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[–] -3 points 2 years ago (7 children)

I am not sure about coffee, but heating water in a microwave may result in superheated water, which is above the boiling point without boiling. This can be quite dangerous, as it might start boiling at any time. In chemistry you usually put a boiling chip in the water when heating it in a test glass to avoid this.

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  • [–] 24 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Doesn't this only happen with pure distilled water though?

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  • [–] 15 points 2 years ago

    It shouldn't happen with coffee, superheated water requires there to be nowhere for the bubbles to form but even tap water normally has enough minerals dissolved in it for that to not be a problem.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    Would be really rare with coffee since there would be a whole lot of nucleation sites, that is the dissolved coffee itself plus bubbles.

    Even when I'm heating water in the microwave, it's just habit that I tap the mug or peck with a teaspoon before having it near my face.

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