First of all, nobody uses “tin foil” anymore. Aluminum foil doesn't actually burn in the microwave. Why it happened: If you do not use microwave-safe containers, such as plastic take-out boxes, then chances are they will melt. The stories you care about, delivered daily. Never open the microwave door unless you know the fire is over. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. To create this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Can a microwave burn down an apartment after heating a can of cat food for 10 seconds? You can also install baby gates to avoid them from entering the kitchen. Copyright © 2020 SheKnows Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. By using our site, you agree to our. If a fire starts in the microwave, turn the microwave off and let the fire suffocate for some time. If you accidentally leave a metal utensil or piece of aluminum foil in the microwave, then that could cause sparks which could ignite. Some people enjoy making. Don't use 100% cotton, though, which can catch fire in the microwave. 10 Safety tips to prevent kitchen firesSafe knife skills in the kitchenWhat to do if your oven catches fire. Many plastic containers contain polypropylene, and while generally considered microwaveable, you should check with the manufacturer before placing in a microwave. This article has been viewed 57,832 times. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The can is made of metal and should never be in the microwave. Unfortunately, microwaves do have their cons. As long as no plastic or metal has melted inside the microwave, it should still be okay to use. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. These fires are never fun, especially when it ruins your precious microwave and meal. They contain harmful chemicals that could get into your food. And, while the food may not be salvageable, chances are you’ll learn how to prevent it from happening in the future. I have an electric stove with over the top coil heating elements (2600watt 8") that can be pulled out to clean the drip pans. Substantial pieces of metal, like the walls of a microwave oven, can usually tolerate these currents without any problems. Transferring your food into one of these containers only takes a little bit more effort and will save you messy clean-up and unnecessary exposure to chemicals. Some travel mugs are microwaveable, however. While it may sound scary or look like a failed science experiment, just remember that there’s no use crying over spilled milk (or, in this case, exploded soup). No, but you will likely trip your circuit breaker because of the amount of current it draws. The metal heats up very rapidly and will eventually catch on fire. By Dvortygirl, 21 January 2008.\n<\/p>

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Avoid Making Your Microwave Catch on Fire, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/13/microwave-cooking-tips_n_5488231.html, https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-hard-boil-eggs-in-a-microwave/, http://www.incredibleegg.org/cooking-school/egg-cookery/microwave-scramble-eggs/, http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/05/15-things-you-shouldnt-microwave.html, https://www.ors.od.nih.gov/News/Pages/Using_Microwave_Ovens.aspx, http://www.home-wizard.com/article/microwave-safety-tips, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, The safest way to microwave eggs is by cracking them before you heat them up.