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Probably the most convenient appliance in a majority of homes and restaurants today, the microwave oven is something that many people would rather not live without. In the present fast-paced world, individuals love the appliance for its ability to reheat and cook beverages and foods in a rapid and fast way. A high percentage of people who use the device do it without any questions, despite the numerous controversies that surround the use of microwave ovens. Even when they may seem beneficial in some ways, you cannot ignore that they can pose some risks; thus, you have to be very careful when using the device. Below you will find out some of the ways how a microwave oven can be dangerous.

They Reduce Nutrients In Food

Because of dielectric heating from the microwave ovens, the food that you heat in the device may end up getting stripped of most of its nutritional content. For something to cook in the oven, water has to be present. It is because water molecules present in foodstuff vibrates at very high speeds to create molecular friction which heats the food. The molecular structure of the food you want to heat is bound to change something that can diminish the nutritional content of your dish when you take it out from the oven.

Explosions and Burns

Another explanation on how a microwave oven can be dangerous is the fact that they can cause burns and explosions. You can get burn injuries from handling very hot items that you heat in the oven. For instance, if you are boiling water, steam does not escape from the device when the bubbling action begins to take place. It implies that the water, as well as the container, may get super-heated and water can boil suddenly. A single bubble in the liquid can trigger the sudden boiling or the introduction of foreign objects like a spoon. There have been numerous cases of individuals getting burned by the water which becomes super-heated.

Very many people are not aware or often forget that using the microwave to heat certain foods can lead to potentially dangerous results. For instance, a raw egg in its shell explodes like fireworks when someone attempts to cook it in the oven. When you do not cover soups and sauces, they may spray all over the oven when the heated center expands, and it comes into contact with the outside which is cooler. Cheese is also known to have the volatile response which may also cause severe burns.

Microwave Sickness

Using microwave ovens exposes people to non –iodizing radiation that is not safe for the body. It applies in particular to pregnant ladies, children, young babies, and individuals who are already suffering from disease and illness, or already have too much radiation than the average person. When tissues are exposed to microwaves directly, they can be subject to deformities that molecules go through according to scientists. This may cause a person to experience microwave sickness which can lead to

• Nausea
• Impaired cognition
• Depression and irritability
• Vision problems
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Weak immune systems
• Sleep disturbances or insomnia
• Extreme thirst and frequent urination

Dr. Lita Lee in his book “ Health Effects of Microwave Radiation” observed that continued use of microwave ovens could lead to an elevated rate of cancer cell formation and various lymphatic disorders could also develop because of the same.

Microwaving Introduces Carcinogens in Food

Heating foods wrapped in plastic in the ovens create carcinogens in food. The Russian government issued a stern warning about the ovens based on German and Russian studies that cite that the ovens could not only harm the human body but the environment as well. Examining microwaved food revealed that toxic chemicals like Xylene, Benzene, BPA, toluene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were present according to research done by FoodBabe.com. Using plastic containers to heat food can release carcinogens as well as a myriad of other harmful toxins to the food which the body absorbs.

Microwaves Destroy Vitamin B-12 and Breast Milk

Health benefits of Vitamin B-12 become automatically void once heating in a microwave oven occurs. Researchers in a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry took it upon themselves to investigate the effects of the loss of the vitamin in foods like raw milk, pork, and beef when heated in a microwave. Results revealed that exposing foods that are rich in the vitamin lead up to a loss of up to 40% of the vitamin. The heating process shifted the vitamin to its inactive form. Studies have also shown that the bacteria fighting agents present in breast milk are also destroyed when you heat the milk using the ovens which make it harmful for babies.

Before you use that microwave oven to make your life a little bit easier think of the above factors and more that contribute to positive answers on how a microwave oven can be dangerous. Take advantage of other heating and cooking methods to be on the safe side.

A microwave is a kitchen appliance that is used to heat and cook food by emitting electromagnetic radiation that is used to either warm food or cook it. This appliance is of great essence since it heats food quickly. The first microwave was invented in 1946. Over the years there have been many speculation as to whether the radiation from the microwave can cause cancer. In the recent years cancer has become a terminal disease and many factors have been attributed to the rising cause of cancer. One of those factors is exposure to any kind of radiation.

Radiation is a form of energy that is transmitted in form of waves or particles through any medium or through space. This is the kind of energy that the microwave uses to heat or cook food. There are many arguments as whether this kind of radiation that the microwave uses can cause cancer. The fact that exposure to any form of radiation can cause cancer points out to the fact that indeed microwave radiation can cause cancer. Studies point out to the fact that indeed foods that have been under microwave radiation are extremely dangerous to our health.

This is because the microwave oven usually heats food in such a way that it produces high-frequency microwaves which usually force water molecules to heat up as a result of violent vibration. The result of the water molecules being heat is that the molecules will fracture up and the result will be rearrangement or changing the chemical components of the food. This is one of the causes of cancer. The other thing is that studies indicate that microwave radiation can cause cancer in the following way: Aging microwave doors and seals can allow electromagnetic fields and invisible microwave emissions to leak or pass through them. When the electromagnetic fields and invisible microwave emissions leak through they are transmitted to other rooms of the house. When people are exposed to such kind of radiation and emissions it has been shown to be one of the leading causes of cancer disease.

Another way in which microwave cause cancer is by use of plastic containers which are used to warm or rather to heat food. When plastic containers are heat they produce carcinogens which usually mix with food. This is because plastic dishes are manufactured with many different organic and inorganic compounds and some of them indeed cause cancer. When these plastics are made, many substances are usually added to it to help shape the plastic and stabilize it. Two of the most important chemicals found in plastics are BPA and phthalates. When the plastic container is microwaved, these chemicals may leak into food and be cancerous.

On the flip side other studies also indicate that microwave radiation may not cause cancer if at all we take the necessary precautions. One of the precautions is to use glass or ceramic containers or plates labelled to be used in the microwave to warm food. The second precaution is to take safety measure as well as not allow plastic wraps such as cling film not to touch food while it is being microwaved. The alternative is to use wax paper, white paper towels and parchment paper. The third precaution is to avoid using water bottles, plastic containers holding margarine or yoghurt and take out containers to warm or heat food. Also avoid using old, cracked or scratched containers or containers that have been microwaved many times as they have the effect of realising plasticizers to food. The fourth precaution is to avoiding microwaving food in plastic storage bags or plastic bags from the grocery.

In conclusion the issue of whether microwave radiation can cause cancer is a two sides of a coin. It depends on how you use the microwave. If you use the microwave and follow all the instructions and take all the necessary precautions such as warming food in plastic containers that are labelled for microwave use then there is no cause for alarm. On the other hand if you do take the necessary precautions then there is a high likelihood that in the long run continuous use of the microwave can indeed cause cancer.

Microwaves are simple devices which simply need a magnetron and a high voltage source to operate. A metal box with a waveguide is added to it to make it a little safer to use so that magnetron directs short radio waves through the metal box. This makes the microwave to bounce in the metal box waiting to come into conduct with fats, water, sugars, ceramics and much more. These microwaves heat up these molecules through dielectric loss in relatively efficient manner.

On the other hand, ovens are believed to be an extension of a basic microwave. Baking process of an oven is a bit complicated than that of a microwave because it throws heat from all sides a feature which makes it ideal for the cooking process. It also has a convention mode which can be used for cooking.

Electric ovens are the best and were invented in late 19th century and were destined for commercial use since electricity was not readily available. Mass ownership of ovens was experienced later when better and efficient use of power was available. Ovens have become high-tech concerning cooking leading to individual ownership of the device. However, microwave radiation to excite the molecules in food causing friction hence producing heat.

An oven is a kitchen appliance used for heating and roasting food. Foods that can cook in an oven include casseroles, meat, as well as baked goods such as cake, bread, and other desserts. The oven is also used in households tool used to cook and heat food in many households across the globe. The modern oven is fueled by electricity or natural gas to perform. When the oven is contained in a complete stove, the fuel used for the oven is different from the fuel used for stove burners.

Microwaves have a convention wave which offers quick cooking features with browning and crisping. It has been proved scientifically that microwave emits waves that bounce causing water molecules to generate heat when they come in conduct with them a property which cooks food. Whereas convention oven technology uses a fan which forces air movement which heats its interior hence cooking food.

Oven also means a closed chamber with heat to cook, bake or grill food items. Traditionally oven heat was generated by use of charcoal and wood and is still used in Indian bakeries to make food. The traditional oven was believed to be efficient since coal stayed with heat for a long time. Ovens differ according to the means of heating which they use.

An oven without any prefix or suffix refers to traditional ovens. Oven means a closed chamber with heat to cook, grill and bake food items. In the traditional ovens, heat is generated with the help of charcoal and wood. Still, these ovens are used in Indian bakeries for baking purpose. The traditional ovens are energy efficient as charcoal is hot for a long duration. There are many types of Ovens in the market based on power source – traditional oven, microwave oven, gas oven, electric oven. While microwave is a recent technological advancement of a microwave oven. Radiation is the source of heat in a microwave which is used to heat food. Water molecules are made to vibrate by an electron called magnetron which is generated by microwave vibration. The vibration leads to heating of water molecules hence heating of food.

Microwaves are instruments which use radio waves to cook food using electromagnetic spectrum. They only run on electricity and takes the shortest time possible compared to ovens. Microwaves are cheaper and very easy to use. Ovens are insulated devices which are used for baking, cooking, and heating. They take a longer time to cook compared to microwaves and are difficult to maintain. There are dangers of leakage in gas ovens.

Cooking

Both microwave and ovens uses different methods to cook, and the common one is the heat it from below. Heating it from below is commonly used for baking and roasting. They can also be heated from the top to provide boiling or grilling which is a conventional method in the USA or Commonwealth countries. A fan oven has been introduced to provide even and faster cooking. The fan assisted oven uses the small fan to circulate air in the cooking chamber to produce heat.

Different ovens vary in the way they are controlled. The simplest one does not need any control and runs continuously at various temperatures. The second one is by conventional which has a simple thermostat that turns the oven on and off while selecting the temperature at which it operates. There is a timer which enables automatic switching on and off of the oven at pre-set times.

There are more sophisticated complex ovens with computer-based controls to allow for a wide variety of operating modes and unique features. The important feature includes temperature probe which enables it automatically shut the oven off when the food is thoroughly cooked to the desired degree level.

Cleaning

Use of oven in cooking and roasting food is the best compared to microwave. This is because ovens are made to provide various aids to cleaning. Oven cleaning chamber has been coated using a catalytic surface to make it convenient for continuous cleaning. There are also self-cleaning ovens which use pyrolytic decomposition to oxidize dirt hence making it easy for self-cleaning. Steam ovens are easily cleaned manually as it has a wet-soak cycle that loosens dirt. When special methods for cleaning ovens are not available, chemical oven cleaners can be used to clean ovens.

According to me, ovens are the best-compared microwave. This is because they have varied uses starting from the roasting of bread, cakes, and other necessary foods. Ovens can also be used to roast meat faster than a microwave can do hence listed as the best. They are fitted with an automatic timer which switches off when roasting food is fully cooked. Ovens are also made to be durable, and when great care is taken, they can stay for long.

Sparking in the microwave is a common thing. Liquid spilled inside the appliance of a microwave or grease accumulating on the interior sides of your microwave is believed to cause sparking in the internal cavity. This occurs when you subsequently cook with your microwave in the same condition. When microwave energy accumulates in one area of your oven due to a faulty fan motor, high voltage diode could develop problem causing microwave sparking.

When microwaves were introduced to people, several amateur experiments were done to see how different foods reacted to this new technological method of cooking. The tests showed that microwave could cook all types of food when instructions are well followed. They also revealed that careless handling of the microwave could cause sparking and hence can void your device.

Cleaning microwave to avoid sparking

Microwave ovens should be cleaned after every use to avoid build-up of food residue which causes sparks. Most microwaves are fitted with glass turntables that can be easily removed, soapy water cleaned, dried and replaced. Microwaves have an internal cavity which should be cleaned with a moistened cloth. This ensures that your microwave is in good condition which is recommended by manufacturers. It is advisable that you should cover your microwave with waxed paper or with a microwavable plastic cover before cooking to reduce spills and splatters that are known to cause sparks.

Reasons of sparking in a microwave

Sparking inside a microwave is common and does not show your microwave has a problem. Most people panic when their microwave sparks. When your microwave sparks you are required to switch off your microwave and do necessary inspections. Below are possible reasons for sparking of your microwave:

• Scarp of metal inside microwave

A small piece of metal is enough to cause sparking inside your microwave. This mostly occurs when you clean your microwave with steel wool and leave behind a metal scrap from the wool. Also, the food you heat may be covered with foil that catches fire easily. If your dish is not microwave safe, sparking may occur. Making sure that there is no metal scrap in your heating dish makes it microwave safe and its safe for you to start heating with your microwave.

• Having a damaged waveguide cover

Waveguide cover is found over the magnetron and is used to guide or convey the heat waves to the central area where you keep food in a microwave. The cover also prevents food particles from entering the magnetron which may be dangerous. It is believed that during cooking food particles and grease escape and stick to the waveguide. The food particles are burned by heat from the magnetron and sparks out. These sparks damage the waveguide cover making it cause frequent sparks from the microwave. This can be solved by replacing damaged waveguide cover with a new one and taking great care to avoid its damage.

• Having damaged rack support

Rack support is a hook-like instrument that is used to support microwave. Most of the time microwave sparks near this support tool making its paint to worn out. It is advisable that you remove the support and immediately replace it with a new one to avoid future unpredicted sparks.

• Burned diode

Microwaves have high voltage diode which causes sparks inside microwaves when burned or shorted. This can be prevented by ensuring that you use correct switches and recommended sources of power when cooking with a microwave.

Next time you see sparks inside your microwave never get scared instead switch it off and perform a necessary inspection before calling your technician.

Burn spots

Burn spots inside your microwave are clear indication that sparking has occurred and ignoring them may cause a damaging fire inside the appliance. Calling a technician is the best option since he can locate the situation and discover the immediate reasons for burning. If there is any damaged part requiring replacement, the technician will locate what is needed and perform the recommended replacement service. It’s advisable always to call a technician if you are not familiar with all the components of microwave oven because it can give you a severe electrical shock.

How to repair a sparking microwave

If you see sparks while running your microwave, it’s advisable first to check its internal cavity of your device. If you notice any splattered food into the microwave, you should continue to cook but be read to notice some sparks inside. This can also apply when grease accumulates on the ceiling of your microwave oven. We recommend that you stop cooking and thoroughly clean the internal cavity of the microwave oven.

Inside a microwave, there is a stirrer which ensures even heating inside your microwave as well as ensuring even distribution of energy created by the appliance. If the stirrer is not working well, the created energy will concentrate in one area instead of being distributed to all areas in a microwave, and this is believed to cause sparking or burning. The reasons why the stirrer may fail to work is when the stirrer belt is broken or when the drive motor is broken. Replacing these faults will prevent sparking hence ensuring safe heating.

Inside a microwave, there is a diode which works together with the capacitor and the magneton to provide the heat needed by microwave to work well. When attempting to access the diode, it’s advisable for you to unplug the microwave as well as discharging the high voltage capacitor to avoid getting an electrical shock. After removing the diode, you can test it for continuity using multi-meter and if there is low resistance in one direction and high resistance in the other direction the diode is correctly working. If you do not notice any resistance the diode, it’s not working and should be immediately replaced by a technician to avoid sparks.

The microwave has been around for a very long time now. In fact, it has become a staple in kitchens all over the globe. More importantly, it has evolved over time, from an appliance that simply warmed up already prepared dishes to an advanced appliance that cooks entire meals. Whatever the case or situation, microwaves are commonplace in homes and businesses all over the U.S. and abroad.

Even though the microwave has been around and appears to be here to stay, there are still a number of different questions that many people have on their mind. One of the more notable is, are microwave oven safe. Since these appliances are operated by using radio waves and infrared radiation, it is not uncommon for people to become a little apprehensive or afraid of these factors. Therefore, when people actually understand how these appliances work, they are much more likely to become hesitant about the safety of their use. For instance, whenever an individual visits their doctor or a hospital for a test that requires the use of radiation, they are asked several different questions in advance. Many of which are related to how safe the person will be around radiation and what precautions should be taken.

In some cases, an individual cannot be exposed to any type of radiation. Particularly, in situations where a mom is pregnant or think that there is a possibility that they are with child. Additionally, if the person is not having a Xray done with the use of radiation, it is important that they follow directions as they are given. These instructions are usually provided for each individual so that they are not adversely impacted by the radio wave technology in their body. For instance, extra visitors in the Xray room are normally asked to step out while the X-rays are being taken. Once these tests are complete, they are free to come back in. In fact, one of the primary reasons for asking others to step out of the room is to eliminate exposure to radiation.

With that said, it is also important to know how microwaves work. In specific, how do these appliances work as they are compared to adversely affecting the user and other family member’s overall health? So, what is the answer to the question, are microwave ovens safe?

The answer to this question will vary since it is often dependent upon the circumstances that is being encountered. So, people will need to do their homework first prior to handling a microwave oven. Typically, when an individual in the home or a business office uses these appliances properly, the answer is yes. This is the proper use helps to reduce the potentially harmful effects of the microwave. Also, in order to make sure that there are no unnecessary problems, the user will need to read the manufacturer’s manual very carefully. Meaning these appliances are safe for both heating and cooking various kinds of foods in the time frames allotted when they adhere to the guidelines and rules of working with this kind of product. On the other hand, when the user is taking the proper precautions, they will not be pre-disposed or unnecessarily exposed to thermal burns.

Follow International Standards

In addition to making sure everyone in a specific area knows how to handle a microwave safely, it is also important that they know what the international standard is for their overall design and functionality. So, it is essential that consumers are familiar with these standards in order to apply them appropriately. For instance, if a microwave has sustained a certain amount of damage, it may be prone to leakage around and through its doors. To prevent these and other situations from occurring, these appliances must be maintained properly so that they will remain in good condition at all times.

Food Safety

Another issue of concern is food safety. Food safety can be a health risk that can pose problems too. However, before the safety of the food is unduly compromised, everyone will need to know what issues and risks are involved in its preparation. One of which involves the food being heated unevenly and dangerous micro-organisms remaining in the food. With this in mind, the users of these appliances will need to make sure that they know how each type of food should be prepared and how long it should take before the food can be served.

Are Microwave Ovens safe? The answer to this question will vary based on the situation. In particular, if the individual uses this appliance according to the manufacturer guidelines, there should be no unnecessary problems. Or, when the food is prepared using the safest temperatures, the heat will kill out all the bacteria. So, it is important that people are familiar with its use to ensure the microwave remains safe.

Mug cakes are the perfect gastronomical fit in today’s instant society- quick to make, delicious and makes use of only a few ingredients and a microwave oven.If you’re in the mood for cake but all the shops are closed, a cake in the mug could be the next best thing. Here’s how to make mug cake that you’ll surely love.

What You Need

A microwave oven

All purpose flour

Granulated sugar

Baking powder

Salt

Milk

Mug cakes come in a variety of recipes, each with their own unique ingredients. The ones listed above are the most basic. The good thing about mug cakes is that you can make your own version once you get the hang of making one in the microwave oven. You can make a basic mug cake out of vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, lemon or go all out and make your version of birthday mug cake or sticky toffee mug cake. It depends on what you have on hand and your personal preference.

Here are the general steps for the base batter:

Step 1. Take one large mug that’s microwave safe and spray the inside with cooking oil or butter. The mug should be large enough to hold 16 oz, or otherwise the batter will spill out and the cake will be ruined.

Step 2. Put in the dry ingredients- flour, baking powder, sugar and any ingredient for your specific mug cake. You can add in a pinch of salt if you want the cake to taste less sweet. Stir them all together using a fork.

Step 3. Mix the wet ingredients next. Pour the milk in your large mug. Add vegetable oil, vanilla/chocolate or the flavored extract, then stir them all up using a spoon. Scrape the bottom and the sides often as you mix.

Step 4. Add the sprinkles if you’re making a birthday cake.

Step 5. Put the large mug in the microwave. Set the timer for 90 seconds on full power.

Step 6. Put the mug cake out of the oven and allow at least 2 minutes before eating. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. Add jam or nuts before digging in.

Tips To Ensure Mug Cake Success

Add Air To Make Your Mug Cake Rise. Batter rises because of baking powder, but be careful not to add too much as it could rise and fall quickly, turning the cake into a dense mixture. Mix the wet ingredients well and fluff it up just to be sure.

Don’t Stuff The Mug. Just because you have a large mug doesn’t mean you should overfill it. Put in too much and the extra ingredients will just splatter on the microwave. If you’re looking for more than just a single serving, transfer the contents and double it into a microwave-safe bowl.

Eat Immediately. The unspoken rule of mug cakes is that they should be eaten immediately after cooling. Steamed cake batter is best consumed right after they’ve considerably cooled down. If you leave your mug cake after 10 minutes, the gooey texture hardens and it becomes more like a chocolate bar.