taxi91 Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 hi guys, I have been making a massive amount of lures and find myself in front of the microwave a lot. like most people, I use an old microwave and cant help but wonder if there is any radiation leaking from the old girl, is there any way of checking this out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 You can check the gasket around the door by closing the door on a dollar bill. If the bill is snug when tugged on then the seal is OK. You can buy radiation detectors for this purpose, but I don't think there is any government agency that certifies these devices so the manufacturer can probably make any claims they want to. Ben 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Microwaves have been around a long time now, and the ones that used to leak were the very early versions. The way the microwave doors on every one I've used are made, they would leak out of the sides of the doors, if they leak at all. And they all have a control panel on the right hand side that is flush with the door face, so it blocks any leaks in that direction. I think standing in front of the microwave is probably the most shielded place, and I do my pouring on the right hand side of my microwave, so I'm shielded there, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 You can check the gasket around the door by closing the door on a dollar bill. If the bill is snug when tugged on then the seal is OK. You can buy radiation detectors for this purpose, but I don't think there is any government agency that certifies these devices so the manufacturer can probably make any claims they want to. Ben Ben, With the older units, weren't you able to hold a light bulb next to a microwave and it would glow if there was a leak? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 I've heard that you could do that with a fluorescent bulb Mark, but I think the microwave had to have a fairly major leak for that to work. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi91 Posted March 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 Thanks a lot guys, that's logical advice, and Rayburnguy, you just saved me some $$$$ as I was going to buy an electronic detector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 Thanks a lot guys, that's logical advice, and Rayburnguy, you just saved me some $$$$ as I was going to buy an electronic detector. From what I can find on the 'net the cheaper detectors ( around 10 or 12 bucks) aren't very reliable. You can do a search for microwave radiation detectors and then read the reviews on them and see what I'm talking about. To have your microwave tested by a reputable repairman it will probably run you in the neighborhood of $100. I haven't checked prices, but $100 will probably buy you a new microwave or come really close to it. I'm no expert, but as long as you do the dollar bill test and the gasket is tight all the way around the door you should be good to go. Ben 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
