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Related: 14 Bad Habits That Could Burn Down Your House. I wanted to boil a cup of water, and I set the timer for 2 minutes. Very nasty scald.
I was microwaving a cup of water for coffee in a just-washed glass and it exploded on me when I tried to take it out.
Movement then triggers the explosion.
As a cleaning trick I learned, I put a corelle bowl filled with water to boil it to steam the insides of the microwave for easier cleaning.
Thank God I wasn’t standing 6 in. Don't forget: That lovely metallic trim is just that—metal. So, yes, pass on putting Styrofoam in the microwave, and while you're at it, avoid bringing it home in the first place. If you want to microwave crystallized honey, scoop a little out into a microwave-safe container first. Hurts like hell. I used aloe vera cream with a pain pill and it helped. Not all paper bags are created equal. So I took the tip of a knife with the plan to poke the spot and let out the water. Did you know that heating water in the microwave can actually be dangerous? Strange how this is most common for thos who heast the liquid for a second time (in one case with hours between). I put an average amount of liquid, in an average mug for a preset time. this can happen to anyone.
But if that coffee is in a Styrofoam cup, back away from the microwave. It was more of a very fast bubbling up and much like a volcano effect from what I can recall.
Thus, the information in this message is a valid warning for microwave oven users. yes, water can “explode” in the fashion described above. The water exploded, still in the microwave, blew the door wide open , and water was everywhere in the kitchen. Boiling of water occurs when bubbles of water vapor expand in liquid water and are released at its surface. i got a little burn mark on my hand. This will severely damage the unit and could cause a fire or explosion. Any food that has a skin or membrane can explode in the microwave, according to Snider, a professor at the University of Delaware. Hoax-Slayer visitor Al Chang relates the following experience illustrating just how dangerous superheating can be: This just happened to me. But that’s just what you might become if you overheat a glass of water in a microwave. I am now convinced our new inverter microwave is evil as our old one never did this so I will be taking it back to the shop for a refund lol. The “26-year old man” is not identified, nor is the “local science teacher”. It’s an important piece of science to share with others in hopes of preventing a potential disaster. I’ve had this happen. I go back to preparing the thing that needed the water when I heard a BOOM. It was a miracle that I didn’t suffer more severe burns, which I credit to the application of those ice cubes!
It scared me to death but fortunately it only burned a couple fingers and that’s all. Related: 8 Surprising Reasons You Should Stop Using Plastic in Your Kitchen. Learn how your comment data is processed. His whole face was blistered with first and second degree burns, which left some permanent scarring and damage to his left eye. Go to our Cookies Policy for more information on how we use cookies. Well add me to list.
If foreign materials such as instant coffee or sugar are added before heating, the risk is greatly reduced. These burns are dramatic and traumatic because they often affect the face and hands of the burn victim. It hadn’t boiled in the time I expected it to so I set the microwave for another 20 seconds. The best way to avoid these burns is to place a wooden coffee stirrer in the liquid when heating it and also to let all heated liquids cool for a few minutes inside the microwave before removing them. Over-heating of water in a cup can result in superheated water (past its boiling temperature) without appearing to boil. Yes, for once, an urban legend rings true: If you heat a glass of water above its boiling point in a microwave and it does not boil, then you’ve created a potential ticking time bomb. So I came to the internet in search for an answer. Fortunately, these burns rarely need grafting; however, they are extremely painful and in children these burns often lead to hospitalization for wound care and pain control. Water superheated in a microwave oven can indeed “blow-up” under certain conditions. Scared me to death!
Detailed Analysis: Thanks so much for sharing. I had heat water 3 minutes It can occur anytime water is heated – especially if the cup or bowl is new. True! © 2020 Clark Howard Inc. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. TRUE — Circulated Warning Claims That Superheated Water In Microwave Can Explode, article about superheating and microwave ovens. According to Dr. Lindberg, the American Burn Association (ABA) has identified scald burns from superheated liquids in microwaves as a target for a new public awareness campaign. The American Burn Association (ABA) has identified scald burns from superheated liquids in microwaves as a target for a new public awareness campaign… “Water alone should never be heated in a microwave.” Here’s why…. At about one minute of time the water exploded out of the cup. Let’s look at the second factor first. Yes, indeed it does happen and not just with water! The exploding water is caused because the surface of the water was too smooth -- you need some disruption for the bubbles to form and the boiling to start -- if you don't, when you open the door and reach in, the whole thing can seem to instantly boil (and scald you). The handles on these familiar white boxes are usually made of metal. I was lucky I was right near the sink and was able to get to cold water right away.
Without bubbles, the water cannot release the heat that has built up, the liquid does not boil, and it continues to heat up past its boiling point.
Rely on the stovetop to reheat your coffee or tea—or brew yourself a fresh beverage. He saw it starting to bubble so stopped the microwave, reached in and took it out and as he did it exploded, scalding his forehead and a little into the scalp! Ace Hardware Black Friday ad leak: Here are the best deals! Related: 10 Kitchen Updates You Can Do in a Day. Again with the coffee! EVER!!! I assume the electronic parts got steamed & I’m hoping it’ll work after it dries out. Apparently the first boiling made the water less able to release its vapor the 2nd time around. when i microwaved it the first time it bubbled,then stopped. closer or I would have surely sustained blunt force trauma to the face!
This story was first published on April 17, 2005. Only for 1 minute for a coffee mug full of water. I was heating up milk to make creamy cocoa. Burns from Boiling Water in the Microwave Thankfully I had my glasses on; the boiling water spattered against my glasses. BE CAREFUL!!! Wanna try, take a styrofoam cup, crack an uncooked egg into it, discard the shell, microwave on high for 1 minute…in approx 45 seconds, your microwave will be goo-ed with half cooked egg matter…enjoy! This is where microwaves, and microwave-safe cups, differ from stovetops, pots and pans. When you move the glass or drop something into it, the water can boil vigorously and, in some cases, shoot out of the glass in a dangerous jet. If you want a nice, warm egg, stick to the stovetop. Sorry I don’t know more about it. That is, the superheated liquid can be explosively ejected from its container and potentially cause injury to a person in close proximity. The cup jumped up and hit the top of the microwave, the sat back down straight up. Please note even though the microwave company’s have yet to have the warnings placed hard boiled eggs don’t get made in it. Now the microwave has no power. It’s actually very dangerous. This just happened to me. Most condiment containers, including squeeze bottles for honey, hot fudge, and mustard, are not microwave-safe.