Table of Contents
How does a microwave work?
Microwaves are a type of slow electromagnetic radiation, sitting between infra-red and radio waves on the frequency spectrum. A magnetron inside your oven generates microwaves which bounce off its metal walls, but are able to pass through food. As they do so, the energy in the waves is absorbed by water molecules, causing the food to heat up.
How many Watts is a good microwave?
All the experts we spoke to said around 900W is enough for cooking ready meals and reheating food. The higher the wattage, the quicker your food can cook, and the more you can cook at one time.
“Food can only absorb so many microwaves at a time,” says Cobb. This means a very powerful device will struggle to heat small quantities of food effectively.
What is an inverter microwave?
Traditional microwaves can only operate at 100 per cent or 0 per cent power. If you select a low power setting it actually just slows down the cycle, switching between 100 and 0 less frequently. This can cause fatty foods to spatter and pop as the full-power microwaves hit them. An inverter circuit can supply steady power at fractions of the maximum Wattage. Your food will be more evenly cooked or defrosted.
What can I cook in a microwave?
In the main, microwaves are used for heating ready meals, leftovers, and drinks. Many now have pre-programme functions, so, for example, if cooking a pizza or baked potato, you just press the button and it knows what to do.
Increasingly, microwaves are being used to cook fresh produce, too. Solo ones (those without grills or convection heating) can cook vegetables and meat, but it won’t get brown and crispy. Combination microwaves do enable you to crisp up food while cooking it in a microwave, though they tend to be a bit more expensive.
“They’re really useful bits of kit,” says Cobb. “They’re ideal for all vegetables. Once you’ve used one, dare I say you’ll be converted. You’ll think, ‘what’s the point in getting the saucepan out?’”
Are microwave ovens safe?
There have been fears about microwaves ever since they first came on the market. However, when used properly, there is no danger. According to the World Health Organisation, “When used according to manufacturers’ instructions, microwave ovens are safe.” There could be leakage, however, if your microwave is damaged.
“In actual fact, they have very good safety mechanisms,” says Cobb. For example, you can’t turn them on if the door’s open, so none of the heat can get out. Even if it does, it’s non-ionising radiation, so it’s relatively low-energy and won’t ionise atoms and molecules.
There’s also some scaremongering that it’ll spoil the nutrients in food (or that the food will become radioactive). This is unfounded, Cobb informs me. “All it’s doing is agitating the molecules in food or drink. It doesn’t damage them any more than it would if you boiled them on the stove. If you boil something to death it breaks down, and that’s the same in a microwave.” Obviously, ensure any food is thoroughly cooked.
One word of warning, however, is to never run a microwave without food or drink inside it. “It should never be run empty, it needs to have moisture in there,” says Cobb. This is most commonly done when warming plates, but it can ruin the microwave. If you want to warm plates, put a cup of water on top of them.
What’s the lifespan of a microwave?
Even with daily use, all microwaves should last seven years. Used less frequently, many will last nine or 10 years with no problems. The main reason to replace one may be to upgrade to new features, such as convection oven cooking, steaming, grilling and even air frying.
Are combination microwave ovens worth it?
A combination microwave can be a good investment especially if you have limited access to other appliances. Combi microwaves can bake, grill, steam and more but tend to use less energy than a standard oven.
How do I clean a microwave oven effectively?
Many people recommend ‘steam-cleaning’ it by adding a teaspoonful of either vinegar, lemon juice or baking soda to a mug of warm water and heating it in the microwave until it fills the oven with steam. The steam supposedly softens any baked-on food, making it easier to wipe off with a damp cloth.
However, boiling water in a microwave can be very dangerous: it can ‘superheat’ and explode when touched. The smart thing is just to clean the microwave after each use, rather than allowing the dirt to build up and harden. A cloth damped with warm soapy water is fine.
To avoid messy eruptions in the first place, make sure to use the right power setting and the right timing. Most are cause by overcooking food.
How much energy does a microwave oven use?
At current energy prices, it costs just over 3p to run a 900W microwave oven for 10 minutes. Microwaves can use up to 80 per cent less energy than conventional ovens, but the amount will depend on its wattage, size and how often you use it.
