July 04, 2019

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Developed from radar technology used in World War II, the first microwave oven called the 'Radarange' came out in 1947. It was nearly 6 feet tall, weighed 750 lbs and cost about $5,000 in 1940s dollars. It was not a popular home appliance.

By 1970 a countertop model with a turntable came out that was finally affordable for the average consumer and the microwave oven quickly became a common household item.

While modern microwaves are ubiquitous, incredibly convenient and usually very safe, just like any appliance they can be dangerous if used improperly. So let's take a look at a few scenarios you should probably avoid.

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Heating Leftovers In Carryout Containers

Certain plastic products contain chemicals (like BPA) that can leach into food when heated. So tossing your takeout right into the microwave may not be a great idea! Look at the labeling on the container itself. If it doesn't say 'microwave-safe' you're better off transferring your food to a glass container or a microwave-safe plate.


Using Ceramic Dishes

While many ceramic dishes are perfectly safe to use in your microwave, not all of them are. For instance, ceramics that have been "low fired" retain some of the porous nature of clay, meaning they can soak up moisture. That becomes problematic in a microwave where that moisture can heat up and potentially shatter the plate. When in doubt use glass instead.


Heating Packaged Food

The only time you should microwave food inside its packaging is if the package clearly states you should do so. And even then, the packaging should be thrown away after microwaving. Also, remember to poke holes somewhere in the packaging to allow steam to escape.


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Disinfecting Dry Sponges

While you can use your microwave to disinfect your kitchen sponge, the sponge MUST be wet! Microwaving a dry sponge is a quick way to start a fire, and no one wants that.


Boiling Water

You may have already heard about the hazards of superheated water. This phenomenon can occur when very clean water in a very clean cup is heated in a microwave. Superheated water doesn't show any signs of boiling, but will release its stored heat violently when it is moved. Accidentally super-heating water is rare, but if you're concerned about the possibility of superheating, put a wooden spoon or a wood stir stick in the container along with the water.

Running An Empty Microwave

While it's not likely that anyone would run an empty microwave on purpose, it can happen accidentally! The problem is that if there is nothing inside to absorb the microwaves, the magnetron will absorb them instead and likely be damaged.

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'Go Green' Hint:

Did you know those 13 gallon 'tall' kitchen garbage bags that practically everybody uses don't decompose in landfills? Just imagine all of that plastic being dumped every day! But there are alternatives. You can buy the exact same thing, 13 gallon 'tall' kitchen garbage bags, that are plant-based, biodegradable, and some are even compostable. They are a little more expensive, but switching to biodegradable kitchen bags that will break down once they're at the landfill is an easy eco-friendly change to make.