Microwaves use a form of electromagnetic radiation called microwaves. These waves, which travel at the speed of light, are produced by the microwave oscillator and transmitted to your food via the magnetron tube.
When these waves strike food molecules, they set up vibrations and cause them to heat up — this is exactly what happens in a microwave oven when you place your dish inside.
As with all types of energy (like heat or light), there must be an object for it to work on (the food) and something for it to react with (the water molecules). For microwaves, that object is water molecules and that reaction is heated.
Within the water in our food is a network of molecules that are constantly vibrating. The microwaves cause those molecules to vibrate back and forth, just like if you were to pluck a guitar string.
The result is friction, which creates heat (energy). This reaction produces microwaves that are reflected by the food items, thus making them warm. Microwave energy is also absorbed by the water content of your food, which then heats up as well.
Microwave cooking uses microwave radiation to excite the water molecules in food and make them oscillate thousands of times per second. This friction causes heat in the water molecules and thus makes your foods hot.
What to use a microwave for?
Microwave ovens work with any food that contains water and has high water content. Frozen foods, such as vegetables and bread, work well in the microwave, as do boiled eggs and some meats.
All you need to do is crack the eggs and pour them into the microwave, set your timer, and wait for a few minutes until they’re done.
However, your food mustn’t be too dry so that it doesn’t burn! Microwave ovens should be used to cook foods in relatively small quantities, or else you risk burning your food.
Large pieces of meat or vegetables are not recommended to be cooked in a microwave as they may end up soggy when cooked. Also, sometimes microwaving large pieces of meat will cause them to come out hard if overheated.
Microwaving eggs is an effective way to cook them, but you can also boil them with some water. Normally eggs are boiled for about 5 minutes, but if you microwave them for 2 minutes, they’ll be just as likely to be cooked.
Microwave ovens have become a very popular cooking appliance because it cooks your food faster and at the same time doesn’t give off as much smoke or harmful chemicals as other cooking methods. It’s also a good alternative if you don’t have time to go grocery shopping for ingredients and are too lazy to cook.
Is it dangerous to cook food in a microwave?
Please note that the temperatures attained in a microwave are not as hot as they would be if you were to use an open flame oven, or even if you were to cook your food on the stovetop.
Even though the microwaves are very high-power, they’re still not enough to penetrate the skin and cause serious burns. Microwave ovens should also be handled with care since they’re sometimes made of thin glass that may break if dropped.
How to clean a Microwave?
Most microwaves work by emitting radio waves that cause the food molecules in your meal to vibrate. This makes them move so fast they create heat – and voila! You have a hot delicious meal ready in minutes.
Here are some simple steps for basic cleaning of your microwave:
- Put some water and vinegar in an empty bowl with the microwave on high for five minutes or until it boils. The steam will loosen any stuck-on food particles, making it easier to wipe them off the surface with a sponge or paper towel; leave the door closed while this is happening.
- As soon as the water cools, wipe down the microwave with a moist cloth.
- Scrub out the inside of the microwave with warm, soapy water until it is clean.
- Once that’s done, run a rinse cycle to make sure there is no soap residue left over. Then wipe off any food that may have gotten on the exterior of your microwave using a damp cloth and freshwater.
A word of caution: If you are using very hot steam to clean your microwave, be careful not to touch the steam opening with your bare hands. The heat can be extremely intense! The inside of your microwave is a metal box, even though it may not look like it.
It’s important to avoid using metal utensils on the interior, as the metal will cause arcing of the electricity (for example, if your spoon has a sharp edge from using it to scrape food off of a pan).
Also, avoid using your microwave for heating plastic or paper items for any length of time. The heat causing those items to become malleable can also cause them to melt and stick inside your microwave.
If you want to warm up any leftover food in paper or plastic containers in the microwave, use very short heating cycles that are no longer than 30 seconds.
How to select quality Microwave?
Before you buy a microwave it’s good to have an idea of what you’ll use it for. If you plan on using the microwave to defrost frozen dinners or heat coffee then your options are different from if you plan on cooking large meals in the microwave
For example, if quantity is more important than quality, then a larger oven will give the best results but can be costly to run. Alternatively, smaller microwaves are more cost-effective but take longer to cook.
With this in mind, you can narrow down your search for quality Microwave appliances.
Microwave Safety Tips
When using a microwave you should always be aware of how you are handling your food. The microwaves in a microwave work by using radio energy to heat the water molecules inside certain foods.
However, there are some safety precautions that you should take when cooking with one.
1. Don’t put sharp objects in the microwave.
People often try to heat plates, knives, and forks in the microwave, but it’s not recommended because of possible sparking or fire.
Many microwaves come with a special “wave-guide” for heating plates and cutlery, so use that. Always take care to ensure that no sharp edges are exposed on any dish you are heating.
2. Don’t overheat food or beverages in plastic containers or wraps.
Overheating may cause chemicals to leach into your food or drink causing harmful effects over time – especially if you have children who have allergies or sensitivities to certain chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol A).
3. Don’t reheat food in plastic containers more than once.
If you think it’s best to use plastic containers to store any leftovers, only heat them once in a microwave. Each subsequent reheating will cause the chemicals in them to break down more and more, introducing harmful chemicals into your food each time
4. Don’t cook food too long.
It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget that you have something cooking inside the microwave until you smell a strange smell or find smoke coming from your kitchen! You can adjust the power setting on your microwave but make sure you keep an eye on things as they’re heating.
Other handy tips
Mugs of hot drinks can get quite warm inside a microwave oven. If you want to reheat your drink without it getting burned, put it in a mug instead of directly into the microwave oven.
It is advisable not to overload the dish with too much food. It’s best to leave some space at the top so that they heat evenly. At times, plates and containers may crack if they are too full, which affects the outcome of your food and heating process.
Microwave ovens are energy efficient. They can heat an average-sized room in less than aquarter of the time it takes to heat the same space by other means.
If you want to keep track of your food’s progress, microwave ovens don’t have digital displays, which may be frustrating for people who want to check their progress.
Some microwaves have “power saving” features that use less energy than conventional ovens. If you are concerned about how much electricity you may be used when using your microwave, look for this option on the menu settings.
Consider buying a microwave with a turntable. They are better at even heating bowls and plates than older models that don’t have one.
You can use your microwave to cook food as long as it has been labeled “microwave safe.” This is an indication that it has been treated specifically to be microwavable, or it has certain materials in its construction (e.g., ceramic, glass or paper) that absorb the microwave energy and do not get damaged by it.