Stirrer: distributes the microwave
energy to promote even cooking
Water molecules in food are dipolar, meaning
they have a positive charge at one end and an
equal negative charge at the other.
Act as tiny magnets as
microwaves enter the food
The rapid vibration causes friction between the
water molecules, which produces the heat.
Heat is inside the food, so the food doesn't
stop cooking when you turn off the oven
Has no heating element
Many ovens can operate on different
power levels. (high fat content of cheese
attracts microwaves)
At lower than 100% power levels, the oven
turns on and off, allowing times for the heat
level to equalize.
Techniques for Microwaving:
Stirring: pull heated part of the food to the center
Turning over: microwave all sides
Standing time: allow the foods to complete its cooking
Shielding: small pieces of foil used to
cover wings or legs of poultry (deflects
microwaves away from that part)
Covering: retains nutrients, holds in
moisture, and speeds up cooking
Arrange food in circular shape: make cooking even
Rotating: makes cooking even
Pricking: keep from exploding (egg
yolks and potatoes)
Select foods of the same size: cooks evenly
Cooking hints:
Annotations:
1. Foods at refrigerator and freezer temperatures take longer to cook than those at room temperature
2. Density affects cooking time
3. Bony pieces of chicken- put on outside
4. Microwaved cook by entering the foods by the outside edges.