We used to dry our slides in the microwave (a regular kitchen one) for four 
minutes full power with a container of water in there.  It worked fine for a 
long, long time but when we switched paraffins, they were falling off during 
staining.  Sometimes there would be complaints of "fried" looking tissue 
(maybe from the water boiling under the tissue, but now that we just dry 
them in apr. 60-65 degree oven for ten minutes, we haven't had many 
complaints.

Cheryl Ann Powell B.S., HTL(ASCP)
Botsford General Hospital
Farmington Hills, MI    USA



>From: "Cowan, Judy" 
>To: 'Lynn McKee' , "'Charles.Embrey'" 
>
>CC: "'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'" 
>Subject: RE: slide drying in microwave
>Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 10:02:49 -0500
>
>We use the microwave everyday and love it.  We have just learned to adjust
>the time so that we don't burn or boil our slides.  The pathologist like it
>because we get our slides our much faster.
>Judy Cowan HT
>Joplin, Mo.
>
>
> > ----------
> > From: 	Charles.Embrey[SMTP:Charles.Embrey@carle.com]
> > Sent: 	Wednesday, October 10, 2001 3:43 PM
> > To: 	'Lynn McKee'
> > Cc: 	'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
> > Subject: 	RE: slide drying in microwave
> >
> > I have worked at places before that dried slides in the microwave.  In 
>my
> > own lab I will not.  The microwave tends to overheat during this process
> > and
> > I saw several burn up.  I was always afraid of fire.  Drying slides in 
>the
> > microwave also creates interesting artifacts when the water boils under
> > the
> > tissue.  I just don't like it.  I am sure however that others do and 
>will
> > probably beat me up over my stand but it's just my personal preference 
>and
> > experienced opinion.
> > No daggers please......
> >
> > Charles R. Embrey Jr., PA(AAPA), HT(ASCP)
> > Histology Supervisor
> > Carle Clinic
> > Urbana, IL
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Lynn McKee [mailto:mckeela@ucmail.uc.edu]
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 10:40 AM
> > To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> > Subject: slide drying in microwave
> >
> >
> > Dear Histonetters,
> >
> >     Do any of you dry your slides using a microwave. If so what is your
> > procedure? Thanks in advance.
> >
> > Lynn McKee
> > University of Cincinnati
> >
> >
>


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