I have a number of times boil a cup or 2 of water in my microwave oven without knowing the danger it poses until recently when I got this info from friends and relatives in my email. I would love to share this info with my dear readers.
"A 26-year old guy decided to have a cup of coffee. He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done numerous times before).
I am not sure how long he set the timer for, but he told me he wanted to bring the water to a boil.
When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven.
As he looked into the cup, he noted that the water was not boiling, but instantly the water in the cup'blew up' into his face.The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand but all the water had flown out into his face
due to the build up of energy.
His whole face was blistered and he had 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face, which may leave scarring.
He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye. While at the hospital, the doctor who was
attending to him stated that this is fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should
never be heated in a microwave oven.
If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as: a woodenstir stick, tea bag, etc.
It is however a much safer choice to boil the water in a tea kettle ."
I am not sure how long he set the timer for, but he told me he wanted to bring the water to a boil.
When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven.
As he looked into the cup, he noted that the water was not boiling, but instantly the water in the cup'blew up' into his face.The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand but all the water had flown out into his face
due to the build up of energy.
His whole face was blistered and he had 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face, which may leave scarring.
He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye. While at the hospital, the doctor who was
attending to him stated that this is fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should
never be heated in a microwave oven.
If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as: a woodenstir stick, tea bag, etc.
It is however a much safer choice to boil the water in a tea kettle ."
General Electric's (GE) response:
Micro waved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach the boiling point.
They can actually get superheated and not bubble at all. The superheated liquid will bubble up out of the cup
when it is moved or when something like a spoon or teabag is put into it.
To prevent this from happening and causing injury, do not heat any liquid for more than two minutes per cup. After heating, let the cup stand in the microwave for thirty seconds before moving it or adding anything into it.
If you pass this on ... you could very well save someone from a lot of pain and suffering.
