Microwave Update
Well, I hope to hell that you all are wrong about the water that’s been leaking from the microwave being some kind of radioactive waste, because both Ted and I have already cleaned it up several times, with no gloves, just towels.  I put the microwave in the backyard this morning, since the counter was completely wet again this morning, and I don’t know if we can legally just throw it in the trash or not…
Where do I buy a geiger counter, anyway?Â
12 Comments
Gina
Ooooh, I certainly hope not! Call me an idiot, but I wasn’t even aware that microwaves had redioactive elements? I need to get out more…
J
Well, Gina, radioactive probably isn’t the right term…shoud I say, toxic microwave water? Doesn’t sounds as scary, somehow…you know, except for the toxic part…
Chrissy
Hubby thinks something to look at is the fan inside the microwave. The fan should be doing its job with regard to exhaust the high humidity. Sometimes things tend to have condensation so the fan would or should take care of that. Ultimately, something may be wrong with the mechanics of the microwave. The puddles? Just condensation water from inside. Hubby doesn’t think there’s anything to worry about. There’s nothing radio active about them- it’s just what they emit…so chucking it in the trash shouldn’t be harmful. Hubby said he’s seen microwaves at the dump all the time. Yes, we live in the country side, so we have to bring our garbage to the dump (which we have very little of, since most of our stuff is fresh so there’s no packaging and we compost all our veggie and fruit scraps).
Anyway, I hope this makes you feel better 🙂 With any appliance you toss out, there are particles in there and some low level toxicity, but in this case, I think you have nothing to worry about 🙂
PS. I’m a dummy when it comes to this stuff. I asked Hubby and he dictated while I typed this comment! LOL! He went to school and studied science stuff, while I studied English Lit. I figure he’s more an authority on this sort of stuff than I am ;p
Chrissy
One more thing! You’re right to get a new microwave. It would be cheaper to buy a new one rather than try to repair one.
Cherry
Yea, can’t just throw it out. This is where we go, but I’m sure there is something closer to you:
Cherry
CARP! (tee hee)
My html skills are lacking today. Click on the “Comment by” up there in my first comment, to go to the site I was inteding to send you to.
J
Chrissy, your hubby sounds like he knows what he’s talking about, and condensation is something we had indeed considered…just not sure how so much could have built up that it is leaking SO MUCH WATER all of a sudden. It’s been going on, inconsistantly, for many months now, but has gotten a lot worse in the last few days. Crazy, huh?
Jess
I hate dealing with defunct appliances.
Our microwave emits lots of hot air–a stiff breeze, actually. Is that normal? I guess I’ll know it isn’t if my teeth start falling out.
Chrissy
J, do you have a recycling program in your area that would take care of the microwave for you?
LOL! Hubby just gave me this long explanation of micro wave energy, ions, vibrations, emissions, radiation…He totally lost me at “microwave energy causes the water molecules in the food to vibrate rapidly. This rapid vibration produces heat which, in turn, cooks the food. It can also penetrate through living tissue which is why exposure is harmful to our health. Once you turn off the oven, the microwaves disappear but until then, you may be exposing yourself to dangerous levels of radiation leakage.” He said radiation leakage and not water leakage though.
OMG…I feel like I’m in an episode of “Beauty and the Geek”, only I’m not a beauty and hubby’s the most lovable geek ever! LOL! 🙂
hellomelissa
at our house, we reverse bad words in front of the children. i think this microwave is a bonafide piece of parc. the dump should take it?? but dismantle it well so no dumpster divers will take it home.
thanks for a good giggle!
Beenzzz
Ok, this is freakin’ scary! I hope it isn’t radioactive waste!!!!
Jenny
You cant throw away any appliances. You have to take them to the dump at a specific location or arrange a pick up from appliance recycle center.