food dehydrater for small wood pieces

[Ianab]

Can someone explain why is there a fuss about putting metal in a microwave, when the merry go round rack the plate sits on is made out of metal?

Every microwave I've ever had the merry go round was made of glass?

I guess it could be metal, if it was earthed, then it would be just the same as the metal case, and just reflect the microwaves around the chamber.

But random bits of metal in the intense electromagnetic field usually results in arcing, and all sorts of other exciting stuff.  :D

Ian

[Busy Beaver Lumber]

Ok Terrific timbers let me try to explain better.

The magnatron puts out microwave energy. Under normal conditions this energy would be absorbed by the food and cause molecules in the food to become excited and move around. Moving around would cause them to hit one another, causing heat and friction that heats and cooks the food.

When you put metal in the microwave, the microwave energy is reflected by the metal instead of being absorbed and looks for the easiest path to ground, most likely the wall of the microwave which itself is grounded. This causes a rapid transfer of energy and a visible arc

How was that?

[terrifictimbersllc]

Pretty good explanation I can get my  mind around, thanks.  Still wondering where the metal carousel in our microwave  fits in the picture. .

[Freedom6178]

If you want to see something cool just throw an old junk CD in the micro upside down for about 35 sec or so and watch..    :D :D :D

[petefrom bearswamp]

I have a small homemade DH kiln which works well, but has eaten 2 dehumidifiers so far.
Something about the acids in the wood.
I have only dried about 2 mbf so far so it is fairly expensive to use considering replacing the dehum machines

[SPIKER]

If using the Microwave to dry, use the DEFROST setting as that puts out marginal power and cycles that high low to let food defrost without burning it at spots.

longer cycle time with lower settings for sure.   One of the famous wood carvers uses a home made microwave to dry some of his creations.   It holds large trees that had been carved into a lot of interesting shapes.

The food dehydrator air movement might move too much air and dry causing cracks would be my fear but small ones might work.

mark