It’s possible you’ve heard the rumour about microwave ovens being unsafe. There is no factual basis to substantiate these rumors. A connection between cancer, or any other condition, and microwaves, has never to this day been demonstrated. There was a study in the late 1980s that is responsible for many of the worries that people have, but even that wasn’t conclusive. Even though there are certain safe practices that you ought to observe in operating a microwave oven, the conclusion of experts is that they’re generally safe.

Cancer Not a Concern

There is no recorded 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 generate non-ionizing radiation. Then again, even if radiation isn’t a risk, there are some safety concerns you should take note of. The reason being, the same as with every other cooking tool, microwaving has its dangers.

Heating Liquids Requires Especial Care

Liquids, for instance, when heated in a microwave dish with a smooth surface, can quickly overheat. Paradoxically, they might possibly 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 may start to boil violently. The resultant sudden burst of water and steam can cause severe scalding. This is more inclined to occur with distilled water, but superheating can also occur with other liquids, such as tea or coffee.

Be Sure Containers are Vented

Various other food items can be hazardous, too. Containers that aren’t appropriately ventilated can easily blow up inside a microwave – the same applies to foodstuffs like eggs or potatoes which have a shell or skin. Steam can build up inside these containers or foods, with no means to escape, resulting in an explosion. The food will explode under the pressure in the end. This leads to a big mess and could also cause burns. Foodstuffs that have been heated for a long time might actually catch on fire, too.

Never Under Any Circumstances Put Metal in a Microwave

That metal should never be placed into a microwave oven is common knowledge. Metal can result in sparks or arcing electricity, because the metal in the object vibrates, producing an electric charge. Fires can be started by microwaving a twist tie with a wire inside, or a takeout box with a metal handle. Before using your microwave, be very careful to remove any metal, if you want to avoid the danger of fire.

Other Safety Tips

A microwave with nothing inside it should never be turned on. When microwaves are run with nothing inside to absorb the radiation, they will form a standing wave inside. This standing wave will be reflected between the tube and the cooking chamber, and can burn out your microwave. This is a further reason why you ought not microwave food inside a metal covering or food that has been dried out. Rather than absorbing the wave, these materials will reflect it.

If foods are arranged wrongly, they may arc. An example of foods that are at risk of this is grapes. Fire inside the microwave could also create an electric spark – never put anything that’s on fire inside your microwave. Even if they don’t appear to be hot, handle all foodstuffs very carefully. All types of food can be warmer than they appear, but liquids are particularly hazardous in this respect. You’ll have no problem producing safe, tasty meals with your microwave, so long as you treat it with care. Consequently, the bottom line is that you can prepare meals with a microwave oven with the knowledge that it will present no hazards if used properly. Just bear in mind that microwaves require a few special precautions, much like any other cooking tool.

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