What Causes Rust in Microwaves? Is it Dangerous?

As the technology has advanced so has the usage of microwaves for various purposes. These days every household is equipped with a microwave which enhances the kitchen processes. Like any other electrical appliance, microwaves can also be affected by various problems, like when they start rusting from the inside. 

While microwaves do make kitchen work easy and convenient, they do become unsafe when they start rusting and can cause some serious problems. Rust in the microwave interferes with the normal functioning of the microwave and causes it to display erratic behavior. The presence of rust on the inside of the microwave can also result in sparks and fires and lead to accidents. 

What Causes A Microwave to Rust Inside? 

After several years of usage, the microwave starts wearing out. Eventually, the paint inside the microwave starts chipping, after which oxidation occurs and forms rust. Rust in microwave may form on the inside of the microwave sometimes due to the age of the microwave when it gets older and the other times due to other environmental factors such as humidity. Rust also forms on metallic appliances when they come in contact with air and moisture. The oxygen present in them can cause the exposed metal surface to oxidize and thus result in rusting. Rust damages the look of the appliances and noticeably affects their efficiency and quality. 

Microwaves are very fragile and their inside surfaces are thin and weak, which makes it vulnerable to any food or liquid particles left behind. Food splatters on the inside surface of the microwave can eventually harden and cause the paint to erode consequently rusting the insides of the microwave. It can also happen when a liquid is spilled inside the microwave and is not cleaned or dried properly. Failing to clean the inside surface of the microwave leads to accumulation of food debris which causes rusting.  It can sometimes also be the consequence of the exposed metal getting wet. It is generally for this reason, recommended to not put metal utensils in the microwave. People have concerns over yeti cups, mason jars and other similar metallic utensils. To help you with the general rules, we’ve put together a guide of a bunch of things that you should never put in a microwave.

Once the inside of the microwave starts rusting, it needs to be addressed on priority because of potential hazards that may occur.

Is Rust Inside a Microwave Dangerous?

Rust formed on the outer casing of the microwave is not particularly unsafe, but anywhere else it can be a serious health hazard. Rust formed on the inside of the microwave can be dangerous. Sometimes there can be microwave rust under the turntable or the bottom of the microwave could be peeling. Heat is produced in the microwave using radiations which cause food particles to vibrate and generate heat. The radiations bounce off on the inside of the surfaces of a microwave and when these surfaces contain rust, it can cause health and safety hazards.

1. Microwave Arcing 

2. Microwave Radiation Leakage

A simple process to determine whether the microwave is leaking or not is by putting a fluorescent bulb infront of it when it’s switched on. If the bulb lights up that means there is a radiation leakage. 

How to Remove Rust Inside the Microwave? 

Microwaves rust from inside and can result in the formation of dangerous fumes if the rusting is not removed at a proper time. Cooking anything in a rusted microwave is not only dangerous but also degrades the quality of the food, hence one should always try to remove the rusting if not replace the microwave entirely. Small amount of rusting damages can be taken care of by adopting some measures. 

Before carrying out any cleaning processes, it should be ensured that the microwave has been unplugged. 

Scenario 1: Sparking Could be Happening Because of Condensed Hard Water

Sometimes rust in the microwave can result from condensed hard water. This means there is a stain that can be removed by adopting certain cleaning measures. 

• Add half a cup of vinegar (white) in half cup of water, and boil it for a minute. Place the mixture inside the microwave and let it vapourise. The vapor reduces the dirt accumulation and enhances the clewnaing process. 
• Then rub a mixture of salt and baking soda on the stain. This will form a paste and is perfect for removing hard water stains.
• For bleach stains use a cleaning cloth saturated with bleach. Let it sit, abstain for some minutes and use baking soda and salt to further scrub the stain. 
• Finally, use a damp and wipe the entire inside surface. This will eliminate all stains. 

Scenario 2: The Paint has Peeled Off

The inner coating of the microwave is made of metal, hence a special paint is applied on top to seal the cavity and keep it intact. When the paint peels off, it starts rusting and can be dangerous. So if you notice any chipping of paint, promptly restore it, to avcoid further damage. 

• Clean the rusted area with a cleaning solution and wet cloth
• Scrape off the peeling paint as the damaged part should be removed. 
• Use sandpaper to sand the rusted area making the surface even and smooth
• Clean the remaining food debris with alcohol or solution
• Spary a coat of paint on the rusted area and apply another layer of paint
• Never let the rusted area develop small pinholes, since that means extensive damage

Measures to Prevent Rust Buildup Inside a Microwave 

Microwaves become prone to damage with age. There are various measures which can be adopted to prevent the build-up of rust inside the microwave. The best way to avoid any problems within the microwave is to clean it regularly and properly. 

1. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance 

Cleaning the microwave on a regular basis is very important to ensure its safety standard. A microwave can be cleaned by wiping down its insides and outsides by using a damp cloth and vinegar. This should be done every time after heating any liquid or if the food inside has caused some splatters. 

While removing the food debris a damp cloth should be used to remove the possibility of any stains happening. Failing to clean the inside surface regularly can result in hardened food residue and the resultant sparking. 

2. Clean Spillages Before Reuse 

If there are any spills inside the microwave, then they should be wiped out before it is put to use again. The liquid should never be left to dry and should be cleaned before that since it makes cleaning much more manageable. Using home DIY cleaning agents like baking soda and lemon works wonders in keeping your microwave clean.

Any spillage on the inside of the microwave should be cleaned before being heated further, since the heat can cause the residue to harden and make it even more difficult to clean. This can result in the paint chipping off and the resultant damages. 

3. Do not Use Abrasive Cleaning Products to Clean the Insides 

The material used for cleaning should be non-abrasive otherwise it can result in the formation of scratches and marks on the surface. While removing the rust especially, soft materials should be used since there are high chances of scraping and scratching the metallic surface resulting in further damage. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Microwave Rust

Verdict | Is It Safe to Use a Microwave with Rust?  

The rusty surface of the microwave can be a threat to our physical safety in multiple ways. Usually the rust outside the microwave is not harmful and only when it reaches the inside surface can it cause real damages. Rust on the inside can cause sparks and flashes and result in fires. While you can still repaint and use your microwave if the insides aren’t exposed too much. But in case if the damage is too much to repair, you might be better off with a new microwave altogether.

Microwave radiations can also start leaking as a result of rusting and can cause significant health damages.  If the rust in the microwave is not a result of condensation of hard water but of the exposed metal becoming wet and eroding then it’s advisable that the microwave be replaced, since it can cause fires.