How dangerous are the fumes from a microwave fire? [more inside]
posted by Iridic on Nov 12, 2009 - 7 answers

where can I find a missing part for my microwave? [more inside]
posted by jak68 on Sep 9, 2009 - 6 answers

Need a very small (<=9 inches height) stainless steel microwave oven. [more inside]
posted by zavulon on Sep 9, 2009 - 7 answers

The inside of my microwave door has small holes melted in it. Is it still safe? [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul on Jul 11, 2009 - 13 answers

My wife and I were recently given a set of '70s-era plates, bowls, etc. named Mikasa Checkmates (the "Butternut" line, as pictured here). I'm wondering if anyone could tell me if a) they're microwave-safe (on the bottom it reads "Oven To Table To Dishwasher") and b) if they're full of lead (as this site claims).
posted by The Card Cheat on Jun 8, 2009 - 4 answers

Sometimes I use the microwave for a few seconds to soften hard-frozen ice cream (for spoonability), or to soften a cold stick of butter (for spreadability). In these cases why does the center of the food heat first but the edges stay cooler; but when I microwave leftovers or soup in a dish for lunch, the edges of the food get hot first and middle stays cool? [more inside]
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy on Apr 25, 2009 - 9 answers

Why did my microwave oven stop heating after I tried to use it to heat water in a clear pyrex measuring cup? And how can I get it to work again? I've had the not-heating problem before, and it has gone away. I can't remember whether I did something to make it work again. This time, I tried unplugging the oven and plugging it in again -- no dice. Everything works except for the heating up part.
posted by Sia Stewart on Apr 11, 2009 - 5 answers

Is it worth the trouble to vent our range hood outside? [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Mar 20, 2009 - 21 answers

I'm looking for a recommendation for a microwave cookbook. I want it to be about what the microwave is best at, not just how to hack normal stuff to work in the microwave. Perhaps a book on how to do things that are only possible with a microwave.
posted by krisjohn on Feb 16, 2009 - 9 answers

In search of awesome recipes that use microwaves, a stovetop and a toaster oven. [more inside]
posted by big open mouth on Feb 13, 2009 - 14 answers

How do I make white rice for one person (me)? [more inside]
posted by spamguy on Feb 2, 2009 - 24 answers

Why would my mum's (inside) microwave set off her (outside) motion detector? [more inside]
posted by ClarissaWAM on Jan 27, 2009 - 9 answers

If I cook an egg in the microwave it explodes, often with spectacular and messy force. If I microwave one fully immersed in water, will the same thing happen, or will the water absorb all the microwaves, so that the egg will effectively be boiled? [more inside]
posted by Coventry on Nov 13, 2008 - 22 answers

Suppose you had a microwave oven large enough to fit a person into it. How long would you have to microwave someone before they'd die? [more inside]
posted by BuddhaInABucket on Nov 9, 2008 - 14 answers

Do over-the-oven microwaves with exhaust inherently suck? (no pun intended) [more inside]
posted by jclovebrew on Nov 3, 2008 - 14 answers

What's the safest way to make popcorn -- air popper or microwave popper? [more inside]
posted by acoutu on Oct 19, 2008 - 22 answers

Pilots and medical personnel: Exactly why are cell phones and wireless devices prohibited at takeoff/landings and in ICUs (etc.). Are there known consequences on certain equipment? And why, precisely, are microwaves bad for pacemaker wearers? I'm interested in knowing exactly what mechanisms are/could be affected, how and why. [more inside]
posted by spock on Aug 13, 2008 - 15 answers

Is cooking (or re-heating) my food with a microwave destroying the food, sucking out nutrients that would not be removed by heating on the stove top in a stainless pan? I've heard this here and there, dated an Earth Mother South Austin Woman who was/likely is certain that I may as well put nuclear waste products AND rat poison in my food, pretty much heard the same about twenty minutes ago from a woman working in the vitamin/supplements department at Whole Foods, yet another Austin Earth Mother type; just the fact that I said the word 'microwave' caused her to get a big frowny face, looked like she had gas or something. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I like to toss broccoli with just a shade of water into the microwave for a couple of minutes, or re-heat my rice and beans or soup or whatever. Related: Does cooking vegetables in a pressure cooker rob them of needed nutrients? [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue on Aug 7, 2008 - 26 answers

The kitchen computer has a little trackpad/keyboard combo that sits atop of the microwave. When the microwave turns on, the trackpad stops working. Looking for suggestions on shielding, putting a filter in line with the cable, grounding, anything to help me cook and mouse at the same time. [more inside]
posted by sol on Jun 28, 2008 - 5 answers

How do I get rid of a really strong burnt-plastic smell from the inside of my microwave? [more inside]
posted by Kololo on Apr 8, 2008 - 8 answers

I have a microwave and a toaster oven and no range. What are your fresh, healthy recipes using the aforementioned things? [more inside]
posted by pedantic on Mar 26, 2008 - 13 answers

Is my microwave still safe? The paint or lining or whatever has gotten chipped over the years and bare metal is showing through in four or five places, mostly on the bottom of the oven. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry on Feb 23, 2008 - 7 answers

Why did my microwave "explode"? [more inside]
posted by TorontoSandy on Feb 23, 2008 - 17 answers

My son tried to heat up a metal pot in my ex-wife's Frigidaire microwave. Needless to say, there were sparks and pops and they turned it off right away. Now, there are some scorched-looking spots on the microwave. Is it likely or unlikely that the microwave is still in working order? Are microwaves built to handle the odd arcing incident without being destroyed? [more inside]
posted by JimN2TAW on Feb 7, 2008 - 6 answers

Beans! I want to make a microwavable beanbag, something that I can nuke for 30 seconds or so and wrap warm around my neck - but I don't want to use beans. [more inside]
posted by roygbv on Jan 22, 2008 - 28 answers

I want relatively crisp reheated food from the microwave. Can can I buy or make something to do this for me, like that silvery-coated paperboard that comes with frozen foods? [more inside]
posted by vytae on Jan 9, 2008 - 15 answers

Anybody remember where (the URL) to find the funny sign you can put near the workplace microwave about BURNING THE FREAKING MICROWAVE POPCORN? (At the risk of ending up on Passive-Aggressive Notes, I could use one right now.)
posted by spock on Jan 7, 2008 - 10 answers

Surprisingly good microwave recipes anyone? I'm looking for microwave recipes for jams, candy, etc. that you've actually made and turned out surprisingly well for being cooked in a microwave. I'm particularly interested in any recipe that can be made and put in containers for Christmas gifts.
posted by GlowWyrm on Dec 10, 2007 - 8 answers

I want my microwave never to beep (either for setting times or when cooking is done). Any other device I'd just disassemble enough to cut or block the sound source, but I'm guessing disassembly's not safe here. I don't have a manual (it's a GE, no apparent model number, bought secondhand last year). Can you think of a solution other than trying to physically block the sound just from the outside?
posted by lorimer on Nov 26, 2007 - 11 answers

Safe to put a microwave on top of a fridge? [more inside]
posted by slow graffiti on Nov 12, 2007 - 22 answers

Do convection microwave ovens work? [more inside]
posted by Nelson on Oct 11, 2007 - 10 answers

How would it feel to stick your head in a microwave oven? [more inside]
posted by denishowe on Oct 11, 2007 - 16 answers

I recently started college, and having discovered the utter boredom that is dining hall cuisine, have begun to crave home cooked food, or at very least, ME-cooked food. So what can I cook with a bare minimum of kitchen hardware? [more inside]
posted by weaponsgradecarp on Oct 2, 2007 - 28 answers

I understand that Pop Weaver Microwave Popcorn no longer has Diacetyl - an ingredient for flavoring. How can you tell which packages no longer have Diacetyl?
posted by cmh0150 on Sep 1, 2007 - 3 answers

Why does iTunes hang when my wireless is wonky? How do I make it stop? [more inside]
posted by cosmicbandito on Jul 29, 2007 - 3 answers

I just found some mold growing in the corner of my microwave. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 2, 2007 - 15 answers

We need a new over-the-range microwave oven. Are all of them built to a standard size with standard ventilation ports? [more inside]
posted by procrastination on Mar 4, 2007 - 7 answers

My microwave is driving me nuts! [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot on Dec 23, 2006 - 20 answers

I'm looking to buy a microwave oven, but I want a good one. I'm looking for a combination microwave/convection oven with, and this is the tricky part, a thermometer built in. [more inside]
posted by ykjay on Dec 6, 2006 - 4 answers

My roommates have a really annoying habit of leaving the microwave door ajar after they're done using it. In other words, the microwave beeps, they take their food out, and then leave the door hanging. Am I being exposed to unsafe levels of radiation?
posted by invisible ink on Oct 15, 2006 - 34 answers

How does the popcorn button on a microwave work? [more inside]
posted by sohcahtoa on Jul 27, 2006 - 8 answers

I have a sharp carousel r1750 above the range microwave. Back before the warranty was out the control unit (a box with all the buttons and display died) and the warranty guy replaced it. It was as easy as plugging in a hard drive. How do I get the unit to replace it myself, now that it has died again
posted by spartacusroosevelt on Jun 21, 2006 - 5 answers

How can I tell if my microwave has become unsafe? [more inside]
posted by louigi on Jun 20, 2006 - 12 answers

Is Lean Cuisine the type of overly processed food I should be trying to avoid, and if so, why? [more inside]
posted by Amizu on May 3, 2006 - 9 answers

Microwave oven: Is 800 watts enough? [more inside]
posted by sveskemus on Apr 11, 2006 - 21 answers

Is there such a thing as a "walk-in" microwave oven? [more inside]
posted by halespawn on Mar 20, 2006 - 10 answers

Microwave Puzzle - I cook a chunk of winter squash daily, for putting into rice and vegetables. last week I cooked a chunk with a woody stem maybe 3/4 " long, 1/3 " across, same amount of time as usual. (three minutes). the squash cooked fine, but by the end of the time, smoke was coming out of the microwave. I stopped it, half of the stem end was black, burned. I've cooked pieces with stems before, what happened? [more inside]
posted by judybxxx on Feb 3, 2006 - 7 answers

Why does the turntable inside most microwave ovens switch its direction of rotation when interrupted?
posted by StickyCarpet on Dec 10, 2005 - 13 answers

I need a 24" wide combo oven / microwave (stacked). [more inside]
posted by Caviar on Nov 11, 2005 - 6 answers

There's a cockroach stuck inside my microwave LCD screen. What in the blazes? How do I get it out without completely disassembling the microwave? [more inside]
posted by Sticherbeast on Nov 3, 2005 - 53 answers