The field of microwave chemistry emerged relatively recently, compared to other areas of chemistry, in the mid 1980s, corresponding to the ubiquity of inexpensive domestic microwave ovens. The eighties saw the first trickle of journal articles that dared to take advantage of this new heating medium, followed by a steadily increasing stream of publications. The beginning of the twenty-first century has seen the subject of microwave chemistry flourish with vital prominence at symposiums and seminars, in books dedicated to microwave reactions, and in the availability of specialized microwave reactors.

Microwave chemistry seems like a wild open frontier, with any ordinary reaction having the potential to be a unique discovery. In truth every representative type of chemical transformation has been tried, and published, in a microwave already. Nevertheless there is still a growing tide of articles detailing surprising results using microwaves.

One of the great boons microwave reactions provide is the ability to complete a synthesis in a fraction of the time a conventional procedure would require. Reactions requiring hours, or days, can be completed in seconds with microwave heating. Microwave reactions also tend to make use of non-toxic solvents, or no solvents at all, which is of increasing importance in the "green chemistry" movement.

Citizen chemists and amateur experimenters should be especially interested in microwave chemistry because of its potential to utilize common solvents over hard to get ingredients and to perform reactions traditionally requiring expensive glassware or specialized equipment. Teachers too should take note as reactions can be completed quicker, freeing up valuable lab time for additional experiments. Most important of all, the appliance to accomplish these wonderful feats is already in virtually every kitchen of the industrialized world.

Chemical reactions in a microwave are not as easy as nuking a TV dinner. Solvent vapors confined in a small space under irradiation by a high voltage device tend to explode. There are dedicated microwave reactors, sold at obscenely high prices, and most journals will not accept submissions of procedures unless such reactors are used. There is a safety rationale for this decision, even though it is quite possible to conduct numerous microwave reactions, safely, in an unmodified domestic microwave oven.

Modifying microwave ovens to use as dedicated microwave reactors is an active interest of mine. This section exists to chronicle my research and progress as I attempt to develop an inexpensive modified microwave for chemical experiments and build a powerful microwave furnace. A modified microwave oven greatly enhances the range of experiments that can be safely performed. The microwave furnace will hopefully allow me to melt steel and glass, and other metals, and serve as a foundry or kiln.