putting a microwave oven on with nothing in it?

[imajenarry]

I'm sure i remember when microwaves first came out you were advised to never switch it on with nothing inside. Is this hazardous and if so what happens? or did i just imagine it ?...

[khoey]

nothing!
i forgotten a few times to put the food in and turned it on,maybe disappointment expecting a quick meal and hey presto nish,cause it sitting on the side uncooked

[pastafreak]

I have no idea of the actual advice that may be given,but a year or so ago someone where I was working left a microwave running empty for several minutes. The microwave was a write-off.

[imajenarry]

lol khoey. makes it worse cos usually using the microwave cos your starving and need something asap. :o) pastafreak - i won't try it then. how embarassing ruining the work microwave.

[khoey]

imajenarry: yeap starving and no end results thats why i used the microwave for quickness.lol
seriously i have run the microwave on empty several times and its never damaged it, the only time i blew the microwave up was when i put a tin foil plate in oooompf a big bang and lots of sparks it blinking frightened the life out of me.lol

[Jenarry]

blimey khoey. i think maybe you should stay away from microwaves. lol

[tamborine]

dont try this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tHZ7cczoRY&NR= 1

[stoofur]

I once microwaved an egg in it's shell. (I did know what would happen but I wanted to see it). Made a heck of a mess. Cooked egg everywhere.

I also microwaved a penguin (chocolate bar) that didn't turn out well and the smell was horrible.

I also did microwave popcorn and it caught fire.

I don't think I should be allowed in the kitchen. I won't tell you how I am with the washing up too!

[fo3nix]

It's just that the microwaves will be emitted, but won't be absorbed into anything.

While I doubt anything serious will happen, it'll just cause a build-up inside.

[VHG]

I once put instant coffeee in a microwave and went back in time.

(Credit to Steven Wright comedian)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Wright

[woodchopper]

Microwaveds are produced by a device called a Magnetron - if there is nothing to 'soak up' the microwaves they travel back through the wave guides and fry the Magnetron instead.