National Microwave Oven Day

National Microwave Oven Day, observed each year on December 6, highlights the invention that changed how many households prepare and reheat food.

The microwave oven began with an unexpected discovery in 1945, when American engineer Percy Spencer noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted while he was working near an active radar device at Raytheon. His experiments with popcorn and an egg confirmed that microwave energy could heat food quickly and safely, leading to Raytheon’s patent later that year and the release of the first commercial microwave, the large and costly Radarange in 1947. By the 1970s, smaller and more affordable models made microwave ovens a familiar part of everyday kitchens.

When Is National Microwave Oven Day Celebrated?

National Microwave Oven Day is always celebrated on December 6. This is the day to appreciate how the microwave has streamlined everyday cooking, from reheating leftovers to preparing quick meals and snacks in just a few minutes.

Ways to Celebrate National Microwave Oven Day

There are many ways to take part in this observance, whether you want to try a new recipe, learn something useful, or take better care of the appliance you use so often.

• Try a New Microwave Recipe: Explore a dish you don’t usually make in the microwave—such as a mug cake, steamed vegetables, or quick oatmeal—to see how easy it can be.

• Learn About Microwave Safety: Take a moment to review basic safety tips, including using microwave-safe containers and covering food to prevent splatters.

• Clean the Inside of Your Microwave: Give your microwave a quick refresh. Heating a bowl of water with lemon for a couple of minutes loosens residue and makes wiping easier. Caring for appliances ties in nicely with other kitchen-focused observances that encourage tidying and maintenance.

• Use It to Simplify Meal Prep: Warm up leftovers or try the defrost setting to make cooking smoother and reduce food waste.

• Share a Fun Fact Online: Post something you learned—like Percy Spencer’s 1945 discovery—using #NationalMicrowaveOvenDay to join the conversation.

Fun Facts About Microwave Ovens

Microwave ovens are now standard in many kitchens, but their history and development include several interesting details that aren’t widely known.

• Popcorn was the first food ever cooked using microwave energy, and it remains one of the most common microwave snacks today.

• Early microwaves were used on airplanes to heat meals for passengers before they appeared in home kitchens.

• The first commercial microwaves were large and costly, often standing nearly six feet tall and used mainly in restaurants and hospitals. Home use only became common in the 1970s, when smaller, more affordable models appeared.

• In 1967, a microwave cost around $495, which would be much higher in today’s money. Modern basic models are far more affordable.

• About 90% of U.S. households own a microwave, showing how widely the appliance has been adopted.

• Microwaves heat food by exciting water molecules, which is why foods with higher moisture content warm more quickly.

• A microwave’s turntable wasn’t standard at first. Early models relied on complex metal stirrers to distribute heat more evenly.

• The microwave door is designed with a metal mesh to block microwaves while still allowing you to see inside, an important safety feature built into every model.

• Microwave ovens are more energy-efficient for small portions than stovetops or ovens, making them useful for reducing cooking time and electricity use.