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Microwaves - what are they?
Microwaves are a kind of electromagnetic energy.
Ordinary daylight and radiowaves are two other
examples. The wavelength is the only difference
between these three types of energy.
Microwaves are absorbed by water and oil. All
foods contain water or fat and act as receivers for
the microwave energy. The water molecules are
excited by the microwaves which produces heat,
thus the water is heated.
Just as ordinary daylight passes through glass,
clear plastic
and air, the microwaves have the ability to go
through materials
like paper, glass, porcelain, plastic and air. These
materials will consequently not be heated up by
the microwaves.
The microwaves are reflected by metal in the
same way as light is reflected by a mirror.
Important
• Do not use your microwave oven for cooking
or reheating whole eggs with or without shell.
• Do not use your microwave oven for
deepfrying, because you cannot control the oil
temperature.
• Do not use your microwave oven for heating
liquids in airtight sealed containers. The
pressure increases and may cause damage
when opening or may explode.
• Do not use your microwave oven for drying
textiles, paper, or other combustible
materials.
• When cooking, or re-heating liquids (water) in
microwave ovens it is possible that the boiling
point is reached without any bubbles being
visible. The liquid does not cook regularly, this
can lead to, when taking out the vessel (for
example, cups or mugs), liquid boiling over
and there is a risk of scalding oneself. To
avoid this, put a teaspoon in the cup or mug
before starting the cooking process. In this
case, there is no risk of damage from the
metal to the microwave oven.
• One of the major advantages of microwave
ovens is the short cooking time. Therefore, do
not exceed recommended times for cooking
and for re-heating food.
• Always refer to a microwave cookbook for
details. Especially, if cooking or reheating
food that contains alcohol.
• If material inside the oven should ignite, keep
oven door closed, turn the oven off and
remove the plug from the supply socket.
To reduce the risk of fire in the oven cavity:
• Do not overcook food. Always add the alcohol
after cooking (if requiredi).
« Do not leave the oven unattended, especially
not when using paper, plastic or other
combustible materials in the cooking process.
• Remove wire twist-ties from paper or plastic
bags before placing bag in oven.
• Make sure the utensils you use in your
microwave oven are suitable for microwave
cooking.
Which utensils can be used in the oven?
utensils made of china and ceramic are excellent
to use in your microwave oven. Most types of
glass are also very good. Lead crystal glass can
crack and should therefore, not be used.
Plastics and paper can also be used, provided
they can withstand the temperature of the heated
food.
For cooking only use plastics, which will withstand
a temperature of over 120°C, e.g. polypropene
d polyamide.
Some plastic materials, e.g. melamine, will be
heated by the microwaves, and be damaged.
To find out if a certain container is suitable, the
following simple test can be made:
Place the empty container and a glass of water
inside the microwave oven. The water is needed
because the oven must not be operated empty or
with empty containers. Let the oven work on full
power for one minute. A suitable container will
only be lukewarm.
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