We’ve all heard stories about eggs & potatoes exploding in microwave ovens. Those stories are true because as the food cooks, pressure inside the skin builds. If the skin is as hard as an eggshell, the pressure can build quite high before the skin breaks & the egg explodes.

Arcs are those miniature lightning bolts that occur when microwaves are caught between two metal objects. The metal racks found in many microwave ovens won’t cause arcing by themselves, but metal such as a fork or foil placed near the rack or oven wall can cause arcing. Even the gold rim of a china cup can cause arcing, so make sure the cookware you use is microwave safe. Another source of arcing is the buildup of certain foods, such as tomato, on the walls of a microwave oven (a good argument for keeping your oven clean). When arcing occurs, turn off the oven immediately to prevent damage.

Another danger with microwave ovens is superheated water. If water is placed in a smooth container in a microwave oven, it can be heated well past it’s boiling point, yet remain still. When an object (a spoon, teabag, grains of sugar) disrupts the surface tension, the water boils violently in a small explosion that can cause severe injury. So always follow the oven instructions for heating or reheating water, & if ther is a chance the water has become superheated, let it cool at least a full minute before handling the cup.

Along with a host of other electronic devices, the energy generated by a microwave oven can cause a cardiac pacemaker to malfunction.

One misconception is that microwave ovens give off harmful radiation. The radiation from a microwave oven is no more dangerous than radiation from a television.

Posted in Home Inspection Blog