Regardless of the parameters and functionality of the devices, you must adhere to the rules of operation and care for them, otherwise they will fail or even break down. Particularly curious owners conduct various experiments with equipment, which is strictly prohibited. So, for example, many people are interested in what happens if you turn on an empty microwave? Is it possible to do this? Everyone knows that the more you forbid, the more you want. Let's consider what this action entails.
When buying any item or equipment, you want to come home as soon as possible and try out the purchase. So, most uninformed buyers bring home a brand new microwave oven, put it on the table, connect it to the electrical power supply and... turn on one of the modes. Everything would be fine, but there is nothing at all in the inner chamber and this is a big mistake! Why, you ask, did nothing happen?
To understand what will happen to the microwave if you turn it on with an empty chamber, you need to familiarize yourself with the principle of its operation.
Operating principle of a microwave oven
A microwave oven operates using electromagnetic waves. Their length ranges from 1 millimeter to 1 meter. Microwaves alone are not enough to heat food; additional molecules are needed, which are a component of all products. One end of the molecule is positively charged, and at the other end there is a negative electrical charge.
Each particle of the product contains a large number of dipole molecules, which move randomly without an electric field. With the appearance of an electric field, all molecules with a positive charge line up in one direction, and those with a negative charge in the other. As soon as the electric field changes its direction (this happens due to the rotating plate), the molecules immediately turn 180 degrees. Thus, they change polarity 4,900,000,000 times per second, and at the same time rub against each other. As a result, heat is released, with the help of which our food is heated.
Microwave oven device
The inner chamber of a microwave oven is made of metal so that it reflects microwaves to the food.
What happens if you turn on an empty microwave and is it possible to do this?
Regardless of the parameters and functionality of the devices, you must adhere to the rules of operation and care for them, otherwise they will fail or even break down. Particularly curious owners conduct various experiments with equipment, which is strictly prohibited. So, for example, many people are interested in what happens if you turn on an empty microwave? Is it possible to do this? Everyone knows that the more you forbid, the more you want. Let's consider what this action entails.
When buying any item or equipment, you want to come home as soon as possible and try out the purchase. So, most uninformed buyers bring home a brand new microwave oven, put it on the table, connect it to the electrical power supply and... turn on one of the modes. Everything would be fine, but there is nothing at all in the inner chamber and this is a big mistake! Why, you ask, did nothing happen?
To understand what will happen to the microwave if you turn it on with an empty chamber, you need to familiarize yourself with the principle of its operation.
Operating principle of a microwave oven
A microwave oven operates using electromagnetic waves. Their length ranges from 1 millimeter to 1 meter. Microwaves alone are not enough to heat food; additional molecules are needed, which are a component of all products. One end of the molecule is positively charged, and at the other end there is a negative electrical charge.
Each particle of the product contains a large number of dipole molecules, which move randomly without an electric field. With the appearance of an electric field, all molecules with a positive charge line up in one direction, and those with a negative charge in the other. As soon as the electric field changes its direction (this happens due to the rotating plate), the molecules immediately turn 180 degrees. Thus, they change polarity 4,900,000,000 times per second, and at the same time rub against each other. As a result, heat is released, with the help of which our food is heated.
The inner chamber of a microwave oven is made of metal so that it reflects microwaves to the food.
Turning on an empty microwave: to be or not to be
So we have come close to the question: is it possible to turn on an empty microwave oven? To say “you can’t” is to say nothing; you need proof.
So, when a microwave oven is turned on, regardless of the selected function, it produces microwaves that must be absorbed. And since a microwave is a household kitchen appliance, foods should absorb the waves: vegetables, fruits, ready-made dishes. What happens when working with an empty camera?
When the generated microwaves do not encounter any obstacles in their path, they continue to move forward and are reflected from the inner metal walls of the chamber. This process continues until the timer goes off and the device turns off. Nothing is visible to the naked eye: the microwave does not spark, does not crack, does not shoot, but... The concentrated radiation energy adversely affects the main parts of the microwave oven and the magnetron in particular, which will eventually lead to breakdown of the device. And if the magnetron breaks, then there is no point in repairing the microwave oven, since this part costs a little less than the device itself. Then it’s better to buy a new microwave.
Burnt mica plate of microwave oven
To check the device’s functionality, you can place a regular glass of water to heat it up.
There is also a minimum weight of products, which is 200 grams. Therefore, you cannot warm up, for example, one pie or make one hot sandwich. The weight and volume of these products is not enough to absorb all electromagnetic waves, some of which will be reflected from the walls of the device, which will damage it.
We hope that after such evidence no one will want to experiment and turn on an empty device.
Let's look at some more frequently asked questions.
Is microwave radiation dangerous?
Microwave radiation is completely safe. The main thing is to operate the device according to the attached instructions. Thanks to the tightly closed door and blocking system, it is impossible for rays to penetrate outside. And if microwaves leave the oven chamber, they quickly fade out in the atmosphere, so they do no harm (for more details, see the article about the dangers of microwaves: truth or myth?
The only way microwaves can be dangerous is if you grab a hot plate with your bare hand and get burned.
Are microwaves radioactive?
Since microwaves are non-ionizing radiation, they cannot cause radioactive effects on food. Heating occurs due to the friction of water molecules against each other, which is completely safe.
Do foods lose nutrients?
Under the influence of microwaves, some of the nutrients decompose, but no more than when cooking on a conventional stove or in the oven.
Is it possible to overheat water
The fact is that heating water in the usual way is different from heating it in the microwave. If you boil a liquid on the stove, heating occurs from below, and we see air bubbles rising. When heating water using microwaves, this does not happen, because it warms up from all sides and can overheat.
When taking out a glass of water, you need to be extremely careful: even the slightest push can cause the water to instantly boil and pour boiling water out of the container.
Is it possible to cook eggs in the microwave?
Products in a shell with a high liquid content inside cannot be cooked or heated in a microwave oven! During the cooking process, the liquid evaporates strongly, which creates high pressure. This causes the product to explode. The same thing happens with containers with closed lids.
We hope that we were able to clear up some doubts about using a microwave oven. Use the device to facilitate the process of cooking and rest assured, it will not cause harm to the body. And do not forget that you should not turn on the microwave empty.
Follow the microwave operating rules and the device will last you much longer!
Turning on an empty microwave: to be or not to be
So we have come close to the question: is it possible to turn on an empty microwave oven? To say “you can’t” is to say nothing; you need proof.
So, when a microwave oven is turned on, regardless of the selected function, it produces microwaves that must be absorbed. And since a microwave is a household kitchen appliance, foods should absorb the waves: vegetables, fruits, ready-made dishes. What happens when working with an empty camera?
When the generated microwaves do not encounter any obstacles in their path, they continue to move forward and are reflected from the inner metal walls of the chamber. This process continues until the timer goes off and the device turns off. Nothing is visible to the naked eye: the microwave does not spark, does not crack, does not shoot, but... The concentrated radiation energy adversely affects the main parts of the microwave oven and the magnetron in particular, which will eventually lead to breakdown of the device. And if the magnetron breaks, then there is no point in repairing the microwave oven, since this part costs a little less than the device itself. Then it’s better to buy a new microwave.
Burnt mica plate of microwave oven
To check the device’s functionality, you can place a regular glass of water to heat it up.
There is also a minimum weight of products, which is 200 grams. Therefore, you cannot warm up, for example, one pie or make one hot sandwich. The weight and volume of these products is not enough to absorb all electromagnetic waves, some of which will be reflected from the walls of the device, which will damage it.
Why turn on an empty microwave?
Of course, no one deliberately turns on the oven with an empty chamber.
As a rule, this happens by accident or on the first day after purchase - to check its functionality.
However, not always even the presence of food in the chamber can protect the oven from negative consequences. It's all about the amount of food being heated.
A sandwich, a pie, a slice of sausage, a slice of tomato... All this gradually damages the household appliance. In this case, the operation of a microwave oven is equivalent to working with an empty chamber, since most of the waves are not absorbed.
IMPORTANT: The minimum weight of heated or cooked products should not be below 200 grams.
To avoid damage, just use the following tips.
- A glass of water left in the chamber will prevent the consequences of accidental activation. If you have to heat up a small amount of food other than a plate of food, you need to place a container of water in the chamber.
- A small amount of water will also prevent the food from drying out and splashing.
Just one glass of water will help preserve the device for many years. Whereas neglect of this rule can lead to irreversible consequences.
Is microwave radiation dangerous?
Microwave radiation is completely safe. The main thing is to operate the device according to the attached instructions. Thanks to the tightly closed door and blocking system, it is impossible for rays to penetrate outside. And if microwaves leave the oven chamber, they quickly fade out in the atmosphere, so they do no harm (for more details, see the article about the dangers of microwaves: truth or myth?
The only way microwaves can be dangerous is if you grab a hot plate with your bare hand and get burned.
Is it possible to overheat water
The fact is that heating water in the usual way is different from heating it in the microwave. If you boil a liquid on the stove, heating occurs from below, and we see air bubbles rising. When heating water using microwaves, this does not happen, because it warms up from all sides and can overheat.
When taking out a glass of water, you need to be extremely careful: even the slightest push can cause the water to instantly boil and pour boiling water out of the container.
