Is microwave oven use safe?

Microwave ovens are almost standard appliances in our kitchens as they are very convenient and fast. But over the years, there has been controversy about their safety. This has led many people to wonder if safety is being sacrificed for convenience. A lot of information is available on the internet discussing this issue, but let's look at the facts.

The microwave oven was first produced in 1947. It uses microwaves (a non-ionising form of radiation) to heat up foods. Microwaves will only heat up certain substances (those with dielectric molecules, such as water). They are mostly used to re-warm food that is already cooked but they can be used for cooking as well. It usually doesn't heat things much hotter than 1000C, unlike conventional ovens so food doesn't usually 'brown' from being cooked in it.

The radiation that is used to heat food is not the harmful type (that damages DNA) and doesn't get stored in the food. The microwaves cause the particles that make up the food to vibrate, which generates heat. The direction of the waves is as such that it would not expose the user.

Furthermore, the oven is sealed to prevent escape of the waves to the surroundings. The oven is also designed to shut off if it is opened during use. Because there can be uneven heating of food in the microwave oven the platform on which the food is placed turns so that heating is better distributed.

The other concern that persons have about the microwave oven is regarding the safety of using plastic containers in the heating process. It has been said that dangerous chemicals can leak out of the plastic into the food. There is no credible evidence to suggest that it is significant but it is better to use microwave-safe plastic containers or, better yet, microwave-safe glass or porcelain (china) ware.

Microwave ovens do not, as mentioned before, heat up things much greater than 1000C and do not require much if any water for cooking. Because of this, some foods actually retain more of their nutrients when cooked in a microwave oven. Also, the burning of foods which sometimes occur with some conventional cooking methods can cause the formation of cancer-causing substances. This doesn't occur with the microwave oven.

It is usually not safe to use metal, or containers lined with metal as dangerous sparks can form. There are microwave-safe metal products though.