Microwaves are one of humanity’s greatest inventions for making life easier and enjoying a variety of foods quickly. However, due to their unique heating mechanism, some foods and items should never be placed inside. In this article from Saeed News, we have compiled a list of things you should never put in a microwave.
Be careful—putting the wrong items in a microwave can cause serious problems. Below is a list of things that are strictly forbidden inside a microwave.
Many people make this mistake and only realize it when it's too late. Never put paper takeout boxes in the microwave.
In addition to paper, keep metal away from the microwave, as it can cause a fire.
Avoid putting plastic, paper, or metal bags and boxes inside the microwave.
Newspapers should also not be microwaved, as they catch fire easily.
Plastic bags may release toxic gases when heated.
Don’t believe the myths! If you try to cook an egg in the microwave, you will regret it.
The high heat causes the egg to explode, leaving you with a mess to clean up.
Most fruits cannot withstand microwave heat and tend to burst.
Grapes explode, while raisins will start to smoke.
As a general rule, avoid microwaving any kind of fruit.
Styrofoam (foam-based) containers should never go in the microwave.
Styrofoam is a type of plastic that contains harmful chemicals that can be released into your food when heated.
Microwaving frozen meat to thaw it is a bad idea.
The high heat causes bacteria to grow rapidly, reducing the quality and safety of the meat.
It’s better to thaw meat naturally in the fridge or using cold water.
One of the most dangerous things you can put in a microwave is aluminum foil.
Why?
Aluminum reflects microwave energy instead of absorbing it.
This can cause sparks, damage your microwave, or even start a fire.
Here are other dangerous materials that should never go inside a microwave:
Containers with metal handles
Plastic grocery bags
Yogurt cups and other soft plastic containers
Plates with gold or metallic decorations
Plastic food storage containers that are not microwave-safe
Thermos flasks, travel mugs, and insulated cups
Expensive ceramic dishes
Clothes and fabric items
Dry sponges
Polyester materials
Open containers
Even if you put nothing in the microwave and turn it on, you will still damage it.
Why? The microwave needs something inside to absorb the heat.
If it’s empty, the microwave absorbs its own energy, which can cause internal damage or even break the device.
