Answer: Running a microwave while it is empty may cause damage to the unit. When food is in the oven, it absorbs a large fraction of the output from the microwave transmitter. When the oven is empty none, or almost none of the microwaves are absorbed. A large amount of energy reflects around the oven chamber resulting in large standing waves that can damage the unit.
If the microwave works after it has been run while empty, then the unit is safe to use. If the unit does not function after running while empty, no further troubleshooting advice is available. Contact Factory Certified Service to schedule an appointment for repair.
Related Questions. Please share your feedback with us. Send Feedback. Ask Your Question. One thing we know about microwaves is that they make use of radio waves at high frequencies to heat or cook your meal faster compared to conventional techniques.
It is safe to say that this method of cooking or heating food is quite impressive. However, there is a limitation that comes with this unique heating method. For instance, what would happen if you accidentally ran a microwave empty? Well, read on to find out exactly what would happen. The first thing you should know about microwaves is that they use a magnetron tube to make electromagnetic waves.
These waves are the same ones we refer to as microwaves. How do these microwaves work? Well, these microwaves will hit your food and cause the water molecules present in your food to start vibrating. When these particles vibrate, they will cause some friction, which will then become heat and will in turn heat the food. So, will running a microwave empty damage it? The truth is that if you run a microwave without anything, or if you heat something that does not contain some water molecules, then the electromagnetic waves will simply bounce around and back to the magnetron.
As a result, the magnetron will start absorbing the same amount of microwaves it is producing. That might result in damage. When you heat a microwave without anything in it, it will be fine in the first few seconds.
The door, cavity, and tray will start absorbing energy and if you turn it off at that point, it will be okay. However, as it continues running, the door, tray, and cavity will begin to get hotter, even though it is still not at a critical point. But after it starts getting extremely hot, there will be excessive energy.
That energy will start being reflected back to the magnetron and it will begin heating up at the same time. In most appliances, you can reset that thermal fuse although it is not the same for all.
Also read: Can you Microwave Tupperware? How long can you run a microwave empty before any damage can occur? Well, if you run a microwave without anything in it for a short period, such as few seconds, it will be okay. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Would the standing microwave modes in the 3D cavity be reinforced? Would there be too much energy in the microwave? This is what happens when you run it without a load.
At first, everything is fine because the cavity, the door, the tray or shelf absorb the excess energy.
Things will start to get hot, but it's not critical yet. After a few minutes, something will start to get really hot and the excess energy? It starts reflecting back into the magnetron the device that provides the microwave energy and that starts to heat up too. If it is designed well enough, it will trip a thermal fuse before anything actually breaks.
The thermal fuse can be resettable, but usually not. You will need to replace this fuse if the oven no longer works. If the oven is designed poorly, you'll experience what is called "thermal runaway". At this point, some random location in the oven will begin to superheat. And by super heat, I mean hot enough to liquefy porcelain. This will continue until something finally gives out.
It could be a breaker tripping, a standard fuse blowing, or in the worst case, the insulation on the wiring or the plastic components might literally burst into flames consuming everything flammable until the oven finally loses power.
Don't do this. Some ovens should not be operated when empty. Refer to the instruction manual for your oven. I would not ignore this instruction, issued by the FDA.
Also you would be wasting money, and I would guess there is some kind of limiter built in as hyportnex says, BUT it's not worth the risk. Image source: Measure the speed of light using chocolate.
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