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Microwave Oven
Introduction
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A microwave oven, or simply a microwave, is a kitchen appliance that cooks or heats food by dielectric heating. This is accomplished by using microwave radiation to heat polarized molecules within the food. This excitation is fairly uniform, leading to food being more evenly heated throughout (except in dense objects) than generally occurs in other cooking techniques.
Basic microwave ovens heat foods quickly and efficiently, but do not brown or bake food in the way conventional ovens do. This makes them unsuitable for cooking certain foods, or to achieve certain culinary effects. Additional kinds of heat sources can be added to microwave packaging, or into combination microwave ovens, to add these additional effects.
Microwave ovens are generally used for time efficiency in both commercial applications, such as restaurants, in the office and at home, rather than for cooking quality, although some modern recipes using microwave ovens rival recipes using traditional ovens and stoves. Professional chefs generally find microwave ovens to be of limited usefulness because browning, caramelization, and other flavor-enhancing reactions cannot occur due to the temperature range. On the other hand, people who want fast cooking times can use microwave ovens to prepare food or to reheat stored food (including commercially available pre-cooked frozen dishes) in only a few minutes. Microwave Ovens can also be used to defrost items that will later be cooked by traditional methods, cutting the time it takes to defrost foods naturally. Microwave ovens are also useful for the ease in which they can perform some traditionally cumbersome kitchen tasks, such as softening butter or melting chocolate.
Microwaves are a form of energy which are absorbed by the food placed inside the microwave oven cavity. Microwaves make the water molecules inside the food vibrate so that they rub against each other causing friction. It is this friction that produces the heat that actually cooks the food.
Cooking in a microwave oven is different to any other type of cooking and you have to use different methods because:- In a microwave the heat is produced inside the food. In all other cooking methods, heat is applied from outside. Microwave energy penetrates the food to a depth of about 25mm. Microwaves are similar to light and they are emitted downwards from the top of the microwave oven cavity. The waves bounce off the metal sides of the cavity, hitting the food from different angles. Theses microwaves do not hit the food evenly. To minimize this effect, the oven either has a rotating turntable or a paddle wheel in the roof to stir up the microwaves but there are still problems with uneven heating.
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Major Problems with Microwave ovens
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- Food cooks very quickly and is liable to be overcooked.
- Hot and cold spots can occur producing food that is unevenly cooked.
- Microwaves cannot brown food as no heat is applied from the outside.
- The outer edges of the food get hot while the centre remains cool.
- Metal pans, plates, utensils etc. will permanently damage the microwave generator.
- Cooking small quantities of food can damage the microwave generator.
- Never turn on an empty oven as it will damage the microwave generator.
- Waste food left on the inside of the oven cavity absorbs energy.
- Salt added at the beginning of cooking toughens food especially meat.
- Not all foods can be cooked in a microwave.
- The size of the oven cavity limits the quantity and size of the food to be cooked.
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Some Advantages
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Microwave ovens rapidly cook foods, heat liquids and defrost frozen foods. Some foods are better cooked in a microwave oven as they retain more flavor, texture and goodness. (eg. plain fish, soft fruit, peas, fat free cakes). Microwaves are safe and economical on electricity with savings up to 50%. No oven preheating is required and the kitchen stays cooler. Cooking is cleaner with less odors. Washing up is reduced. A microwave oven can be used with a conventional oven to speed up the cooking such things as bread.
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Some Pros and Cons of Microwave Ovens:
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The more the energy supplied the faster and better the food gets cooked. This is possible by either increasing the power supply to the oven or by increasing the cooking time. Microwave ovens have a whole lot of advantages than disadvantages. Some foods when cooked in these ovens retain their flavor and taste than when cooked in the traditional methods. These ovens are also cost efficient on electricity and are also safe to use. Also these machines do not require pre-heating as in a traditional oven, and can be used immediately upon switching on. This also helps in the surroundings being cooler, unlike the gas stove that heats up the kitchen area, thus making it hot and uncomfortable to work. This type of cooking also reduces cooking odors which accompany while cooking on gas stoves. Also cleaner kitchens can be achieved, as less food spills are caused in this method. The effort of washing of gas stoves is reduced as these ovens neednt' be washed, they can just be wiped off the dirt and food. With a combination oven that includes a conventional and microwave oven, cooking can get faster and effortless as well.
A coin has two sides and so does any device. A microwave oven too has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the major disadvantages could be that the food gets cooked faster which could result in over cooking of the food. The food can tend to get cooked unevenly, with hot food being on top and cold and uncooked food at the bottom, and so food has to be stirred, at regular intervals, in order to cook food correctly. Microwave oven need specific utensils to cook food as not all metals and alloy vessels can be used. Also all types of food cannot be cooked in a microwave oven; there are certain restrictions as well.
A microwave oven has many positive features and few negative aspects as well. It depends on the usage and need of the individual to go for this type of oven, along with necessary features and options. High frequency electromagnetic waves, also called as microwaves are emitted when food is cooked in the microwave oven. These microwaves produce the heat and cook each and every particle of the food. Microwave oven is a kitchen appliance which saves your cooking time and makes food tastier. Microwave oven consumes very less electricity and is easy to use. You may end up purchasing one after learning the benefits of the microwave oven. Read on and you will know why we say so.
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Microwave oven saves time
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The important benefit of a microwave oven is the 'time efficiency'. As compared to the traditional methods of cooking, microwave ovens take very little time to cook. A microwave oven has a timer which enables us to set the time for cooking food. When timer runs out, the oven turns off automatically. Different times are set to cook different types of food items. For instance water can get boiled in one minute; cookies will take longer time to bake.
Easy to heat food
Tasks like heating remaining food (reheating), making crunchy pop-corns, defrosting frozen food, and heating packaged food are quite easy by using a microwave oven as compared to conventional cooking range, old fashioned ovens or stoves. Microwave ovens do not get hot themselves while heating the food.
Easy to clean
Microwave ovens are easy to maintain and clean. What you need is a damp cotton cloth or a sponge. Wipe the oven from inside and you are done. To get rid of the smell of food, boil the bowl of water in the oven with a few drops of lemon juice in it and your oven is ready to use again.
No need to keep a watch
Microwave cooking does not need supervision. Remember, how crazy you go while stirring curry, keeping an eye on the pressure cooker and waiting to hear the whistle, and making salad all at the same time. You will be relaxed while cooking with a microwave oven. Place the food, set the time, stir in between if necessary and remove the food once it is done. You can take that phone call while your food is being prepared in the microwave oven.
Retains nutrients and vitamins in the food
Vegetables boiled in the microwave safe bowl are much healthier than boiled in the pan on the gas burner. Microwave cooking retains the nutritive values of the food. It retains vitamins and mineral in the food. Food gets cooked evenly in the microwave oven and it tastes delicious.
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| Safety tips while using microwave oven |
Closed containers and raw eggs can burst when heated in a microwave oven due to the stress build-up of steam. Liquids if over heated may result in violent burst of water and vapor resulting in liquid and steam burns. Certain safety precautions are must while handling any electronic appliance.
Keep in mind the following safety tips while handling microwave oven.
- Use cookware meant for microwave cooking. Do not use metal or plastic cookware to cook in the microwave oven.
- Do not forget to wear gloves while taking out the food from the oven. You can find these gloves easily in the market.
- If your microwave oven is not working, then do not try to repair it by yourself. Call your service provider.
- If you think that something is wrong with your microwave oven like spark or fire, put off the main switch with the use of the wooden stick or any other insulated object. Call your service provider.
- Strictly follow the rules displayed in the manual that comes along with the microwave oven.
You can make thousands of recipes with the help of your microwave oven. Breakfast will be made faster than ever before. In the early stages of its introduction, it was primarily used for reheating stored or refrigerated food and to make popcorn. The main advantage of a microwave oven is that it can heat the food without heating the cookware directly. The food becomes hot first and then the cookware or the pan gets heated through the food in it. This phenomenon is a unique feature of the utility over the conventional ovens or stoves. In the subsequent periods it has become multipurpose equipment. Many new features were incorporated to facilitate baking, roasting, grilling and toasting apart from the usual cooking methods. The users are also benefited with the efficiency and economy that are offered by the microwave oven.
The most popular type of microwave oven is the small or portable one which can be placed on the kitchen worktop. It is known as compact size microwave oven and used for defrosting or heating food items. The bigger model is the medium sized one which can accommodate casseroles etc to cook vegetable and meat. The largest one is for cooking food in a large scale. Another model is the built in microwave oven, which can be installed only by professional technicians. The power consumption depends on the size of the oven. When the compact size requires 500 to 1000 watts of electricity, the largest size will work on wattage of 2000 or more. The special feature is the convection oven which will be equipped with a fan to circulate heat evenly so that the heating or cooking process will be faster. This type is an ideal one for small eateries or large households. Both built-in type and convection ovens are very expensive. They can be used for browning and broiling the meat in the course of cooking.
But in totality, the microwave oven is used for its efficiency and convenience and not very much for the qualitative advantages. The dieticians recommend microwave oven only for heating, browning and caramelisation. Many experts warn that nutritious values of vegetable will be lost in microwave cooking. Some reports caution that a microwave oven will divest the vitamin contents and phytonutrients of the food due to the radiation. Regular intake of food cooked in microwave oven will cause obesity and related diseases.
Like many other facilities available to those who lead a busy lifestyle, the microwave oven may also contribute to certain hazards. The best option is to use it selectively. It can be used for reheating, melting and making popcorn. Many new features are incorporated in the modern versions like facility to programmed the cooking process. Timers are provided to cut off the power once the cooking is completed.
Maintenance of microwave ovens is important. The utility should be cleaned immediately after the use. The filters provided are easily removable to facilitate periodical cleaning. The turn table should be taken out and cleaned. Proper maintenance will ensure durability of the oven. The user should carefully read all the instructions in the manual issued by the manufacturers along with the product.
Microwave ovens are available in different sizes. Portable sizes can be accommodated on the kitchen worktop. Larger ones are capable of handling casseroles and bigger utensils. Such large sized ovens are used for cooking food also. Convection microwave oven is a new version with heating element and a fan to facilitate heat transfer upwards. This type of oven is expensive than conventional appliance.
However there are many disadvantages attributed to this type of cooking method. According to the experts and dieticians, regular and continuous use of microwave ovens will affect the nutritive value of the food adversely. The radiation process involved in the microwave cooking actually heat up the molecules to the extent of destroying the vitamins and certain natural nutrients contained in the food. Some experts estimate that almost ninety seven per cent of the nutritive value will be lost by the microwave cooking. It is therefore advised that microwave oven should be used sparingly for the purpose of defrosting or heating the stored food. If necessary it can be used to expedite cooking process in unavoidable circumstances. However, the fact remains that the quality of food will be less nutritive than the food cooked in the conventional stoves.
Keeping in mind such hazardous consequences, consumers can buy and use microwave ovens for limited purposes. Varieties of models are offered by the market to cater the increasing demands for this modern utility. Many new features are incorporated in the new models. Non-stick interior quoting to facilitate easier cleaning of spilled food items and grease filters which can be removed for cleaning are some of the additional features. In some models removable turntables are provided for the convenience of the users. The consumers should insist on warranty and after sale service while buying microwave ovens. Many online dealers offer attractive discounts and free shipping.
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Convection Microwave Oven:
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Convection microwave oven gives you dual advantage i.e. it provides you the benefits of both microwave as well as convection ovens. It is very effective in baking, roasting, cooking and heating the food. It has become an essential appliance in today’s kitchen as it has made cooking convenient and faster for us. Besides using the microwave technology, convection microwave oven also uses an airflow circulation technique. This helps you in cooking your food quickly and evenly. These have in-built sensors that help to adjust the cooking time. These ovens are considered as high-end models of the microwave oven, and so are more expensive than the conventional microwave oven.
This type of microwave oven is very useful for baking. It helps you to bake delicious cakes, which are soft from inside and crisp brown from the outside. This is due to the airflow circulation technique present in these ovens. While giving you the benefits of convection ovens, it also provides you with the advantages of microwave like quick heating, thawing and cooking. Thus, it is an appliance that makes cooking easier for us.
Once you decide to buy a convection microwave oven, then you have to try to choose the best one for yourself. There are so many brands and models of these ovens available in the market. The different models vary in size, features, design, colors, power consumption etc.
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Things To Remember While Buying Convection Microwave Oven:
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- Decide the purpose for which you want to buy the microwave oven. If you want it for just re-heating your food, its better that you buy a conventional microwave rather than a microwave oven. This will save your money. This type of microwave oven is useful if you are interested in cooking a variety of foods and baking cakes.
- You should decide the budget for the oven.
- You should decide on the size of the microwave oven that you want to buy.
- Always check the different offers available in the market which will help you to get the best deal for microwave oven.
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Some Major Pros and Cons of Microwave Oven:
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A fast and convenient appliance, microwave oven is now an unavoidable utility in the modern kitchen. No wonder, it has attained unprecedented popularity through out the world. Consumers are fascinated by the innovative features incorporated in the latest versions, thanks to the evolving technology. Today it is a multipurpose kitchen appliance used for not only defrosting or reheating stored food, but also for baking, roasting, grilling and toasting. A remarkable feature of the microwave oven is that it facilitates fat free cooking, which is recommended for persons with health problems.
Widely used in the catering sector as well as in the households, the microwave oven is lauded for its rapidity and energy efficiency. The early versions of this utility were mainly used to reheat the frozen food and to make popcorn. The special feature of this facility is that the food gets heated first, and then the heat will be slowly radiated to the cookware. As a result, cooking process will be less messy. The absence of smoke is another advantage.
Microwave ovens are available in different sizes. Portable sizes can be accommodated on the kitchen worktop. Larger ones are capable of handling casseroles and bigger utensils. Such large sized ovens are used for cooking food also. Convection microwave oven is a new version with heating element and a fan to facilitate heat transfer upwards. This type of oven is expensive than conventional appliance.
However there are many disadvantages attributed to this type of cooking method. According to the experts and dieticians, regular and continuous use of microwave ovens will affect the nutritive value of the food adversely. The radiation process involved in the microwave cooking actually heat up the molecules to the extent of destroying the vitamins and certain natural nutrients contained in the food. Some experts estimate that almost ninety seven per cent of the nutritive value will be lost by the microwave cooking. It is therefore advised that microwave oven should be used sparingly for the purpose of defrosting or heating the stored food. If necessary it can be used to expedite cooking process in unavoidable circumstances. However, the fact remains that the quality of food will be less nutritive than the food cooked in the conventional stoves.
Keeping in mind such hazardous consequences, consumers can buy and use microwave ovens for limited purposes. Microwave ovens (or microwaves for short) can be found in most households in the United States because of their convenience for heating food efficiently and quickly. The microwave is approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but there are natural health practitioners who believe that the appliance is not safe for cooking food. Also, while a microwave can do many things, it cannot cook everything as well as an oven or stove.
Items You Cannot Cook
Microwaves can be used to cook many safe plastic containers, but there are some items that microwaves may melt or spark a fire. Metal items are never approved for use in a microwave. When metal is cooked in a microwave, it functions as an antenna for electrical current in the device and can lead to fire and explosion. Some items that contain metal are metal twist ties, metal pans, Chinese take-out containers, China with metallic trim or paint, and aluminum foil. Other various containers that can cause a microwave malfunction include brown paper bags, cottage cheese tubs, foam insulated cups or bowls and newspapers.
Burnout and Superheating
The phenomenon known as burnout occurs when a microwave is set to cook with no food in the oven or if a dehydrated food is cooked. Burnout is when the magnetron tube of the microwave literally cooks itself and the poisonous beryllium is released after breaking. Superheating occurs when an object is heated above its boiling point and disturbed in such a way that it explodes. This can happen with closed water containers and closed containers with eggs. When these items are disturbed after cooking, they may erupt and burn the user.
Loss of Nutrients
A study at Osaka Prefecture University in 1998 showed that cooking pork, beef and milk in a microwave oven lowered the amount of vitamin B12 by 30 to 40 percent. A study by Cornell University showed that microwaving spinach reduced the nutrient folate by a negligible amount compared to cooking it on the stove (77 percent loss). These studies show that microwaves can reduce nutritional content but not necessarily more or less than other methods of cooking. When cooking vegetables in a microwave it is best not to place them in water as it may cause much larger reduction in nutrients than when vegetables are not put in water.
Theories on Negative Effects
In the 1970s in Russia, the microwave was banned after a post World War II report that stated microwaves led to many possible health problems. Natural health practitioners who believe the microwave is dangerous point to this study and speculate that the device can lead to increased disease and a stronger chance of cancer. They point to success stories of individuals who stopped using microwaves and improved their health, but there are few if any scientific studies that prove increased illness from a microwave or reduced illness from not using a microwave.
The most adverse effect of a microwave oven is that it superheats the liquids. The actual problem occurs when this superheated liquid is perturbed. Superheated liquid along with the disturbance are sufficient to trigger troubles. On any disturbance, the superheated liquid can burst off with force. Due to this superheating phenomenon, people recommend not to heat the infant milk using microwave. The bottle from outside looks fine and gives a false impression about the actual temperature of the milk inside the bottle. Moreover, some people believe that microwave treated milk loses its goodness.
Top of the threats list is the 'superheating of liquids'. This observable fact occurs when the liquids are heated past their boiling point. When this superheated liquid is stirred or perturbed then it can burst the utensils in which it is stored with a force. Also, some people do not recommend warming the milk for infants in microwave because it is impossible to obtain the correct warmth of milk from outside the bottle. Moreover, they believe that the microwaves considerably change the integrity of the milk.
Another concern is regarding bacteria and germs. People believe that if microwave can heat up food in very short span of time then it cannot kill all of the bacteria and germs. Eating such harmful food can cause some serious ailments. According to many of the peoples, microwave oven significantly alters the molecular formula of the food. This change in molecular formula decreases the nutrient quantity and quality of the food as well. In many cases, they blame microwave oven for diseases like cancer, poisoning etc.
People have also concerns regarding the radiation emitted by the microwave oven. According to them, these waves can cause infertility, eye damage, headache and many serious ailments. Many people have concerns about the ability of a microwave to provide healthy food which is not properly cleaned in food service institutions. This type of food can provide only ailments and nothing else. They think that regular use of microwave-heated food can cause anemia.
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References
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven
http://www.techitoutuk.com/knowledge/food/microovens.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Microwave-Ovens&id=1093971
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-microwave-oven-462429.html
http://www.searchnlink.com/Articles/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Microwave-Ovens-84.html
http://www.indiaparenting.com/nutrition/data/nutrition034.shtml |
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