Are Microwave Ovens Dangerous?

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Why you shouldn’t microwave metal

Notice how the sides and roof of your microwave are metal? This is to prevent the microwaves from escaping- they cannot pass through metal, so they bounce back, towards the food. The glass door on the front of your microwave is actually covered in a very fine metal mesh which also blocks the waves.

The reason your Mom told you never to put a metal object in the microwave is because the waves would bounce right off it,  and could potentially damage the magnetron (the thing that generates the waves). Metals can also create an electric field that will produce sparks and possibly a fire.

The handy thing is that although microwaves bounce off metal, they pass through glass, plastic and ceramic which is why these are all suitable containers to heat your food in.

So if microwaves pass through these materials, why do they feel hot? Simply because they are in contact with the hot food!