I was in a hurry tonight and I wanted to cook some frozen coconut fried shrimp fast, so I decided to test one in the microwave (because it wasn’t recommended to cook them that way). I put one in the center of a corningware plate (which I use all the time in the microwave), and turned on the microwave. There was this huge arc: I don’t mean some sparkles, but an almost blinding light. Scared the shit out of me for sure. The microwave still works, but what in the world could have caused this? Now I’m afraid to put anything in it. Could it have been the coconut? The microwave wasn’t pristine clean, but not that bad: a little butter from microwave popcorn. Please help so I’m not afraid to use it again!
I have done the same thing myself, also with butter from popcorn on the inside of the microwave.
My microwave guy tells me it’s because the butter/grease/whatever melted and caused a momentary “short” in the “field” of the microwave.(?)
HE assured me that if I cleaned it it’d be OK and it was, however, by no means go on MY opinion.
I do know if you microwave a small fluorescent light it will glow. I wonder if the two effects are related?
Anyway, start out by cleaning the beast. And try microwaving something safe, like a cup of water, to test.
Maybe get someone else to push the “go” button- I did. Just in case it wasn’t OK.
I’m noticing Wal-Mart has a nice small microwave on sale!
Good luck. And be safe!
B.
Most objects containing metal will also cause a short in the field, which is why one should not try microwaving anything metal. Supposedly, perfectly flat aluminum foil is perfectly safe to microwave, but I have not tried this. For one thing, does perfectly flat aluminim foil even exist?
I cleaned out the microwave and haven’t had any problem since; but, everytime I turn it on I’m expecting a big flash. I do microwave popcorn frequently and it always spatters some butter so I guess I’ll have to clean the darn thing every time. I was wondering if just putting one small shrimp in could have been part of that situation that you were talking about Squink?
That could do it. If the shape is just right you can get a nice spark with even a small grape. Perhaps the frozen shrimp you put in had a crack that, almost, divided it in two, or a tail curling around to lightly touch the rest of the shrimp. There are all sorts of ways you can get a spark, fortunately it doesn’t damage the oven.
It took me awhile to find the thread, but microwaving a cup of water by itself is most definitely not safe.