Microwaves: What you should definitely consider when using them
Created: 01/25/2022, 16:23
Why food bursts open, how to safely defrost meat and what absolutely shouldn't be inside?
We explain what you need to know about microwaves.
Prick foods like tomatoes and sausages with a fork before heating them in the microwave.
Process meat* defrosted in the microwave immediately.
Otherwise you are endangering your health.
When using plastic dishes, make sure that they are suitable for microwave use.
Never put metal in the microwave, there is a risk of fire!
Almost every household owns one – a
microwave
.
It warms up food from the day before and thaws frozen food quickly and easily.
But even with this household appliance there are some pitfalls.
Also read:
Microwaves: What you should consider when buying.
Why don't microwave foods with a firm shell?
Radiation from a microwave delivers energy to the water molecules in the food.
These set in motion and heat the food due to the increased friction.
The molecules need space for this.
However , the
firm shell
of eggs, tomatoes or sausages
does not expand.
That's why at some point the pressure is so strong that the food bursts and leaves stubborn stains in the microwave.
Hot peppers
are particularly dangerous
: if they burst, their pungent vapors spread throughout the kitchen.
These can cause coughing, retching, burning eyes, nosebleeds and even breathing problems.
Tip:
Prick tomatoes or sausages a few times with a fork beforehand.
So their skin can not burst.
There are also a number of foods that you must not heat in the microwave - there is a risk of food poisoning!
Did you know?
Because of this, the plate rotates in the microwave.
Microwave and meat - that's where it gets dangerous
Freezing meat is a convenient way to store food.
The only problem: how do you quickly defrost meat?
A popular method is the microwave, some even have an extra
defrost function
.
But if you're not careful, it can be dangerous for your health.
Because during the thawing, the meat reaches a temperature at which
germs multiply particularly well
.
If you then cut the vegetables first and prepare the sauce stock, the amount of bacteria can be hazardous to your health.
Therefore, prepare the meat immediately on the stove, grill or in the oven after defrosting it in the microwave.
Knew?
How to defrost meat safely, quickly and without a microwave.
Heat food evenly - how it works with the microwave
Nothing heats up yesterday's
food
faster and more easily than a microwave.
However, not always evenly.
Sometimes the noodles are already hot on the edge, while the noodle mountain in the middle is still cold.
The reason: the radiation does not make it to the inside.
Our trick:
Make a hole in the middle of rice, pasta or quinoa.
This way the food heats up evenly.
Attention:
You also have to be careful if you heat up a bottle of baby milk in the microwave.
The milk often heats up unevenly, which can lead to burns when drinking.
Caution fire hazard!
microwaves and metal
Objects made of metal or with metal elements must never be placed in the microwave
!
Sparks can occur that damage the device or, in the worst case, cause a fire.
This includes aluminum foil.
It can also melt and soil dishes or food.
FFP2 masks
also contain a metal bracket and must therefore not be cleaned* in the microwave.
The same applies to
mobile phones
that have fallen into the water: do not dry in the microwave!
Important:
Do not switch on an empty microwave either!
A short circuit can occur, which may lead to fire.
Scrambled, fried or poached:
this is how easy it is to make eggs in the microwave.
Can plastic or bamboo go in the microwave?
Plastic crockery can be put in the microwave if it is
specifically designed for
it.
See the packaging or package insert for instructions.
Because other plastic can not only melt: From a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius, chemical substances that are hazardous to health are released under certain circumstances.
The same applies to bamboo dishes.
Therefore, use ceramic or glass
containers for mug cakes* or hot cocoa
.
Also interesting:
That's why the microwave door has dots.
Be careful with closed and broken containers in the microwave!
Closed containers
should never be put in the microwave, because the heating creates pressure that cannot escape.
The glasses or bowls can explode.
Cover the food with a suitable soup plate or
microwave hood
.
You should also be careful with glass and ceramic dishes: At least if the material has a crack.
Water can collect here, which becomes so hot in the microwave that it burns your fingers or shatters the container.
(Franziska Schloegl) *Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
