Are low-cost microwave ovens a safety hazard for household use?
With this concern in mind, the Consumer Council has conducted a safety test on 10 models of microwave ovens within a low price bracket of $400 to $730.
The results are a welcome relief to microwave oven users. By and large, the samples were considered satisfactory with no significant safety issues uncovered in the test.
According to the test, the only deviations from the IEC safety standard concerned 2 samples with measured temperatures slightly higher than the stipulated limits.
2 other samples were found with damaged or missing mica sheets (used to cover the magnetron opening in the microwave cavity).
Other deviations concerned mostly marking and instruction, for example, lacking the latest warning requirement on provision of care on children, elderly and people in need of supervision to use the appliance.
The test report also contains a list of cautions in the use of microwave ovens, which consumers will do well to take heed and follow.
In particular, they should never attempt to heat eggs with or without the shell, nor to heat a whole potato unpeeled.
Also do not overheat a cup of water to avoid delayed eruptive boiling due to superheating of water on prolonged exposure to microwave energy under calm water surface.
When powders of coffee, for example, are put into the cup of superheated water, the disturbance could cause the water to spill all at once in a splashy way. Users should not microwave a small cup of water for more than 2 minutes to avoid scalding.
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