What you need to know before microwave cooking

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

It's easier than ever to undercook or overexpose a dish in the microwave. It is difficult to control readiness through a small window, which is why you have to stop the timer, open the door, check the state of affairs and start everything over again. But all the difficulties will recede when you get used to using your stove. And it's worth starting with simple truths.

The main difficulty in microwave cooking is in the oven itself. More precisely, in its power in watts. The compilers of recipes do not always indicate this technical parameter, which ultimately can play a cruel joke with your culinary masterpiece. For example, if the recipe was tried on an 800 watt oven, then using a 1200 watt oven you will experience a shriveled tasteless disappointment. Of course, this is not so critical for corn or scrambled eggs, but the cupcakes will easily burn. Therefore, it is necessary to make corrections.

How to find out the power of the microwave

The power of the microwave is definitely indicated in the instruction manual. In order not to rummage through a heap of papers of third-rate importance, look for the meaning on the oven itself. It can be a large sticker on the front or a small sticker on the back. Typically, the power rating ranges from 600 to 1,500 watts. Often the meaning is present in the name of the model. By the way, the international designation of the watt is W, and the domestic designation is W.

If you are haunted by the fame of Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, you can find out the power of the microwave oven with a little experiment.

Attention! Be careful with overheated water.

Pour 200 ml of cold tap water into a heat-resistant glass and place in the microwave. Set the maximum power and watch when the water comes to a boil: 1.5 minutes - 1200 W, 2 minutes - 1000 W, 2.5 minutes - 800 W, 3 minutes - 700 W, 4 minutes - 600 W. Again, this is only worth doing if your stove is firmly built into the kitchen furniture.

Armed with this information, you can make adjustments and adapt to the original recipe.

What to do when the powers do not match

If your oven is more powerful than the reference oven, reduce its power as a direct percentage. For example, when you have 1,000 watts and the recipe uses 600 watts, set the power to 60%. A little more complicated: if your microwave is giving out 1,200 watts and you need 800 watts, reset the power to 70% (rounding 66, 67% up).

Of course, in the opposite case, if your oven is weaker than the reference one, it will not work to adjust the power - you will have to increase the cooking time. You will need about 10 extra seconds for every 100 watts and every minute you cook. For example, if the recipe says 2 minutes at 1200 watts, you will need 2 minutes and 20 seconds at 1000 watts.

What are microwaves

In addition to the power of the microwave oven, other factors affecting heating and defrosting must be taken into account. For example, the type of microwave: they are conventional (solo), with convection and inverter.

In solo ovens, there is nothing but a magnetron, a high-voltage device that generates ultra-high-frequency (UHF) electromagnetic radiation. These are the simplest devices with a minimum of additional functions. They are mainly suitable for heating cooked food.

Convection ovens, in addition to the heating element, have a built-in fan that directs the hot air around the food. In this case, heating occurs faster than in the conventional model. Here you can already roam around and use the most complex recipes.

Inverter microwave ovens offer more uniform heating at lower power settings. What is their advantage? Let's just say, if you turn on a different type of oven at 50% power, this means that the microwave will constantly change its power from zero to one hundred percent. Inverter technology provides a constant power of 50% throughout the entire running time, which is especially useful when defrosting.

Finally

And remember, the operation of the microwave is affected by the power supply from the mains. So, in the hot summer, the power system of your home may experience increased stress due to air conditioners, fans, freezers and other household appliances. In this regard, the stove will not be able to work as usual and you will have to constantly look at your cooking dish. For convenience, set a timer at short intervals and track your progress.