My Microwaveable Corn Bag Caught Fire!!
#51
You know, with all the textiles being made in China and Pakistan, how do we even know they are 100% cotton as they say they are? Obviously they are not!
I would not put any kind of fabric or fabric with batting in the microwave.
I would not put any kind of fabric or fabric with batting in the microwave.
#52
I just got a new microwave because our old one was catching on fire on the metal piece inside. The new microwave instructions state that items placed in the microwave should be a certain height to prevent fires.
I am guilty of placing a very short dish with some frozen nuts in the old one to defrost. Guess I should have used something taller.
I am guilty of placing a very short dish with some frozen nuts in the old one to defrost. Guess I should have used something taller.
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
I made a bag for potatoes just winging it, and this was before I did much quilting. I had seen them in a store and figured I could do that only better . I used Warm and Natural, and in all probability cotton-wrapped poly thread. It worked fine, but I saw absolutely no improvement over the usual microwave potato cooking, and so have just used it as a hot-mat on the table ever since. Is there any chance the batting in yours was Insul-brite, which is not supposed to be used in the microwave because it has metal?
I cook naked ears of corn under the microwave spatter cover and it turns out great.
In the future, if there is ever a fire in a microwave, you and all your family members should know that all you should do is turn it off and wait until the fire goes out. It will because there is a limited air supply in there. That's much safer than trying to move a burning item, and was mentioned in the instructions that came with my first microwave. Having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen is also a good idea, and your insurance company might give you a discount if you do that and a few other simple things around the house that can reduce risk.
I cook naked ears of corn under the microwave spatter cover and it turns out great.
In the future, if there is ever a fire in a microwave, you and all your family members should know that all you should do is turn it off and wait until the fire goes out. It will because there is a limited air supply in there. That's much safer than trying to move a burning item, and was mentioned in the instructions that came with my first microwave. Having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen is also a good idea, and your insurance company might give you a discount if you do that and a few other simple things around the house that can reduce risk.
Last edited by Rose_P; 05-15-2012 at 08:14 PM.
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,122
My daughter, my husband and my mom all had theirs catch fire. My theory is that if you only cook 1 small potato there is not enough moisture or steam to prevent the bag from burning. When I cook 2 or more potatoes my bag is very wet by the time they are done cooking. I never leave the bag cooking unattended out of fear of a fire. Potatoes taste so darn good cooked in them that I still want to use the bags!
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 353
I have heard of so many of these bags starting fires since the craze. My mind keeps wondering, who in their right mind, would put any kind of cloth in a microwave for 8-10 min. And especially anything with polyester, i.e., cotton covered polyester thread. With all the junk made in China now, wouldn't trust any fabric or batting to be 100% anything. A friend of mine works for an after fire clean up company, and we were discussing this a month or so ago. She said, oh well, things like this keep me employed. Got two of the potato bags for Christmas a few years back, they went straight in the wastebasket.
My potatoes I m/w on the tray and my corn, in a m/w vegetable cooker, with a small bit of water in the bottom. Please keep the cloth out of your m/w ovens.
My potatoes I m/w on the tray and my corn, in a m/w vegetable cooker, with a small bit of water in the bottom. Please keep the cloth out of your m/w ovens.
#57
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DC metro area
Posts: 1,286
You have to use feed corn. I have been using corn bags for years to keep my feet warm at night. The last bag I made, which I used for about three years, before the corn decided that enough was enough and it burnt. But it did not catch fire. I do not use any batting in my bags. Cut your fabric about 9 or 10" sq and put 6 cups of feed corn it, sew it up and you're ready to go. I put my on for 2 minutes on high. First bag was gift and I love it.
#58
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
As far as the potato bags...was given one once as a gift.......got rid of it......those get microed easy enough without a "bag"......that is just me...
#59
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 243
Hi, My experp. is to make it all out of 100% cotton. Poly will catch fire. But we have had no problem with the 100% cotton. If I make any and give away it is always 100% cotton. I have a stash bag to keep only 100%cotton for just that purpose without getting mixed with the other.
#60
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,812
After boiling the corn, I use tongs to remove it from the water, place the corn in a colander and then place the colander back over the corn water pan to continue dripping. My colander is large enough to sit directly on the rim of the pan. I also place a tin foil tent over the corn to keep the heat on the corn before serving.
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