How to get rid of a microwave

Why not the trash?

Microwaves contain electronics and metal parts, including a capacitor that can hold a charge. They belong with electronics or metal recycling, not household trash.

Your options

1. Give it away if it works. Microwaves are easy to pass on through local groups.
2. Drop off: many Maine towns accept microwaves with electronics or metal. Check your town's rules and fees.
3. Pickup: one microwave is $64 as a single item, or it goes in with a job priced by size.

Do not take it apart

The high-voltage capacitor inside can hold a dangerous charge even when unplugged. Leave a broken microwave whole.

Built-in and over-the-range units

Over-the-range microwaves are bolted to cabinets and wired or plugged in above. Have one removed from the wall before pickup if you are not comfortable doing it.

Kitchen cleanouts

If you are replacing appliances or clearing a kitchen, add the microwave to the job. Stoves and dishwashers are free on a job, fridges are $35.

Posted prices

Every job starts from the same posted price card. A single item is $64. A small job, up to about 1.5 cubic yards, is $119. A medium job, about 3 cubic yards or roughly a room, is $189. A large job, about 5 cubic yards or roughly a garage bay, is $239. An extra-large job, about 10 cubic yards, is $479, and anything past 10 cubic yards is $45 per yard. A mattress or box spring is $64 alone or $20 each on a job. A washer, dryer, stove or dishwasher is $69 alone and free on a job. A fridge, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier is $99 alone or $35 on a job. A TV or monitor is a $15 add-on. Construction debris is the job price plus 20%. Estate cleanouts start at $499 and hoarding cleanouts at $599. The full list is on the pricing page.

Other small appliances

Toaster ovens, air fryers and coffee makers can go on the same job as household items.

Countertop microwave prep

• Unplug it and remove the glass tray, or tape the door shut so the tray does not break.
• Wipe out food residue.
• Coil the cord and tape it to the back.

Commercial and office microwaves

Break room microwaves go on office cleanouts the same way. A break room fridge is $35 on a job.

Microwaves in rentals

Landlords replacing appliances between tenants can add the old microwave to a turnover job and be invoiced. If it is over the range, have it removed from the wall first.

Is a broken microwave worth fixing?

Repair often costs close to a new unit, so most people replace it. If you do replace it, ask whether the delivery service takes the old one before booking removal.

Taking down an over the range unit

An over the range microwave is bolted to a wall bracket and the cabinet above it. It should be unplugged and taken down by the person installing the new one, or by a handyman, before pickup. Once it is on the floor or counter, it goes like any other microwave. We do not remove units from the wall.

Microwave and toaster oven combos, toaster ovens and countertop convection ovens are handled the same way. Several small kitchen appliances together go on one job priced by size.

How booking works

Send photos through the quote form or text them to (207) 333-1422. No card is needed to ask. Caden looks at the photos and sends your price. If it works for you, you pay from the link he sends and that confirms the slot. The price we send is the price you pay unless the pile changes. If you add things after the price goes out, the price is updated before work starts, not after.

Related: microwave removal, appliance removal, electronics disposal

Related reading: How to get rid of a washer and dryer.