How to use a microwave

Hey! Hey! The microwave oven has been in use for decades and I know you are wondering why someone should be writing about How to use a microwave in twenty first century right?

We I’m in ll that’s the thing, as much as nothing is new under the sun, no single person knows it all, at least I don’t. I know that just like many people already know how to use a microwave, many others would probably be typing this same question on the Google search bar right on their computers. So let’s get to the gist already!

What is a microwave?

A microwave or microwave oven as it’s sometimes called is an electric kitchen appliance that cooks or reheats food by the use of electromagnetic radiation in the microwave’s enclosed chamber.

It is one of the most popular kitchen equipments and the most widely used, not only for reheating but also for cooking. The Microwave oven usually heats up food a lot faster than most other cooking appliances like the air fryer or instant pot.

Is it safe?

With all this mention of radiation, I know you are wondering if using a microwave is safe. The microwave have been said safe to use. The microwave energy produced by the radiation is converted to heat as its absorbed by food and doesn’t contaminate food or make it radioactive.

The microwave box itself is made in such a way that the radioactive waves don’t escape the microwave chamber while it cooking. The metal interior of the microwave absorbs the magnetic waves which is then reflected into the food and causes the water molecules in the food to vibrates, producing the heat that cooks the food.

How does a microwave work?

A microwave oven works by circulating electromagnetic waves within the microwave chamber. The waves are produced inside the microwave by an electron tube called the magnetron

These waves are reflected by the metallic interior of the microwave and then absorbed by the food being reheated or cooked in the microwave.

These waves cause water molecules in the food to vibrated so fast it produces the heat energy needed to cook the food. Because of this food with higher content of liquid like veggies or soups tend to cook faster.

Because the heat is produced from the outside inwards, microwaved food is cooked from the inside out that’s why you find that when defrosting or reheating something cold you and it is yet to heat through, you find that the outside may hot but the middle is still cool or cold as the case may be.

For food to cook evenly it has to rotate that’s why microwave ovens have a glass turntable and a roller guide that helps rotate food as it cooks.

How to use a microwave in easy steps

Microwaves are made by different manufacturers and therefore come in different sizes with different mode of operation and instructions.

This blog post is all about the basics of using a microwave oven. Each manufacturer would have their instructions manual in each box of a new microwave so be sure to check that out first. Let’s get to the deets. Skip to step 2 if you’ve already unboxed your microwave.

Step 1: Unbox the microwave, remove all the packaging materials like styrofoam and tape. Find the manual and identify the parts and accessories that came in the box like the glass turn table and roller guide

Step 2: Plug microwave to an outlet. Preferably It should be the only appliance plugged on the socket.

Step 3: Open the door of the microwave, spinner inside at the bottom, then secure the roller guide or turntable ring (as the case may be depending on manufacturer) on the roller guide spinner/support before placing the glass turntable tray in it.

Step 4: Place the food to be cooked or reheated in a microwave safe plate, put the plate on the glass turn table. Cover food with a microwave splatter guard. You can use paper towel if cooking microwave Bacon.

Step 5: Set the time. Some microwave ovens have a knob to manually set the time while others have buttons and a LED screen. Read the manual or quick start guide that came in the box to know how your microwave works. The type of food or recipe you are cooking would determine how much time you would set. For instance some foods may require bursts of 30 secs and a stir in between while some may require straight up cooking.

Step 6: Press the start button and cook till the set time is completed. You can add more time if your food isn’t cooked or heated through.

Helpful Tips

• Read the manual and identify the various parts of your new kitchen appliance.
• Avoid plugging the microwave in the same socket with other heavy duty appliances. This could lead to the power supply tripping off when the microwave is in use.
• Sometimes it’s best to cook foods in bursts of 20 to 30 seconds instead of straight up 2 mins. This would give you more control of what you are cooking.
• Using a microwave splatter guard will help keep your microwave clean for longer.
• Heat resistant gloves or kitchen mitts are helpful when getting hot food out of the microwave.

Frequently asked questions

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How do you use a microwave for the first time?

Unbox and remove all packaging materials. Plug the microwave to a dedicated outlet. Assemble the glass turntable tray then pLace your food in a microwave safe plate before placing plate on the glass turntable. Cover with a splatter guard, close microwave door, set the timer based on the recipe you are making and press start.

Is it safe to heat food in the microwave?

Yes it is safe to heat food in the microwave. What is not safe is heating food in non microwave safe plates like some plastic plates that have BPA in them. This will leach into the food while cooking and isn’t safe.

We’ve got more resources for beginners

• How to clean a microwave in easy steps.
• Types of microwave
• Microwave accessories
• All microwave recipes

Check out all our >>> Microwave Resources

Some Microwave recipes to try

• Microwave bacon
• How to cook white rice in the microwave
• Microwave frozen French fries

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Want to learn more about microwave cooking?? We’ve got you covered. Check out our helpful >>> Microwave Resources!