"James254" wrote in message ...
"Hmmmmm" wrote in message
...
So in our microwave there is the outer glass, then the metal grid, then a
layer of clear plastic over the grid. .

For nondisclosed reasons, there was a metal object inside and it sparked,
a
spark flew to the plastic which melted.. The metal grid is ok.. But there
is
small hole
in the inner plastic..

When I microwaved a glass of water some water vapour came through the
small
hole and condensed on the outer window..

Is the microwave safe for using?

I think it is but my wives father claimed it is not..

Again, the metal grid is ok..

Anyone know?


Hi Hmmmmm,

It's difficult to answer you questions because the answer is Yes, it's safe
and No, it's not safe.

As you mention above there is a hole in the inner plastic. This plastic is
there to prevent food spatter and moisture getting inside the door. To the
very best of my knowledge it has no effect whatever to microwave radiation.
Again, the same applies to the outer glass, it shouldn't stop microwave
radiation.

The only thing stopping you from getting cooked is the metal grid. So, for
the moment yes it's safe to use.

However for the long term you have to consider what will happen to the metal
grid now it's exposed to food spatter and condensation. It will probably
cause the metal grid to start to rust, as it rusts the small holes in the
metal grid will become larger. This will allow microwave radiation to
escape. So for the long term, No it's not safe to use.

I would suggest that you replace the plastic film with the original type as
specified by the manufacturer, just for your own piece of mind. The film is
relatively cheap and if you can cover a school book with contact, you'll
have nearly all the skills required to replace it.

If you want to know the effects on the human body when exposed to microwave
radiation you only need look at
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/microwave.html

Food for thought,
James

The holes in the metal screening in the door will take a long, long
time to enlarge, so the microwave should be just fine for at least a
few years. By the time there is any enlargement of the holes, it will
be time to get a new microwave anyway. The problem will be if dirty
moisture builds up on the inside of the outside glass, there will be
no way to clean it and you will lose a clear view of what's going on
with your food as it is cooking. If you are like me, you sometimes
need to see what is going on so you know when to shut the machine off.

Even if the holes enlarge a little bit, there is margin put in by the
manufacturer, and you would have to stand right in front of the door
for a period of time (several minutes) before you would start heating
yourself. The biggest danger would be to your eyes as they don't
conduct heat away rapidly. So, if you have any doubts, just stand
back a couple of feet from the door and don't stare at it for more
than a few seconds at a time. Your father-in-law is right to be
cautious, but he wrong in this case at the present time.

H. R. (Bob) Hofmann