To not have known I SHOULD put a metal spoon in the microwave?

[Meme69]

I've owned my microwave for 6 years. Clearly I'm not the most observant person in the world because I've spent my whole life panicking about accidentally putting metal in the microwave. Today I noticed a sticker on mine (inside the door-see picture) that clearly shows I should use a spoon when heating fluids. Couldn't believe it, so I got out the manual. Sure enough, it says I should always put a metal spoon into fluids whwn heating them, but not let it touch the sides of the microwave!!

How did I not know this. I've spent all my life believing if I put something metal in the microwave it will combust into flames!! Am I the only person in the world who didn't know this?

Just want to say that superheating is a real thing. Pockets of very hot liquid can develop and boil over when you take it out, scalding you. This is why it is important to take liquids out and stir a couple of times while cooking. Don't just nuke it for four minutes.

My coffee takes 1min 30secs to get almost but not quite hot enough. I shall add a spoon next time, and see!

@YouAreYourBestThing
Do you never find one of your 'two brews' sitting on the side, forgotten, cold, and reheat it? I'm forever having to do that 🤷‍♀️🤣

It's rare I allow a brew to go cold on the odd occasion it's happened I'd just make a fresh one! I've never thought to microwave it, do they taste the same?

Interesting thread. I was always puzzled as to why the metal barred rack across the whole base of my microwave wasn’t a problem, whereas tin foil apparently would be.
BeBraveAndBeKind, I think you probably were more at risk of being scalded than scolded. Unless you were a child at the time and an irate mother was on your case...

[quote minniemoocher]@Twobrews
I hear milk for cocoa in the microwave to save washing up. [/quote]
I'd completely forgotten about heating milk. We've had one of those electric milk frothers for years now so always use that for hot chocolate or cocoa.

I put a mug in recently with metallic decoration in it. Sparks everywhere. Scared the life out of me. Certainly wouldn't be putting a spoon in there.

Oh yes to the superheating thing.

My friend got 3rd degree burns to his hand after some soup superheated. Had to have a skin graft.

@YouAreYourBestThing

This is the exact situation my username was inspired from.

@RonSwan

So has anyone actually been brave enough to actually do it? I noticed this when we got a new microwave about 4 years ago but I’ve been too terrified to try. Please post if you have done it and the world didn’t end!

@ronswan I tried it this morning. No sparks and it seemed to heat quicker. It was terrifying waiting to see if it would explode!! 😂

I've had a liquid superheat and bubble over the cup and my finger when I've moved it out of the microwave. Despite that, there's no way I would put a metal spoon in liquids! I now just leave it longer to cool down a bit, like you're meant to with food anyway.

@babdoc Dammit! I couldn't remember which way round they were.

@AmandaHoldensLips

Last time I put metal in the microwave is was like sodding Star Wars in there.

This really made me laugh

@EvilOnion

I just Googled it thinking you had it wrong but you seem to be right!

Liquids can "superheat" when microwaved and suddenly boil over when disturbed - so you'd be scalded by exploding boiling hot liquid when you lifted it out. The spoon somehow stops this from happening because of its rounded shape?!

I still wouldn't do it though. Use a plastic spoon 🤣

If it's a metal spoon, metal conducts heat, which is what stops cup/glass breaking when the liquid inside is too hot. That's why you should always put a metal teaspoon/knife/fork in a glass if you're washing it with really hot water...regardless of instructions, I still don't think I'd be tempted to stick one in a microwave!

DH does this. It works and heats soup though evenly. I still don't trust I won't blow the microwave up!

Once accidentally put a cup with a spoon in into the microwave. There were crackles and lightning inside, and it was only on for around 3 seconds, I won’t ever do it again regardless of what the instructions say.

Mine came with a metal rack which I thought was odd. The rack has plastic caps over the feet. I've only used it once or twice as I rarely cook as such in the micowave, I only use it for reheating.

Like pps, I've made the mistake of putting a gilt edged plate in the microwave and had a light show.

@YukoandHiro

I wouldn't dare, I'd use a plastic spoon.

If you leave liquids to rest before getting them out this doesn't happen anyway

Would the plastic dissipate the heat though? Whilst I may have science in my qualifications, it's geeky computer science, so I'm very likely wrong.

I though the sparking of metal in a microwave was due to very thin metal (e.g foil) or sharp edged metal.

Is it a microwave oven combo? We had one of those and it said to do this, i was always too scared though.

@IslaRoseGraceEtc

I put a plate with metal edging (fake gold leaf) in once and it sparked everywhere. Took weeks to get the horrible smell out of the kitchen. I don't think I'd be risking it with a spoon!

We had plates like that too! My sister also (drunkenly) decided too make a baked potato in the microwave and wrapped it in tin foil... she was standing in the kitchen ‘what’s that noise? Can you hear that?’ As we had indoor fireworks in the microwave. It still worked after that...

The best way to stop liquids splashing is to stop after a minute and stir the liquid.. Every minute it's on stop and stir..

So your microwave is TELLING YOU to put a metal spoon in there!! This thread has made me doubt everything I was taught as a child.

🤯

TIL...

@IslaRoseGraceEtc

I put a plate with metal edging (fake gold leaf) in once and it sparked everywhere. Took weeks to get the horrible smell out of the kitchen. I don't think I'd be risking it with a spoon!

That happened to me too. Lightening flashed round the rim of the plate.

For Mumsnet and Science I just tried it.
Apparatus....Glass of water with table spoon.
Method... 3 minutes high power in microwave (no combi)
Result...no sparks!
Conclusion... Wizardry.
YVW.