Does Microwaved Water Kill Plants? Mythbusters

There is a myth going around on the internet that microwaved water can kill plants due to changes in its molecular structure. Some people believe that the radiation from the microwave causes the water molecules to break down and become toxic to plant life. To put this myth to the test, the team at Mythbusters conducted a series of experiments.

The Experiments

Mythbusters conducted three experiments to test the theory that microwaved water can kill plants:

Experiment 1: The Seedling

In this experiment, Mythbusters grew two seedlings in identical conditions except for the water they were given. One seedling was given tap water heated on a stove, and the other was given tap water heated in a microwave. Both seedlings grew at the same rate, and there was no difference in their health.

Experiment 2: The Flower

For this experiment, Mythbusters used a fully grown flower that had been cut and placed in water. They put half of the flower's stem in tap water heated on a stove and the other half in tap water heated in a microwave. After several days, the flower was still alive, and there was no difference in the health of either half of the stem.

Experiment 3: The Herb Garden

In this experiment, Mythbusters grew an herb garden using three different types of water: tap water heated on a stove, tap water heated in a microwave, and distilled water. The herb garden was monitored over several weeks, and all of the plants grew at the same rate with no difference in health between the three types of water.

The Results

Based on the three experiments, Mythbusters were unable to find any evidence to support the theory that microwaved water is harmful to plants. The plants, seedlings, and flowers all grew at the same rate and showed no difference in health or appearance compared to those grown with stove-heated water or distilled water.

It is essential to note that microwaving water can have an impact on the taste and quality of the water. When water is heated in a microwave, it can become superheated, meaning it can get hotter than its boiling point without actually boiling. This can lead to the water boiling over when disturbed, such as when tea or coffee is added. Microwaving can also affect the minerals and nutrients found in the water, which can impact the flavor of tea, coffee, or other drinks made with it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the myth that microwaved water can kill plants is simply that – a myth. The experiments conducted by Mythbusters showed no difference in the health or appearance of plants grown with microwave-heated water compared to those grown with stove-heated water or distilled water. However, it is important to be aware of the impacts that microwaving water can have on its taste and quality.

So, feel free to use your microwave to heat water for your plants – but maybe stick to a stove for your tea or coffee!