"Low Budget" Microwave Show

Matt has referenced the show's budget numerous times. The first mention being in the third episode initially meant as a joke to explain why there are no "cool" items being done. The meaning has changed now that dangerous items have been done to explain why he can't do an iPhone, a PS3, or a Blendtec blender, even saying "if someone gave me one of these working, I'd likely keep it since getting one just to use is out of my price range, let alone just to destroy it". Indeed, many of the items are either things found lying around the house or were given to him by a family member. In fact, it's exceedingly rare for him to even microwave something bought for the show that costs over $10. But his show is proof that you don't need a big budget to make an entertaining microwave show. Here's a list of the cool items he's done that cost very little.

Grape - From his refrigerator

Light Bulb - Found in his attic (100 watt bulb)

Tinfoil - From his kitchen's tinfoil dispenser

Cassette Tape - One of his old cassettes

CD - A blank CD he had

Potato chip bag - From his kitchen

Egg - From his refrigerator

Ping Pong Balls - Found in storage

Lighter - One of his lighters

Dozen Eggs - From his refrigerator, initially $1.49

Helium Balloon - $3

Steel Wool - From his kitchen

5 Hour Energy - $2

Pipe cleaners - Found them somewhere

Calculator - 79 cents

Ink Cartridges - From his printer

Highlighters - From his desk drawer

Typewriter correction tape - In storage, originally was his parents'

Axe Can in Cooking Oil - Axe can $1, cooking oil from kitchen

Beer - Leftover from a six pack he bought the previous fall

Easy Button - $8

Cell Phone - Donated by his brother

Mentos and Coke - $1.69 for the coke, 50 cents for the mentos

Silly String - $2

CO2 cartridges - $10

Works Bomb - From his bathroom (the foil and plastic bottle from his kitchen)

Baby Food - 89 cents

Watermelon - $4

Giant Light Bulb - Donated by his brother

Spray Paint - $7

Champagne - $14

Charcoal + Lighter Fluid - Both bought to use in barbecue

2013 Fireworks - $2 for the snakes and fountain, the others donated by his dad

Blender - $13

Bottle of Medicine - Found in his medicine cabinet

Gummy Bears - $4

Halogen Bulb - Found lying around somewhere

Jack O'Lantern - Ping pong balls $1, pumpkin $3, other stuff he already had

Sparkling Cider - Found in his kitchen

Static Guard - $3

Santa Claus - $1 (lighter was one of Matt's)

Snow Globe - $1

TV Remote - Donated by his uncle

Nail Polish - $2

Aluminum welding rod - Everything plus the welding rod was found somewhere

Gasoline - From a gas can (likely about a dime's worth)

Lava lamp - Donated by his uncle

Resolve Stain Stick - Found lying around

Spaghetti Squash - From his kitchen

Rubik's Cube - $2

Etch-a-Sketch - $1.59

Pencil Sharpener - $3

Listerine - $3.50

2014 Fireworks - All were either his or donated by his dad

Road Flare - Originally $9 for a pack of standard flares, traded his dad for a jumbo one

Cheese Whiz - Found in his kitchen, expired

Ink Toner Cartridge - $35 (The most expensive thing ever bought for the show, not counting microwaves)

Add all of these up and the combined total is less than that of a new smartphone or game system.