You’ll find microwaves in almost every kitchen up and down the country. They’ve become a staple of kitchen appliances and a lot of our cooking habits are based around them and with good reason. They prove to be reliable allies when you need a quick fix of hot food.
What are microwaves?
Microwaves are much more than machines with spinning plates that heat your food. They’re the solution to hot chocolate without a pan, defrosting meat in minutes, and reducing washing up. They’re electric ovens that cook food by using radiation heating and microwaves to target the molecules inside food, especially water and sugars. They quickly cook your food by penetrating through its layers and reaching these molecules. If your microwave has low power levels, it will take longer for your food to heat, so what you’re cooking will determine how long it needs to be in the microwave. They first enjoyed widespread usage in homes during the 1970s.
What can you put in a microwave?
You can put almost anything in a microwave, ranging from bags of rice to porridge oats to ready meals. However, if you want your food to have a crispy topping or prepare anything with a breaded coating, microwaves are unlikely to give you this desired effect. It could become soggy and make your food not that tasty. You can also reheat food in the microwave. Read our guide on 5 things to know before reheating food.
What can’t you put in a microwave?
There are some things you can’t put in a microwave. These are things such as metal, some plastics, and non-reinforced glass. Metal can get very hot if it ends up in the microwave. There are even some plates that you can’t put in a microwave, but these will typically say on the bottom whether or not they’re suitable for the microwave.
What is a combination microwave?
A combination microwave has different settings. They can include settings such as defrosting, grilling, and auto cooking. They provide the user with much more options, and they tend to be more expensive than standard models.
How to clean a microwave
If your microwave is covered in stains or just you’re doing a bit of housekeeping, then try cleaning with water and mixing it with things such as vinegar, lemon juice or regular soap.