Since its invention in the early 1980′s, the microwave has become a common household kitchen appliance.
As with any other appliance, there are safety and maintenance procedures that need to be followed to ensure the device remains safe to use, so let's take a look at the full gambit of all the safety and maintenance tips you and your family should always follow with your microwave.
Out-Of-Operation Maintenance and Safety Tips There are certain safety and maintenance procedures you need to follow even when your microwave is not in operation.
This will help ensure safe operation while in use, so keep these generic safety tips in mind for your microwave: • Read the manufacturer's manual for safety and maintenance instructions.
• Ensure your microwave complies with emission limits set by the FDA (U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration).
• Periodically (maybe once per year) get your microwave checked for leaks at an authorized service station.
• Keep your microwave clean on a consistent basis.
Microwave Materials Safety Tips You want to avoid putting certain materials in the microwave that could be harmful.
I'm sure you've heard it's a no-no to put anything metal in the microwave, but there are additional items you should be concerned about as well when it comes to cooking or heating food in the microwave.
Avoid microwaving anything that is placed in the following types of containers: • Plastics (plastic bags especially).
• Metals (aluminum, tin foil).
• Styrofoam.
Plastics contain toxic chemicals that are housed inside them, but as long as they remain inside the plastic it is no big deal.
However, if released, they can be dangerous, and guess one of the ways these toxins can be released? You got it - extreme heating in the microwave.
These toxins can go right out of the plastic, into your food and then into your body after you consume the food.
So to be on the safe side, never place any type of plastic material in the microwave.
This is especially true for plastic bags (versus Tupperware) as the softer and less sturdy the plastic, the easier it is for the toxic chemicals to be released.
Styrofoam has the same toxic concerns as plastics.
To play it safe, always use glass, ceramic or microwave-safe paper containers.
Microwave Cooking Safety Tips When it comes to cooking with your microwave, the main concern is keeping free from burns and not overcooking your food.
This will be no problem if you follow these appropriate cooking tips: • When heating liquids or foods that contain liquid, make sure the container is covered but vented.
• Follow the recommended heating instructions for packages that have them.
• Be wary that the container itself may be very hot after cooking - use an oven mitt to remove the container from your microwave after cooking.
• Make sure microwave-cooked food has sufficiently cooled prior to eating (sample a very small piece with a fork first).
Don't Be Concerned About Microwaves Causing Cancer When standing close to an operating microwave, who doesn't think about the possibility of the emitting microwaves causing cancer? Well, this is nothing to be concerned about since there has never been a link between microwaves and cancer.
The radiation from microwaves is actually non-ionizing, which is the opposite type of ionizing radiation that does cause cancer and other conditions.
So cancer is no threat as far as microwaves are concerned.
So these are the microwave safety tips you need.
If there are any children in the household, make sure they are aware of all these tips as well.
Be following all the routine safety and maintenance tips and instructions, your microwave will be a safe and enjoyable cooking appliance for many years to come.