Happened last night, fortunately just heating a plate for 60 secs and kids were a bed.
Had it 5-6 years, but any recourse on this ? Sure these things happen if people put foil, whatever in it, but this just seems a case of the motor catching fire, and could have been a lot worse if we weren't in kitchen at time.
Not.really up on these things. Is this not unusual, and would I get anywhere complaining eith Panasonic ?
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Had a kitchen fire about 18 months ago which WAS my fault and one of my boys was just about a foot aware from the flames, which messed me up for a bit (and burnt my hands). So i'm a bit angry about this because in my mind, kitchen appliances shouldn't just 'catch fire'. But am i being naive / busy ?
She was absolutely baffled as to why sticking a fridge magnet on a microwave would be a problem.
After a brief physics lesson, I was on my way. Never had a problem since!
We spoke to the shop where he bought it and in turn they spoke to the manufacturer but although everyone was sympathetic 'pilot error' was blamed and he had to buy a new, larger microwave. He is now very wary of the oven and I go round most evenings to set the timer for him as he can't read the small numbers on the timer : this takes a while as he insists on you stopping for a couple of 'snifters' and a chat.
Anyway. I was surprised that the motor didn't cut out when the plate stopped turning thus leaving the meal to stand there getting hotter and hotter but the manufacturer couldn't see a problem and said it was up to the user to ensure the item to be cooked was not too large and that the oven was operating correctly.
http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/news/Newsreleases/Pages/fire-and-rescue-join-forces-with-electrical-safety-council-to-warn-about-dangers-of-grime-fires.aspx
1. Replaced it
2. Checked my smoke alarm is working properly
3. Put it down to experience
Whatever you do AFKA, please do number 2.
First, the law puts a six year time limit on claims. So you'd have to be sure when you bought it.
Second, I believe the onus would be on you to show that the failure was due to a fault in the manufacturing process/poor quality components rather than something you'd caused. That might be difficult and might need expert opinion which would cost more than the claim.
Third, even if within the statutory time limit, the law allows for a "reasonable" perception for how long something should last and this has to do with cost/quality. So, it might be reasonable to expect a £2000 Miele steam oven to last for six years but perhaps less reasonable to expect a £70 microwave to do the same.
That said, you might get a goodwill gesture of some description from the manufacturer?
Put food on a plate to be re-heated and immediately BANG! followed by flames leaping from the sides, and the kitchen filling with acrid smoke.
Flames can seem mesmerising and an age seemed to go by, before I thought to pull the plug - although in reality probably just a few seconds.
Pulling the plug stopped the flames, but the choking smoke meant I couldn't see from one side of the room to the other. I had doors and windows open for about an hour to clear the smoke, which also found it's way upstairs to the bedrooms etc
A worried neighbour had seen smoke and came round to see if I was alright. Scary stuff tho.
As others have mentioned, these things give you no warning and you would be surprised at just how silent things can be and how quickly flames can get to a decent size. That incident a couple of years ago, a smoke alarm thankfully saved a potential tragedy.
If you haven't got one, get one asap.