it is self adhesive, easy to get, easy to apply. And get a microwave of better quality to replace the onevthat tried to burn down your trailer.

[Daryles]

This is not the first time I have read of this happening. When ours failed (2 years old) we replaced it with a Whirlpool, microwave only, we never used the convection oven function.
We did not see any scorch marks on the wall behind it when we removed the old one.
However, again, we never used the convection oven.
I'm wondering if perhaps using the convection oven causes this wall scorching?

[Foldbak]

Yikes! That's scary. What brand MW was it?

[jsb5717]

With the unit blowing fuses it's possible that it had developed some kind of short that caused the scorching. Since that's what fuses are for then you are fortunate the fuses did their job. I like the idea of using aluminum tape on the wall before installing a new unit...an ounce of prevention...

[BB_TX]

Does the High Pointe have a rear vent in that area? My older different brand micro/convection had a metal duct from the rear up the back and across the top to vent that hot air out the front rather than inside the cabinet. I am of the opinion a convection oven must be vented outside the cabinet some way. Microwave only not so much.

That does look scary.

[sberlin]

Originally Posted by DoctorD

After 4 years, our High Pointe Microwave/Convection Oven died. I replaced the internal 20 amp fuse, but it kept blowing so we needed to replace the microwave. When I removed it, we found the back of the microwave and the wall to be severely burned. Has anyone else seen this? Is this something to be concerned about before we install the new microwave?

Had exactly the same issue. Discovered the old micro had the fan blowing outward which should’ve been connected to an exterior vent pipe. I covered the wall in heat shield and ensured the fan was set for self ventilation-I.e.-blowing to the front.

[Mikendebbie]

DoctorD - just curious…is that black thing in your photo covering up a vent to the outside? My unit has an exterior vent behind the microwave. I have never taken the microwave out so I don’t know what it looks like behind the unit. I went looking for videos showing folks replacing their Highpointe unit - and I found one from a guy replacing his in a Solitude 5th wheel (see screen shot). I noticed there is a heat shield taped to the wall in the same area of your burn mark. There is no vent in this Solitude.

[Dave W]

Ours had an actual microwave plus a gas oven not a convection oven. With that said we have a countertop convection oven at the house. It gets very hot, possibly hot enough to scorch wood. I'm of the opinion that an enclosed, generally unvented convection oven with the very thin and low end wood used in RV cabinets is an incorrect application and is a fire waiting to happen.



Yeah, I know, no other oven in these current cost reduced, bottom line directed RVs - but how often is an oven actually used.

[doughazlett]

Originally Posted by DoctorD

After 4 years, our High Pointe Microwave/Convection Oven died. I replaced the internal 20 amp fuse, but it kept blowing so we needed to replace the microwave. When I removed it, we found the back of the microwave and the wall to be severely burned. Has anyone else seen this? Is this something to be concerned about before we install the new microwave?

Grand Design had the same problem with the High Point microwave / convection oven. Their fix was a aluminum plate on the wall behind the unit. The problem was driven when using the convection feature of the micro wave. Haven't heard of any problems since. The fix has been out since 2020 I believe.

[oeeman]

A rule of thumb I was taught by an electrician. If you have to reset a circuit breaker or replace a fuse - never do it more than three times without finding out what the problem is. We had some major problems that could have been avoided by following this rule.