Benefits of Microwave
- Shikha Gupta
- November 8, 2022
- 3:23 pm
- No Comments
The majority of us have microwaves at home, and we would all like to use them. It unquestionably saves time and aids in the preparation of many different recipes, including Popcorn, gravies, rice, pizza, and reheating. There are many benefits of microwaves
In addition to the cooking advantages, the microwave has other benefits too. These benefits are not commonly known to us. If you want to know such benefits just read the blog till the end.
How Do Microwave Ovens Work?
Microwaves are very useful cooking devices. They are small, nimble, and remarkably adaptable machines but the question is how do they work and cook the food?
Microwaves are an important invention of science, but they can be understood as follows. The primary way that microwave ovens work is by producing microwave radiation, which passes through the food and cooks it. The electromagnetic waves known as microwaves, which have a wavelength between 300 MHz and 300 GHz, are not only found in microwave ovens (a wavelength of around 1 m and 1 mm). 2450 MHz is typically the frequency used by microwave ovens (a wavelength of 12.24 cm).
Microwaves are intermediate between infrared and radio waves in terms of length when compared to other types of radiation.
The specific way that they interact with water molecules is what makes microwaves so uniquely suited for cooking.
Are you safe to stand next to a microwave?
One widespread misconception about microwaves is that they can cause cancer. This may be due to the word “radiation” being used to describe how they operate as well as a concern that microwave radiation may leak from the appliance itself. In this context, radiation does not mean radioactivity but rather an energy that radiates from a source.
Microwaves are an example of non-ionizing radiation, but they lack the energy to ionize substances and cause them to change chemically. Because they have more energy per photon than other types of electromagnetic waves, such as ultraviolet and x-rays, they can cause cancer
Advantages of Microwave
1. Rapid heating or rewarming
The most important benefit of using a microwave oven is how quickly and easily leftovers or packaged food can be heated. A magnetron produces radio waves when a microwave oven heats food, which then directly transfers heat energy into the food’s molecules.
In the same way that the microwave oven’s utensil rotates on the turntable, radio waves also pass through the food. The food or liquid can heat up quickly because its molecules vibrate incredibly quickly. Due to their lack of airborne emissions, microwave ovens are also more environmentally friendly than conventional ovens. Convectional ovens’ quick heating allows you to prepare dishes like Haldiram Style Moong Dal, pizza, baking, etc.
2. Simple To Clean
The ease of cleaning the cooking cavity and utensils is one of the microwave oven’s most obvious benefits.
Food or liquid heats up and cooks quickly in a microwave. There could be a lot of splatters when cooking foods like soups. The most useful alternative is to clean immediately following each use. As you don’t want your microwave to become clogged with food or liquid that reheats constantly. Cleaning the cooking cavity inside the oven is incredibly easy because the interior is smooth and made of glass. You only need a damp towel to clean up any spills you find.
3. Safe for Kids to Use (appropriate age)
I don’t advise letting very young kids handle the hot contents of a microwave or use one. For kids of a suitable age, using a microwave oven is a much safer alternative than, say, using a stovetop or a cooker.
They can safely cook or reheat food in a microwave if they are taught the proper cooking time for different foods. The only issue is that, if you’re not looking, you might catch them heating up their preferred popcorn in the microwave!
4. Adjustable Heat Levels
These days, microwaves have a wide range of timer-setting options. Because microwaves have adjustable heat settings, you can decide how long you want to cook something and how powerful you want the unit to be.
A microwave oven like this allows you to simply set the timer and walk away while your food cooks perfectly on its own. To enjoy a meal that is perfectly cooked, all you need to do is wait for the microwave to beep.
5. Limited Energy Use
Cooking in the microwave also saves you money on your electricity bill. Microwave ovens use less energy than traditional ovens. The wattage of the microwave oven varies from 600 to 1200 watts. The microwave can be set up to turn on and off automatically. When the desired cooking time and temperature are reached, the oven shuts off.
Also read:
Convection Oven Vs Conventional Oven
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Disadvantages of Microwave Ovens
1. Not Enough Versatility
I enjoy using my microwave for cooking, and I can certainly appreciate how versatile it is. A variety of foods and liquids can be prepared quickly and healthily. It does have some restrictions, though.
For instance, you can’t fry food in it, and you also won’t be able to bake, for savory or sweet treats, and achieve the browning or crisping effects that an oven can.
2. High energy
Compared to cooking on a stovetop or using another kitchen appliance, cooking frequently and for extended periods of time can use a disproportionately high amount of energy.
Fortunately, as you can see from the example above, microwave cooking generally takes much less time. The time it takes to bake something in your oven will be saved.
3. Drys Food
By causing the water molecules to move around, a microwave oven heats the food. As a result, the food becomes drier and has less water in it. If you use less water than is necessary, your meal may consist of dry food. Therefore, be sure to use the appropriate amount of water to keep the food from drying out.
4. Requires Specific Containers
You must be extremely careful about the cookware or containers you use when using a microwave for cooking. The use of microwave-safe bowls made specifically for this purpose is safe. It can be quite dangerous to microwave faulty materials. Cookware that can be used in a microwave is typically made of glass, ceramic, or particular kinds of plastic. Otherwise, there is a chance that the food will become contaminated by unwanted, toxic substances from the plastic cookware.
Excellent containers for the microwave are made by Tupperware. Instead, the strongest polymers, typically made of polyethylene that has been hardened, can be used. Check the cookware’s manufacturer’s directions For more information, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the cookware.
Some more uses of Microwave:
- Heat does not spread in the kitchen as the heat does not emit out of the microwave and it keeps the kitchen cool.
- The microwave can be used to make curd easily in the winter season when you struggle to make curd due to low temperatures.
- They are the perfect friend for your movie-time popcorn-making. Whenever you feel for the popcorn grab them at home.
Conclusion
Over 75% of homes have microwaves, and most commercial kitchens use them to cook and heat food more quickly. However, the microwave may cause health problems if used frequently and without proper maintenance.
The disadvantages of using a microwave that was mentioned above are some that you should be aware of if you decide to add this small appliance to your kitchen arsenal. Yes, microwaves do have some drawbacks in addition to their many benefits. But if you compare them side by side, I’m pretty sure you’d want to upgrade your kitchen with a modern microwave.