Now please play Stairway To Heaven, Rajiv.
Posted on 01/25/2007 6:18:32 AM PST by presidio9
Reports about a study that found microwave ovens can be used to sterilize kitchen sponges sent people hurrying to test the idea this week -- with sometimes disastrous results.
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A team at the University of Florida found that two minutes in the microwave at full power could kill a range of bacteria, viruses and parasites on kitchen sponges.
They described how they soaked the sponges in wastewater and then zapped them. But several experimenters evidently left out the crucial step of wetting the sponge.
"Just wanted you to know that your article on microwaving sponges and scrubbers aroused my interest. However, when I put my sponge/scrubber into the microwave, it caught fire, smoked up the house, ruined my microwave, and pissed me off," one correspondent wrote in an e-mail to Reuters.
"First, the sponge is worthless afterwards so you have to throw it out instead of using it. And second your entire house stinks like a burning tire for several hours, even with windows/doors open," complained another.
Aaron Hoover, a press officer at the University of Florida, said several other news organizations received similar complaints, although no one had complained directly to the university.
"We figured, 'wow, we better let people know right away that the sponge should be wet,"' Hoover said in a telephone interview.
The university issued the following advisory: "To guard against the risk of fire, people who wish to sterilize their sponges at home must ensure the sponge is completely wet. Two minutes of microwaving is sufficient for most sterilization. Sponges should also have no metallic content. Last, people should be careful when removing the sponge from the microwave as it will be hot."
These days you have to somewhat hint or specify when you earned your degree.
I have a boss who has degrees, certifications, etc and is 'not the sharpest rock in the box' if that mangling of proverbial sentiment expresses the 'image.'
Degrees in modern times, depending on what area of specialty, are mostly about as valuable as bathroom tissue.
Colleges in my area are cranking out mindless degreed drones that have MBA's but no brains to match.
That is just disgusting.
"James Lewis, get away for that wheelbarrow. You know you doesn't know nothin' 'bout machinery!"
---Brother Dave Gardner
Do they think that people think there might be some other purpose for placing objects in the microwave?
Then again, we're talking about the general populace....Never mind...
Anything I want to dry quickly, I lay on the floor in front of the refrigerator. Every time it runs, it blows nice warm air out the front bottom. Great for drying the insides of boots, shoes, and gloves.
Well, the dishwasher cleans hard surfaces well but I don't think would be effective in cleaning all the tiny cavities in a sponge. Also, I don't have a dishwasher, other than the 2-legged kind ;^)
That's the best thing that could happen to SpongeBob, IMO. My daughter saw part of an episode once and said she could feel her IQ dropping.
Actually, I got my degree in 1975. However, it is a degree in Sociology, which probably counts against me. Still, I consider myself to have a superior education than many with more recent degrees. Plus, I'm smarter /snicker
ping...
DON'T DO THIS AT HOME! :-)
You can use your microwave to create a self sustaining glowing plasma.
(You can also use your microwave to determine the speed of light)
L
That would take an awful long lead at 2450 mHz. The speed of light divided by that is 1.2 meters. Where can you get a 30 centimeter mechanical pencil lead?
Oops, 3e8 not 3e9. 3 cm would do it. Somewhat over an inch.
ping
I agree with everything you said, but what has it got to do with microwaving sponges? :)
Yup, it also would just hold detergent and other grodiness that would redeposit on the dishes.
Laundry would not be much better since agitation doesn't do much to squeeze the sponges.
I take the simple approach and always assume the counter top and stove top no matter how well wiped to be loaded with bacteria. And I don't want to be messing around with bleach all the time, the fumes are irritating. So I don't put food directly on it or lay utensils on it that need to be kept clean. I set such items on paper towels, paper plates, or on a clean dish.
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