Is it bad to stare into a microwave while it is on?

Question

Is it bad to stare into a microwave while it is on?

Answer 1

No direct affects from a stare.

However, some Microwaves leak as they get old and could cause ill affects if you are too close, warming affect.

If the door is loose or if a hole was burned through the shield within the window of the door.

Answer 2

Typically no as the window blocks the microwave rays.  If it did leak you would feel it as heat.

Answer 3

no. radiation is blocked by the screen in the window.

Answer 4

No. The metal mesh in the door acts as a partial Faraday cage, which keeps the microwaves from escaping.

Another example of a Faraday cage is a car or airplane in a lightening storm.

When of them is struck by lightening, the electrical charge travels around the outer skin of the vehicle, leaving the occupants unharmed (hopefully).

Staring inside a working microwave oven might make you hungry, but it won't fry your eyes.