Are no-name CD-Rs really that crappy?

[DeeBye]

Next time you make a coaster cd, instead of actually using it as a coaster or throwing it away, put it in the microwave upside-down fora few seconds (10 is more than enough) for a nice little light show.  Just make sure you put a paper towel or something so you don't melt it onto the microwave.
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I just did this in the name of science! I also documented the experiment for internet posterity.

I folded a paper towel in half and placed a CD-R on it face up.


I set the timer for 10 seconds. Ignore all of the fingerprints. Stainless steel looks nice, but it's a bitch to keep clean.


Here is the picture I managed to grab during the experiment. The lightshow was pretty cool. My camera missed most of it, but it's neat to see the explosion of light coming out of the magnetron. The really cool lights only occured during a 1 second window.


My CD-R looked a bit burnt after the experiment.


It looked a bit burnt after I flipped it over. It left nasty marks on the paper towel. I'm glad I used a paper towel.


My kitchen now stinks like burned plastic. It's all in the name of science.