Some web sites recommend using a cell phone to test a microwave oven for radiation leakage. You are supposed to put your cell phone in the oven and try to call it. If it rings, it is supposed to indicate a leak. However, this method is wrong because cell phones operate at different frequencies than microwave ovens. Even if the cell phone rings in the oven, this does not indicate a leak, so it is nothing to worry about. Protection against microwave leakage in microwave ovens is specifically tuned to the frequency of the microwaves (2.4 GHz) and is not expected to prevent other frequencies to get through (cell phone frequencies are in the 800 to 1900 MHz range).

Check for a bent door or bad seal from missing or worn gaskets. If none are found you are probably okay.

I think this is a very vague test. It is not quantitative in any way. I tried it on mine and it was not able to receive a call. This is sort of what I expected, so the shielding is effective against my phone in my situation on my microwave oven at least.

More importantly, it is necessary to reduce the "incidental radiation from the microwave " by some amount (a ratio, called attenuation) so it can be considered safe. No shielding is perfect. Some always leaks. The mobile will get some signal, and may work with that weak signal, depending on the signal margins of the phone and the signal level from the base station. Potentially this margin can be more than the required attenuation of the microwave radiation. This is affected by other more or less unknowns. What is the phone signal environment around the oven? How sensitive is your mobile and its base station? What are the margins, compared to the attenuation required for safe microwave leakage? A mobile phone might have a range of signals it can receive over 1 million times.

Whether the mobile phone works or does not work does not demonstrate whether the microwave oven is safe or not. Sorry to say, this information is dud, useless! It does not show anything other that in your situation the phone does not work in the microwave.

Resist any impulse to turn the microwave on during such a test. It is hazardous because of the battery, and (I expect) destructive to the phone instantly.

I suggest you microwave the phone on HIGH for 1 minute before ringing it. I'm sure the microwave oven seals will pass with flying colours!

But seriously, that's NOT a reasonable test. If all the metalwork is in place on an oven, you can see the mesh in the door and there are no wide gaps around the door (which is pretty near impossible), you can assume any leakage from the oven in operation, is safe.

If you don't believe that, why don't you do the same test on the new one with your phone? When it rings you can cut off the oven power cord, and return the oven for a refund.

Maybe not cut off the power cord, they might get annoyed.

You have wasted your money - besides the different frequencies of microwaves and cell phones your microwave is totally surrounded with metal except for the screen built into the door, which is sized to the microwave radiation - but for anything to get through from the cell phone tower it also has to be FACING THE TOWER. You do know that cell phones are radios, right?

why wouldn't your cell phone ring in the microwave oven ?

I read online that to test for a leaking microwave oven you can put your cell phone in it, close the door and call the number. If it rings, your microwave is leaking. Throw it away (the oven).

Is this correct?

Yes, my phone rang in the microwave.

OMG, am I bathing my brain in microwaves every time I turn it on?

Very worried about this.

Well I just unplugged the oven and ordered a new one from Amazon, should I dispose of the old one in a certain way so no one grabs it, takes it home and cooks their brain cells?

Thanks