Microwaves

How long have microwaves been around?  In 1945, Dr. Perry Spencer, a scientist, was working in a lab when he felt some heat on his hand. The heat was coming from microwaves. These were being emitted from a nearby vacuum tube. Dr. Spencer was curious and place a chocolate bar near the tube. Within seconds, the chocolate melted. That sticky mess was the beginning of a brilliant idea – the microwave!

What are the advantages of having a microwave?  Faster  Retains Nutrients  Defrost Meat  Eliminates extra oils and fats in preparing foods  Made an impact on today’s lifestyle and cooking habits  Cooks food quickly with high quality

How Does a Microwave Work?  The microwave oven generates electromagnetic waves (called microwaves) which makes water move. This motion leads to friction, and friction leads to heating. Motion Friction Heat

How Does a Microwave Work?  This heat starts on the outside of the food and moves in.  The denser the food the longer it will take to cook. Water will heat faster than a burrito, because a burrito is more dense than water. Water will heat faster than a burrito, because a burrito is more dense than water.

What are microwaves attracted to?  Fat  Sugar  Water Molecules

Acceptable dishes for the microwave  Glass  Paper  Plastic  Microwaveable Dishes

Do round or square containers cook more evenly? Round Square

Round Containers Do!   When you use square containers, the food in the corners heats up more quickly because microwaves cook from the outside of the food to the inside. The microwaves hit the food on the outside first, and the heat gradually gets to the center.

Techniques  Standing time: After the microwave stops, leave the food in the microwave or place it directly on the counter to allow the food to complete cooking. You literally let the food “stand” for a few minutes. During this time the heat in the food continues to distribute evenly. For example, food that is still cold in the middle should be warm all the way through after standing time is complete. During this time the heat in the food continues to distribute evenly. For example, food that is still cold in the middle should be warm all the way through after standing time is complete.

Other Techniques for Even Cooking  Stirring: To pull heated part of the food to the center.  Rotating: Turning the food around. This isn’t needed if your microwave has a turntable.  Turning Over: To microwave all sides of the food.  Rearranging: Moves hotter foods toward the center and cooler foods toward the edges.

Covering Food in the Microwave Holds heat in to speed up cooking Holds heat in to speed up cooking Prevents splattering Prevents splattering Covers should be vented. Covers should be vented. Open one edge or fold back a corner of the coverOpen one edge or fold back a corner of the cover This prevents too much steam from building up inside the container, which can cause the cover to pop off.This prevents too much steam from building up inside the container, which can cause the cover to pop off.

Appropriate Covers to use:   Paper Towel   Waxed Paper   Lid (if it is microwave safe)   Plastic Wrap   When removing covers, open them away from you.   Why? Prevents steam burns

Pricking Foods  Pricking Foods such as egg yolks and potatoes will keep from exploding.  Why can food explode? Water turns into steam when it is heated. If the steam cannot escape, it builds up until it explodes. Water turns into steam when it is heated. If the steam cannot escape, it builds up until it explodes. Pricking the food allows the steam to escape. Pricking the food allows the steam to escape. NEVER put a whole egg, in the shell, in a microwave. NEVER put a whole egg, in the shell, in a microwave.

Unacceptable Dishes  Metal  Dishes with gold or silver on it

Why is metal bad in the Microwave?   Metal items in the microwave can cause arcing because the microwaves bounce off the metal.   Arcing makes sparks, which can damage the microwave or cause a fire.

Arranging Food   If you are cooking several things at the same time, arrange them in a circular pattern so they will cook more evenly. OR  If you are cooking more food, it will take longer to cook! If one potato cooks in four minutes, two potatoes will probably take eight minutes.