Is it dangerous to use a rusting 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.

[maker_of_things@cupoftea.social]

@alexisbushnell
Damn.
I hope the friend will keep the offer open for as long as possible to see if housemate can be persuaded.

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@uastronomer ours still works and that's her argument basically. We don't need a new one despite the health risks (which appears to be the main risk with it rusting) even if we're being offered a new one for free.

[uastronomer@mastodon.monoceros.co.za]

@alexisbushnell On the other hand, a free microwave that's easier to clean because it doesn't have rust? I'd still take it 😬

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@uastronomer well yeah, if seems beyond ridiculous to refuse a free microwave that is a kind gift from a friend when ours is on its last legs!

[_thegeoff@mastodon.social]

@alexisbushnell If I had one at work (a school setting) I'd bin it and buy a new one, given the cost v safety ratio. At home, at my own risk, it would depend on where the rust was, how much etc.
Main risk is losing the Earth connection to the casing, the internal transformer works at lethally high voltages (a few kV) with easily enough current to kill. The Earth connection will blow the fuse if a fault makes the casing live. Rust on the outside may also mean rust on the inside.

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@_thegeoff the rust is on the inside; corners, and roof are peeling if that helps?

[_thegeoff@mastodon.social]

@alexisbushnell That'll provide surfaces for bacterial growth to an extent. I wouldn't worry too much about microwave leakage, you'd need an obvious hole in the casing for that. But it does make me twitchy in terms of electrical safety. Given that you can get a new one for £40 I'd recommend that.

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@_thegeoff thanks. Yeah I'd have just taken the free new microwave our friend offered but housemate says no

[_thegeoff@mastodon.social]

@alexisbushnell I'm all for repair, reuse, maximise usage etc, and take great pride in fixing a lot of broken electricals/electronics. But the very specific hazard of the kilovolts transformer in microwaves over-rides that for me, worst case scenario is a corroded connection breaks and makes the casing live. Not 240V, but 3,000V. At that point touching the microwave while it's running has a good chance of killing you.

[alexisbushnell@toot.wales]

@_thegeoff thanks. Now if only she'd listen to people who know more than she does about it...

[_thegeoff@mastodon.social]

@alexisbushnell The other temptation is to recycle it into a pyrograph for burning patterns into wood. Again, not a good idea unless you're a qualified high voltage electrician. Of all reported [edit: US] injuries there's a 71% mortality rate.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7819263/

[twoowls73@mastodon.scot]

@_thegeoff @alexisbushnell repeat after me: do not play with the spicy pyrograph

[nowster@fedi.nowster.me.uk]

@_thegeoff@mastodon.social @alexisbushnell@toot.wales Not just that, but if the metal casing is getting thin in spots due to rusting, the Faraday cage which keeps the microwaves inside could be compromised. Not worth the risk.

Transformers for microwave ovens or neon signs are definitely no-nos for me too.

[mcourcel@allovertheplace.ca]

@RaineyDay @alexisbushnell Well, I wouldn't trust a rusting microwave. You can get a new one for under 100 bucks that isn't rusting, so there's that.

[raineyday@dragonscave.space]

@mcourcel @alexisbushnell yes, I wouldn't use anything that's rusting, especially something like a microwave.

[technocounselor@caneandable.social]

@alexisbushnell @RaineyDay Get rid of it especially if you have a replacement lined up. Better safe than sorry.