Microwave Matters

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This may be a dummy question but I have a new (old) Microwave in the garage which I don't use to warm my coffee with.

Could it's radio waves be put to use when warming parts for assembly or has anybody tried doing anything except warming food with it.

We all know the exploding egg part but if warming metal from the inside out could it be just as dangerous.
 
I thought any metal was a big no no as far as microwaves were concerned??
I once tried to dry out some damp fibrous material and after a few seconds the place was filled with smoke!!
Stick a piece of tin foil in and see what happens :)
(And let us know the results)...
 
I thought any metal was a big no no as far as microwaves were concerned??
I once tried to dry out some damp fibrous material and after a few seconds the place was filled with smoke!!
Stick a piece of tin foil in and see what happens :)
(And let us know the results)...
Idea, I'll give it a go.
 
There are online articles about this if you google (as I just have :) )
Probably not controllable or predictable enough to be of any use....
 
Placing any sizeable piece of metal inside the microwave oven will destroy the magnatron tube.
 
I got into the habit of using the microwave to heat up my ceramic coffee cup before filling it with coffee. Worked for a while. Then nothing. After determining it was unrepairable, I removed the magnets from the magnetron, thinking they might be useful in the shop. The magnets were badly fractured. Apparently without something in the unit containing water, the magnets in the magnetron get destroyed.
Putting metal in it has its own issues: I have seen a lightning storm in there from a metal handle on a takeout food container.
 
Whilst in no way endorsing or condoning shoving large lumps of metal in without further research (it appears the 'heats from the middle' is an urban myth) it does seem it's not as totally verboeten as I had assumed....
But domestic microwaves probably best used for the purpose intended :)
Was surprised that my Bosch (wot, no Lucas!) microwave has a sticker inside the door showing two glasses filled with liquid, the one with a spoon in is NOT the one with a cross through it....
 
Microwaves setup vibrations on water molecules, generating heat which then transfers via conductance to surrounding surfaces. Any solid devoid of water content will no heat up. With many ferrous metals, the waves can also knock off atoms from the metal, which gives a spectacular spark show in the oven. Even if that could be controlled or prevent, there would not be much heating as no water content. I guess the item could be submerged in a plastic or ceramic container of water then heated to boiling point.
Easier to just use a kettle though, then make tea with left over water.
 
Absolutely, I use a microwave to warm up bearings and small parts.

Just wrap the item in a damp tea towel.

...I also put a spoon in my cup of milk when I warm it up in the microwave as it heats it up a lot quicker.

Reading all the other posts here though, it seams like I am doing everything wrong!
 
I have seen sparks erupting from baked potatoes on occasion, I’m assuming it’s a contaminant in the skin.

Please don’t do it.

if you choose to ignore all and sundry above, please video the end results and stick it on YouTube. Thanks. :)
 
Heard of of a lady who washed her little poodle doggy and put it in the MW to dry it out a bit.
I would never use a microwave oven to heat up any Norton item.
Heat gun. ( bearing / bushing fitting etc.)
Boiling water ( for older rubber bits.)
 
Heat gun or conventional oven for heating metal. Never heat metal in a microwave oven.

Best (hopefully).
 
Heard of of a lady who washed her little poodle doggy and put it in the MW to dry it out a bit.

I am curious as to the effect the MW had on the doggie's eye balls. Somehow, I do not think the dog found the experience enjoyable.

Slick
 
Absolutely, I use a microwave to warm up bearings and small parts.

Just wrap the item in a damp tea towel......
….. A co-worker showed me a you tube of this the other day. Truly amazing, since it does go against everything we've been taught . Sorry I don't have the link, but this fella said to make sure to wrap the bearing in wet paper towels. He get a uniform temperature every time.
p.s. I just googled "warming up bearings in a microwave oven" and it poped up.)
 
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