To sign "microwave", hold both hands in front of your chest with your palms facing each other. Start with your hands in closed fists ('S' handshapes). Quickly open both hands so your fingers spread out into '5' handshapes, and repeat this flashing motion twice. The movement should be quick and energetic.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'NEED' by bending your 'X' finger downward, and then perform the flashing hands sign for 'MICROWAVE'.
Sign 'MICROWAVE', then sign 'BROKEN' by bringing your fists together and twisting them outward as if snapping a stick in half.
Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'CLEAN' by sliding one flat hand over the palm of the other, and sign 'MICROWAVE'. Remember to raise your eyebrows since this is a yes/no question.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'NEED' by bending your 'X' finger downward, and then perform the flashing hands sign for 'MICROWAVE'.
Sign 'MICROWAVE', then sign 'BROKEN' by bringing your fists together and twisting them outward as if snapping a stick in half.
Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'CLEAN' by sliding one flat hand over the palm of the other, and sign 'MICROWAVE'. Remember to raise your eyebrows since this is a yes/no question.
It is helpful to mouth the word 'microwave' naturally while doing the sign. This clarifies your meaning, especially since the flashing hands motion can sometimes be used for other concepts like 'radiation' or 'flashing lights'.
Typically, you will flash your hands open and closed twice. Doing it just once might look like the sign for turning on a light, while doing it too many times can look exaggerated.
Your palms should face each other, as if you are showing the waves bouncing back and forth between the inner walls of the microwave oven.
