Microwave problem

[Yai]

I microwaved dry a metal grill (which doesn't spark, interestingly), and it was touching the plastic window on the door, and burnt some of the hexagonal black / transparent inner plastic making a small hole. The outer plastic totally transparent window is OK though. Is this a problem ? When I stand infront of the microwave oven waiting for a cup of water to boil, will some microwaves be released and harm me ?

[anthomson]

Probably best to check it - excessive leakage could potentally cause cataracts and I would guess it is the hexagonal grid that prevents leakage not the plastic window. You can buy microwave leak detectors but I am not sure from where or how much they cost. If you do continue to use it then its probably best not to stand in too near it. The following link might help : http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/consumer_elect
ronics/47851

[Mortartube]

You'll probably need a new door, as this hexagonal mesh is a Faraday cage which stops the microwaves leaking from the machine. The microwaves are bigger than the holes and can't leak out, in the same way that spaghetti won't go through a sieve because it's bigger than the holes in the sieve. Unless the machine is a very expensive one, I would assume that it would be cheaper to buy a new microwave for about �40.00 than to replace the door.

[lisaj]

I'm curious... what was wrong with using a tea-towel?!

[Elle]

Just a word of warning. It can be very dangerous to boil water in the microwave. I can't explain it in scientific terms, but I know it's something to do with the water boiling unevenly. It can look like there is minimal heat coming from it on the suface, but it can boil to dangerous temperatures below the surface. When you pick it up, the water can almost explode out of the cup, and scald you. I got a warning email about it a little while ago.

[jenstar]

It is technically possible for water to "explode" in this way, but it would only happen in very rare circumstances. If you want to be really safe, just let the water stand for 20 seconds before taking it out of the microwave - this is more than enough time for anything bad that was going to happen, to happen. But it really would be a freak occurence for it to happen at all, so don't get too concerned about it.

[Yai]

Ok I will get someone to look at it. Lisaj because I have a thing about germs and the teatowel would probably just add more to it after cleaning. The metal grill is a round one which came with the microwave, as it is a microwave oven and grill combined. Elle I boil it only for 2 minutes, and when I have taken it out straight away in the past and put coffee granules in it, it did bubble up. But I leave it for a while as Jenstar says.

[mac309]

The clear plastic screen that is burnt is there for hygene reasons only, so the door can be cleaned easily, and also food debris or moisture cannot get into the door.If the metal mesh isn't damaged in any way, get the model number of the back of the machine and contact a local service dealer in yellow pages and they should be able to supply a new screen for approx �3 and you'd be able to replace it yourself.