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."
What is really SILLY here is that the researchers failed to realize they aren't killing bacteria, viruses and parasites with the MICROWAVE. If you wet a sponge and cook it for two minutes in a microwave, you're going to bring the water in the sponge to a BOIL.....
I heat my tea or coffee in a large ceramic mug in the microwave for two minutes and it comes to JUST boiling. I imagine that a significantly less amount of of fluid inside the sponge would come quickly to boiling point and remain so for a good minute.
So... the EASY solution is to boil water on your stove, put your sponges in there and let them boil for a couple minutes, and this would accomplish the exact same thing. Without using MICROWAVEs.
Good grief.
(Oh, and if you put them the little silverware holder in the dishwasher, you do the same thing... duh)
This person is Darwin Award material!!!!!!!
Spounge Pants Bob!---To quote the Dayaks (modified) Sterilize--must Sterilize.
A cycle in the dishwasher on sani helps.
NO $h!t!
I spray the sponge with a household solution of Clorox. I did put it in the dishwasher a few times. The remote possibility of it getting loose and blocking the drain changed my mind on that idea. Clorox beats hot water!!
Trey Parker Lyrics - Freedom Isn't Free Lyrics
Artist: Trey Parker Lyrics
Song: Freedom Isn't Free Lyrics
What would you do
If you were asked to give up your dreams for freedom
What would you do
If asked to make the ultimate sacrifice
Would you think about all them people
Who gave up everything they had.
Would you think about all them War Vets
And would you start to feel bad
Freedom isn't free
It costs folks like you and me
And if we don't all chip in
We'll never pay that bill
Freedom isn't free
No, there's a hefty frikkin' fee.
And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five
Who will?
What would you do
If someone told you to fight for freedom.
Would you answer the call
Or run away like a little sissy
'Cause the only reason that you're here.
Is 'cause folks died for you in the past
So maybe now it's your turn
To die kicking some ass
Freedom isn't free
It costs folks like you and me
And if we don't all chip in
We'll never pay that bill
Freedom isn't free
Now there's a have to hook'in fee
And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five
Who will?
You don't throw in your buck 'o five. Who will?
Oooh buck 'o five
Freedom costs a buck 'o five
Wasn't that a lesson from "The Green Mile"? At least the "books" (aka, "how to get people to pay $20 for a paperback novel")
Duh, that's what makes them dumb!
Paging John Edwards.....
>sponge disasters
unfortunately, yes, and most of them vote for the incumbent whenever possible, which explains how Feinstein, Boxer, and McCain keep getting re-elected.
The old standard of warm water baths to warm blood is pretty safe. Whole blood in the microwave gives me chills.
Thinning the herd a bit, are we? ;^)
Sounds like a recipe for homemade black pudding.
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