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-   -   My Microwaveable Corn Bag Caught Fire!! (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/my-microwaveable-corn-bag-caught-fire-t188896.html)

sewbizgirl 05-15-2012 05:03 PM

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.

Momo 05-15-2012 05:32 PM

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.

Rose_P 05-15-2012 07:55 PM

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 :rolleyes:. 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.

Bluelady 05-15-2012 08:14 PM

I have cooked small potatoes in a brown paper bag in the microwave. Come out great!

Pam H 05-15-2012 08:48 PM

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!

Needles 05-16-2012 04:01 AM

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.

charity-crafter 05-16-2012 04:10 AM


Originally Posted by vivsqt (Post 5218131)
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.

LOL, you're talking about something different ....you made the corn bags for keeping body parts warm....they are talking about the one to cook corn in. Easy to confuse the two from the thread title.

Geri B 05-16-2012 05:07 AM


Originally Posted by mermaid (Post 5214646)
I am curious (and intelligence challenged, I guess).. but when you call it a "corn bag", do you mean to cook corn in?? I've not heard of using the bags for corn, but if you do, would you please share your cooking method? Thanks

corn bags, potato bags, etc., seems to be another way for LQS to "sell" more fabric..........as far as "cooking" corn...not really necessary...if it fresh-picked you can eat it right there....altho it is not "hot"......corn like tomatoes are ready to eat.....In corn season.....I will remove husk, and put in plastic zip lock and micro for about 3 min......please not salt, butter or anything just the sugar sweetness of that corn is satisfying enough.....my question is how to get all the cornsilk off the cob.........any sure ways out there. I never buy corn on the cob other than from a farm during season........tons of it - for meal eating, salads, relishes, and some freezing....eat and enjoy and each year eagerly wait for corn season again!!!!
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...

quiltapillow 05-16-2012 11:33 AM

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.

NanaCsews2 05-16-2012 11:59 AM


Originally Posted by ptquilts (Post 5215316)
I have been nuking my corn naked (the corn, not me) and it seems to taste fine. I like that it is not dripping with water like if you boiled it.

Too funny!!
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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