Google on microwave oven dangers, and you should find it quick enough.....
I agree though...usual scaremongering twaddle....

Also seems to claim Russia banned microwave ovens in 1976/77 - anyone know if this is true....

 

I had a fancy Panasonic microwave once. After several years it decided to start switching itself on and making weird noises and also displaying heiroglyphics in the time window. We decided it was possessed, so we got rid.
Yve

 

Probably needs a re-map.

 

Paint the outer door seals and the 'window' with a the white of an egg - cook a bowl of water for 3 mins if the egg cooks then I'd suggest a new microwave is in order...

...now THAT's a serious scientific test...

 

For what its worth - they do loose power, but it more so lost because of leakages as such.

One of my customers repairs them amoungst many other things and they do regular tests to ensure this isn't happening.

Shaun

 

I’ve read this thread with increasing concern….

The thing is we live in an isolated house under 3 high voltage pylons (and two phone masts). My dad had bought the land cheap years ago from a seismologist who assured us that we would never have close neighbours which was great.

Anyway the point is that we have an old kitchen and a collection of old microwaves that are still in good working order or so it seems. In fact it is quite cosy in the evenings with them all glowing away. Even the one with the door that’s fallen off seems to be operative judging by the remains of what I believe was my daughter’s gerbil which I found inside.

My real worry is junior as he spends most of the time in his cot in the kitchen. I keep him away from the microwaves after the gerbil incident and he is as happy as Larry playing with his collection of mobile phones chatting to Teddy 24/7. In the summer we try to get him out of the kitchen and he plays outside in our rescued Siberian Geese pen where we look after sick birds that land in our garden. Either that or he is in his beloved tree house that I built from some old asbestos sheets that I bought off e-bay (had to collect though!). He adores the house and it’s so funny to see him chewing the fibres pretending they are baby rice and apple puree!!

The thing is should I be worried? dl

 

You had me there right up until 'chewing the fibres'. Classic.

 

wouldn't worry about the Siberian Geese - have to be a better bet than thai chicken

 

Just to get back on track, my sharp one is the same. it doesn't cook properly anymore.

the lights are on and the turntable works but nothing heats up well.

 

Microwave magnetrons do lose energy and so take longer to cook. They are a thermionic device (remember valve TV and radio) A heater excites the electrons and under the influence of a strong magnetic field are guided into the microwve oven. They usually lose power to cook things by usage( old age), being knocked or banged in transit before fitting and nothing being put in the oven area for the microwave energy to be absorbed ( dont warm plates in a microwave)

 

I only use the microwave to reheat food. Try and avoid it in food preperation due to the scummy results.

....oh and it's usefull for defrosting.

 

LOL! Thanks you lot.

Yeah, guess I should take the wallet out of its safe and look for a new one then.

BTW, as for "old" microwaves, this one is c.1999 vintage, I don't think that's as bad as the c.1987 one that my parents were using up until a few years ago.

 

Time for a new wife then??

 

I know people like that.

 

Im pretty sure my GPs example is an 80's model...

 

You have met MY wife?

 

It is certainly poosible that over time the power output on the Microwave can deteriorate. You may well be due for a new one Brendan.

I think that was the original question.

Les