November 21, 2016 I heat up almost everyday, But it's not that I am sick. I can burn occasionally, But to watch me is the trick. I can easily be substituted, By stove or oven or fire, But the time it'd take to do the job would Most probably be much higher. What am I? Write down the answer

What do you use a microwave for? How often do you use it? Once a day, twice a day? Once a week? Hardly ever?

How do microwaves work?

Say watt? Microwaves are measured in units called watts. Microwave ovens range in wattage from: 500 to 1,000 watts for compact microwave 1,000 to 1,500 watts for a medium capacity microwave The larger the watt, the more powerful the microwave, the faster contents get hot

How it works Electromagnetic waves are emitted by a magnetron tube and set in motion by a fan or turn table. Some areas get more microwaves, resulting in uneven cooking—rotating helps cook evenly The microwaves come out of an opening in the metal case. They are reflected off the sides of the microwave oven, and penetrate the food in the process.

It looks like this!

What do if your hands are cold? Rub your hands together. What happens? Why?

Heat Microwave start molecules in the food moving, the resulting friction causes heat. This starts on the outside and moves in Generally the best choices for foods to use in microwaves are foods that are moist to begin with or can be cooked in moist heat.

Fabulous Food Facts FFF definition of a microwave: “Microwaves cook food by making the water molecules in food vibrate producing friction, which causes heat” Make sense now?

Cooking Food Foods that are heated most quickly in microwaves include: Water Fat Sugar Foods high in water, such as vegetables, will cook faster than foods with a lower water content, such as meat.

Four Principles These principles help guide microwave cooking: Food density Shape and size of food Starting temperature of food Amount of food

Advantages 1. Warms up leftovers Defrosts meat 3. Softens brown sugar if used immediately (Put 1 cup of water in microwave)

Advantages 4. Eliminates extra oils and fats in preparing foods 5. Has made a great impact on today’s lifestyles and cooking habits. 6. Cook foods quickly with higher quality, tastes better, looks better and color enhanced.

Acceptable dishes for the microwave paper plastic glass microwaveable dishes **Only use plastic containers that are labeled "microwave safe".  Harmful chemicals may leak into food is you use a plastic container that is not made for microwave use.

Techniques for microwaving Stirring - To pull heated part of the food to the center. Turning over - To microwave all sides. Standing time - To allow the foods to complete its cooking (place directly on counter). Covering – a. Retains nutrients b. Holds in moisture c. Speeds up cooking.

Arrange food in circular shape - to make cooking even. Rotating - Makes cooking even. Pricking - (egg yolks and potatoes) to keep from exploding. Select foods of the same size - cooks evenly

Acceptable coverings Paper towels - to absorb moisture, spatters, and spills Wax paper - holds in some of the moisture Plastic wrap - hold in moisture

Unacceptable Metal and foil Dishes with gold or silver on it If used in the microwave it can cause arcing, an electrical spark that can damage the oven or start a fire.

Cooking hints Foods at refrigerator and freezer temperatures take longer to cook than those at room temperature. Density affects cooking time (dense foods - potato) Bony pieces of chicken - put on outside Microwaved cook by entering the foods by the outside edges.

Cooking Tips When removing covers or plastic wrap, use a potholder and tilt the cover away from you.

When cooking, round containers will cook more evenly than food in square containers, which tend to burn in the corners. To help food cook more evenly, stir and rotate foods while cooking; if available a turntable may be used to rotate foods.

To prevent burning yourself from microwave cooking, remember: Standing time at the end of cooking allows for foods to continue to cook when removed. To prevent burning yourself from microwave cooking, remember: Foods can create hot containers. Items can explode (eggs, potatoes). Pierce them with a fork. Lifting the cover or plastic from the food can cause a burn. Hot steam escaping can cause a burn.

Beware! Concentrations of fat and sugar become much hotter than the rest of the food creating hot spots-areas of intense heat.

Microwave Jigsaw Time!

Question to Ponder How have microwaves changed our culture? Think about family time, dinner and meals, health and wellness, etc. Write your response on the back of your sheet and be ready to discuss.