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3.1. Advantages of the microwave oven
In a conventional cooker, the heat that is radiated
through the resistances or gas burners slowly
penetrates the foods from the outside in. Therefore,
there is a great loss of energy in heating the air, the
oven components and the containers holding the
food.
In the microwave, the heat is generated by the
foods themselves, i.e. the heat goes from the inside
out. There is no loss of heat to the air, the walls of
the cavity or the containers (as long as they are
microwave-safe containers). This means that only
the food is heated.
To sum up, microwave ovens have the following
advantages:
1. Savings in cooking time; in general, there is a ¾
reduction in time compared to conventional
cooking.
2. Ultra fast defrosting of foods, thus reducing the
danger of bacteria developing.
3. Energy-saving.
4. Conservation of the nutritional value of foods due
to the reduction in cooking time.
5. Easy cleaning.
Microwave oven operating mode
The microwave oven contains a high voltage valve
called a Magnetron, which converts the electrical
energy
into
microwave
electromagnetic waves are channelled towards the
inside of the oven by a wave guide and distributed
using a metallic disperser or a rotating plate.
Inside the oven, the microwaves are propagated in
all directions and reflected by the metallic walls,
thus uniformly penetrating the foods.
Why the food is heated
Most foods contain water and the water molecules
vibrate with the microwaves.
Use
energy.
These
The friction between the molecules generates heat,
which raises the temperature of the foods,
defrosting or cooking them or keeping them hot.
Because heat is formed inside the foods:
•
The foods may be cooked without any liquids
or oils, or with very little of these;
•
Defrosting,
heating
microwave
oven
conventional oven;
•
The
vitamins,
substances are conserved;
•
Neither the natural colour nor the aroma are
altered.
The microwaves go through porcelain, glass,
cardboard or plastic, but not trough metal. For this
reason, metallic containers or containers with
metallic parts should not be used in the microwave
oven.
Microwaves are reflected by metal...
... they go through glass and porcelain...
... and are absorbed by the foods.
or
cooking
in
is
faster
than
minerals
and
nutritious
13 / EN
the
in
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