Is it possible to turn on an empty microwave?

Any manufacturer of microwave ovens provides complete information on the operation of the product in the attached instructions.

But what to do if you need to check the performance of the device, but there is no annotation at hand? A basic knowledge of how microwaves operate will help you figure it out.

Microwave oven and the principle of its effect on food

Any microwave oven is manufactured using the main components: a magnetron, an emitter, a fan and a chamber.

It is the latter that interests the end consumer. It is immediately worth noting the fact that regardless of the brand and price of the device, the chamber for heating food is always made of iron sheets.

Only a metal surface can reflect microwaves well, making them distributed throughout the entire volume of the working compartment. The difference will only be in the inner coating. Most often, enamel or ceramics are used.

After pressing the start button, the magnetron begins to emit magnetic waves of different lengths. Getting into the “trap” of the chamber, they are reflected from the walls and pass through the food at different angles. However, it is not the microwaves themselves that heat food.

REFERENCE.Heating of food in microwave ovens occurs at the molecular level.

All matter consists of molecules. They, in turn, are made of positively and negatively charged particles. Passing through matter, a magnetic wave creates an electric field and “lines up” positive and negative particles on different sides.

As soon as the plate turns, the wave passes through the matter in a different direction and the particles rearrange themselves again.

REFERENCE. In standard heating mode, the frequency of polarity changes reaches 5 billion times per second.

The constant change of poles causes friction between the molecules, which gives a heating effect. At the same time, the products in microwave ovens begin to warm up from the inside.

Why turn on an empty microwave?

Of course, no one deliberately turns on the oven with an empty chamber.

As a rule, this happens by accident or on the first day after purchase - to check its functionality.

However, not always even the presence of food in the chamber can protect the oven from negative consequences. It's all about the amount of food being heated.

A sandwich, a pie, a slice of sausage, a slice of tomato... All this gradually damages the household appliance. In this case, the operation of a microwave oven is equivalent to working with an empty chamber, since most of the waves are not absorbed.

IMPORTANT: The minimum weight of heated or cooked products should not be below 200 grams.

To avoid damage, just use the following tips.

• A glass of water left in the chamber will prevent the consequences of accidental activation.
  If you have to heat up a small amount of food other than a plate of food, you need to place a container of water in the chamber.
• A small amount of water will also prevent the food from drying out and splashing.

Just one glass of water will help preserve the device for many years. Whereas neglect of this rule can lead to irreversible consequences.

Turning on the microwave with an empty chamber

It is believed that when operating “idle”, magnetic waves do not find obstacles and gradually fade away.

But everything looks a little different. If you turn on the oven with a small portion, then at best the product itself will deteriorate - it will dry out or burst.

But a completely empty cell can lead to much more dire consequences.

How does running an empty microwave affect the device?

While the timer is running, waves continue to be generated by the magnetron and reflected from the walls of the chamber.

But if, when heated correctly, they are absorbed by liquid, vegetables or fruits, then in an empty chamber they hit the walls in full, which eventually damages the coating.

When turned on for a long time, magnetic energy begins to accumulate inside and has a reverse effect on the magnetron, the breakdown of which cannot be repaired.

Does turning on an empty microwave have an effect on humans?

During heating, the waves are completely absorbed. But even with an empty chamber, they cannot cause any harm to a person. When the door is closed, their penetration outside is impossible. With the chamber open, wave radiation of this volume is quickly scattered by air atoms. Therefore, using a microwave oven with an empty chamber is dangerous for the device itself and completely harmless for people.

Summing up: is it possible to turn on an empty microwave oven?

Turning on an empty microwave can quickly lead to damage to oven parts or even a short circuit. Therefore, you cannot allow the device to be turned on even accidentally if there is nothing in its chamber.

In order for the equipment to serve for a long time, it must be operated in strict accordance with the attached instructions and use practical advice. This will make life much easier and reduce unexpected expenses.