I have to buy a new microwave. Mrs. Mudcat killed it.
I didn't know that was possible. Turns out, it is.
The Mrs. was going to heat up something for 1 minute. She wrapped it in a paper towel and started the microwave, walked away and started watching TV.
A few minutes later, from my office, I think "hmmm....I smell something burning. She's probably burning the toast and will figure it out."
A few minutes after that, I'm thinking "something's on FIRE!"
I walk out of my office, and smoke is pouring out of the microwave. Smell is overwhelming. I go to stop the microwave and see that there are 11 minutes and 53 seconds left in the cooking time. Uh oh. Open the microwave, and the PAPER TOWEL IS FULLY ON FIRE. Substance in which it is wrapped is no longer identifiable.
She never smelled a thing.
The microwave still stinks and part of the ceramic coating (?) on the inside is flaking off. It's done.