Microwaves may be quick and convenient, especially in office kitchens or dorm rooms, but they can actually be hazardous when it comes to boiling plain water. Emergency rooms have seen a number of cases where people suffered burns from water that exploded after being microwaved.
The danger comes down to how microwaves heat. Instead of warming water from the bottom up like a kettle, creating bubbles that release steam gradually, microwaves heat water unevenly from all directions. If the container is smooth and still, no bubbles form, even as the water reaches temperatures above boiling. This phenomenon, called superheating, is invisible but dangerous. As soon as the mug is jostled—by lifting it or adding something like a tea bag—the superheated water can erupt violently, causing scalding burns.
One workaround is to place a wooden stir stick or chopstick in the mug while microwaving, which allows bubbles to form safely. But there’s a better solution: use an electric kettle.
Electric kettles are specifically designed to boil water safely and efficiently. They heat from the base up, triggering natural boiling bubbles and releasing steam in a controlled, visible way. Most have built-in automatic shut-offs to prevent overheating or dry boiling, making them one of the safest appliances in the kitchen. They’re also faster and more energy-efficient than microwaves for boiling water.
Investing in an electric kettle is well worth it if you regularly drink tea or coffee or make instant meals. It eliminates the risk of surprise eruptions and provides a reliable, safe source of boiling water every time.
In short, when heating water, ditch the microwave and use an electric kettle—it’s safer, smarter, and just as fast.
