What makes a Magnetron dangerous 

Believe it or not, magnetrons for common microwave ovens made since about 1980 have aluminum oxide insulators rather than beryllium oxide. The old amanna radarrange ones do have heryllium oxide. Since the 1990s they use pink ruby alumina to make them easier to sort when recycled. 🤓

Those symptoms you list sound just like the symptoms of getting older.

Yes, public spirited to warn of the possible dangers of Beryllium oxide dust and what it can inflict upon the unwary. I note others have clarified the colouration of ceramic containing b-oxide and that most now use aluminium oxide instead. However, the magnets may be fun for us eternal Peter Pans, but the ion chamber is fashioned entirely from copper, therefore does have some value to scrappers

Yikes! Don't forget the radioactive Thorium electrode in the vacuum tube!

Oh, geez...that's nice to know. When I was a teenager working at Sears product services, I used to tear mags apart to get the magnets. I'm not really sure if I chipped the ceramic, but it would not surprise me. Smh

I pulled apart a bunch of these in my younger days and I've still still got the magnets, don't have those symptoms but since finding out about beryllium I certainly won't be doing it again!

Thank you Sir for the caution alert about the danger of a Magnetron.

Thank you for the information. Be safe folks.

I have heard that most of the time if the ceramic insulator is white, it is most likely beryllium oxide. However if it is a pinkish colour, then it's most likely aluminum oxide. That could be not entirely true though, still take proper precautions just in case it is beryllium oxide.

Magnetron is a vacuum tube diode operated with a positive antenna that issues its output into the cooking chamber.

Thank you sir, most appreciable caution and information.

ManyThanks for sharing this very important safety information!

DANGER ⚠ Before attempting to remove a magnetron , Be absolutely sure to discharge the capacitor and the magnetron itself because no matter how long the unit has been unplugged , They can hold a charge that is LETHAL , And NEVER NEVER ATTEMPT TO POWER UP A MAGNETRON WITHOUT IT BEING INSTALLED IN THE MICROWAVE , Doing so will expose you to very dangerous levels of microwave radiation , If servicing a microwave yourself , It is strongly advisable to get a microwave leak detector to make sure there is no leakage of microwave radiation , In everything you do , ALWAYS PUT SAFETY FIRST!!!!!

U.S Active denial system: "Hold my beer"

Magnetron operates on about 2000 volts DC, which is derived from one transformer winding with a simple diode and capacitor. About 6 volts from separate transformer winding are used to heat the filament. Filament is mounted in the center of a circular chamber in the metal block with a high vacuum, with several small. straight channels leading radially outward into small chambers. Electrons emitted by the filament travel into the smaller chambers, where external magnets force the electrons to spin, emitting microwaves. These microwaves exit the end of the tube and are guided to the oven.

I believe that "sensor" that you pointed out is actually a "thermal cutout", basically, if the device gets too hot, that trips, killing power to the magnetron.

A magnatron operates at 2.450ghz (2,450mhz) that device attached to the side is a thermostat that opens when the temperature goes above a preset level. If you pop the metal cover off the bottom you will find 2 coils (Rf chokes)

Thanks for the heads up. Now I wont mess with one

THank you for telling us that!

Damn! I thought he was going to show us how to make a Ray Gun out of one. ;-)

Thank you so much for info!

Thanks for the "beryllium" tip (no pun intended).. I did not know that :)

This helps a lot thanks!

Thought I'd seen somewhere that they stopped using that radioactive element in these things. There was a way to distinguish looking at the magnetron to be able to tell the radioactive ones from non radioactive. Though I'm not 100% positive on this. Just seems I remember seeing something about it.

Good info to know.

For one thing, you point it right at your eye, and in about ten seconds you have heated the lens of your eye enough to develop cataracts.

Thanks for the warning. I have an old microwave that I wanted to remove the magnets from now I think I will just toss it.

thank you for saving me...I was going to get the magnet out!

Yeah that's good to know thanks for the help

I learn something here. Thanks.

Cooking frozen cheeseburgers in your microwave will kill your appetite.

I hit one of those with a hammer as a kid years ago, I can only hope it used aluminum oxide...

Thanks for pointing out all the safety points, good for everyone.

Thank you. A life saver

Huh! All those symptoms describe me just getting old. Surprised he didn't also say balding, love handles, and the requirement of bifocals.

So that was worth watching.

Some people get very sick of the microwaves: there is tension in the muscles and gives fybromyalgi and chronic fatigue. Most people have no negative results.

hello. thank you for the video. is it safe to replace the antenna cap, if the insulator is made of beryllium? will twisting the cap off break off any of the ceramic or disturb it?

If i broke the beryllium tube and left the room immediately without breathing can i return the next day?

I remember breaking alot of these stuff when i was a kid special the little white thing on it

Suppose the newer ones are beryllium free, how does one tell the difference? I feel like looking online will only give me very mixed and confusing results (what a surprise), so better to treat them all the same and just assume they have it.

Exposure Limits for Beryllium Oxide NIOSH REL Ca C 0.0005 mg/m3 See Appendix A OSHA PEL TWA 0.002 mg/m3 C 0.005 mg/m3 (30 minutes), with a maximum peak of 0.025 mg/m3

Thanks for explaining with so much detail. I want to disassemble an oven and was freaking out. Only knew the capacitor and the magnetron were the two most dangerous parts. I feel better informed and prepared now..

what happens if you put in water

wow, thank you, Im looking into scrapping stuff and this is definately good to know

I've read that Beryllium oxide was only used on old magnetrons, "newer" magnetrons are supposed to have Aluminium oxide. I've been trying to find more info on that though.

Thanks! You prevented my future stupid self👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼. I was looking into pulling the power supply from a salvaged microwave to make an emergency welder

I do not know if the magnetron sizes are standardized, but this one looks EXACTLY (same dimensions, but the insulator tube is pink on mine, not white), like the one in the microwave oven I did disassemble. It was made (magnetron) by Panasonic, model 2M167b-M73. I do not remember the brand of the microwave oven, it wasn't Panasonic tho. Some German or Swiss low cost brand. Also I doubt it has any Beryllium Oxide in the insulator thingy. I am sure it would be marked at such. I am searching myself to figure out if mine has any Beryllium without access to XRF or MS equipment. I did find some dubious claims about color (white vs pink) being indicator of anything, but I do find it not consistent, and not anything useful. Both Beryllium Oxide and Aluminium Oxide do have additives like chromium (for various reasons), and others than might change its color. Considering beryllium oxide is simply more expensive (but indeed better in thermal properties) than aluminium oxide I doubt it used for magnetrons these days, especially ones coming from Asia. One quick check is to check the weight and volume (i.e. submerging in water) and compute density. As of the Beryllium in any form (metallic Beryllium or Beryllium Oxide), especially as a dust, the exposure is not a joke. Even single dust exposure can lead to serious health issues.

Good to know thank you for that information

They don't use berillium any more. Not for the last 30 years. Aluminum oxide. Perfectly safe these days.

My understanding is the white insulators use Alumina, the pink or purple ones contain Beryllia.

i have major joint pains and have breathing problems , i have been exposed to ceramic dust and yet the doctors have never checked if this is the actual cause of my issues . the way i see it is that everything is about money .

I'VE GOT ALL THOSE SYMPTOMS BUT NEVER BEEN NEAR A MICROWAVE

THANK YOU

I gothe magnets. How do we properly dispose the magnetron?

Wow! Thank you for the public safety message!!!! I don't know what a magnetron even is, but i will be on the lookout if I ever am in doubt. And I'm being serious, in case it seems like I'm being sarcastic.

Damn it ! >:o( Thanks for spoiling my fun , I've got 2 broken microwave ovens at home and I was gonna pull them to pieces to get the big ass magnets out of them. Now, I'm not gonna touch it.

Question: what type of facial protection can be used to protect you from beryllium?

next on youtube: "DIY How To Disassemble A Magnetron"

Wow. Of all the things I've taken apart, messed with and or just plain destroyed as a kid, I am so glad I never screwed with a microwave. I'm certain I would have taken the ceramic out just to experiment not knowing the dangers.

Will these work with my flux capacitor??

Do they still use this in microwaves?

The aluminum vanes remove the heat, there is copper inside, and steel. All of it can be recycled, the magnets can be repurposed. The ceramic can be trashed. So don't throw it away.

Hi could you tell me what gold/brass looking metal the woven mesh gasket is in the top of the magnetron

Where do you throw it away in the trash

Hello. Could you wrap a piece of tape of some type around the beryllium before disassembling the unit and just leave it on the unit afterwards.

How do I safely take it apart I'm trying to get the thorium

Is it used for its strength?

how long until the ceramic wears away from using the microwave naturally...?

How do you dispose.of it?

Can you safely take the magnets out?

What happens if you take the back Off

I'm guessing that beryllium stuff you speak of wouldn't be a good cut for the product I'm dealing on the east side.

Can you use 2 by pointing them at one an other. And see what happens.

White ceramic seems to be just aluminum oxide. Although I'm not sure enough to recommend anyone breaking it anyway. But if it appears pink that is most probably beryllium ceramic

Where to dispose this magnatron pull out from dead oven?

The other hazard being turning it on?

this is the part my scrap yard will not take?

Can anyone tell me if it is safe to cut apart a magnetron without damaging the ceramic to get the copper cavity for the copper?

Magnetron is dangerous because he is the enemy of the peaceful Autobots.

You could build a giant one and make a death ray.

Post apocalypse games/films should have a dude with a huge pile of microwave ovens with their cavity magnetrons removed and used for radar equipment

During ww2,as a firecontrolman on DD540, on Oahu,we were sent to A hill above salt lake,where they had a primitive radar station. It was here that we first got to operate radar. Then, before supper we walked down and went skinny dipping in salt lake?Anyone here familiar with that?. Hickham was the base.

....Wait, this isn't a giant magnet on threads

You need to be very careful not to let optimus prime anywhere near the magnetron or it will fuck your microwave up.

Bonjour, merci de m'écrire les infos, je ne reçois pas youtube corectement, merci.

Magnetron metal splattering? Microwave transmitter

The electrons don't bounce around they are bent at 90 degree angles and spiral around. The Magnetron Vacuum tube has copper fins inside that portrude from the chamber wall. Each time an electron passes near a copper fin it generates voltage in that region. When this happens enough an RF signal is generated and then coupled to the output on the tube via an internal antenna. That output is also the copper nipple that is cold welded to seal the vacuum tube. There is no thermal cut out on the tube. Those are mounted on the magnetron and the cooking cavity! LOL!

what's with the glowing next to end tip of magnetron? hope i explain it right :)

Great info, is that from a commercial microwave?

how could u re use the ceramic to make ur own shapes....... fyi to remove them safly u super heat the insulator till the steel glows white ish hot it gets slighty gooey then the insulator pulls off the terminal input needs a tap and drops off

Damn...Makes me wonder while being a kid. All the crap I took apart...Just because. Did I expose myself to beryllium?

So I did break one a part a cpl months back an tried to scrap all I could out of the microwave and tore it up to get to the brass stuff around the beryllium u mentioned so I definitely was exposed to it is it a sure thing? One time exposure and u get it for sure type thing?

Thx. Never gonna touch that thing.

Yeah whats the function of the beryllium?

Could a magnetron be used to disrupt cell or RF signals? How about drone function or rogue android attacks ?

Why don’t those things have warnings all over them. Some of us who are curious and tear things apart to see how they work are at great risk.

Why the magnetron contains byrelium ?

God dammit, I knew about the damn beryllium I was hoping you were gonna talk about the dangers of it when it's ON

In other words: Magnetron. Do not eat. Do not inhale.