Is It Safe to Cook in Microwaves?

Let’s start with something between an assumption and a statement. Microwaves are safe. If they weren’t, people wouldn’t buy them. Or to put it in another way, we would be talking about many deaths. If you have your doubts, consider how many deaths you’ve heard of microwave accidents compared to those of car accidents.

What I am trying to convey here is that nothing is absolutely safe, especially when we are talking about electric appliances. It’s always the way we use them. Let’s see.

What is a microwave? How does the appliance work?

The name of this small home appliance and the way it works are interconnected. You see, when we talk about microwaves, we actually talk about electromagnetic waves. Simply put, when we switch on the appliance, the microwaves are dispersed inside the oven and not only that. They are also reflected by the metal sides and the stirrer fan of the appliance and so the microwaves go in all directions. Foods and drinks absorb this energy and heat up quickly.

How safe microwave ovens are?

The concern is mainly due to the electromagnetic radiation microwaves ovens produce. And although this sounds alarming, it’s not. This form of energy is not dangerous but it’s best if it’s constrained inside the appliance. No. Food doesn’t become radioactive because it was cooked or heated up in the microwave oven. It’s safe.

What’s the dangers with microwave ovens?

When the appliance is not used correctly. Due to the excessive heat inside the microwave oven, only specifically designed containers must be used. Problems happen when people use any container – especially those made of plastic. It’s important that you check the labels that a container is “microwave safe” to use.

And then, it has also to do with the way we use microwave ovens. Plastic melts. Metal – unless it is designed for microwave cooking, is not allowed either, especially close to the appliance’s walls because it could cause arcing. If we don’t follow the instructions, if we put plastic plates in the appliance, if we fail to clean it in an appropriate way, then yes. Microwave ovens can become dangerous.

One more thing. Like any other home appliance, microwave ovens break down too. That’s not strange. It may happen. What’s dangerous though is to continue to use the microwave, knowing that it is sparking, for example. In such cases, it’s best to keep the appliance aside and call a microwave oven repair tech to fix it before you use it again.

Part of how we use microwave ovens has to do with water and liquids, as an overall. Like any other electric appliance, plugging and unplugging it with wet hands is not recommended.

To make a rather long story short, microwave ovens become dangerous when they are abused instead of used. When they are mistreated and the instructions are neglected. At least, that’s the norm.

Is microwave oven food safe to eat?

That’s another concern. Is it safe to eat food cooked in the microwave oven? Of course, it is. Otherwise, half the population would be either sick or on the other side. Actually, there’s no huge difference between microwaves and conventional ovens. The most important difference? The energy of microwave ovens penetrates deeper into food – that’s why it’s cooked faster.

Now, there’s a reason why there’s a turntable inside microwave ovens. It allows energy to be distributed all over the food and thus, heat it evenly. When this doesn’t happen due to damage, there’s a chance that the portion of the food not cooked to be harmful to one’s health – but only if it contains micro-organisms. Also, non-porous food (like hotdogs) cannot be cooked well since energy cannot penetrate them and the danger here is that they might explode.

Put all misconceptions aside and just follow the instructions

Microwave ovens are like most appliances. If you use them right, they will treat you right. As for the radiation rumor, microwave ovens or the microwave heated & cooked food is as radioactive as the light you use when you read, eat, and work. Absolutely safe.