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Microwaves. They’re our best buddies when we need popcorn for movie night and when we feel too lazy to cook a nutritious meal (that greasy lasagna from our local gas station has really stolen our hearts). But for some people, microwaves are riddles wrapped in mysteries inside enigmas.

When you use your microwave properly, everything’s dandy. But if you mess up… well, the consequences can be catastrophic. Not to mention hilarious! Bored Panda has collected some of the funniest microwave fails by not-so-smart people to get your week off to a great start. So scroll down, upvote your fave stories, and remember—don’t put random stuff in your microwave.

Knowledge is power. So we've also prepared a small list of tips about some of the less-obvious things that you shouldn’t put in your futuristic food-heating box.

Discover more in 40 Of The Funniest Microwave Fails

Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.

#1

My Mom Microwaved Some Birdseed To Disinfect It Before Putting It In A Beanbag And Accidentally Made Tiny Popcorn

Hand holding several tiny, barely popped pieces of popcorn illustrating a microwave fail with undercooked snacks.

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    #2

    Yesterday This Guy Put Ghost Pepper Popcorn In Our Industrial Microwave At Work For Over 5 Minutes. The Office Was Filled With Black Smoke Burning People's Eyes

    Microwave with a warning sign about a ghost pepper popcorn incident causing burning eyes, throat, and food.

    No-one could breathe. He basically maced the building. We were moved to the other end so we could keep working

    StereoShayn Report

    #3

    My Friend Opened Their Microwave And Couldn't Figure Out What This Was. It Was A Forgotten Slice Of Pizza

    Microwave fail showing a burnt and melted object creating a fluffy, charred mess inside the microwave cavity.

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    To start things off, you probably already knew this one, but you shouldn’t put aluminum foil inside a microwave because it burns and ignites. In fact, don’t heat up any kind of metal.

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    The same goes for paper bags which may release fumes and toxins and might catch on fire. (Note how most things that shouldn’t be in microwaves burst into flames). Keep in mind that popcorn bags have susceptors in them, so it’s safe to use them. Yay, movie nights aren’t canceled!

    #4

    He Forgot To Put Water In His Cup O Noodles

    Young boy standing next to a microwave with a burnt paper cup inside, illustrating one of the funniest microwave fails.

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    #5

    I Have No Idea How This Happened. Cup Took Considerable Force To Get Back Down

    Plastic cup exploded inside microwave, causing a messy spill of liquid and stains on the microwave interior surfaces.

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    #6

    My Submission For Dumbest Way To Injure Yourself: I Burnt My Hand Taking Tomato Soup Out Of The Microwave. The Toast I Was Making Popped Up And It Scared Me

    Spilled food mess covering kitchen counter and fridge next to a red irritated burn on a wrist from microwave fails.

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    You should also never microwave plastic bags or styrofoam containers. You know, the ones that you get your take-away and leftover food in. They release harmful chemicals and you really don’t want to deal with the mess they leave behind.

    Nor should you put wet clothes inside to ‘dry’ them out. It won’t work. Be smart—use a dryer. If you don’t have one, you’ll just have to hang up your clothes and wait for them to dry the old fashioned way.

    #7

    When I Was 3-Years-Old I Decided To Put My Dad's Brand New Cellphone In The Microwave

    Severely burned flip phones melted and charred in a microwave fail, held by a hand over a colorful background.

    He didn’t understand what I meant by “phone hot, daddy! Phone hot! ” until he walked into the kitchen and saw it full of smoke. 17 years later, he still has it and refuses to let me live it down

    Jayus_YT Report

    #8

    I Installed My Own Microwave Today And Saved $150 In Install Fees

    Microwave fails showing melted glass stovetop under a microwave in a kitchen setting with utensils nearby.

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    #9

    This Is What Happens When You Microwave Mcdonalds Fries For 30 Minutes (Instead Of 30 Seconds)

    Burnt food inside a blackened takeout container on a glass plate outdoors, showing a funny microwave fail.

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    Yes, yes, we know—microwaves are for food. But some food items have no place inside the machine. For example, if you were to put, oh we don’t know, say a hard-boiled egg inside, it’s likely to explode. And not in a pleasant “oh look, Ma, I accidentally made delicious scrambled eggs without even trying” kind of way.

    The same warning goes for hot peppers. You might like spicy food, but be sure to add those peppers after you take your meal out of the microwave. If they’re inside, they’ll heat up and will release something similar to a gust of pepper-spray when you open up the door. Great for warding off intruders if you’re starring in ‘Home Alone.’ Bad for lunch at the office.

    #10

    Wife: “Are You Sure That Jalapeño Dip Container Is Microwaveable?” Me, An Intellectual: “Of Course It Is.” Jalapeño Dip Container:

    Overcooked food bubbled over on a microwave plate causing a messy cooking fail inside the microwave oven.

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    #11

    My Daughter Took It Upon Herself To Microwave Some Syrup For Her Waffles... For 5 Minutes

    Burnt and overflowed food in a Pyrex measuring cup on a kitchen countertop, a classic microwave fail example.

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    #12

    So Heard It Was Fine Putting Your Phone In The Microwave To Charge It. My Charger Broke Yesterday, My Battery Was Pretty Low So Thought I'd Give It A Go... This Happened

    Burnt and c*****d smartphone inside a microwave showing one of the funniest microwave fails on a glass turntable.

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    So, dear Pandas, which microwave fail was your fave one? Did you learn anything new about what not to heat up in microwaves? Do you have any microwave fails of your own to share with us? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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    #13

    Goodbye Everyone. It's Been Good Knowing You

    Hand holding detached microwave door panel in kitchen, illustrating a microwave fail with broken appliance part.

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    #14

    This Is What Happens When You Tell Your Kid To Make His Own Snack. So He Microwaves An Egg For 11 Minutes

    Microwave interior covered in exploded food debris, illustrating one of the funniest microwave fails caught on camera.

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    #15

    What Happens If You Microwave A Spoon

    Microwave fail showing a bright spark inside the appliance caused by attempting to microwave a metal spoon.

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    #16

    Left My Fork In The Microwave Today

    Microwaved meal with mac and cheese, sausage, and peppers in a plastic container with a broken white plastic fork.

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    #17

    My Friend's Husband Thought He Could Microwave His Shirt To Dry It Faster

    Person holding a white Salt Lake Community College shirt with multiple burnt microwave fail marks on fabric spots.

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    #18

    A Friend's Client Paid Him In Cash. He Put The Cash In The Microwave To Kill Traces Of Coronavirus

    Burnt US dollar bills showing a microwave fail with severe black scorch marks on a cluttered surface.

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    #19

    A Guest Put It In The Hotel Microwave To Give It "A Quick Charge." Fire Alarm Followed

    Burnt and melted food container on a microwave turntable showing one of the funniest microwave fails.

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    #20

    Brownie Out Of A Cup - Level: Hiroshima

    Microwave fail with a cup overflowing brown foamy liquid inside the microwave oven causing a mess.

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    #21

    If You Were Wondering What Happens When You Put Foil In The Microwave

    Burned and melted plastic inside a microwave showing one of the funniest microwave fails with damaged interior parts.

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    #22

    I Tried To Microwave A Sandwich And There Is A Big Difference Between 4 And 5 Minutes

    Microwave fail with burnt food and smoke filling the microwave, showing a common example of funny microwave fails.

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    #23

    Life Pro Tip: Even If Your Boiled Egg Is A Bit Underdone, Don't Put It In The Microwave

    Messy microwave interior with food splatters and stains demonstrating one of the funniest microwave fails.

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    #24

    My Friend's Kids Decided To Microwave Crayola Markers

    Microwave fail with spilled colorful paint tubes splattered inside, creating a messy and stained interior surface.

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    #25

    So, Apparently You Shouldn't Microwave Spaghetti Squash

    Yellow spaghetti squash exploded inside a microwave, creating a messy and funny microwave fail inside the appliance.

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    #26

    Someone Brought These Bills To The Bank They Tried To Sanitize In A Microwave

    Burnt and damaged dollar bills on countertop, showcasing some of the funniest microwave fails involving currency mishaps.

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    #27

    Tomato Soup Disaster

    Microwave fail showing tomato soup explosion splattered inside and outside the microwave causing a messy kitchen disaster.

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    #28

    My Little Sister Accidentally Microwaved A Bagel For Ten Minutes

    Burnt and deformed food item held by hand on a countertop, showcasing a funny microwave fail experience.

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    #29

    Last Night’s Dinner Started Out With A Bang, But I Cleaned It Up Bought Another Squash And Tried Again

    Microwave fail with exploded spaghetti squash mess inside and splattered on the door and microwave interior surfaces.

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    #30

    Attempted One Of Those Microwave Mug Cakes. Looks, Uh, Less Than Appetizing

    Chocolate mug cake with c*****d surface after a microwave fail, shown in a white ceramic cup on a wooden table.

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    #31

    Forgot To Add Water To My Microwave Mac N Cheese

    Burnt food resembling blackened pasta held by hand in a kitchen setting, highlighting funny microwave fails.

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    #32

    Why Would You Even Want To Heat Cheetos?

    Burnt and melted Cheetos bag after being microwaved, showcasing a funny microwave fail on a kitchen countertop.

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    #33

    Cooking Everyone Breakfast When The Glass From The Microwave Door Unexpectedly Fell Out

    Microwave door shattered inside kitchen causing broken glass mess on stovetop with pans and food remains.

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    #34

    My High Brain Learned That Bowls Get Hot In The Microwave

    Spilled food mess covering stove and counter, illustrating one of the funniest microwave fails in a kitchen setting.

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    #35

    Another Case Of Someone Microwaving Money To "Sanitize It"

    Burnt US dollar bills spread on a table after a microwave fail, showcasing a funny microwave fails moment.

    I work at a bank. We are still open through the drive up. Someone literally microwaved their money to "Sanitize it" and sent it to us to deposit into their account....I can't. They said "I'm sure some of it isn't usable but whatever you can deposit into my account, please do."

    Shanna Leigh Kilchesky Report

    #36

    So I Guess It's Not Microwave Safe. Veggies Were Still Good Though

    Warped microwave container with steamed broccoli inside showing a typical microwave fail from overheating food.

    Christie_Witt Report

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