Beyond being visually unappealing and potentially smelly, the bacteria breeding ground created by a dirty microwave can make you sick, and it can even be a fire hazard.
Food splatters can cause cross-contamination if you don't clean the microwave afterward. Also, consider this: when food splatters on the inside of the microwave, before it has been zapped free of moisture or cleaned up, the food falls into the temperature danger zone.
Bacteria will turn to mould and nobody wants a mould ridden microwave. Food spillages and splatters left for long periods of time may also affect the taste of your food. The particles and bacteria can go into your cooking and not only spoil the taste of your food but may also cause harm to your health.
So even if that gnarly old crumb mixed in with his dinner, there'd be no health risk because it's heat sterilized—right? Microwaves (inside and out) are swarming with germs, both from leftover food bits and our own skin contact.
Even microwave ovens equipped with a turntable can cook unevenly and leave cold spots in food, where harmful bacteria can survive. ✓ Be sure to follow package instructions and rotate and stir foods during the cooking process, if the instructions call for it.
Clean your microwave once a week to once every three to four weeks to keep the bacteria build-up and strong smells down in your kitchen. If you heat a lot of messy foods like sauces or gravy, you may need to clean it more often.
Does a microwave kill mold? Microwaves can kill some species of mold, but the particles left behind will lead to continued exposure. Dead mold still can trigger adverse health reactions. Not only that but spores and mycotoxins also can lead to health issues.
The simplest way to determine if your microwave is leaking radiation is to use a microwave radiation detector like this one. Make sure that the radiation detector detects high-frequency signals from microwave ovens. Check the product description and reviews before making a purchase.
If microwave ovens are used while broken or altered, it is possible for them to leak electromagnetic radiation. Microwave radiation leaks are hard to detect because you can't smell or see microwaves.
The magnetron inside a microwave can contain beryllium oxide in its ceramic insulators, which can be fatal if it gets into the lungs. Simply removing it is safe, but never try to take one apart. It's not worth it!
That's because a microwave can hold an electrical charge of thousands of volts in its capacitors for hours or even days after it has been unplugged. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that people have been electrocuted trying to repair their microwaves. So don't try it.
Start by placing 1 cup of water, a few tablespoons vinegar, and a few slices of lemon in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 2 minutes (or until the water boils). Then keep the door shut and let it steam the inside of your microwave for 15 minutes.
Rust that has created even pinholes is a safety issue and should not be ignored. Replace microwaves with significant rust damage promptly. Again, the microwaves that cook your food are not going to hunt you down and give you cancer, but microwaves escaping the appliance are still a safety issue.
But if you let them get too gunky, they can cause your microwave to run less efficiently and pose a fire hazard. They're easy to slide out to clean, but you may want to slip on some rubber gloves before you do.
If you've looked after it well, there's no reason why a vintage microwave should be dangerous. However, it is possible that the screen or rubber seals around the door may have perished, allowing some radiation to leak out.
Is it safe to open a microwave while it's running? It's extremely safe. All microwave ovens have their doors interlocked with the power circuitry to disconnect power if door is opened while the oven is running.
The microwave syndrome
Researchers who have conducted scientific studies of occupational exposure to microwaves described symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, headaches, difficulty sleeping, concentration and memory problems.
Put a glass of water in the microwave.
A small glass of water (roughly 275 mL / a little over 1 cup) will reduce this risk, while still leaving plenty of un-absorbed microwaves to test for leaks. This is especially important for older microwaves, which may have lower quality shielding around the magnetron.
Darken the room or the kitchen to the at most you can. Now as you run the microwave cycle you also start moving slowly the bulb around the microwave. In case the bulb glows, even to the fadest of possible light that I could emit, then your microwave is leaking.
As a byproduct of the cooking process, microwave ovens produce soot. Soot is composed of microscopic charred particles formed when oil and gas molecules are heated together.
Fortunately, clearing mold out of a microwave is a breeze: Fill a glass with vinegar, put it in the microwave, run the appliance for a minute or so, and let the vapors do their job. Dry it thoroughly, and going forward always make sure the inside of the microwave is clean and dry after use.
Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis).