Is the appliance you use everyday potentially harming your family or employees? Are microwaves safe? We discuss some of the safety aspects and benefits of microwave usage in our latest blog post.
If you’re worried about your microwave or any other appliances in your kitchen, please contact us immediately. At Jim’s Test & Tag, we offer microwave testing to homes and businesses all around New Zealand. For more information, browse through our website or call us today.
Are Microwave Safe?
Microwaves are one of the most popular appliances for a reason – they are perfect for heating food quickly and safely. If you are aware of the risks of microwave use and regularly maintain your appliance, there’s no reason why you can’t continue to use your microwave safely. Here are few things you need to know when it comes to microwave safety.
Radiation and Leakage
Microwaves are designed with features that protect users from radiation leakage. This includes special mesh on the inside of the door and radiation resistant material to contain any energy produced by the appliances. Microwaves will also shut off when you open the door to prevent any harm. There is a chance that over time, your appliance could develop defects that allow for radiation leakage. The best way to protect yourself from harm is to invest in regular microwave leakage testing.
Burns
To avoid a nasty burn from using a microwave, you just have to be careful about what kind of foods you are heating up and how you handle them. For example, you shouldn’t microwave water on its own at the risk of ‘superheating’ and causing burns. Another example is a hot jam donut – while the outside might feel warm, the inside could be boiling hot. Take care when using a microwave and use oven mitts or protective clothing to handle hot items.
Containers
Are microwaves safe to use with any container? No. You need to use materials that have been designed for the microwave in order to avoid food contamination or damage to your Tupperware. It’s easy to identify which containers are safe – simply look at for the microwave safe symbol on the packaging or contact the manufacturer if you are having trouble finding the information.
As a general guide, the following items are usually safe to use in the microwave:
- glass and ceramics
- paper plates/towels
- plastic containers with the microwave safe symbol
The following items should never be used:
- aluminium foil
- foam insulated cups/bowls/etc.
- single use plastic
Food Safety
Are microwaves safe or do they cause food poisoning? Uneven heating can allow unwanted micro-organisms to live in poorly heated food. You can avoid uneven heating problems by dividing your food into smaller portion sizes or taking it out to stir/mix it during the heating process. If you are heating defrosted food, be sure that it has been completely defrosted before using the microwave to heat it.
Contact Jim’s Test & Tag today!
Did you find our microwave safety tips useful? Make sure you share them with your family and friends. At Jim’s Test & Tag, we are passionate about spreading safety and awareness. If you are interested in our appliance testing services, please contact us today.
