Miata Mailing List: February 2000, Message #57

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At 02/01/2000 12:23 PM, Phredd wrote:

>         The only way I can think that this could be possible is if the
>atmospheric pressure were somehow dramatically lower outside the
>microwave. But, even then, it would require that the appliance were gas
>tight and, AFAIK, microwave ovens are not. And, even it it were, the
>water would be likely to burst into boil the instant the door was opened
>and the inside pressure lowered . . . rather than waiting for this
>hapless boob to pick up the cup and stick his face over it, wouldn't it?

I'm with you on this one, Phredd.  God knows that I've boiled water (with 
no additives) in the microwave at full power for minutes on end.  The water 
always bubbled.  AFAIK, there is no way for the water to become 
super-heated unless pressurized for it to _spontaneously erupt in a boiling 
mass_ and "blow up".  I would chalk this one up to another half-baked 
cockamamie story.

>         I wonder if this is the same guy who hooked up the JATO kit to
>his Henry J.

Sure sounds like it.

>         ----------------the email below-------------------
>
>Be careful when microwaving water.
>
>I feel that the following is information that any one who uses a
>microwave oven to heat water should be made aware of. About five days ago
>my 26-year old son decided to have a cup of instant coffee. He took a cup
>of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had
>done numerous times before). I am not sure how long he set the timer for
>but he told me he wanted to bring the water to a boil. When the timer
>shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he looked into
>the cup he noted that the water was not boiling but instantly the water
>in the cup "blew up" into his face. The cup remained intact until he
>threw it out of his hand but all the water had blown out into his face
>due to the buildup of energy. His whole face is blistered and he has 1st
>and 2nd degree burns to his face which may leave scarring. He also may
>have lost partial sight in his left eye.
>
>While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that
>this a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated
>in a microwave oven. If water is heated in this manner, something should
>be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stir stick,
>tea bag, etc. It is however a much safer choice to boil the water in a
>tea kettle. Please pass this information on to friends and family.

Paul and the Splendidly Striped Screamer
mailto:williamp@bit-net.com
homepage: http://www.bit-net.com/~williamp/
hometown: Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA
Never drive any faster than your guardian angel can fly.