3 RULES TO OBSERVE WHILE USING THE MICROWAVE OVEN

Every modern kitchen has to have a microwave oven. Many households use it to defrost or reheat food but some have learnt to cook using the microwave. This key piece of equipment has made the life of a bachelor a lot easier where microwave dinners are the norm.

How a microwave works.

Compared to conventional cooking method where food is cooked from out to the inside due to an external source of energy, a microwave cooks food from the inside to the outside.

This phenomenon is possible because food contains a high water content. Water absorb micro- waves (electromagnetic waves just under the frequency of radio waves). Water molecules vibrate and rub against each other resulting in friction and this produces heat; heat which warms food from the inside.

3 rules to observe when using the microwave.

1. Water absorbs micro- waves,
2. Glass transmits micro- waves
3. Metal reflects micro- waves

With these 3 principles it is easy to see why you shouldn't put metal in a microwave oven and why doing so results in disaster. 

Glass is the recommended material to use in microwave ovens due to their property of transmitting micro- waves.

Plastics and microwave ovens.

The greatest concern with using plastics in microwaves is the potential for the plastics to melt or warp. Most plastics that are used are made for storing margarine, ice cream, yoghurt and other food stuffs. These plastics have not been tested for use in microwave ovens so they can warp or melt.

Consequently, concern has been shown with the use of plastics due to migrating chemicals such as bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates used as plasticizers and which mimic human hormones, and not for the good.

Microwave safe plastics are available if you must use plastics. They have been subjected to testing therefore are approved for use in microwave ovens. 

Please refrain from using "Blueband" plastics.