Microwaves dangerous, anyone not have one?

[shael]

So I know people will reply to this thread and say they are perfectly safe etc etc

However, we have a 10 year old Bosch one that has been playing up for a couple of years but it's mainly just the display. We got out BG today and the man tested it and said you cannot use it any more it's dangerous.

The reading he got was 9.0. Apparently anything over 5 is bad.

Interestingly, we also had a freestanding one in our utility that is hardly used. That also had a dangerous reading.

The man said that after after 4 or 5 years they can start leaking microwaves.

The thing is, if you look up the possible effects of microwave radiation even from a low level consumer appliance it's not pleasant.

I'm shocked that there is no requirement to have these things tested. There must be millions of people out there who have dangerous microwave ovens. I know so many people with cancer and I feel stupid for not getting it checked sooner especially as we have young kids around.

I'm seriously tempted to not replace it.
Does anyone already do this?

I absolutely would. Tbh I find it hard to see how anyone wouldn’t unless they live on microwaved food.

I got rid of my microwave about 8 years ago and have never been inclined to get another one.

As far as I can see the only use they have is to start off baked potatoes before putting them in the oven and melting butter.

I can't do without one.
I'd rather be without my stove.
However, I'm a bit worried because I've always owned second hand ones.
In your case I'd just get a new one that is safe.

"You can hear most things in the over or stove top so don’t really need it"

Takes longer and causes more dish washing.

Don't have a microwave or a toaster cos I couldn't justify the space they take up in the kitchen. Heat stuff up in a pan and make toast under the grill instead.

I don't really like them. We only have one because my Mum is obsessed When ours (that she had bought in the first place) broke she bought us another one immediately! I suspect it's because when she's here she has to reheat her cuppa dozens of times because she talks too much

I didn’t replace ours after the great Marie Kondo brainwashing of 2015, haven’t missed it.

Glad to see some sensible people here!

[hopefully I've attached a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum]

Microwaves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, just like visible light.

You can see on the image that as the wavelength gets shorter from visible light, and the frequency gets higher the waves are higher in energy and can be more damaging. The UV, X-ray and gamma waves.

Going in the other direction, the wavelengths get longer, the frequency lower and the waves lower in energy. So beyond visible light is infrared, microwave and radio waves.

So technically, visible light is FAR MORE DAMAGING than microwaves.

Also, your phone's Bluetooth, your mobile signal, your Wi-Fi all use microwaves (and some shorter radio waves).

So if you're not worried about visible light or radio waves, you really shouldn't be worried about microwaves.

But if microwaves were to somehow 'get' you, you'd feel exactly what the food you cook in one would. The water molecules in your tissue would be 'excited' and vibrate, causing a heating effect (similar to the infrared heating effect you get from a radiator).

It's unlikely the magnetron in the microwave oven that focuses the microwaves could somehow move the focal points outside of the microwave body itself (or through a gap in the seal) to target a passer by.

If this man was genuinely from British Gas he deserves to be sacked for peddling basic misinformation (just like the midwife who tried to tell me that water has memory).

This is basic stuff that is on the Physics GCSE next month.


Image, because I think it got lost on the last post

If a ten year old microwave had been playing up for two years I think I would have just bought a new one, not paid for a service by BG

I know… who gets someone out to look at a 10 year old microwave? You can get a new one for £30.
That’s why I think this thread is absolute bollocks 😂

Microwave ovens have been around for decades, naïvely I would have thought that if there was any substance to the rumours PP mention, there would be a busload of class action suits in the USA to go with them and nobody would be able to buy microwaves any more...

We didn't have one for years. Then we did, yes we used it but not often and recently it broke down so we are currently seeing how we go without it.

I am mid 40s and never had a microwave.

Why would you eat food heated with microwaves, and yet not use a tea bag that's sat on top of the microwave...in case it has been exposed to microwaves? What do you think it could possibly do other than heat it up briefly? It's not the same type of radiation that's in Chernobyl!

@Photosymphysis your midwife said water has memory?

Have had four microwave ovens over the last 30 odd years and find them invaluable, cook on non metallic plates, bowls and use glass, no plastic as it can taint food.
Still haven't cooked myself, been burnt or had radiation sickness that I'm aware of.

I use mine for loads of things. Defrosting, reheating, steaming, stewing certain fruit, prepping veg for roasting and sometimes for casseroles, occasionally porridge.

I still don't understand what people are referring to when they say 'microwave food'. Do they mean microwave ready meals? There are all kinds of microwave food.

Debating getting rid of mine because I've just bought a Ninja Foodi so can't think what I'd use microwave for. And I'd like the space back!

I got rid of ours a few years ago as despite being less than 3 years old and being decent quality (apparently) it was already going rusty on the inside, so I didn't think it was that safe. I do think we were unlucky and if you replace every few years they are fine. Main reason for getting rid was rust but I didn't replace to get more worktop space.

I don't have one, I got rid about 10 years ago as it was wasted counter space for low usage. The only thing I miss is doing porridge but obv it is fine in a pan.

There is such a thing as a microwave leak tester, but would be used for industrial microwaves

I should have one somewhere (which will be long out of calibration) and I had tested a friends 1970s microwave - It will have been at some time in the 2000s
He still has the same microwave running fine, but not being tested.
It was fine when it was 30+ years old

A modern microwave will most likely end up in scrap long before it leaks

Never been without one for 30 years. Use mine most days.

We don't have one. DH never did and when we moved in together we just never bought one. We heat everything on the hob or oven and manage just fine. We also don't have a TV...

Jesus.

and i Just can’t even 🤔 about the teabag one

basic science should be common knowledge, the only thing that’s dangerous about this is failure of the school system. Humanity has understood the principles of electromagnetic fields since.. what the early—mid 1800s. And had a knowledge of ionising radiation for a good 3—4 generations.

how the fuck did we get here