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17
Microwaving principles
Magnetron
Oven Cavity
Turntable
Waveguide
Microwave energy has been used in this
country to cook and reheat food since early
experiments with radar in World War II.
Microwaves are present in the
atmosphere all the time, both naturally
and from manmade sources. Manmade
sources include radar, radio, television,
telecommunication links and mobile
phones.
In a microwave oven, electricity is converted
into microwaves by the MAGNETRON.
How Microwaves cook food
The microwaves cause the water molecules
to vibrate which causes FRICTION, i.e.
HEAT. This heat then cooks the food.
Microwaves are also attracted to fat and
sugar particles, and foods high in these will
cook more quickly. Microwaves can only
penetrate to a depth of 1½ -2 inches (4-5
cm) and as heat spreads through the food
by conduction, just as in a traditional oven,
the food cooks from the outside inwards.
Important notes
The dish used to cook or reheat the food
will get warm during cooking, as the heat
conducts from the food. Even in micro-
waving, oven gloves are required!
MICROWAVES CANNOT PASS
THROUGH METAL AND THERE FORE
METAL COOKING UTEN SILS CAN
NEVER BE USED IN A MICROWAVE,
FOR COOKING ON MICROWAVE ONLY.
Reection
The microwaves bounce off the metal walls
and the metal door screen.
Transmission
Then they pass through the cooking
containers to be absorbed by the water
molecules in the food, all foods contain
water to a more or lesser extent.
Foods Not Suitable for Cooking by
Microwave Only
Yorkshire Puddings and Soufes. This is
because these foods rely on dry external
heat to cook correctly, do not attempt to
cook by micro wave.
Foods that require deep fat frying cannot be
cooked either.
Standing Time
When a microwave oven is switched off,
the food will continue to cook by conduction
– NOT BY MICROWAVE ENERGY. Hence
STANDING TIME is very important in
microwaving, particularly for dense foods
i.e. meat, cakes and reheated meals (refer
to page 18).
Boiled Eggs
Do not boil eggs in your microwave. Raw
eggs boiled in their shells can explode and
cause serious injury.