> > > One thing I've always wondered. Pretty much every microwave 
> > > instruction says not to put metal into the oven -- yet 
> the whole oven is made of metal.
> > > I know that of course metal reflects rather than absorbs, but it 
> > > shouldn't do any harm (at least not as long as there is 
> enough other 
> > > material in the oven). Or am I missing something?
> > >
> > > Gerhard
> > >
> >
> > My oven instructions stated "to prevent overcooking of food 
> (ends of 
> > chicken drumsticks, etc) cover them with foil to shield them".
> >
> > I also have put in large metal bowls with no small antenna-like 
> > projections with absolutely no problems.
> 
> Because you already have a high dielectric loss load (the chicken).
> Put only the aluminium foil and watch what is happening.


It depends on the shape of the foil as well.  You get arcing at pointy bits,
so a long strip like a thin triangle will arc more easily than a circle.
The points act like antennas I guess.

Light bulbs are good fun too, but they tend to blow up after 10 seconds or
so, so cover them with a clear jug or something.  Makes cleanup easier.

Tony

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