Can I safely run the microwave for an extended time with just a bowl of water?
I would like to leave a microwave running for several minutes (2-5, the longer the better) as part of a research project (I'm measuring the microwave emissions).
Is it safe to put a bowl of water in the microwave to prevent the magnetron from overheating? If not is there something else I could put in.
To answer the obvious question, I do not want to put food in the microwave because I intend to be running the microwave frequently, and it is not sustainable to buy a frozen pizza every time I want to run the microwave.
Best Answer
Sure you can - heating water is essentially what microwaves are built for. They heat food by heating the water inside. So skip the pizza and use plain old tap water.
You want to take two small precautions, though:
- Use a microwave-safe container, e.g. a heat-proof glass or porcelain bowl.
- Take precautions against overheating - a small stone or toothpick should do the trick.
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Quick Answer about "Can I safely run the microwave for an extended time with just a bowl of water?"
But yes, you can safely "cook" a microwaveable bowl of water for as long as you have water.Can you put just water in a microwave?
Can I use my microwave to boil water? Yes, water can be boiled in a microwave using a microwave-safe container.Can you run a microwave with nothing in it?
Since running your microwave without anything inside may damage the magnetron, it's advised to avoid this at all times. Without a magnetron, your microwave will no longer heat your food properly, if it heats it at all. When the magnetron breaks, you'll need to repair or replace your microwave.How long can a microwave run with nothing in it?
Do not operate the oven while empty. This can cause damage to the oven or create the possibility of a fire. If, by accident, the oven should run empty for a minimal amount of time (approx 5 min), no harm is done.What happens when you microwave a cup of water?
Microwaves are specifically designed to heat water molecules and to heat them very rapidly. This can end up heating the water faster than it can turn into vapor, causing it to become superheated. Bubbles of water vapor can then quickly form when the water is jostled as the cup is taken out of the microwave.Electronics: Can I safely run the microwave for an extended time with just a bowl of water?
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Answer 2
I can't speak to the efficacy of water to prevent magnetrons from overheating. But yes, you can safely "cook" a microwaveable bowl of water for as long as you have water.
See the link on Stephie's answer about overheating if you have to touch the bowl or water before it has the opportunity to cool.
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