How Microwave Cooking Works? If you’ve ever wondered how your microwave oven works, you’re not alone. In fact, this article will explain how your microwave works and why your food cooks much faster than it would in a conventional oven. Food cooked in the microwaves is not only moist, but also steamed, boiled, or baked, so the nutrients remain intact. And the process only takes a few minutes.
Food cooks faster in a microwave oven
A microwave oven cooks food faster than a conventional oven, but how fast does it actually cook? In a conventional oven, heat enters the food through the air, and that air loses energy as it moves through the food. In a microwave oven, heat is deposited directly into the food, agitating the molecules to create widespread heat. The result is food that is evenly cooked in a short period of time.
The first rule of microwave cooking is to place food in the microwave in such a way that it will cook evenly. Generally, thick pieces of food should be placed at the edges, since they cook faster than thin ones. Thicker foods, such as potatoes, can be cut into thin slices or sliced. However, if you intend to bake a potato, you should cook it whole. This will reduce the cooking time by about half.
Food is heated from the inside out
In microwave cooking, the temperature of food is raised evenly throughout the product. The energy that is transferred to the food is absorbed by water molecules and fats, which in turn produce heat. The process of microwave cooking is considered a fast way to cook food. In the microwave, the temperature of food will rise in just a few minutes – or less, depending on the size and type of food. To learn more about the process of microwave cooking, read this article.
The key to successful microwave cooking is the proper timing. The time frame for cooking food varies between foods, and varying densities can lead to uneven heating. It is therefore important to spread out the food evenly on the microwave plate to avoid uneven heating. Microwave cooking heats food from the inside out, as the microwave’s rays penetrate food and excite fat and water molecules. Therefore, food is not overcooked.
Food is steamed or boiled
The main misconception about microwave cooking is that it destroys the nutritional value of food. While all cooking methods cause some loss of vitamins and nutrients, microwave cooking is advantageous for some types of foods. Because it requires less water and does not require a lot of extra water, vegetables and other foods are cooked quickly without using any additional water. According to Anuradha Prakash, an assistant professor at Chapman University, there is no evidence to support negative health effects of microwave cooking.
Microwaves cause water, fat, and sugar molecules to vibrate 2.5 million times per second. Even after they stop, microwaves continue to emit heat. This additional cooking time is called “carryover cooking,” “resting time,” or “standing time.” Because microwaves cannot penetrate food farther than a few inches, they have to use conduction to cook the food. During this process, the temperature of the food can rise several degrees.
Nutrients are preserved
According to a recent Ask Umbra column, microwave cooking preserves nutrients more effectively than other methods of cooking. Microwaves, for instance, use a relatively low amount of water and keep nutrients in their original form. The results are foods that are more nutrient-dense and easier to digest and absorb. This benefits many people, but is not suitable for everyone. However, microwaves can still be an excellent option for preparing foods that contain a lot of nutrients.
The benefits of microwave cooking are numerous. Its short come-up time and high cooking temperature improve nutrient retention. Microwaves are also less destructive than conventional methods. Microwaves can be used for cooking meat, fish, vegetables, and even whole grains. However, conventional cooking can be just as effective in preserving nutrients. The longer the cooking time, the more nutrients are destroyed. This is especially true for foods high in water-soluble vitamins.
