Any food or health-related hazards from rust inside microwave?

very helpful answers! I'm going to check my mom's micro tomorrow with the "run it on empty" test! In her microwave's case, the rusty area is under the glass plate that turns. I think the enamel was worn off by the little wheels under the plate...Maybe also too much cleaning! (I don't have THAT problem at home!)
Thank you again!

Very helpful coments!! Thank you

I'm glad you found this helpful! Please let us know if you decide to use the paint, as we have rust in our microwave, too, and we are trying to decide if we should purchase a new microwave, or go the DIY route and remove the rust ourselves, and apply the paint.

Thank you!! I googled a question that was bothering me and your site came up first. Going to look for the Whirlpool endorsed paint!! Thanks again!

One worrisome thing about rust in the microwave might just be that it signals that you have uncovered metal. Some microwaves can handle this but others might spark or flare (like when you've accidentally put something with foil in there, or if you have a metal rim on a plate).

In terms of the rust itself, here's one answer from a consumer question and answer board:

"As long as the oven's metal bottom is sound underneath the rust, there isn't a problem. The cooking chamber walls are so thick and highly conducting that they reflect the microwaves extremely well even when they have a little rust on them. However, if the metal is so rusted that it loses most of its conductivity in the rust sites, you'll get local heating across the rusty patches and eventually leakage of microwaves. If you're really concerned that there may be trouble, run the microwave oven empty for about 20 seconds and then (carefully!) touch the rusty spots. If they aren't hot, then the metal underneath is doing its job just fine."

Here's another Q&A in the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

"Q I found a little rust spot inside my microwave. Is this a problem?

"A Not necessarily. Rust comes from moisture. Unless it's extensive, rust won't hinder microwave operation. But rust could lead to a penetration of the metal and arcing when the oven is operating. That could make the spot larger or cause microwave energy to leak.

"If the spot is not too large, it can be touched up. Check with your local hardware or home store or an appliance-repair shop that works with microwaves. In many cases, however, it's cheaper to buy a new microwave."

This apparently is not an uncommon problem: I found a microwave interior spray paint with a Whirlpool endorsement and a special label for "Pressurized finishes." It's possible you could get it at a local home improvement store after removing the rust yourself:

http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDetail.aspx?s=t-277-%3d%3di277&PartID=277

Here are some sites that tell you how to remove rust:

http://natural-cleaning-products.blogspot.com/2008/06/remove-rust-from-kitchen-appliances.html

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/165828_home-remedies-remove-rust.htm

I have exactly the same problem with my microwave and have been wondering about any possible health risks not so much the rust itself because I cover the food when cooking but it may just be possible that the microwaves are escaping the unit and radiating us while we stand outside waiting for the food. I am going to look into this soon! I hope someone has an answer among our readers.