So the last few weeks, I've had 3 things spark/start fires in my microwave. Not big fires, just sort of a pop of flame and then done. The first two times I was cooking diced chicken sausage for LO's lunch (cooked for like 15-20 seconds). The third time I was cooking frozen peas for 25 seconds (I just put a handful on a plate).

I called whirlpool because this seemed ODD to me. So I just had a tech out and he couldn't replicate the issue and he couldn't find anything wrong with our microwave. He said it COULD have been because it wasn't clean enough, even though it is basically spotless and there is only some food splatter stuck in a few holes of the top vent (like we keep it clean but don't poke out the holes I guess...?). So I asked if I could microwave some peas and show him and he said yes. And it did it again. About 10 seconds in, flame.

So he calls his supervisor because wtf. And then is told to look at the instructions on the peas. The instructions say to put them in a bowl with water and cover to microwave. I'd just put them "dry" (frozen) on the plate. Apparently that is reason enough to cause fire?! Kind of shocking to me. He had no excuse/reasoning for why the chicken sausage would cause fire because the instructions on that just say to put on a plate and microwave 30 seconds. He said maybe because I diced it rather than cooked it whole?

Regardless he swears there is nothing wrong with our microwave. The whole thing just seems strange to me because I never really thought things could/would start a fire in the microwave unless there was metal or you cooked them way, way too long. I thought the worst that would happen if you ignored direction was things would make a mess or just dry out/not taste good.

So I guess this is one part PSA (a) follow instructions and b) watch things in the microwave-- don't just walk away). And one part WTF because seriously...? I still feel like peas should not catch on fire in 20 seconds in the microwave.