Microwaves And How They Work - Panasonic NN-DS596B Operating Instructions & Cook Book

Installation and General Instructions
9. Extreme care should be taken when cooking
popcorn in a microwave oven. Cook for minimum
time as recommended by manufacturer. Use
the directions suitable for the wattage of your
microwave oven. NEVER leave oven unattended
when popping popcorn.
10. When heating food in plastic or paper containers,

Microwaves and How They Work

Microwaves are a form of high frequency radio waves
similar to those used by a radio, including AM, FM
and CB. They are similar to a television where the
radio waves are converted to a picture on the screen.
However, microwaves are much shorter than radio
waves; approximately twelve centimetres wave length.
Electricity is converted into microwave energy by the
magnetron tube (which is the heart of the microwave
oven).
From the magnetron tube, microwave energy is
transmitted to the oven cavity. The microwaves are
converted to heat in the food. The microwaves enter
from the outside of the food and travel through the
food losing half of their power every two to three
centimetres. Continued cooking to the centre occurs
by conduction.
Although pacemakers used to be affected by
microwaves (as well as by other radio waves), they
are now shielded and are not bothered by these
interferences. This allows people with pacemakers
to sit calmly by their radio or television and cook with
microwave ovens.
When microwaves come in contact with a substance,
any one or CRISPY GRILL of three things may occur.
They can be:
1. REFLECTED
F0003BU00QP_Eng_04_160622.indd 5
check the oven frequently due to the possibility of
ignition.
11. The contents of feeding bottles and baby food jars
are to be stirred or shaken and the temperature
is to be checked before consumption, in order to
avoid burns.
2. TRANSMITTED
3. ABSORBED
Refl ection:
Metal substances REFLECT microwave energy and
because there is no absorption, there is no heating.
This is why the oven interior is either stainless steel or
epoxy-coated steel. This ensures that the microwaves
are kept inside the cavity and evenly distributed
throughout the food with the help of the turntable.
Transmission:
Such substances as paper, glass and plastic
TRANSMIT microwave energy and do not become
hot except from food. Because these substances do
not refl ect or absorb microwave energy, they are ideal
materials for microwave cooking containers.
Absorption:
Food contains moisture and will ABSORB microwave
energy, which causes the moisture molecules within
the food to vibrate at an incredible rate (2,450,000,000
times per second). Friction, created by the vibration,
produces heat energy which is conducted throughout
the food.
- Eng-5 -
(continued)
2016/6/23 11:22:27