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GE Spacemaker Microwave
Fire Hazard

GE Spacemaker Appliances • Spacemaker Microwave Ovens • Fires • Magnetron Failure • Spacemaker Coffeemaker --- • Other GE Appliances

The smoke and fire problem, unfortunately, isn't confined to Spacemaker microwaves. We've heard similar complaints about other GE microwaves.

Jessica of Lawrenceville NJ (10/3/01):
I want to report that my General Electric Spacemaker Microwave, ModelJVM140K 004, manufactured in 1993, caught on fire when it was not in use. The stove was in use at the time. The microwave turned on by itself, and could not be shut down until it was disconnected by a fireman. The microwave is unusable, and now the kitchen interior is ruined, as I am afraid to replace it with another Spacemaker microwave.

Scott of Burlington VT (3/28/03):
The microwave blew up! Immediately after pushing the start button an earth-shattering snap and blinding blue light flooded the kitchen. My Wife and child were right next to the microwave when this occured and were incredibly shaken. My daughter cried for 30 minutes following. My wife is not willing to use another GE product.

Steven of Olathe KS (9/23/03):
A GE Spacemaker Microwave Oven was installed in my Farimont 2000 model modular house. It failed after 3 years of service on on Sept. 22, 2003 while popping pop corn. It smoked up the house and would have started a fire if I had not intervened.

Brian of Riverside CA (5/18/03):
GE Spacemaker II. While microwaving some BBQ ribs I previously had in the freezer, the microwave "smoked" and set off the fire alarm. It had been heating the food exceptionally slowly. I simply assumed that it was because the ribs were previously smoked and had a low moisture content and, thus, weren't heating quickly.

At first there was a plastic smell. My roomate commented, "What are you cooking? Rubber ribs?" I simply ignored him and continued with my school work. About five minutes later, the fire alarm went off and I noticed the microwave was full of smoke. Police and fire departments responded accordingly. I was informed by university housing that I would not be fined because the microwave was at fault. However, I am concerned for a microwave defect because the housing complex I am currently in has over 120 of these units (8 per building, 15 buildings total)

Julia of Auburn NY (3/13/03):
Similar to some people who complained, we have a GE microwave which for no apparent reason "blew up". Our 2000 GE spacemaker (JVM) started to make a loud popping/grinding noise. We were using it correctly. It then caught fire and smoked. Again, we had to unplug the microwave because none of the buttons would turn it off. VERY dangerous.

It has to be replaced or pay $250 to fix it (!) and now I'm not sure we can fit another micro into the spot we have over our oven/stove. I do not want another fire hazard in my home, so not sure what to do.

Denise of Upland CA (5/14/02):
I am writing about a microwave that I purchased on 11-02. I started having a problem with it a few months ago. My daughter put a bag of popcorn in it and it caught the bag on fire! My house was full of smoke. She did not use the popcorn cycle. But she put it for 4 mins. like it said on the bag. I had someone come out to check it out. They informed that the microwave was fine. So I continued to use it.

One night I put a frozen hot chili in to thaw. I set it for 20 seconds. It went for 10 seconds. It made a loud popping noise and then a flash of either fire or light went through the microwave. I shut it down right away. And unplugged it. The chili was still frozen. I called them again. They said they would send out someone again. I went to pick up my daughter on that day. he left a note that he came by at 3:20. I was home at 3:10. I called and asked if thay could send him back? They said they would. and if he couldn't the supervisor would call. I waited, no one called.

I have this microwave that is still under warranty. And they refuse to take care of the problem. It will proably burn down my house. They say it has a built in chip that would stop it from doing this. if that is true why did it burn the popcorn?

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