Exploding Microwaved Water
19 January 2007Fact or Fiction?
There are a few websites out there that claim this is a myth. That the stories circulated around the internet are just that, urban myths. Heating water in the microwave does not cause it to spontaneously explode upon removal from the microwave.
While usually the simple removal of a cup from the microwave does not cause the water to explode, it is possible. Adding coffee, a tea bag, hot chocolate or any other substance is usually the catalyst.
This fall, my son-in-law was staying at a hotel in Ottawa. As is his usual practice, he heated up some water, in a mug, for his tea. He removed the mug from the microwave and dropped the tea bag into the mug. The water instantly exploded giving him 2nd degree burns all over the back of his hand.
Here’s a picture of his hand upon arriving at the hospital.
While not a common occurence, it appears that this “exploding water” is caused by Super Heating.
The US Food and Drug Administration describes it as follows: “Over-heating of water in a cup can result in superheated water (water heated past its boiling temperature), which does not appear to be boiling. This type of phenomena occurs if water is heated in a clean cup. If foreign materials such as instant coffee or sugar are added before heating, the risk is greatly reduced. If superheating has occurred, a slight disturbance or movement such as picking up the cup, or pouring in a spoon full of instant coffee, may result in a violent eruption with the boiling water exploding out of the cup.”
J. Carlton Gallawa’s website gives the following explanation: “Heated liquids can erupt, boil over and cause severe burns. Hot liquids that appear dormant while being removed from the oven can suddenly–without warning–erupt like an exploding volcano. This is a consequence of a phenomenon known as SUPERHEATING. Superheated liquids are in fact at or above the boiling point, but to all appearances they show no signs of boiling–that is, until they are disturbed. The simple motion of removing the container from the microwave may provide the vibration needed for the seething liquid to erupt in a scalding blast. “
Steve Spangler gives one of the simplest yet most informative descriptions on his blog. Comments left by people show that this is not a unique occurence.
The “fix” is simple. Don’t over heat liquids in the microwave and add something to the mug/cup when you are heating it up. Add the coffee, tea bag, a little plastic stir stick. Add anything that will diffuse the energy that builds up.
Take Care!
No comments yet