Is it dangerous to use a rusting microwave?

[wcbdata@vis.social]

@alexisbushnell Anything that presents sharp metal edges inside the microwave is likely to arc at some point. Otherwise (e.g., if rust is on the outside) it's more just personal safety & moisture resistance issues...

[wcbdata@vis.social]

@alexisbushnell also, the microwave interior is basically a faraday cage to keep the microwaves from leaking out. If there are holes in that surface (or in the door), you're asking for trouble, especially with folks who have pacemakers or sensitive medical electronics.

[kboyd@phpc.social]

@alexisbushnell I have no scientific knowledge on this front, but we recently discovered that ours had some rust areas inside so we bought a replacement. (We're looking to eventually redo our kitchen, so we're gradually moving to a different appliance style. Stainless. So it was not an issue.)

[maker_of_things@cupoftea.social]

@alexisbushnell
How bad is the rust, and where is it?

If just surface rust on the outside then that should be ok. If it affects the door seal, or is worse than very minor surface rust on the inside then I would ditch it.

My concerns would be microwaves leaking from the inside, and rust ending up in food and making it unhygienic for cleaning.

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@wcbdata it is inside the microwave, corners and sides peeling and rusting.

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@Maker_of_Things it is inside the microwave, corners and sides peeling and rusting.

It is definitely unhygienic but I that's not enough of an issue for my housemate...

[fastfinge@fed.interfree.ca]

@alexisbushnell Okay, I don't have links to hand, but I'm a licensed ham radio opperator, and this is the kind of theory we learn. The danger from a microwave comes if it is failing to keep the actual waves inside. Microwaves are designed with an enclosure that blocks most of the energy from them. However, you might notice that when you run your microwave, your wifi and cell signal degrades. This is because your wifi/cell and a microwave use similar frequencies. But your wifi just uses a millionth or billionth of the power. So when those waves start leaking out of your microwave, they can drown out the wifi completely. The danger comes from just how much energy is leaking. You can stick a wifi antenna directly in your mouth for hours while it transmits, and nothing bad will happen to you. But if it was putting out the same power of a microwave, you would be cooked. In general, the test I use is this: place your cell phone inside the microwave, and close the door. DO NOT! TURN ON THE MICROWAVE OBVIOUSLY! Now, with the door completely closed, try to call your cell phone from another phone. If it rings while inside the microwave, I'd worry a bit. If it doesn't, I wouldn't. This works because your cell tower is transmitting at low power, and is far away from you. So if your phone can talk to the tower from inside the microwave, it means it's probably leaking more energy than you would really like.

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@fastfinge oh that's so interesting, thank you!

Also might potentially explain some of the WiFi issues we're having?

[maker_of_things@cupoftea.social]

@alexisbushnell
I'd accept the offer of your friend's microwave, and if your housemate doesn't approve they can keep using the old one while you use the replacement.

Beats having peeling paint in your food.
Also, if it rusts through it may leak microwaves

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@Maker_of_Things yeah I would accept it but then we will have 2 microwaves taking up a tonne of space and it will cause issues with housemate.

Appreciate the input. My friend was shocked at how housemate responded when she offered it (for free!) cos she was so against it.

[fastfinge@fed.interfree.ca]

@alexisbushnell It would only explain wifi issues that happen while someone is using the microwave. If the issues start when the microwave starts, and go away as soon as the microwave stops, then it's the cause.

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@fastfinge hmmm maybe not then. Maybe that remains a mystery!

[maker_of_things@cupoftea.social]

@alexisbushnell
Can you just tuck it away in your bedroom for your own personal use?

I think that would be my option.

Housemate is being unreasonable.

[feld@friedcheese.us]

@fastfinge @alexisbushnell do they actually interfere with things outside the ~2.4ghz range? I've only heard of it affecting that before but who knows!- (well I'm sure the engineers who make these know ...)

[fastfinge@fed.interfree.ca]

@feld @alexisbushnell They can. Depends on if you're using 5G or CDMA or what though, I guess. mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/simple-microwave-oven-leakage-test-using-wifi.1176492/

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@Maker_of_Things I agree on unreasonable but sadly no room in my bedroom.
Friend was over to help me rearrange and organise my room to fit everything better cos basically everything I own is in my room.

[joe_von_saporski@bunt.social]

@alexisbushnell
if there are no holes in it no

[wcbdata@vis.social]

@alexisbushnell yeah, it's probably time for a new microwave

[adam@fedi.adamm.cc]

@alexisbushnell Rust ingested in small amounts is said to be non-harmful, however, large amountes can lead to digestive upset, skin and eye irritation, and probably other things that aren't indicated on every health site on the topic. Iron oxide is not the same as iron in the blood. Strongly suggest replacing that microwave, as well as your source of information from wive's tails to evidence-based, scientific health information sources. The $100-300 extra expense is worth more than the health issues you are knowingly exposing yourself to. And if someone offered a free microwave as a replacement, its simply pure stupidity to refuse it, given it is evaluated to function and not cause other health issues through malfunction or defect.

[uastronomer@mastodon.monoceros.co.za]

@alexisbushnell mine is rusting badly and still works fine.

If it's bad enough that there are holes then I would worry about microwave energy escaping and doing bad things, but that's my personal judgement. Experts may disagree.