When the oven is cooking for over 5 mins part of the door goes a white opaque colour inside the door, it is as if the seal is broken and steam is getting inside the door itself.

Place the items inside the unit and close the door. Set the cook time, then press the "Power Level" button. When the display asks for input, press "5" for 50% power. Then press START.

Hi Kerry,
"PF" is power falure if you didn't aready know this. It sounds to me like the coolig fan might be running slow or there is blocked or restricted air flow through the unit. This cooling fan is only for the HV transformer and magnetron. Sometimes you may get air flow around the door but this is incidental. The PF tells me that the power is being interrupted either at the power source (wall outlet or circuit breaker) or the magnetron TCO is cutting out. It also could be a bad magnetron running too hot. As far as the steam goes, I usually just leave the door open on my microwave for 10 or 15 minutes to let the condensation evaporate.

I would say quite normal. Ensure that the door is left open for a while when you have finished, that will allow the moisture to disperse.
I cut down alot on the steam by using kitchen paper towel over the food. The towel gets wet instead!
Don't use recycled paper towel unless it states suitable for microwave use as there may be plastics and metals in those.

There should also be a "mini-manual" hidden inside the unit behind the control panel or hidden on the left side behind the grille, which is very helpful when troubleshooting, & testing..

I'm not finding the one for for this model online.

At our Web site, we have a video available showing how to remove a typical over the range control panel assembly in under 5 minutes.

If it's a convection model, F5 would be a damper door sensing error, which is usually a bad switch.

More info on switches is here.

One of the damper-related components, either the switch or motor or the damper door may be binding.

The damper is a door inside that opens or closes depending on cooking mode. If the controller senses that the door is not in the right position, it will shut down the cook cycle.

If it's not a convection model, F5 is probably a sensor error.

On some models, "SENSOR ERROR" appears on the display when:

• Using the sensor feature, the door was opened before steam could be detected. Do not open the door until stream is sensed and time is shown counting down on the display.

• Steam was not detected in the maximum amount of time. Use Time Cook to heat for more time.

Here's some info from Samsung, which is the actual manufacturer of these ovens:

"Some models are equipped with a sensor that can automatically adjust the oven's heating time based on the amount of steam in the oven. If your microwave is displaying E1, E4, or E5, there may be an issue with the gas sensor. For an E1 error, press the Cancel button and check on the food.

"Other microwaves do not give specific error messages and just display "8888" on the LED. If you get this error message, your microwave needs service.

"If the message is either ERROR or E-6, it indicates a mechanical fault.

"For all error indications, including the SE or 5E error, try unplugging the microwave from the outlet for at least ten minutes and then plug it back in. If the error persists, the microwave may require service. Please use our ASC Locator to find your nearest Authorized Service Center."

Feel free to contact me directly if you need more help.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

Hi I have the same model - I absolutely love it. The only problem is that the seal is broken and because Breville no longer supply parts I'm using it more as a slow cooker!
It's pretty simple to use:
The basics:
1. Pull the handles apart (note you must have the 'pressure lock - the only sliding knob on the lid) in the 'unlocked position'.
2. Set the temperature on Max (only until the meat, onions etc are brown, then turn down to 1 or 2- just enough to keep the orange button 'popped' on the top of the machine
3. turn the timer (bottom dial on the front of the cooker) to an hour (you can always turn the dial more if needed, but not reduce time) by the time you've browned meat & chopped veges, etc that will be about 10-15 gone. I've never had it pressure 'cooking for more than an hour for anything'
3. re timing - casserole takes about 40 min from when the orange button on top 'pops' up (ie. steam build up enough pressure to cook quickly)
4. don't over fill - there's a little cast iron bump about an inch from the 'top' inside the cooker - that's about the max.
5. if you're cooking meat dishes have the dial on the top 'pressure release dial' on 3 - lighter dishes (e.g. soups) have on 1 or two.
6. until you get use to it keep an eye on the orange button - you get to know what temp to put it on by how much steam is released - it it's hissing away, turn the temperature down.
7. makes great casseroles, rissotto, soups (even with dried beans, only about 40 min)
if you ever find a supplier for seals, post an answer!

Your ventilation seals may be aging, but they have nothing to do with microwave energy leakage, (And microwave energy is not ionizing radiation anyway, so it does not cause cellular mutation or cancer)

You should check your grease filters (if you are venting to the outside) or your charcoal filter (if recirculating).

If you are venting outside, check your outside vent flap for proper operation, and check your outlet and ductwork for a bird's nest or mouse nest, etc.

If you have other questions, feel free to contact me directly, because FixYa doesn't always notify us when there are follow-ups.

- William E. Miller, AS-EET
[email protected]
http://www.MicrowaveControl.com
Microwave Oven Control Panel Repair Nationwide

"Recycling by repairing since 1982"

IF YOU USE THE MICRO WAVE ALOT WHEN YOU COOK SOMETHING THE STEAM FROM THE FOOD BUILDS ON THE INSIDE AND CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. THE HINGES ARE OPEN AREAS WHERE THIS STEAM CAN COLLECT. NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT
IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT HAPPEN

For Goldstar / LG / L.G. help, call 1-800-243-0000 (M-F, 7am-8pm CT, Sat 8-5 CT) and choose the appropriate prompt from the menu or visit here.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

This is a problem in one of the damper-related components, most likely the switch, but it may also be the motor or the damper door.

The damper is a door inside that opens or closes depending on cooking mode. If the controller senses that the door is not in the right position, it will shut down the cook cycle.

Sharp models stop after 59 seconds.

See the attached sample photo.

We have the service manual and have uploaded it to our site:
http://www.microwavedisplay.com/r1870_r1871_sm.pdf

You can order Sharp parts from Tritronics at http://www.wehaveparts.com

The steam is perfectly safe, as with any other oven it has vents. Just as long as the door is shut and intact your safe.