You might possibly have been told that microwave ovens are unsafe. There is no fact to substantiate these rumors. To this day, no relationship between microwaves and cancer or any other illness has been proven. Even the late 1980s study, which really started many of the safety fears, was not conclusive. Even though there are some safeguards that you need to observe in operating microwave ovens, the conclusion of researchers is that they’re basically harmless.
Microwaves Do Not Cause Cancer
There is no documented instance of cancer, or any other condition, being brought on by using microwave ovens. Cancer can be triggered by ionizing radiation and x-rays – the opposite of microwaves which produce non-ionizing radiation. Yet, even though radiation isn’t a worry, there are other potential safety considerations you should bear in mind. For, just like every other cooking tool, microwaving has its risks.
Watch That Boiling Liquid
As an example, if you warm up fluids in a microwave dish with a smooth surface, they can overheat. Paradoxically, they might rise to a temperature above boiling point without actually boiling. Adding other material or moving the dish will disturb the liquid, at which point it might begin to boil violently. Severe scalding can result from the sudden burst of steam and water this releases. This is more likely to happen with distilled water, but overheating can also happen with other liquids, such as coffee or tea.
Be Sure Containers are Vented
Other food items can be hazardous, as well. Containers that are not adequately vented can explode inside a microwave – the same goes for food like eggs or potatoes which have a shell or skin. Steam can accumulate inside these containers or foods, with no way out, resulting in an explosion. The food will explode under the pressure in the end. This leads to a big mess and could very well also cause burns. There is also the possibility of foodstuffs that have been heated for a period of time catching fire.
Never Put Metal in a Microwave
Most people know they should not put metal into a microwave. Metal can trigger arcing electricity or sparks, because the metal in the object vibrates, creating an electric charge. You have to be careful with takeout foods – accidentally microwaving a box with a metal handle, or a twist tie that has a wire inside, can result in fires. Be extra careful to remove any metal from your microwave before using it, to avoid the danger of fire.
Other Things to Bear in Mind
Never switch on a microwave that has nothing inside it. If there isn’t any food inside to soak up the radiation, running microwaves will form a standing wave inside. This standing wave will get reflected between the cooking chamber and the tube, and could possibly burn out your microwave. For the same reason food that is dehydrated or is inside a metal wrapper should never be microwaved. Rather than absorbing the wave, these materials will reflect it.
Foods that are not arranged correctly can also lead to arcing. An instance of foods that are prone to this is grapes. Fire inside the microwave is likely to also produce an electric spark – never put anything that’s burning inside your oven. Handle all foods cautiously – even if they don’t appear to be warm. Fluids are especially dangerous, but all foods can be hotter than they seem. You’ll have no problem producing safe, great tasting meals with your microwave, providing you handle it with care. Hence, the bottom line is that you may prepare food with a microwave oven with the knowledge that it will pose no risks if used properly. Just remember the points mentioned in this article, as microwaves require a few special safety measures, just like any other cooking apparatus.
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