If you overcook something for too long, sometimes sparks fly, food is burnt, or even flames fly inside the microwave, such things generally leave behind an unpleasant residue such as soot and scorch.
Afterward, it is normal to wonder whether it is still safe to use a burnt microwave?
A burned microwave should not be used, as it can cause the appliance to heat up rapidly or cause a fire. Though in some cases if the burn is not too serious, you can clean the microwave interior with lemon juice and warm water, a little brushing to get rid of any soot and scorch marks, and then use it as usual. But still I would say don’t use the burned microwave if you are unsure about any internal damage.
If you are sure that nothing has happened the microwave is running normally, then sure go ahead and use it.
Yet, if you believe your microwave isn’t working like it used to, I suggest not using it, as there may be internal damage that needs to be addressed by an expert.
Keep reading if you’re interested in finding out more about the dangers involved with using a burnt microwave and how you can avoid them.
Is it safe to use a microwave after burning food?
Well, that depends upon the current condition of the microwave. Food burns inside the microwave when there is no moisture inside the food.
As a result, there is nothing in the microwave to absorb the microwave energy, and the result is burnt food and sometimes yellow stains.
If you only smell burnt foods and see some residue that you can clean using the steps in this article, then yes, it is safe to use the microwave after burning food.
However, if you see flames or severe damage inside the microwave like dark black soot or burned parts or interior etc.
Then I would suggest you spend a few bucks and buy a new one, as using a damaged microwave will cause more harm than good.
What causes the burn inside the microwave
The reason behind a burnt microwave is the residues of soot and scorch meal inside the cooking area of the microwave.
This can happen when you have some oily or fatty foods burning inside the microwave or when you cook something for too long that there remains no moisture in it, which leaves stubborn grime and stain on the inner lining of your microwave.
Those residues are not just an eyesore they will also cause some serious electrical damage to your microwave, over time the black residue will heat up as a result of their own heat conduction causing a fire hazard when food gets heated up in there.
Is it possible to burn something in the microwave
Yes, it is possible for you to burn something in the microwave. As microwaves work by heating the water molecules inside the food, so if you cook food for too long chances are that food might get burnt because there will be no moisture present.
Other than this, if there is soot accumulated inside the microwave, it is possible that the temperature inside will be higher that could actually burn the food, and even cause a fire.
Is it safe to use a microwave after a fire?
Until you only see soot and scorch marks that can be cleaned, it’s fine to use your microwave. However, the same does not go for fire –
It is not safe to use a microwave after a fire and not only a microwave, you should not use any appliance after any case in which there is fire. Using such appliances can put your and your family’s life at risk.
It is advised to take the microwave to a repair shop before trying to use it also as you probably know that microwaves nowadays are extremely cheap so you can also consider buying a new one instead of sticking with the damaged one.
Conclusion
So a quick summary, in this article I have talked about is it safe to use a microwave after burning food and is it safe to use a burnt microwave.
I have also mentioned what causes the burn inside the microwave and what are the risks associated with using a burnt microwave.
In short, you shouldn’t use a microwave after a fire incident or if it is burned from the inside as using it can cause further issues like fire, etc.
I hope you have found this article helpful in clearing your doubts.