ZAP IT!
A Guide to Microwave Cooking
Advantages of
Microwave Cooking
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Saves time
Easy to clean up
Energy-efficient
Saves nutrients
Use little or no added fat
Cook & serve in the same dish
Ideal for convenience foods
Power & the Microwave Oven
• Higher power setting = more microwaves
produced
• MW ovens have different power ratings;
measured in watts
• Don’t use an extension cord
with a MW oven; it reduces
its power
• MW power is reduced if
other appliances are on
the same electrical circuit
Power Settings
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High = 100%
Medium-High = 70%
Medium = 50%
Medium-low = 30%
Low = 10%
Defrost
• To defrost means to remove ice crystals
from a food without cooking the food
• Defrost setting on a MW is usually 30%
power
• Follow a defrost cycle with an equal amount
of standing time
• Cook food immediately after
defrosting; do not hold it for
later cooking
How does a microwave
cook food?
• Microwaves are short radio waves.
• They cause the molecules
in food to vibrate.
• Vibration creates friction.
• Friction creates heat.
• Heat cooks the food.
• MW penetrate food about 1½ “ deep. In
thicker foods, heat is conducted to the
center.
Microwaves travel in
a straight path
• Microwaves are reflected by metal.
• Microwaves pass through glass, paper,
plastic, and wax.
• Microwaves are absorbed
by water, fat and sugar
molecules in food.
• Microwaves are attracted to salt; wait
until after cooking to salt the surface
of a food.
Cookware for the Microwave
YES
• Glass
• Most hard
plastic
• Paper
• Some pottery &
china
NO
• Metal
• Recycled paper
• Food storage
containers, such
as margarine
tubs
Shape of Cookware
• Ring shape is best choice.
• Round is second best
choice.
• Shallow cookware works
better than deep.
• Square or rectangular
shape is worst choice
because corners overcook
before center is finished.
What is arcing?
• Arcing is an electrical spark inside the
microwave oven.
• It looks like lightning!
• It occurs when microwaves
connect between two points
of metal.
• It can cause a fire if
flammable materials are inside the MW.
• It can damage the microwave oven.
Automatic Features
on the Microwave
• Cook 1/Cook 2
• Defrost/Auto
defrost
• Preprogrammed
touch pads
• Sensors
• Turntable
• Temperature
probe
When should food
be covered?
• Covering – holds in steam
– keeps food moist
– shortens cooking
time
– cooks more
evenly
– reduces spatters
• Cover with –
– Plastic wrap
– Waxed paper
– Paper towel
– Lid
Special Microwave
Techniques
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Stir, turn or rotate
Standing time
Pierce
Shield
Vent
How should I place food
in the microwave oven?
• Arrange foods in a ring.
• Arrange foods like the
spokes of a wheel.
• Leave space between
pieces of food.
• Arrange with the
thickest parts toward
the outside of the ring.
Factors that Affect Timing
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Hot spots
Density of the food
Shape of the cookware
Size of the food pieces
Starting temperature
of the food
• Amount of food in the oven at the same time
• # of watts of the MW oven
Testing dishes & containers
• Some equipment may not be labeled whether it
is MW-safe.
• To test:
– Place a Pyrex measuring cup of water
in the MW.
– Place the equipment to be tested
NEXT to the measuring cup.
– Microwave for 1 – 2 minutes.
– Water should be hot, but equipment being tested
should still be room temperature.
– If it gets hot, do not use it in the MW.
How do I convert my favorite
recipes for the microwave?
• Shorten time to ¼ the
conventional time.
• Reduce the amount
of seasonings.
• Reduce the amount
of liquid.
• Compare to a similar
recipe.