My Philips Microwave has burnt a hole in its base. It first started to glow red and then the hole appeared. The microwave is a Philips Cooktronic M710. This machine was purchased circa 1980 and does not feature a turntable. Can this be repaired ?

Andrew Wilson, December 2006

Problem is the foam which seals the bottom air duct for the stirrer has disintegrated.

Tim, December 2020

The original base is ceramic. You can replace it with tempered glass. And clean (the blades of) the fan now and then.

Henri, June 2014

The glass or ceramic base plate of mine is also now crumbling to the pointwhere weight on the platform will soon no longer be supported. My local repair agent suggested dumping it!

If Eric Goldup reads this, would he mind posting a contact detail of his agent in case he can help others as well, including me?

I do wonder if the 'hot spots' that were the cause of mine to crack was as a result of not wiping the base properly. I have yet to take mine apart to investigate the scatter plate beneath the base plate.

Peter Newlands, February 2010

The most likely failure season. A scatter plate under the glass bottom is rotated by air flow, fan induced under the oven. Plastic clip in blades fitted on the disk age and go brittle and fall off. The disk then heats the glass base.
This oven is good, lasted a long time but not good business for the maker. I had to find a repair agent who salvaged some spares from condemed machines to repait mine. A good will, patiance and luck. YES

Eric Goldup, August 2009

I did replace the base, with same thickness transparent glass of the kind used in refrigerators. It cracked again first time I used the microwave but luckily the crack is towards the middle again and the appliance can still be used by placing the plate or mug on top of the crack. I'm only using the microwave for heating, not cooking, only about two or three minutes at a time, and keeping watch for red hot spots! Hoping to find a similar size and colour unit to go with my kitchen. Any suggestions?

Lilian Cortis, December 2007

I have exactly the same problem with mine, purchased 1983. The red hot spot developed at the junction of a tiny hairline crack in the form of a T, so essentially at a tiny hole. If you put your food directly covering this crack, you can continue to use the oven. The crack will continue to grow, and eventually the base will break while you're cleaning it. Be careful, the edges will be very sharp! The base of mine broke apart last week, after about nine months since I noticed the problem. I would replace the base, if I knew where to buy a replacement base. It's too risky trying to guess what the material is. I always thought it was white plastic, and possibly the surface has a layer of white plastic, but from its weight I'd say it's more some kind of white glass or ceramic.

Lilian Cortis, June 2007

I had a similar problem last night, a white hot spot on the base hear the lefthand back corner. Now unplugged, thought about taking it apart, but will buy a new one instead. Shame, worked very well for 25 years!

Richard, February 2007