The Dangers of Microwaves

Microwave ovens are great time savers, but if you suspect something is wrong with it, never attempt to repair it. Repairs are dangerous. Also, you can easily burn your mouth with super-heated food cooked in the microwave, so let it rest a bit after cooking.

Will someone posting from 1982 please answer the question?

My parents got an Amanda microwave in the mid 60s, when I was about 10 years old…big heavy thing and the door was hinged on the bottom. My mom didn’t quite understand it, and attempted to make sausage patties in it, which came out as hockey pucks the first time. I’ve had microwaves continually since then, and after almost 60 years, I haven’t grown an extra eye, and am in perfect health. So I’m gonna say nobody needs to worry much about them.

^^Amana^^

Exploded an egg in it.

It's great for reheating food, but I never use it for actual cooking.

Really, all it takes is a google search to determine why microwaves are safe (hint: the "micro" in "microwaves" actually means something!).

Microwaves are just another kitchen tool. Knowing when and how to use it is the tricky part. Here's a good example I learned from America's Test Kitchen: microwave a baking potato for about 15 minutes while the conventional oven pre-heats. Pop the semi-cooked potato in the regular oven to finish it, and you'll have a fluffy baked potato in less than half the time if you just used a regular oven.

Worst food to cook in a microwave? Raw ground beef! It reeks. My mother used to make Hamburger Helper this way all the time--using the microwave! gross.

Oh God! The urban legend of the lady who put her poodle in the microwave to dry off!

One of my friends from high school, whose dad was a doctor, claimed one of his dad's patients put his hand in a microwave and cooked his hand on accident (?) or just to see what would happen. I still don't see how this could happen.

Was it a Radar Range, r3? My grandparents had one. My grandfather was big into technology, he always had the newest toys. But he always called the microwave the radar range.

My dad, his son-in-law, was and is cheap. I was in kindergarten when we got our first microwave, so 1979-1980.

Microwave popcorn is apparently perhaps cancer causing?

Microwave dinners are over priced, thought often taste good and are so easy. But the real worry for me is that they are mostly in plastic trays, and it's supposedly not safe to cook in plastic?

Microwaves are not the problem. They are non-ionizing forms of radiation.

The problem is morons burn themselves on the HOT FOOD. That is like boiling a kettle of water on the stove and then blaming the stove for burning you.

My friend, who is a very good cook, says she would never want to use a microwave. She swears by a toaster oven, and says that should be the choice. Her parents, who are also good cooks, say the same. But I suspect that much of what I use the microwave oven for--reheating cold coffee and reheating leftovers-- likely wouldn't work so well in a toaster oven.

Message me your fax number and I'll send you a pamphlet on microwave oven safety I have.

This website is more likely to give you cancer of the ocular region than a Microwave oven ever will. Anyway, use it to it's best advantages and it's an invaluable addition to the kitchen, try and bake your usual Coffee and Walnut cake in it for your weekly coffee morning and you're going to be disappointed.

I used to date a radiologist and he'd open the door when the microwave was running and do other things I thought were unsafe. He didn't seem concerned with potential dangers, so I stopped worrying.

Once in summer, when my kitchen was invaded by ants, I was heating something in my microwave, and when it was done, I opened the microwave door and found an ant in the microwave. The ant was still alive after being microwaved for more than a minute, walking around inside the microwave, and seemed to be just fine! Can anyone explain that?

I used to leave my rescue dog at home with my microwave without giving it any thought-- I'd never heard of any risks. Then one day I came home and my rescue dog was cowering in the corner, and bleeding from his anus. The microwave had a self-satisfied smirk on his interface. From that day on, I kept them separated and threw out that microwave as soon as I got the chance.

Apparently, microwave companies threatened to sue NBC over this scene in the Golden Girls that was subsequently cut from syndication reruns and the DVD of that episode's season.

What could possibly be unsafe about cooking food with radiation?!

OP and her friends

As a kid, I once left a metal fork on a plate I put in the microwave. It was like something out of Young Frankenstein - electric arcs from the fork to all sides of the microwave. Never did that again!

Heard oreo cookies will cause sparks too

Nothing beats microwave nachos.

One of my biggest pet peeves is visible in r22's picture...missing switch plates. Finish your remodeling!

I use mine to make scrambled eggs. They turn out perfect every time.

Spray a coffee mug with cooking spray. Add two eggs, pepper, salt and whatever else you want with your eggs. Whisk. Put in microwave for 45 seconds. Remove, whisk again, put back in microwave for 50 secs to 1 min.

They come out fluffy and hot. Easiest thing ever.

But that's really the only thing I make in the microwave although I do do the baked potato trick. Whoever said to microwave the potato for 15 mins is crazy. It takes about 3 mins to fully cook a potato so I take mine out after 2 mins, the pop it in the oven with whatever I'm cooking (usually chicken) and leave it for about 20 mins or so. I guess it depends on the size of the potato, but mine are usually small to medium sized.

I was heating water for jello about 10 years ago, and the water exploded. The door loudly blew open and hot water flew out. It sounded like a bomb and inside of the door melted. I would’ve been absolutely screwed if I were standing in front of it. I called GE and they sent someone out. The repairman said it was just a fluke superheating event and I probably couldn’t do it again if I tried.

Years ago my best friend's wife got rid of hers because she read some kind of scary story about how microwaved food caused cancer or something to that effect and I just sort of rolled my eyes. Then a few years later their child was diagnosed with a genetic developmental disability and she put her child on a strict gluten free diet based on some internet quackery. I rolled my eyes again. Of course not surprisingly she is a Covid skeptic and a anti-vaxxer now.

Let's all chip in and buy Miss OP a new hi-fi turntable for her birthday. She's getting a bit too old to have to crank the handle on her Victrola every time she wants to listen to her Enrico Caruso collection.

Mine screamed at me that I was a fat whore.

I attempted to cook my turkey in it last Thanksgiving and the results were quite disappointing.

Is your name Elizabeth, r31?

R12 That’s the fake butter flavour, not the microwave oven. It’s easy to make your own popcorn in a brown paper bag in the microwave… add real butter if you like afterward.

Much of the quasi scientific studies claiming microwaved food is unhealthy comes from the old Soviet Union, and former Eastern Bloc countries. I believe the ovens were even outlawed at one time in the USSR.

Once I began microwaving Potatoes, Artichokes, Asparagus, Broccoli, I never looked back to the old ways of cooking them. Not only is the process quicker with better results, it makes cooking the main course much easier without another pot or pan to watch on a hob. Squash and corn comes out well, but the microwave isn’t my favourite for these.

Asparagus and broccoli are best roasted in the oven with olive oil.

R35 According to your taste! I prefer them lightly steamed in the microwave, with lemon and butter. I think the Broccoli becomes bitter when roasted. Other vegetables roasted in a gas oven, I would agree.

Put about a third of a cup of popcorn kernels in a paper lunch bag and it pops up pretty nice. No need for any oil.

Sorry R34 I missed the popcorn mention until just now!

I used to use it all the time to reheat my coffee, but after getting a beverage warmer as a gift, I never use it anymore. You can't really cook in one. It's OK for reheating food, but not as good as a toaster oven. And forget about reheating pizza in one. As far as I can tell, they're a mostly a large, useless relic.

I use mine at least 3 times a day; for instant coffee and doing vegetables.

I remember years ago they'd warn us that we should 'rest' food for 1 minute if it had been microwaved for two minutes.

But everyone seems to have forgotten about that now.

More dangerous than gas or electric ovens? Nah,

I remember back when microwave popcorn was new and thrilling and incredibly popular (late '70s / early '80s?), I read reports about the danger of opening the bag close to your face 👀. People were scalding their eyeballs with the sudden release of steam. No permanent damage that I can recall being reported, but it was like a first degree burn on the outer layer. Hence the warning on all the envelopes now to be very careful opening the bag.

[quote]. Here's a good example I learned from America's Test Kitchen: microwave a baking potato for about 15 minutes while the conventional oven pre-heats.

Don't try this at home. Fifteen minutes is way too long to cook one potato in a microwave, R7. Cook it on high for 5 minutes only before transferring it to the oven.

fascinating, r42.

Marks & Spencer do a meal you can put in tbs microwave and it’s ready in minutes!

I hear Glen reheats her leftovers in the microwave from Mortons every Oscar night, wallowing in sorrow.

I’m a microwave chef

We got our first one around 1978. That thing was HUGE. I remember my older brother thought they were dangerous, and when he would come back home to visit, he’d go outside if my mother turned on the microwave. I use mine pretty regularly, but I’ve started using the regular oven things that I used to microwave.

Perfect baked potato in the micro: Use a fork to poke holes in the potato so it doesn't explode, place the potato on a paper towel in the microwave, microwave for 7 minutes, turn over the potato and microwave for 4 to 5 minutes more. Take out of micro and wrap in aluminum foil (this crisps the skin), let sit for about ten minutes. Yummy.

Can't happen, r10. Oven won't work if door is ajar.

exactly. r10 is a liar!

Just press the "Potato" key on your microwave. They all have them these days.

Jeez!

My friend's have a new-ish microwave that has begun to start cooking whenever the door is opened. You don' t have to set a cook time or anything - it just turns on. I wouldn't have thought it was possible, that the door interlock should prevent this, but apparently newer computer-controlled microwaves use an electronically-controlled door switch that can just go wonky. Power-reset makes no difference. They've taped it shut and will be replacing it as soon as they can get a model that fits off a container ship in California (it's a built-in model). The store estimates sometime in July (!).

I would bet that 90% of people don't use more than one or two features on their microwave.

R48 is your brother still living?

R53 your story is wild. That sounds super scary.

That microwave is a class action lawsuit goldmine, r53. See if you can buy it off your friend.

[quote]R53: My friend's have a new-ish microwave…

Your friend’s what? Your friend’s children?

One of the worst hazards of microwaves is the stench that happens when you cook broccoli in the microwave. It makes the entire house smell like an exploded baby diaper. Any way to fix this issue? Because, otherwise, the microwave is great for steaming vegetables.

My over-the-range microwave vents outside. It's great. No broccoli stink.

I hate re-heating beef stew.

I place it in a crockery bowl but the meat explodes. I place a saucer over the bowl but the saucer blows off.

What should I do?

Weight the saucer, dumbass.

Wrap it in paper towel

R61 you need a bigger bowl or a smaller bowl. Or maybe the portion you are heating is too small for that much heat. Or you could use wax paper to cover the bowl. Or, Half power (if you have that option on your microwave) might also help.

R63, R64 Thank you.

I have to be careful when cooking kale.

I put it in for three minutes and it's fine. I put it in for four minutes and it's paper.

this thing, r61

I had a microwave for a few months and used my sister's a few times.

Everything comes out of it pretty disgusting. Mushy and limp.

Never had a desire to buy one. They seem to be good for boiling water, but now that I have a Keurig there does not seem to be any point.

Everyone is correct! Only nuke your potato for 5 (that's five) minutes! My bad.

i only use my microwave for reheating leftovers and coffee. Occasionally a lean cuisine. I remember those old microwave cookbooks that had a whole chicken on the cover. I can't imagine cooking a whole one in a microwave.

We had one of those Amana Radar Ranges as well, R3. What was crazy about that one was that if you tried to open it while it was running, it wouldn't just turn off, it would throw the circuit breaker. My sister and I used to play with it, and then my dad would yell at us for doing it.

There is a lot of garbage on the internet about how microwaving vegetables destroys nutrients, blah blah blah. It's bullshit. Lots of studies - not sponsored by manufacturers - have shown there is no real difference, and that it is boiling that leeches out nutrients.

Microwaves use electro-magnetic radiation, not ionizing radiation like that emitted by radioactive materials. "Nuking" your food is not what is actually happening.

I don't use my microwave much, but it is great for quick reheating, softening butter, and I cook rice in it inside a Corningware French White casserole. It works as well as a rice steamer, but is easier to clean up, and any boiling over is contained by putting the casserole on a plate.16 minutes at 50% power and the rice turns out perfect

While reheating food I used to stand in front of my microwave and yell at it to hurry.

When we got one back in the 60's my father refused to use it because he didn't understand how it worked.

Some people I knew years ago saw a microwave oven being demonstrated at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. It was all they talked about.

I make the egg part of my knock off Egg McMuffins in the micro wave, spray some cooking spray in a small glass measuring cup, put in an egg, mix it a little with a fork, microwave it at 50% power until it isn't runny, slap it on a toasted English muffin with a slice of cheese. Just as good as going to McDonalds without the trip there.

I know a butch heterosexual man who tells me microwaves were invented in World War 2 and had something to do with radar.

R76 I think the Nazis did develop them to heat food for their troops. I read that somewhere; I reckon. I cannot say whether it’s true.

R53, I had an older model GE microwave on top of the fridge that continued running when I opened the door as it was cooking, which seemed to briefly blast me in the face. I contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission which requested I send it them. I carefully boxed it and sent it at my expense. They tested it in the lab, and couldn't duplicate the problem, saying there are typically two interlocks and malfunction is unlikely. However, interlocks or not, I believe it was "on" with the door open.

Microwaves aren't ionizing like nuclear radiation, of course. All biological effects are traceable to heating effects, such as promotion of eye cataracts. So far, my eyes are fine.

R72 is one of the best Datalounge posts I’ve ever read. I imagined her head bobbling

R55, my brother is still living. He’s 70. (I am 18 years younger) He eventually gave in to having a microwave. He has had a lot of health problems of late, but as far as I know, he doesn’t blame them on microwaves!

Lies ! Lies ! Lies ! ( Respect my white pantsuit bitch ! )

Did Barbara film a Salem 100's commercial just before the Amana one? She's closing in on Isabel Sanford's smoky voice.

I have recently started using the air fryer function on my Ninja XL Pro Grill instead of the microwave and it’s great.

[quote]R72 is one of the best Datalounge posts I’ve ever read. I imagined her head bobbling.

Thank you, R79, but I was merely echoing an old Joan Rivers joke.

Gran always said don't stand too close.

I use it as a clock.

OP simply must communicate more clearly. To decipher what on Earth it was he’d written, I had to say it aloud at least thrice.

I have used the sensor reheat a few times and it worked very well.

It is my everything. I use it several times a day.

I’d simply die without my microwave

please...

I'm not sure I'm ready to unbox my microwave. It sounds complicated and risky. Besides, I worry my cast iron pans won't fit inside it.

0/10

When I order pizza, I always order the largest size. It's the best deal, but I can't eat it all. So, I freeze the slices of pizza and then microwave 1-2 slices per day for a week or more. It's better than frozen pizza from the grocery store, cost effective, and super easy and fast. I love the microwave!

Pure genius, Miss R94!

Are you a lesbian, OP? Some lesbians I know wouldn't dream of having a microwave in the house, for some lesbian reasons I don't really understand.

[quote]Have any of you had any bad experiences with microwave ovens?

They destroyed my ovaries!

Literal violence!

I heard on Facebook that microwaves make black men sterile, just like Churches Chicken does.

Leftover pizza should be frozen (never refrigerated) and reheated in an oven or toaster oven.. NOT a microwave.

R94 is maybe the most depressing post I have ever read on DL.

[quote]Take out of micro and wrap in aluminum foil (this crisps the skin)

Nonsense. It wouldn't do anything but trap steam and make the skin even soggier than it was before wrapping it in foil.

r100, it reminds me of the guy who invited someone over for dinner and reheated leftover pizza for them, and asked why that was considered rude. We had several posters in the thread who said they bought larges for takeout and froze most of it to reheat later.

Those old Radar Ranges were pretty expensive. I remember thinking the neighborhood kids were showing off in the late 70s when they’d talk about putting something in the microwave. We didn’t get one until 1982, and that was because my dad was given one at work.

My first microwave oven was made by Litton Industries. It lasted 18 years.

Subsequent microwaves I've bought last fewer and fewer years.

Sharp, General Electric, Samsung -- all junk.

We got one in the late 70s. My brothers and I used to see what we could blow up in one. Eggs, tomatoes and marshmallow Peeps were the best.

I have one over the stove and use it mostly as a bread box. If I remodel my kitchen I probably wouldn’t replace it.

You and your brother sound like little hellions.

Very good for steaming washcloths if you have sinus congestion. I use mine for small pasta like farfalle. Also poached eggs, steamed veggies, baked potatoes, cranberry sauce, cocoa, toasted nuts, popcorn, bacon, sweet corn, baked apples, sweet potatoes.

My brother makes roux in his microwave oven with a ½ flour -½ oil mixture. Says it's easier and quicker than the stovetop method.

He makes a lot of Cajun dishes.

Microwaving food to cook or reheat it tends to dry it out. This is the main problem. Run water over a plate and/or cover the food with a wet paper towel rehydrates as it heats and vastly improves the results. Steams as it heats/cooks.

I thought everyone knows to rejuvenate stale bread, just put it in the microwave covered by a wet paper towel for 10 to 30 seconds.

If my microwave dies - I die. I need it.

[quote]I thought everyone knows to rejuvenate stale bread, just put it in the microwave covered by a wet paper towel for 10 to 30 seconds.

Thanks for the tip, but I think I'll just buy a fresh loaf.

R109's tip works. Why waste a loaf?

they probably tear off the mold too.

And cut it off their cheese.

I shower daily and pull back my foreskin to wash with soap. I've never had a problem with mold.

We never had one until the late 80's. My mom was mortified by them. Then I finally got her one for Christmas and she started using it all the time. Defrosting meat, cooking canned soup, making bacon, baked potatoes, frozen vegetables, etc...

I use my microwave for tons of things, but not pizza.

Pizza: according to my sister, you can reheat in a frying pan on the stovetop.

As stated above, you can lessen the power level of your microwave. Default is full-blast, hence all the uneven heating and explosions.

I use mine daily.

A very handy appliance.

I never had success poaching eggs in a microwave until I tried doubling the time while cooking at half power. Voilà.

I reckon I was flat out wrong about the Nazis… though the following video demonstrates how much false information there is written about the invention of the microwave. Interesting video nonetheless.

This post is the perfect way to find out the average age DLers. Brava OP!

Now we should talk about induction -- that'll blow some minds!

Somehow, microwave ovens have become associated with low class. I have a couple of family members. Both have microwave ovens, but put them on top of their refrigerators, hard to reach. I've heard people brag about not having microwave ovens.

microwave ovens ≠ low class

sheesh!

R124 I second your “sheesh!”!!!

I mean, Her Majesty the Queen heats up her tupperware leftovers in the microwave.

Last one I had that died was 7 or so years ago. Toaster/convection replaced it and the oven pretty much.

I read that some people who had plants growing in water replaced the water with water that had been microwaved.

And then they died.

I know a lot of foodies look down on slow cookers, too, but they have their place for things like baked beans and stock. I would not want to give up my microwave or my convection/toaster oven, which sits next to it on a cart. I use both much more than the oven in my stove. They're smaller and easier to clean.

My mother could take a sliced bagel that was as hard as a rock and bring it back from the dead by microwaving the bagel and then toasting it.

I make grits with cheese in the microwave. It's amazingly delicious.

granny did that with day old doughnuts in her oven.

[quote]My first microwave oven was made by Litton Industries. It lasted 18 years.

I inherited one of these. It was pretty old and still working. IIRC it had only 400 Watts. It was a slow cooker for sure.

R133 -- My Litton had a probe that plugged into a socket at the rear of the chamber and then you inserted it into the food you were heating.

This allowed the microwave to cook by temperature rather than time.

Pretty nifty, back in the day.

R78, I believe you were mistaken.

Neither, r99. The poster who said his sister told him to re-heat in a frying pan? Sis is correct.

R104, My Whirlpool has been a champ for at least 20 years.

120V, 1200W, Model #WMC30516AB. Most recent model at Lowe's (#WMC30516HZ) is about $250.

My microwave is my most used appliance

My microwaves are always below the wattage mentioned on packages, I don't know why. They even say not to use a lower-wattage oven, but I always do. I just add a couple of minutes to the heating time.