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?

I am so pleased I am not the only person who didn't know this was possible. I mean, I'm pretty sure I'm never going to do it again as I was shitting myself that it would explode at any point, but WTF, it works!!

DH spotted this exact sticker on ours last week (we've had the microwave for years, very observant we are) and we were really confused for the same reason as you. I'm amazed you can put metal in!!

I do it because I once saw a programme where the microwaved coffee exploded in someone's face. It is seared into my memory like one of those public information films from my youth warning me not to go into a grain silo. The microwave doesn't explode.

I purchased a new microwave recently and mine said tin foil can be used in it

I have a NEFF microwave with that label and in the last 4 years I totally ignored it. World hasn't ended.

Have they changed microwaves or has this always been the case?

@FourDecades

I purchased a new microwave recently and mine said tin foil can be used in it

No way!

@LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood

That’s bizarre. I accidentally put a plate in with a tiny bit of gold leaf on it and it started sparking ferociously. The gold leaf was not touching the microwave.

I did this as a kid. Had no idea! Luckily I stopped it straight away. I've never done it again though!

I put some frozen mash in the microwave and it started sparking off the ice crystals. Shudder. No way anything metal going in mine.

I thought no metal but do stir liquids when heated to disperse avoid burns from hot spots. I wouldn’t risk it.

Its to conduct the heat evenly - I knew this from the 1980s when it was standard instruction. Manufacturers obviously decided the public are generally to daft to understand why do it for that and not other things. It avoids splash back of boiling liquids if a spoon put in after microwaving and there is uneven heat distribution and molecules still full of energywww.linkedin.com/company/arcus-cloud-services

The issue with metal in microwaves is that it will spark when a loop is created.

For this reason

• gold rim plates - will spark
• foil packet of butter - will spark
• open tin of beans - will spark
• metal bowl - will spark
• multiple bits of cutlery touching each other so that a loop is created - will spark
• single spoon, knife or fork - won't spark
• couple of bits of cutlery not touching each other - won't spark

I put metal in the microwave on most days and never have an issue because it's only ever a single bit of cutlery

it goes against my insticnts and my microwave isnt new so wont be trying it just yet

well, you live and learn! ( I'm still too chicken to try it though)

As someone who has left a spoon in the microwave before (in a mixing bowl) I would not recommend trying it!

Does anyone know whether this would work with porridge? I have a teenager who regularly douses the inside of the microwave with the stuff and leaves it to set like cement

My combi has that sticker and also has a metal rack that stays inside when microwaving. Despite this I've never had the guts to put a spoon in liquid I am microwaving.
I still think the rack is made of special microwaveable metal...

My mum puts things in METAL BOWLS in the microwave and it completely freaked me out the first time I saw her do it. She was told that as long as it’s smooth and has no sharp edges it doesn’t spark. And it’s fine!

I can’t bring myself to do it though

I know this is light hearted but I live in a household of 4 people who would never dream of comprising their spontaneous and unsullied minds by actually looking at an appliance manual or reading the safety instructions.
As a result they have broken or damaged countless things, If I tell them how something actually works and why they should do things in a certain way, it is tiresome nagging.
We've had a new cooker for a year but they still can't figure out how to turn the grill on and won't listen to me when I tell them they've actually converted the grill into an over (yes its one of those and to be fair the manual requires a rocket scientist qualification)
Most recently one of them tried to be "helpful" by pouring bleach in the Ice maker exit tray. This has now corroded the fridge door beyond repair and now we need a new fridge.
The only reason they know not to put metal in the Micro is that theyve all watched the film Gremlins and see what happens when a micro explodes. I was grateful for this as it was one less "appliance" discussion. Sorry for the rant.

*an oven, not an over... that would be cricket which they do understand.

I've just read back over the thread and seen the spoon experiments. Damn. Naturally I will not be telling the household this as it would undo years of preaching. but good to know anyway.

I microwave coffee/milk at work and have scalded myself numerous times by adding metal straws to hot microwaved coffee immediately after taking it out.

The liquid starts boiling again as soon as the straw touches it and boils all over your hands. I'm gonna try adding a spoon next time.

@Reallybadidea

Does anyone know whether this would work with porridge? I have a teenager who regularly douses the inside of the microwave with the stuff and leaves it to set like cement

I’d like to know this too...will the spoon prevent the molten lava porridge overspill which ALWAYS happens regardless of the size of bowl used?

@Whywonttheyhelpme

I have a Neff microwave with that sticker in it & I’ve ignored it.

After all, what crazy person would deliberately put metal in the microwave?

Me. Just the spoon in a cup of coffee I was reheating.

All was fine

No other metal for any other reason ever