When is it safe to have metal in a microwave when cooking?

Question

I know you're not suppose to have metal in there. I once saw a mini lightnening storm when I accidently left a fork on the plate. Another time I warmed up a Wendy's burger on it's aluminum foil wrapper and again, lightening.
But today, I warmed up some Chinese rice in the carton that it always comes in. The little handle on it is metal but there was no lightening storm inside the microwave at all. I nuked the carton for two more minutes and nothing....the rice was warmed up effectively, though. Is this still unsafe? Why didn't the microwave reject(affect) the metal handle?

Answer 1

Microwaves are small radio waves about 4 inches long. As with any waves they can go through, reflect or be absorbed. In cooking in a microwave, they go through glass, paper, plastic, and are absorbedd by the water molecules in the food. Here they are converted into heat. They are reflected by metal. So they are reflected by the inside of the box and the door. They are reflected by the fork, aluminum foil or metal cooking container. If they are reflected back into the magnetron that generates the waves, it can damage the magnetron. Is it dangerous?, No, but could ruin the microwave. On cooking a turkey, it is recommended that you wrap foil around the tips of the legs so that they do not become overcooked.The handle on the Chinese food package is small enough so it is rarely hit, and then the waves are reflected around the metal box. If you turn on the microwave with nothing in it to absorb the energy, it will create that lightning storm too.

Answer 2

I find the amount and distribution play an important role. Small concentrated things, like staples or bbs will not spark.

Answer 3

Here you go:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmhDCNDkEBufKR3Yuv0qes7ty6IX?qid=20070625164532AAnEX87&show=7#profile-info-Cl4F9TnNaa

Answer 4

Are you crazy. You are going to get yourself hurt!!!!!