Using a microwave is a modern convenience used by most people to reheat or cook certain food items. But, if you have ever experienced sparks in your microwave when you set something to cook, then you know how frightening it can be.
It often makes you wonder why there are sparks in your microwave.
Sparks inside of your microwave can have several different causes including metal inside of the unit, a dirty waveguide cover, foods with certain ingredients, and faulty parts. Placing metal inside the microwave is the most common reason for sparks, as the metal causes the electrons to move around rapidly, causing these charged-up particles to produce sparks.
Troubleshooting these common issues can typically provide you with the reason for the sparks and how you can fix and prevent them from happening again. The fix for each of these causes looks different, and we’ll show you what to do.
Read on to discover what can cause a microwave to spark, what you can do to prevent it, and if the sparks are dangerous to you or your microwave.
What Materials Cause Microwaves to Spark?
When it comes to items that can be put in a microwave, it is important to understand that not every material is microwave safe.
This is because some are made up of substances that when mixed with the electromagnetic waves that are emitted from a microwave can cause sparks to occur.
Here are a few materials that are known to cause sparks in a microwave:
- Metal Utensils: Leaving a metal utensil in your cup or on your plate when you microwave will cause sparks to fly. This is because the metal and electromagnetic waves interfere with each other, causing electricity to pulse between them.
- Dishes with Metal: Even the smallest amount of metal on dishes can cause sparks in the microwave. It is important to pay attention to what your dishes are made of and if they specifically say that they are microwave safe.
- Aluminum Foil: A common household item used to wrap leftovers in can be dangerous when put in the microwave. This is because the foil is made out of metal, even though it is paper-thin. It is essential to remove any aluminum foil from your leftovers before microwaving them.
- Steel Wool: This is a popular item that is used in and around the kitchen to tackle hard-to-clean items. While it may be fine to use steel wool if you are cleaning pans and other appliances, it should not be used to clean a microwave. This is because the steel wool can break off and get stuck in the small crevices of the unit and then cause sparks the next time you use it.
- Some Fruits and Vegetables: Some fruits and vegetables are rich in various minerals that can produce a spark in the microwave. This, of course, depends on how the produce was grown and the type of soil it was grown in. Additionally, fruits such as grapes can cause not only sparks but also a plasma ball due to the high water content.
Is It Safe to Use a Sparking Microwave?
Depending on the reason your microwave is sparking, it can pose a threat to either you or the unit itself. Because of this, it is not recommended that you use a microwave that has been sparking until you have determined the cause.
In most cases, sparking in the microwave is caused by something that can be fixed quickly such as a material that should not be in the unit.
This could be that you accidentally left a metal utensil in the microwave that caused a spark. In this situation, it is perfectly safe to continue using it once you have removed the utensil.
Perhaps your microwave is sparking because the dish you are using has a bit of metal in it that is causing the problem.
You could try removing the dish and putting something else in to see if that was the cause. If so, you should be safe to use your unit.
After checking your microwave, if anything obvious is not causing the sparking, then it is unsafe for you to use it. As a result, you should unplug your microwave until you determine the cause or have it inspected by a professional.
Why Does My Microwave Spark With No Metal Inside?
There are various reasons why your microwave may spark with no metal being left inside the unit. Some of these include damage to the parts of the microwave such as the waveguide cover or a faulty diode.
The panel of your microwave is called the waveguide. This part of the unit is where the electromagnetic waves come through to cook your food. The waveguide cover protects the electronics in the microwave from any food particles, steam, or other debris.
When the waveguide cover is broken for whatever reason, the electronics are no longer protected. This can cause the food particles, steam, and other debris to build up on the waveguide and eventually cause damage to the electronics resulting in sparks.
Additionally, if your microwave has a faulty diode, which is typically the worst-case scenario since it does not happen often, it can cause sparks in your unit.
Diodes are what create the waves that are used to cook your food. If they become damaged, you can see sparks followed by your unit shutting down entirely.
Lastly, a microwave can also spark if you have accidentally started the unit while it is empty. Since the unit runs off of electromagnetic energy, it is designed to come from the unit to the food to cause the cooking process.
When it is empty, the waves will bounce off of the unit itself and can cause sparking to occur.
Why Do Certain Foods Cause Sparks in the Microwave?
When it comes to a microwave that is sparking, some foods could cause this to happen. This could be caused due to either the food being more water-based or soils that contain certain minerals that could result in a reaction with the electromagnetic waves in the microwave.
As odd as it sounds that certain foods can cause sparks in a microwave, it is something that can happen, depending on the type of food it is. Keep in mind that the more water-base a food has, the more likely it is to cause sparking in the unit.
This is especially true when it comes to fruits and vegetables. This is because some fruits have a higher water content than others and can cause a reaction to the electromagnetic waves emitted during the cooking process.
In addition, some vegetables can spark when they are in the microwave mostly due to the soil that they are grown in. this is because certain minerals that are contained in the soil can cause the vegetables to later spark in the microwave.
What Can I Do to Prevent Sparks in the Microwave?
There are many things you can do to prevent sparks in your microwave oven that are pretty simple. Most of these are common sense things to be aware of such as not putting metal in the unit and making sure you are taking the time to clean your microwave regularly.
Sometimes it is easy to forget that utensil in the cup of tea as you place it in the microwave. This typically happens because you are so busy multitasking that you just make a mistake. Keep in mind, though, that sometimes these little mistakes can become costly mistakes if you are not careful.
Taking the time to ensure that the dish you are putting in the microwave is labeled “microwave-safe” can also prevent sparks from happening in your unit. This is something that is often taken for granted but can save you a headache in the long run.
Additionally, keeping your microwave cleaned thoroughly regularly can prevent food particles from making their way into parts of the unit that they should not be. This can keep your microwave working properly for a long period.
When you are cleaning your microwave, it is important that you also pay attention to what you are cleaning with. Metal-based cleaning supplies, such as steel wool, should never be used in a microwave oven since part of it could break off and be left behind.
Can Sparks Damage a Microwave?
Sparks in the microwave may not be an immediate threat to you personally, however, they can have lasting effects on the unit itself. This is because the sparks can damage the working parts of the microwave such as the waveguide cover and diodes.
When there are sparks in the microwave, they tend to bounce from the object that caused the sparks to the unit itself.
If this happens, the waveguide cover can be permanently damaged and cause further sparks, and eventually result in the microwave no longer working.
In addition, if the waveguide cover is damaged, this can lead to the sparks making their way through the waveguide and to the diodes. When this happens, the microwave can be damaged beyond repair.