Why is it dangerous for boiling water by microwave oven?

Answer 1

It's really not. It's an old myth that if you boil water in the microwave that when you take it out, the cool air from the room reacts with the hot mug or bowl and causes it to explode. In reality, the temperature changes would have to be a much greater difference for that to happen! So, unless you're planning on microwaving water in a sub zero degree kitchen, you don't have anything to worry about.

Answer 2

I've heard about "superheating" for a long time and was always careful when heating liquids in the microwave. I was told to stir the liquid before pouring or drinking it, so it wouldn't "explode." I never knew the science behind it -- and never had a problem boiling liquids in the microwave my entire life, until a few months ago. I was heating coffee in the microwave. When I went to pour it from the microwave-safe coffee cup into a travel mug, it was almost as if a HUGE bubble formed and popped as I poured the liquid...and the coffee went all over the counter. Luckily it happened as I was pouring away from me. Had it not...I could have been severely burned on my hands or even my face! I've been using a microwave for about 25 years...and it's only happened once. So, when other people say that it's completely safe...it's not true. Just because it hasn't happened before, doesn't mean that it *can't* happen.

And, for those of you who don't know what superheating is, or need it in layman's terms, here it is: Water, when microwaved, can sometimes become superheated -- that is, it's actually above 212 degrees Fahrenheit. This is caused by a lack of bubbles forming (as opposed to the tremendous number of bubbles when boiling on a stove). If superheated water is removed from a microwave, it can spontaneously begin to boil out of the container, which can result in severe burns to the hands and face. The addition of a wooden stick (or similar object) helps to keep enough bubbles forming to prevent the

Answer 3

It is only dangerous if you use the wrong kind of container. You must use a container that won't melt of course but you must also use one that has a wide opening. When the water boils the air and steam need some where to go. In a container with a small opening like a glass bottle the water gets heated so fast that the steam can't escape quick enough and it will boil over or even explode. Using a micro. safe bowl or wide open container will not do this. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Basically, it depends on the container the water is heated in. A smooth glass mug , for instance, can cause a problem. What happens is that when liquid comes to a boil, the dissolved gasses are no longer kept under pressure and escape in the form of bubbles. The bubbles (gas) needs something to begin forming on and it sometimes can't do in on a slick (glass) surface. The liquid becomes superheated and when you put something in it (teabag , for example) it gives the gas millions of places to form bubbles and the resulting sudden boiling over almost looks like an explosion. This can result in severe burns. Fortunately, most coffee cups or mugs have minute imperfections, cracks, e.t.c., that allows the gas to begin forming the bubbles as the liquid heats. One of our chemists has a 'beaker' coffee cup that tends to superheat liquids. He heats water up with a wooden stir stick in it to allow bubbles to readily form and the water then 'boils' instead of superheating.

Answer 5

This question was on MythBusters.

They heated a cup of water to boiling. Left it in the "nuker' for a few minutes and then reheated to boiling. On the second reheat the water did not boil. When they put something (can be anything) in the hot water it exploded.

Answer 6

actually, it is VERY dangerous!!
because of the microwaves that are in the microwave, they cause all of the molecules in the water and the container that you are using to move around, and then when you stop the waves, the molecules are still moving... so then you move that container... and then the molecules are still moving and then... BOOM! I've actually seen someone get burned and cut badly by the container blowing up in their face... does it all make sense now?? so, please for the respect of the paramedics... just DON"T DO IT!!
guess thats why they say to never reheat your coffee in the microwave... lol

Answer 7

I never understood until recently what they meant by it was dangerous to boil water....recently i've started boiling water in the microwave for my tea......and hwat happens is when the water began to boil in the microwave it is boiling in the center....when i went to put my tea bag in ...it erupted as soon as the tea bag it the water...boiling over and spraying up.....so i've since allowed the water to stop boiling in my cup and cool off before i put anything in my cup...

Answer 8

I didn't know it was. I boil water in the microwave all the time.

Answer 9

Actually, I've never had a problem with this; I suppose it depends on the container you're putting the water in -- make sure it is oven-proof.

Answer 10

because you could "hyper boil" the water. That is when the water heats so quickly that it doesn't bubble when it reaches boiling. if you were to grab the container you could cause the water to bubble vigorously and could get burned badly.