Microwave Problems

Why can you put in large amounts of metal in a microwave?

Public Comments

1. Microwaves emit exactly that: microwaves -- and that's all they emit. The microwaves are just going to hit the metal and either be absorbed or reflected. Microwaves are just part of the electromagnetic spectrum, that is, they are a form of light. They will act exactly the same as visible light. They most likely will just heat up the metal, but I wouldn't recommend it. Your question is a bit open, though. You CAN put anything you want in a microwave. The metal won't damage the microwave, but I don't know how much of the energy would be reflected by the metal. If too much is bounced off while you're standing in front of it, it could radiate you. If you want to stick metal in your microwave, go ahead. I just don't recommend it.
2. Microwaves have short wavelengths, so they're easily reflected by metals. The reflected waves can be focused to cause a concentrated area of radiation which can warm up things dangerously. Think of a box with a strong flashlight with mirrors inside. The mirrors can concentrate the light at places, causing them to burn. Only, instead of light, you have microwaves. And, instead of mirrors, you have metal.
3. Well, microwaves can't penetrate metal. If you were trying to cook food in a closed metal pot, it wouldn't cook. That's why plastics and glass or clay (glazed) containers are used. You can use aluminium foil in a microwave oven to protect small parts (like turkey legs?) from overcooking before the major mass has cooked. The "No- no" for metal is small areas (gold decorations?) on plates, etc., as there are usually many different parts to it. The microwaves will cause electric currents to be set up in these parts. The problem arises if these parts end up opposite polarity, get highly charged, then arc over. You have a lovely pyrotechnic display inside the oven. Noisy, too.