Microwave - do you put a spoon in a cup?

No I wouldnt put metal in the microwave but ive had milk boil over in it but not water.

those instructions were clearly written by someone who hates microwaves more than people, though people are obviously a close second

Old one, NO,
New one, yes…

I have a very new microwave and I would like to keep it so I would never put a spoon inside it. I have lived in this house for a few years and I would prefer to keep it fire-free also.

If in doubt, do not.

For microwave stirring of sauces or scrambled egg, I use one of these. I don't know whether they stop things boiling over. I would be very reluctant to use a metal spoon.

Absolutely no metal in my microwave

Alegrias1

Quick pop quiz...

Has anybody here ever experienced any problems heating water in a microwave?

If the answer is no, just keep doing what you're doing.

I don’t think I have ever heated up water in my microwave although I am aware that many Americans do this to make a cup of tea as electric kettles are not common.

I do find custard can boil over but I just keep an eye on it!

How about stirring the liquid BEFORE putting it into the microwave, so that it is already swirling round the container before it heats up? Then the bubbles won't build up under the liquid and erupt, as they have been moved around as they form, and the liquid is less likely to boild over. This works well with thicker substances than water too, like custard, porridge gravy etc.

Of course, you could always heat it for ten seconds less than the recommended time, so that it doesn't quite reach boiling point.

I thoughtlessly put a plate with gold painted decoration on the edges in the microwave, the display of sparks was quite impressive.
Didnt do that again, nor any other metal objects.

JaneJudge ?

Chestnut you could take your bowl to The Repair Shop!

This eggshell porcelain set has a teapot and a smaller pot for hot water. I'm sure my mother used them sometimes and only one cup is cracked.
I've never dared to use it.

SueDonim

No spoons were involved but my Dh once put a slice of Christmas pudding into the microwave on forty minutes instead of forty seconds. I twigged what was going on after a few minutes and yelled at him to stop the microwave but he then opened the door and the kitchen was engulfed in smoke! ? It tooks days and days to dissipate. ??

Didn't someone burn his house down doing that?

grandMattie

Old one, NO,
New one, yes…

Ooh, a person who does do this without mishap!

It's definitely a metal spoon they mean, as the handbook goes on to say "Metal, e.g. a spoon in a glass, must be kept at least 2cm from the oven walls and the inside of the door. Sparks could irreparably damage the glass on the inside of the door"

By the way, it's a Bosch microwave so not some obscure maker.

Elegran do you do that stirring beforehand?

Calistemon

I put something with a metal trim in once by mistake and the microwave made a horrible noise!
What about using a wooden teaspoon or chopstick?

The problem is that liquid heated in the microwave could boil over when you stir after you take it out of the microwave and scald you.

This actually happened to me once!

I do if what I am heating has been standing, and/or if it is something thick like an Ambrosia individual custard in a little plastic container (very handy to have in the store cupboard!). I don't if I have just poured water or milk into a container, so it is presumably still moving.

Did they, Calistemon? Thankfully, that wasn’t my Dh.

It was years ago and on the main news (perhaps it wasn't the whole house) SueDonim

Hetty58

My microwave has a metal rack for the combination cooking and grilling - so I don't see why not.

So has mine, and it’s over 30 years old.

Yes, I would with my 7 year-old Siemens microwave when I am heating liquids because it has this sign on the inside frame but I wouldn’t with any other unless I saw the same.

And the spoons I use are metal.

I use a gadget like those Shysal shows up-thread, useful f or making custard or, occasionally, lemon curd. I also have several short wooden spoons.

Calistemon

Chewbacca

I didnthe same as Callistemon, lovely bone China bowl with a gold trim. BOOM! End of bowl.

oh dear!

I heard it and stopped it straight away so no harm done.

However, I've reheated gravy in a jug in the microwave, stirred it and it bubbles up alarmingly.
But then, I'm the person who blistered her fingers frying an egg .....

That happened when I stirred a sauce I was making. Took it out of the microwave and when I put a spoon in it exploded!

Well I blew up the microwave in my treatment room clinic heating a pastie in tinfoil. The fire alarm went off and the whole health centre was evacuated. 3 fire engines came (as it was a health centre) and I endured a lecture in front of everyone outside by the head fireman. Then we were banned from having kettles, microwaves etc anywhere but in the main kitchen so no I would not even think of putting a metal spoon in a cup in the microwave - ever ?

???