Microwave + Tin Foil = ???

Westyfield2

Westyfield2

Westyfield2

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'Evening peeps...

Whilst I try not to get involved in any family discussions (especially on Mum's side with her eleventy billion siblings :rolleyes:) this one has got me stumped...


Grandad has put tinfoil in his microwave. The microwave has "sparked and stuff :cool: and no longer works".

Now according to Granddad: The meals-on-wheels package said it was safe to put in the microwave.
According to my Aunt: Her microwave instructions say putting tin foil in is fine.

According to me: Microwave + Tin Foil is a big mistake. It's the rule of microwaves, as-well as common sense.

Opinions/Experiences?


TLDR; Does Microwave + Tin Foil = a) Fine, b) Not a good idea but do-able or c) No way Jose! It will kill it! Fact!
 
Mine recommends using tin foil to cover parts of defrosting food.

So long as it doesn't get near the walls of the microwave it's fine.
 
I know there are some metals I can put in my microwave, the grilling rack that came with it for one, my gf has also put in gold rimmed plates with no ill effect, haven't tried anything else as I don't want to bork my microwave.

It does seem unusual that a microwave meal would come in foil packing though.
 
There are instances where it can be ok. I believe if it gets near to another metallic object inside the microwave (microwave walls, spoon etc) that is when different charges can build up and arcing occur.

I had arcing between 2 frozen hotdogs once! I hadn't seperated them and they must have rolled apart as the temperature increased. A pair of quite capacitive and conductive bodies made for an impressive and loud arc! Fortunately the microwave survived, I was with it and hit stop very quickly!
 
ordinaryjoe said:
I thought it was common knowledge that you never put metal in a microwave???
Click to expand...
So did I :(
ordinaryjoe said:
Did he not think it was a bit odd that the foil was sparking?
Click to expand...
Microwave has a 'microchip' in it; therefore it is spawn of the devil.

Telescopi said:
Mine recommends using tin foil to cover parts of defrosting food.

So long as it doesn't get near the walls of the microwave it's fine.
Click to expand...

Hmm. He would have had the meal in the tin foil container, rather than just a sheet of tin foil. I'd have hoped common sense would have made him put it in the middle (so it cooks evenly) rather than at one side and near a wall or something.
 
I put a nutella jar in to melt it a bit as it was too solid... It must've had the tiniest bit of gold paper lid and it was at the centre of the micro and it sparked...

Don't put metal in the micro, Is what I've always done. Except in the case above where I didn't realise,
 
I've got a ceramic roasting dish that I tried to microwave something with. The rim touched the door, sparks and there's now a burnt patch where there used to be mesh. Microwave is fine, but probably not as safe as it used to be. Didn't realise it had a metal rim, damned thing was painted black.

Going to go and put a spoon in a microwave, brb

edit: spoon in microwave is fine, it's sat in a cup of milk which will soon be hot chocolate. No sparks or strange noises, milk's getting hot. Not convinced the spoon is causing it to heat more evenly, but I suppose if one part of the spoon is in a hotter area than another it'll conduct heat to the cooler area.

Who else thinks there's a gap in the market for aluminium - lined ceramic mugs?
 
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Is it safe to use aluminum foil in a microwave oven?
Always consult the owner's manual of your microwave oven and heed the manufacturer's recommendations for the use of aluminum foil. It can be safe to use small amounts of aluminum foil in a microwave oven.

Microwaves cannot pass through metal but are absorbed by food. No food completely covered by aluminum foil or in a covered metal pan should be put in a microwave oven because food wouldn't be available to absorb the microwaves. Operating the oven empty or when the food is completely wrapped in aluminum foil can cause damage to the oven and the food won't heat.

However, small pieces of aluminum foil can be used to "shield" areas of foods, such as poultry drumsticks and wings, to prevent overcooking.

Some food packaged in foil containers can be safe to microwave. Read the package heating instructions to see if the food manufacturer has specific recommendations for microwaving the product. Because food in these containers will only heat from the top, it's best to microwave foods only 1-2 inches in depth so food near the bottom will be heated thoroughly before food on top dries and overcooks.

General Rules for Safe Use of Aluminum Foil:
Use new, smooth foil only. Wrinkled foil can cause arcing (sparks).
Cover no more than 1/4 of the food with foil.
Shape the foil smoothly to the food so no edges stick out.
It makes no difference which side of foil (shiny or dull) is facing out.
Do not place the foil closer than one inch from the oven walls.
If the microwave oven has metal shelves OR a metal turntable, don't microwave food in foil containers or metal pans, and don't let foil used for shielding touch or be close to the shelves or turntable.
If you see arcing (sparks), immediately remove the foil shielding; transfer frozen food from foil container to a microwave-safe utensil.
 
Westyfield2 said:
I'd have hoped common sense would have made him put it in the middle (so it cooks evenly) rather than at one side and near a wall or something.
Click to expand...

It cooks less evenly in the middle... that's why there's a turntable...

edit: should probably clarify I mean it cooks less evenly when staying still, hence the turntable, and it stays still the most in the middle because it's a turntable.
 
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