As it turns out, with the proper accessories, a standard microwave makes a dandy forge. While the ceramic chamber’s job is to hold in heat, the crucible is really the business end of the forge. Made of silicon carbide, the crucible absorbs the microwave energy and transduces it into radiant heat — and a lot of it. As for results, [Denny] has tried melting all the usual home forge metals, like aluminum and copper. We’re not sure we’d do it in the kitchen, but it’s still a nice skill to keep in mind.

Source: The Guardian April 19, 2023 05:55 UTC