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A microwave oven is an electrical appliance that heats the product using microwave radiation. People all over the world use this device not only for heating but also for cooling food. There are many types of microwave ovens, new models differ in more and more increased functionality.
What is a microwave oven?
A microwave oven is not only a device for heating or cooling products. You can cook your own dishes: cakes, steaks, pizza and much more. The cooking time will be much faster, and the quality will not differ much from the food cooked in a classic oven. The microwave heats up the water-containing substances in the products using electromagnetic waves.
Device and principle of operation
Many people do not understand the structure of a microwave oven. How can this appliance both heat and cool the product? Experts identify the main elements of the device:
- Magnetron. An element that emits microwaves.
- Step-up transformer. It supplies a high voltage to the magnetron.
- Working chamber. It directly heats the food.
- Cooling fan. He carries out the defrosting of products.
- Rotating glass table.
- Control panel.
The basic composition of the microwave is the same everywhere. Only the control panel, materials, and power levels of the emitter can differ.
What is microwave radiation?
The first microwave model appeared a little over 70 years ago. However, only recently has everyone become concerned about the radiation background emitted by the device.
Microwave radiation is a region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum with wavelengths from one meter to one millimeter. Experts have proved that the electromagnetic background of the electric device is really higher than the natural one.
However, it reaches a power of only 5 GHz, which does not cause any harm to humans.
How does food cook in a microwave?
The principle of operation of a microwave oven is the effect of ultra-high-frequency radiation (microwave radiation) on products. Under the influence of high-frequency electromagnetic vibrations, the products are heated to a high temperature. The same method the appliance uses is used not only for cooking food but also for heat treatment.
A significant condition is the presence of polar molecules. All products contain these same water molecules that allow an electrical appliance to produce heating or cooling.
Types of microwaves
Microwaves can vary by type of construction. You should pay attention to this if you plan to use an electric appliance for full-fledged cooking.
- Solo-model. Such microwaves can only heat or defrost products.
- With a grill. Using such an electric appliance, you can, in addition to the main functions, bake products.
- With convection. These are more expensive models that provide uniform heating and cooling.
- With built-in steamer. In addition to such an electrical appliance, there is a bowl for boiling water.
- Inverter microwaves. This is an expensive model that can independently reduce and increase power.
Internal coating variations
The quality of cooking largely depends on the internal coating of the microwave oven. There are three main types of coating of the inner chamber: enamel, ceramics, stainless steel. They differ from each other in the complexity of cleaning and durability.
- Enamel. This is one of the cheapest coatings that have low wear resistance. It requires special care.
- Ceramics or bioceramics. Strong, durable, and affordable coating. You can easily clean it with detergents.
- Stainless steel. The most durable and expensive of all types of coatings in microwaves. It will allow you to cook high-quality dishes. Heating and cooling will be carried out evenly.
Is it dangerous for health?
Many still refrain from purchasing a microwave oven because of prejudices about its insecurity. Is this really the case? Experts have proved that this appliance is not radioactive and its radiation is safe for humans.
Also, the microwave does not change the structure of food and does not make it poisoned. The radiation from the microwave is no more dangerous than the waves from the TV or Wi-Fi. You can confidently use this appliance for cooking and heating food regularly.
Can we grill in the microwave?
Expensive models of microwaves are equipped with a grill mode. This mode allows you to make the products crispy and juicy. Included with such an electric device is a special metal grill on which you can place meat, chicken, vegetables, or fish. Experts distinguish several different types of grill:
- Quartz grill. This is a small element located on the top of the microwave. You can cook any dishes on this grill. The heat will be distributed evenly. The main disadvantage is the small depth of penetration of the rays.
- Ceramic grill. The infrared heat source roasts from above, the heat pipe from below, the food is located on the grill. The main advantage is fast cooking. The disadvantage is the high price.
- Grill on a heating spiral. Manufacturers can place a heating coil in any part of an electrical appliance. This type of grill will allow you to fry the meat better and spend less time on it. It is reliable and easy to care for.
Microwave grill VS Oven
A grill in a microwave oven will not replace an oven for some characteristics. Grilling in the oven is a quick and classic way. Many adherents of a healthy lifestyle prefer such a device due to the absence of radio waves, x rays, and electromagnetic radiation.
They falsely assume that if these electromagnetic waves are not visible to the human eye, they still pose a danger. Experts have proved an error in such an assumption. The superiority of the oven over the grill in the microwave concerns a completely different issue.
- The small cooking chamber of the microwave.
- The complexity of calculating power and time.
- The inability to fully control the process.
However, there are several advantages of a microwave grill over an oven:
- No need to use oil.
- Fast cooking time.
- The ability to cook small portions.
- Automatic shutdown.
Can pizza be made in the microwave?
Microwave ovens cook food in almost the same way as the grill and oven that are familiar to us. The metal box has a good heat transfer to heat the molecules in the food to full readiness. With the help of a microwave oven, you can cook such a famous dish as pizza faster and easier.
The cavity magnetron will heat the food from the inside so quickly that you won’t even notice. You do not have to constantly make sure that the pizza does not burn, the microwave itself will automatically turn off.
Should I buy an oven or microwave?
The microwave energy allows you to cook dishes quickly and easily. You can switch between different modes and not worry about the product burning out. However, the oven allows you to choose different cooking methods.
But the electromagnetic spectrum of a microwave oven is not inferior in its functionality even to the most expensive oven. Here the main question concerns the atmosphere of cooking. Someone likes the classic version – the oven. And someone prefers innovation.
Can I bake a cake in a microwave?
With the help of a microwave oven, you can not only warm up or cool food but also prepare pastries. Even such a complex dish as a cake you can easily bake in the microwave. We are talking about sour cream and not sponge cakes.
After all, the latter does not need baking. The maximum time for making a cake in the microwave is 15 minutes. You can choose a special mode that will adjust the microwave cooking of the product.
Can you cook steak in a microwave?
Is it possible to cook meat in the microwave? The boiling temperature of the meat is quite high. When using a conventional frying pan, you will need from 30-60 minutes. It is also worth paying attention to the sufficiently high water content in meat. It takes enough space and time for this water to evaporate.
However, expensive microwave ovens are equipped with a high-quality grill mode, which way to cook meat is no worse than an oven. You can cook a steak in just 10-15 minutes. Give preference to a thin piece of meat without veins and cartilage. A microwave generator cannot conduct beams more than 5 centimeters thick.
Microwave oven banned in Germany. Why?
Not all countries approve of the use and sale of microwave ovens. One of these countries is Germany. The paradox is that Germany is the first inventor of this electrical appliance.
The time of the invention fell on the Second World War when German soldiers needed a device capable of quickly warming up food in cold conditions. However, there was a significant drawback – the mandatory presence of power outlets.
At that time, German scientists conducted many studies and proved the harm of microwave radiation on body tissues. Germany still maintains a ban on the sale and use of microwave ovens for the following reasons:
- biological effects on food (the assumption that an electrical appliance changes the molecular composition of food)
- harm to human health and the human body from electromagnetic radiation
- harm when eating food heated and cooked in a microwave oven (many useful substances turn into carcinogens)
Heating food in microwave side effects
There are many myths about the use of microwave ovens. Here are some of them:
- you can not stand in a row with the microwave turned
- on the microwave emits radiation
- the use of an electric device causes pathologies of the human body
- food from the microwave is saturated with carcinogens
Scientists have proved the falsity of these myths. Every day we receive a certain level of electromagnetic waves from computers, televisions, and other electrical appliances.
The microwave radiation does not exceed this permissible value. Microwaves from the device are thermal. They do not contain a radiation background and do not change the composition of products.
Cook frozen salmon in microwave recipe
You can even cook fish in the microwave. A great option is frozen salmon. To prepare such a dish, prepare the following ingredients:
- salmon fillet – 500 grams
- ground black pepper
- leek
- salt
Step-by-step cooking technology:
- Defrost the fish fillets to room temperature. Rinse and dry with a paper towel.
- Clean the remaining scales and skins.
- Cut the leek into slices. Place it in a deep bowl.
- Put the pieces of the fish fillet into the onion.
- Add salt, pepper and leave for 10 minutes. Salmon will absorb seasonings.
- Put the plate in the microwave. The cooking time is 6 minutes.
Precautions for use
Experts highlight several tips and cautions that will help you avoid problems with the cooking process in the microwave. Among them:
- Do not turn on an empty microwave oven.
- To avoid fires inside the chamber, make sure that the products do not overheat.
- Heat the products only in the dishes intended for this purpose: glass, porcelain, made of heat-resistant plastic.
- Open the sealed packaging so that it does not explode inside the chamber. Steam must have a free outlet.
Total Verdict
A microwave oven is an indispensable electrical appliance in any kitchen. It helps housewives not only to quickly warm up or cool food but also to prepare various complex dishes. You can fry a steak or stew vegetables in just a few minutes. The main thing is to choose the right mode and buy a high-quality electrical appliance.
It is better not to save on the microwave, because it can replace your oven, grill, and slow cooker. The price will affect the number of heating elements and the materials of the housing.
Many are afraid to buy a microwave oven because of myths about the negative effects of electromagnetic rays. It is believed that such radiation exceeds the norm and changes the biological composition of the product.
However, experts around the world have long dispelled these myths. The danger of a microwave oven can only lie in its improper use. Otherwise, the level of microwave radiation does not exceed what we receive daily from the TV or other electrical appliances.