Sparks in microwave

[langpark]

I did something stupid, was mucking around with the microwave, I put a small chocolate in there (with aluminum foil wrapper), then, after about 7 seconds, a big shot of sparks flew inside and I immediately switched it off. It came from the actual microwave, not from the chocolate itself.

Has anything similar happened to any of you? Is it something major or minor? I haven't since tried using it, I'm a bit hesitant to do so.

 

[some11]

(with aluminum foil wrapper)

[youtube]LIdv8uiGacI[/youtube]

 

[langpark]

Ok, but it was a bit more sudden than that.

 

[Parra Pride]

Did it taste blue?

 

[Bulldog Force]

Ok, but it was a bit more sudden than that.

I'm guessing that your microwave isn't the cheap, Chinese brand Galanz (as is the one in this video). You probably have a better known brand that's more powerful and stronger. Let me guess... your microwave doesn't have a low, medium or high setting either... because it's only setting is high. Correct?

 

[Pierced Soul]

stop being a wuss. use the scientific method and see if you can replicate it. if you cant, it was due to the foil. if you can, your microwave is probably f**ked. tell us before you do it. if you dont post a follow up within 10mins we'll assume it blew up and killed you

 

[Twizzle]

does the digital display still work ?

 

[langpark]

I had a quick test, it seems to still be working ok. Just out of curiosity though, was it the foil that did it, or the 'emptiness' of the microwave? or perhaps both? The chocolate would have been just a little bigger than a golf ball.

I'm guessing that your microwave isn't the cheap, Chinese brand Galanz (as is the one in this video). You probably have a better known brand that's more powerful and stronger. Let me guess... your microwave doesn't have a low, medium or high setting either... because it's only setting is high. Correct?

Yeah you're right, just the one setting. The brand is Silvercrest, which I think is middle range...

 

[woodyk2]

Foil foil foil

 

[veggiepatch1959]

I did something stupid, was mucking around with the microwave, I put a small chocolate in there (with aluminum foil wrapper), then, after about 7 seconds, a big shot of sparks flew inside and I immediately switched it off. It came from the actual microwave, not from the chocolate itself.

Has anything similar happened to any of you? Is it something major or minor? I haven't since tried using it, I'm a bit hesitant to do so.

Are you a candidate for the 2015 Darwin Awards?

Seriously, only certain models of microwaves are capable of handling anything metallic inside them when cooking or heating. I think the foil accumulates electric charge from the microwaves generated by the magnetron at certain points and when it reaches a critical level, it will ionise the air around it and cause the sparks you see.

 

[woodyk2]

Are you a candidate for the 2015 Darwin Awards?

Seriously, only certain models of microwaves are capable of handling anything metallic inside them when cooking or heating. I think the foil accumulates electric charge from the microwaves generated by the magnetron at certain points and when it reaches a critical level, it will ionise the air around it and cause the sparks you see.

Up there with putting a knife in a toaster?

 

[muzby]

damn.. i was hoping it would be a video of this CD going into the microwave..

you would have done the world a favour...

 

[_snafu_]

I find that if you put a cat in the microwave it doesn't spark.

 

[Evil_Mush]

If it's wearing a metal studded collar then it might.

 

[Surrogate]

Does this cause cancer?

 

[Bulldog Force]

I had a quick test, it seems to still be working ok. Just out of curiosity though, was it the foil that did it, or the 'emptiness' of the microwave? or perhaps both? The chocolate would have been just a little bigger than a golf ball.


Yeah you're right, just the one setting. The brand is Silvercrest, which I think is middle range...

I can't imagine an empty microwave would cause the Sparks, definitely the foil. Unless they're microwave safe, metals shouldn't go in there.

 

[Pierced Soul]

my microwave was sparking without anything in it. i cut the cord and put it on the kerb with other junk. someone took the microwave. i hope they were just going to get the metal and not try and fix it

 

[_snafu_]

If it's wearing a metal studded collar then it might.

I might try it and will report the outcome.

 

[dogslife]

*Aluminium

 

[innsaneink]

Try a spoon...then a fork..