>Items that contain BeO that I have seen have a note to this effect on the
>external label. I cannot think of a reason why any item in a microwave oven
>would contain BeO.


They appear to use a ceramic insulator between the Anode and the body. The
Anode is going to get rather hot given the power levels involved and they
will be aiming at best heat transfer here.


Uh Oh !!!!!!!!!!
The url that Jim Hratman provided -
    http://www.nsc.org/ehc/ew/chems/berylliu.htm
says
"Beryllium oxide is used to make specialty electrical and high-technology
ceramics, electronic heat sinks, electrical insulators,
MICROWAVE OVEN COMPONENTS" ,
gyroscopes, military vehicle armor, rocket nozzles, and laser structural
components. Beryllium alloys are used in electrical connectors and relays,
springs, precision instruments, aircraft engine parts, nonsparking tools,
submarine cable housings and pivots, wheels, and pinions.

RM