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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 crap 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.

#1

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

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

xXBonerPrinceXx Report

#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

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

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

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

imgur.com Report

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.

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

He Forgot To Put Water In His Cup O Noodles

themagicpotato Report

#5

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

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

imgur.com Report

#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

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

missouriprincess Report

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tilly kate
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i always mentally prepare myself for the toast to pop, but i still jump every time

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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

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

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

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

zingusdingus Report

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#9

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

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

hazasauras Report

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MrTree1779
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bury them in the desert so that an archaeologist can have fun figuring them out in 2000 years.

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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.

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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:

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

eyedontnowutimdoing Report

#11

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

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

WestTinLA Report

#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

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

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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!

#13

Goodbye Everyone. It's Been Good Knowing You

Goodbye Everyone. It's Been Good Knowing You

Hot_Karl_Rove Report

#14

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

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

jybc2009 Report

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MissPanda3
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened when I told my younger brother to make snack for himself... SPOILER: he burnt the chip bag, he wanted warm chips

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#16

$5000 Canadian After Someone Using The Microwave To Disinfect It

$5000 Canadian After Someone Using The Microwave To Disinfect It

jdk Report

#17

Left My Fork In The Microwave Today

Left My Fork In The Microwave Today

usagisailor Report

#18

Just Going To Heat Up Some Coffee In The Microwave. Tried To Grab It. Tried To Pour It. What The. Well Damn

Just Going To Heat Up Some Coffee In The Microwave. Tried To Grab It. Tried To Pour It. What The. Well Damn

phchamp Report

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Scagsy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only you could go back in time and not do it. The final irony is the mug.

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#19

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

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

NotKay Report

#20

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

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

pepesilvia189 Report

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Scagsy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are so many people doing this? Are they trying to reach herd immunity to stupid?

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#21

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

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

reddit.com Report

#24

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

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

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#25

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

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

rileynebush Report

#26

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

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

UncleArthur Report

#27

My Friend's Kids Decided To Microwave Crayola Markers

My Friend's Kids Decided To Microwave Crayola Markers

robmx Report

#28

So, Apparently You Shouldn't Microwave Spaghetti Squash

So, Apparently You Shouldn't Microwave Spaghetti Squash

oozabooza Report

#29

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

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

Jamaisfaux Report

#30

My Mom Set The Microwave For 75 Mins And Not 75 Secs

My Mom Set The Microwave For 75 Mins And Not 75 Secs

lifewontwait86 Report

#32

My Little Sister Accidentally Microwaved A Bagel For Ten Minutes

My Little Sister Accidentally Microwaved A Bagel For Ten Minutes

Iddelgado Report

#33

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

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

shirleyallenwilson Report

#34

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

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

best_cricket Report

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#35

Forgot To Add Water To My Microwave Mac N Cheese

Forgot To Add Water To My Microwave Mac N Cheese

stopatredlights Report

#36

Why Would You Even Want To Heat Cheetos?

Why Would You Even Want To Heat Cheetos?

lilliegrace12 Report

#37

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

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

nursethalia Report

#38

My High Brain Learned That Bowls Get Hot In The Microwave

My High Brain Learned That Bowls Get Hot In The Microwave

YawpTheDayAway Report

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Scagsy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you remember when microwaves came out they were like 'yeah, even the dish doesn't get warm, only the food'? What happened?

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#39

Another Case Of Someone Microwaving Money To "Sanitize It"

Another Case Of Someone Microwaving Money To "Sanitize It"

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

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the money is still more than half viable, then the bank should be able to take it. After they make the deposit, it is then sent to the government to be destroyed since they can't use them again. For destroyed coin, they write them off and throw them away unless it's a large amount. Those they can refuse. This is what was done years ago when I was a teller

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#40

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

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

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Lululoohoo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No no the veggies were not still good! You just ate so much leached chemicals

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Note: this post originally had 48 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.