Why do you clean the inside of a microwave when there is food inside it?

Question

I am asking this because my health teacher asked this and I don't know the answer. Some of my guesses are that it could catch on fire or that food will be heated more than the food you put in the microwave. Your input is grately thanked. :D

Answer 1

Here's the practical answer.

Most folks clean out of habit and aesthetics. Not
a compelling health reason really. But maybe
some airborne pathogens might transfer to the
food..or from the bottom of a dish to your hand
to your mouth..and so on.

However, a perfectly practical reason....decomposition products of foods are
corrosive to the oven itself! If not cleaned regularly
the aicds produced by decomposing food waste
will prematurely send the oven to the grave.

Think of it kind of like brushing your teeth. Why
do you care???? The teeth are in the mouth anyway!!!! But, if you don't, you won't have teeth
for as long as you'd like.

Answer 2

Do you mean when there is a plate of food you will be microwaving and then eating? If yes, I think that is crazy because the cleaning chemicals can get on to your food. If you meant that the food is stuck to the walls inside then you should because the food could turn into mold or bacteria and stuff. This could contaminate the food you are trying to cook or heat.

Answer 3

Well I would think that bacteria may be why....but I'm pretty sure those little fellers get zapped pretty good once you've turned on the microwave. So I don't really think that could be it...course they could be so small that they are missed but...I don't think that's it.

Honestly I would have to say because it look filthy, trashy, and lazy to have a dirty one. If you clean it up right away then it is easy to do, if you wait till it gets all the water zapped out of it then you've got some serious scrubbing to do. It just looks horrible to have a dirty microwave, or any kitchen appliances. No one like to see dirty stuff...maybe that's why? Also if you made the mess you're responsible for cleaning up your mess...your teacher might be looking for that response too. Beats me though...some teachers are a little off...I'm curious to know what answer they give you.

Answer 4

Maybe because is going to stick more into the microwave because of the heat and then you won't be able to clean the food.... Or maybe because the microwave will get smelly....*-* (I'm talking about the food that was inside the microwave not the one that is being heated.. It's dangerous)

Answer 5

I clean peoples homes for a living and have seen some pretty dirty microwaves. The method I have used seems to work very well for me. I heat a coffee cup full of water for about a minute or two and then let it sit for about 5 minutes. It steams up and I wipe away the food debris with a paper towel. It's been a time saver to me for years.

Answer 6

Well, I don't clean my microwave while I'm trying to cook something...

But I clean the food off of the inside of my microwave, because NOT doing so would be gross. Food that hangs around can mold, and can "contaminate" any other food that you put in there.

I clean the inside of my microwave for the same reason I clean the inside of my refrigerator and the inside of my oven - simply hygiene.

Answer 7

I don't understand the question. If you mean how to clean a microwave when there is stuck on food in it steam works to loosen it up. Put a bowl of water in and heat it to steaming and let it sit a while. Then just wipe it out.

Answer 8

Your question does not make sense. You should NOT clean the inside of a microwave while there is food insideit.

You should clean the microwave when there is not food in it.

Answer 9

you put a bowl of water in the microwave...and turn the microwave on for about 15 min or so...then, wipe it out.