Why can't you put metal in a microwave? - Aaron Slepkov

Dig into the science of how microwave ovens use electromagnetic waves to heat your food, and what you should avoid cooking in them.

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In 1945, engineer Percy Spencer was standing near a RADAR device that produced high-intensity microwaves and noticed that his candy bar had melted. He then exposed popcorn kernels to the magnetron device, and sure enough, they popped. Soon after, the first microwave oven became available, using the very same technology. So, how does it work? Aaron Slepkov explores the science of microwave ovens.

Lesson by Aaron Slepkov, directed by Yuriy Polyashko, Darvideo Animation Studio.

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[hyperviper]

From a literal military machine to a household device. Just shows inspiration is limitless and beyond who expects ?

[Twisted]

3:56 So you're telling me I shouldn't push my face up against the glass to watch it?

[luckymo_on]

The thing is you CAN put anything in the microwave whether you SHOULD is the question here...

[hotskoz]

My first experience with a microwave oven was in the early seventies. I took a job at a restaurant and someone handed me a large can of hot fudge topping and told me to put it in the microwave to heat it up before pouring it into the warmer. They failed to mention I needed to put the fudge in a bowl first so I just opened the can, put it in the microwave and turned it on. Moments later there was a lightning storm firing between the can and the walls. Interesting to watch but probably not too cool for the microwave.

A second funny microwave story. My daughter, when she first moved from home, decided to make baked potatoes. She put two potatoes in the microwave and, remembering we always cooked baked potatoes for an hour, set the timer for sixty minutes. She then left to the mall. She came back an hour later to find the fire department had busted down her door and were setting up large fans to clear the dense smoke from her apartment. Lesson learned.

Great video.

[itsblonk]

Ah yes, TED-Ed giving me answers that my intrusive thoughts wanted to know.

[madcat]

Invisible Gnomes, .cmon, we all know this.

[marzukimalik]

It's almost 3am, I can't sleep, and suddenly this pops up. Thanks!

[supereldian]

The reason microwaves have that mesh screen on the door is to allow users to see inside and to prevent the electromagnetic waves from escaping. The electromagnetic waves are too big to exit through the small mesh screen on the door.

[ichigokurosaki]

It is scary how many people think that that radiation is dangerous. Some even avoid the microwave oven at all

[thecooleraliguar]

they fire waves and they go and then heat. Super simple

[holokyttaja]

Electroboom tried it in a video and it is arguably harder to get something violent to actually happen than to just get a fork or a knife that is really hot.

[pumpkinhead]

You can put metal in a microwave. They even come with metal grates in them sometimes.

Eddy current do happen, but it's generally a non issue unless you have something really conductive like aluminum, copper, or gold, and that metal is rough or crinkled.

If you put a spoon in the microwave, say like you are stirring your soup and too lazy to remove it. Nothing bad will happen. You won't even get hot spots

[JasonTheOneAndOnly]

I put my face right up the glass when I hungry, am a dead man.

[HayTatsuko]

I love the art style and narration in this. Thanks for making such a lovely presentation!

[MatubbarAzadAvijit]

Many myths surrounding the microwave oven have been discussed in this video. Very good one. Thanks. 👌

[alial-jassim]

"Microwave is safe" "experts recommend to stay a few feet away when cooking"👁👁

[pwdfjdx]

1. from a military machine to a necessary household device
2. how does a microware oven operate
3. different food's composition will have different effects
4. not all of microwaring metal is dangerous

[wygolxr]

Wait, if spencer's chocolate melted, and popcorn and egg cooked, why wasn't spencer getting affected by the microwave at all?

[terence]

Never put a banana in your microwave while texting your friend

[themoon]

This video made me think why learning science in school were worth it😂