Smarter: What’s Safe to Put in a Microwave?

Growing up, my mom had only two safety rules in the kitchen. One was to be careful when using the stove (that was pretty apparent even to my 7-year-old brain). The other was to never stick metal in the microwave, a rule I followed faithfully without ever fully understanding why.

Then came that fateful time a few years ago when I microwaved a bowl of food with a metal fork inside by mistake. Both the microwave and I survived my oversight, but the experience of watching sparks come roaring to life in my microwave was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime lesson, and once was more than enough.

You never want using your microwave to be like playing Russian roulette. So to help you operate your microwave safely, I asked CR experts and microwave manufacturers about the things you can microwave and the things you shouldn’t.

Part of knowing which items are safe and unsafe to microwave is that you’re less likely to damage your microwave and shorten its life span. What are other ways you can make your microwave doesn’t meet a premature end?

✨Keep it clean. Leftover food bits may absorb the microwave’s energy the next time you turn it on and create hot spots that could damage the interior.

⏰ Be mindful of cooking times. If you accidentally set your microwave at 50:00 instead of 5:00, you are likely to damage the unit. (Plus, RIP to that poor food you just decimated.)

❌Don’t run it empty. With nothing inside the microwave, it can overheat quickly and cause burn marks in the interior. 

If you have an over-the-range (OTR) microwave, which is more of a hassle to replace than a countertop, follow these tips to ensure better longevity:

💨Turn on the microwave’s exhaust fan so that when you’re cooking on the range cooktop below the moisture rising from your pots and pans won’t collect as much on the electronics of your microwave, which could shorten its life span. You can also wipe away the moisture with a paper towel or soft cloth.

💧Degrease the grease filters. If the filters get too gunky, your microwave might run less efficiently and pose a fire hazard. Soak the filters in a sink filled with hot water and a degreasing dish detergent, or put them in a dishwasher if your owner’s manual says it’s safe to do so.

Check out more expert tips on how to extend the life span of your microwave. Or if you’re on the hunt for a new one, here are the best microwaves in 2022 rated by CR.

There is a lot of interest in electric vehicles these days given the rise in gas prices. Listeners of CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast recently submitted questions to our auto experts about them. Here are a few fun ones. 

 ⚡ Q: Is there any type of break-in period for EVs, equivalent to the break-in procedures for vehicles with internal combustion engines?

There isn’t a break-in for an EV’s electric motor. But for the first 500 miles it’s best to drive not too aggressively so you can properly break in your tires and brakes, says CR auto writer Mike Monticello.

�� Q: I’ve heard that cold weather decreases EV driving range. But what about EVs in hot climates, especially when using the AC?

EV range will be shortened by hot climates and AC, but it isn’t hurt as much as it’s in the cold, in part because a car’s AC is more energy-efficient than its heating system, says Jake Fisher, who runs testing at our 327-acre track. 

��Q: What happens the moment an EV runs out of juice? Does it stop in the middle of the road?

Your EV will give you plenty of warning. First, it will sound alarms and warning lights will appear to let you know the battery is running low. The car might also slow down as the battery loses power, says CR auto writer Keith Barry. When that happens, you’ll still have enough power to pull your car to the side of the road or to a safe spot before it stops dead.

Check out more expert responses to questions about EVs here. And if you have a question you want to ask an expert, email me. I’m all ears!

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We asked our followers on Twitter and Instagram if they’ve ever put something in a microwave that turned out to be unsafe or dangerous, and a lot of you responded enthusiastically with your microwave mishaps.

The most common mistakes people have made are microwaving dishes with metal trim or heating food with aluminum foil. Someone even shared with us a picture of a scorch mark left in their microwave where the aluminum had come into contact with an interior wall. 

And then there are the wackier stories: A person confessed to microwaving a duck toy when they were 5. Another said he once tried to dry a pair of Air Jordan III 1988 in the microwave, which ended up destroying the shoes. A Twitter user shared that their fiancée once microwaved a bottle of maple syrup, which rattled around until it popped and spilled syrup in every place possible. (That must have been great fun cleaning up.)

Use WiFi instead of a cellular connection when possible. Our tests have found that WiFi consumes less battery power.