Microwave Safety
Safe use of a microwave oven depends jointly on the manufacturer and the owner of the oven.
Manufacturer’s part: Federal regulations specify safety features which must be built into the microwave oven. For example, the appliance must have at least two independently operating safety interlocks which automatically shut the oven off when the door is opened. And there are federal standards which limit microwave leakage from the appliance.
Owners part: While the ovens are built with safety in mind, microwave safety also depends on how you care for the appliance. Read the instruction book for operation techniques and special cautions, as these directions may vary from oven to oven.
Examine the oven. If the door doesn’t close properly or if there is any damage to the door hinge, latch, or sealing surface, don’t operate the oven. Have it corrected by a qualified service person. Also, don’t operate the oven if an object is caught in the door and don’t insert objects through the door seal or the oven vents. To ensure safety, do not tamper with the interlocks or the high voltage connection, and don’t lift the oven using the door as a handle.
Keep the oven clean. Frequently clean the cavity, door, and the door seal with water and a mild detergent to keep the oven free from food spatters, especially grease.
Other safety tips: Do not pop corn in the microwave oven. The small amount of corn that’s used for popping doesn’t absorb enough energy to pop. There’s an additional hazard to the container; a paper bag could catch fire and a glass dish could get too hot and break.
Also, don’t cook eggs in the shell or bake potatoes without pricking the skin. The steam pressure can build up inside the eggshell or potato skin and the egg or potato can explode.
December 18 2007 05:27 am | Micro-Cooking and Microwave Appliance
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