Microwave Safety and Cleaning
Microwaves are safe when used the right way. The main rules are about the dishes you use and keeping the door and inside clean.
Updated 11 November 2026
Is microwave food safe for health?
Yes. Microwaves heat the water in food and stop the moment the oven switches off; they do not make food radioactive. Short cooking times can keep more vitamins than long boiling. The metal door mesh keeps the waves inside. Do not use an oven with a damaged door, hinge or seal.
Microwave safe bowls and plates
- Safe: glass (such as borosilicate), ceramic and plain china without metal paint, and plastic marked "microwave safe".
- Not safe: metal pots, steel tiffins, foil, plates with gold or silver rims, thin takeaway boxes and shopping bags.
- Cover food with a microwave-safe lid or a paper towel, leaving a gap for steam.
Liquids and eggs
Water and milk can boil over suddenly if heated too long. Stir halfway and put a wooden or microwave-safe spoon in the cup. Never heat whole eggs in their shell; they can burst.
How to clean a microwave with lemon or vinegar
- Put a bowl of water with lemon slices or 2 tablespoons of vinegar inside.
- Heat on High for 4 to 5 minutes until it steams.
- Leave the door shut for 5 minutes.
- Wipe the inside with a soft cloth.
- Wash the glass plate in soapy water.
Do not use steel wool or harsh scrubs, and keep water away from the vents and the mica sheet.
Accessories
A microwave cover lid stops splashes, and a microwave stand rack frees counter space. Replacement glass plates must match your oven's turntable size (for example 28.5 cm on the Haier HMW-26MBH 25 Litre Solo Microwave Oven).
Do microwave ovens cause cancer?
No. This is the most common microwave health question. Microwaves are non-ionising radiation: they can make water molecules move and warm up, but they do not have the energy to change DNA or make food radioactive. When the oven switches off, the waves are gone, like light when you switch off a bulb.
The real health points are simpler:
- Do not heat food in plastic that is not marked microwave safe.
- Heat food until it is steaming hot all through, especially chicken and rice.
- Do not use an oven with a bent door, broken hinge or damaged seal.
See our microwave safe utensils guide for the dishes to use.
Is the microwave oven banned in Japan?
No. This is a myth that spreads on social media. Microwave ovens are sold and used widely in Japan, and many famous microwave makers are Japanese. No major country has banned home microwave ovens. They must meet safety limits on leakage, and the door and its safety switches are designed to keep the waves inside.
Advantages and disadvantages of a microwave oven
Advantages:
- Very fast reheating and defrosting
- Uses less electricity than a big oven for small portions
- Keeps more vitamins in vegetables than long boiling
- No smoke, no gas, and the kitchen stays cool
Disadvantages:
- A solo microwave cannot brown, crisp or bake well
- Food can heat unevenly, so it needs stirring
- Not all dishes are safe inside
- Large families may need a bigger 28 to 45 litre oven
A grill microwave or a convection microwave removes most of the cooking limits.
How to clean a microwave with baking soda
- Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of warm water.
- Dip a soft cloth or sponge in it and wipe the walls, roof and door.
- For dried stains, make a thick paste of baking soda and a little water, leave it on for 5 minutes, then wipe off.
- Wipe again with a cloth dipped in plain water and dry with a towel.
For a bad smell, such as fish or burnt popcorn, leave an open bowl of dry baking soda inside overnight with the door shut.
How to clean a grill or convection microwave
Let the oven cool completely first, because the grill rod stays hot. Wipe the roof around the grill element gently with a damp cloth; do not spray water onto the element or into the vents. Wash the metal rack and baking tray in warm soapy water. For grease on the walls, use the lemon steam method, then a cloth with a drop of dish soap. Run the grill empty for 2 to 3 minutes after cleaning only if your manual recommends it, to burn off leftover grease smell.
Microwave radiation, germs and viruses
Microwaves are non-ionising radiation, the same family as radio waves. They heat food but do not make it radioactive. The metal box and the mesh in the door keep the waves inside, and the oven stops as soon as the door opens.
Heat is what kills germs. Food heated until it is steaming hot all the way through, about 75 °C, is safe. Stir halfway and let it stand for a minute, because microwaves can leave cold spots.
