You microwave some leftovers, and your mind drifts elsewhere. You’re so far gone that you forget to take the spoon out of the bowl before you place it in the microwave. The microwave starts sparking almost immediately. Before you fully understand the situation, you yank the microwave door open, your heart racing. It’s safe to say that self-cooking microwave ovens are a myth.
Microwaving metal may seem like a cosmic blunder, but it’s also a common kitchen mistake. Allow me to enlighten you further on the subject.
Key Takeaways
- The metal you put in the microwave will create sparks, as it bounces energy off instead of absorbing it.
- Metal that is in sharp or thin form can cause fires and electrical arcs.
- Dangerous reactions can develop with the simplest of materials like foil or twist ties.
- Racks are smooth and made out of metal, which makes them safe to use, provided they’re designed for the microwave.
- To cook without causing damage to your microwave, use containers that are labeled microwave-safe.
How Microwaves Heat Food
To comprehend the problem fully, it is essential to understand microwaves first. Microwave ovens produce and radiate electromagnetic waves which are made to bounce off the metallic enclosure of the oven. The waves produced cause the water molecules in the food to undergo vibrations which in turn heats the food and cooks it from the center outward.
However, the magic of microwaves works surprisingly well only on substances that can absorb energy. This is precisely where issues begin to arise with metals.
Why Metal Reacts Differently
Metals are known to reflect microwaves instead of absorbing them. An important difference between metals and food is that food heats up due to absorbing energy. Metal surfaces, on the other hand, reflect it. In an enclosed environment like the microwave, it is possible to generate strong bouncing waves in certain regions while other regions remain dormant.
The real concern begins with very sharp or thin pieces of metal. Poorly designed forks, crumpled aluminum foil, twist ties, or decorative edges on plates all fall under this category. These metallic shapes generate powerful concentrated energy to transform into small arcs of electricity. It is these arcs which are responsible for generating sparks.
Sparks Are Just The Beginning
Even more concerning than seeing those sparks is what could happen next. If these arcs collide with the edges of the microwave or with a particula of food, they might create fire as well as burn and smoke. The energy discharged through sparks tells us that the machine is undergoing excessive energy discharge.
In some instances, if the metal is thin and formed properly, there is a possibility of getting heated to a point where it melts or catches fire. That is why something as simple as forgetting to remove a twist tie from a bread bag can transform a scenario into a dramatic culinary death at the end of the world.
Not All Metal Causes Trouble
This is the part where it gets a little more delicate. Certain metallic objects have never produced sparks. Have you ever seen a microwave that contains a metal rack? It’s intended to reflect waves safely. It has no sharp points and is positioned in a manner that will not produce arcs.
Some metallic looking takeout containers are also safe to use in microwaves. Their structure, coating, and the method utilized for testing differentiate them. Unless instructed otherwise by the manufacturer through labels, we should avoid assuming anything is okay.
What About Aluminum Foil?
Things become complicated at this point regarding foil. Indeed some instructions state using microwave-safe foil to block overcooking certain portions of food. As foil goes, it must lie smooth and flat, away from any microwave walls by no less than an inch. Any folds or crinkles could lead to sparks.
At the end of the day, it is still technically plausible to use foil. The problem – as made glaringly obvious – is the risk involved in getting it wrong. Most home kitchens would find the recourse to safe and unsafe usage of foil in microwaves flanked with risk too thin.
Common Accidents That Happen
Most people would be shocked to learn that many people mistakenly microwave metal. It could be a mug that has a metal lining concealed in it. Perhaps it’s a frozen dish in a tray taped with metallic paint on the edges. Sparks can be ignited from even a small piece of leftover foil that is stuck underneath a slice of pizza.
As long as there isn’t prolonged contact with the sparking microwave, these accidents aren’t likely to result in any permanent damage. However, continual exposure to these sorts of sparks can erode the inside of the microwave which can indeed lessen its lifespan. Ultimately, that’s not the case for an appliance which one uses on a daily basis.
What To Do If It Happens
Don’t panic. If sparks are visible, turn the microwave off immediately. The next step is to open the door so that the cooking process can be halted. After that, try to unplug the unit and have a look at the inside for signs of damage, burn marks, melted plastic or anything unusal.
In the event that everything looks fine, and that you’re able to run the microwave without hitches, then you’re good to go. But in the event that you realize unpleasant odors, strange sounds, or weak heating, then it would be wise to stop using it immediately, and have a technician examine it.
Safer Choices For Microwave Cooking
What should you utilize if not this? Keep to containers labeled microwave-safe. This involves most glass, ceramic, and plastic containers designed for high temperatures. Avoid dishes with metallic paint or trim even when they may appear to be safe. And remember to check for leftovers for bits of foil or twist ties hiding in the sides before warming up.
Selecting the right container helps ensure your safety, and also aids in preparing your food in a proper manner. Energy from microwaves passes through previously noted materials more uniformly. This will result in more evenly cooked food which will give enhanced flavors. This also means improved safety with the meals.
Why Curiosity Isn’t Always Worth It
Rule-breaking is always the fun part. For example YouTube has videos where they microwave CDs, forks or even steel wool pad. Watching such videos is entertaining. But at the end, they are merely the remnants of a controlled fire. These videos showcase staged experiments.
Practically, microwaves were invented to simply – heat food. For instance, if you have something that was not designed to go into a microwave, don’t put it there. Such action puts not only your food at risk, but the microwave, your house and most importantly- your safety.
My Opinion
The act of microwaving metal triggers a response that your device was not designed to manage. The way that metal reflects microwave energy and causes arcing is the reason for sparks, smoke, and damage. Though not every metal piece constitutes a danger, it is more practical to assume most are without permission for microwave use unless they are duly authorized.
Knowing how a microwave operates can aid you in overlooking those startling sparks, and perhaps help you rationalize what transpired when a different person makes a similar blunder. Stay safe, cook smart, and ensure that no metal is within the vicinity of the microwave’s rotating plate.