Partly hot, partly cold - why food does not heat up evenly in the microwave

Created: 01/15/2023, 12:00 p.m

By: Anna Heyers

The microwave is an important kitchen appliance in many households.

A TikTok user reveals why some dishes are only partially warm – and how it works.

You're hungry and quickly put the plate with the potatoes, carrots and vegetables in the microwave.

Three minutes should be enough and the food actually steams properly after the time has elapsed.

But when you take your first bite, you realize that it's lukewarm at most in places, and almost boiling hot in others.

How can that be?

Microwave: Why food doesn't heat up evenly

A microwave basically heats food with magnetic vibrations.

There are water molecules in the food, which are moved back and forth by the microwaves and heat is generated.

This is also the reason why products with more water heat up faster in the device than dry ones.

However, the electromagnetic waves do not have a particularly large range.

If there is a plate in the middle, it is usually only the food on the edge that gets really warm.

If the inside of the microwave is dirty, a bowl of water and a little lemon will help.

It doesn't matter whether the lemon is squeezed or half is placed in the water.

Simply heat both together, let the steam take effect and then wipe the device.

(Icon image) © AndreyPopov/Imago

By the way: You should never let your microwave run empty, especially not older models.

Stir or change position for even heating

Especially soups or stews can be stirred briefly in between.

In this way, the heat is distributed evenly.

Or you can do it like

user @onlyjayus and simply place the plate or bowl on the edge of the turntable.

The comments below the video prove her right.

Many users say thank you for this tip and admit that they "have probably used the microwave incorrectly all their lives" or "never thought that you could simply change the position".

Tips for reheating food in the microwave

@onlyjayus has even more tips.

For example, if you want to heat up two things in the microwave at the same time, you should add an additional level, such as a cup and a plate.

Another useful tip is that you should put a glass of water in the interior when heating up pizza or pasta.

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Caution: What should not be in the microwave

When it comes to saving energy, the microwave performs better in many respects than the stove, for example.

Even if it is better to unplug the power cord at night.

But there are a few products that should not be heated in this device.

These include, for example:

Of course, no damp clothing, mobile phones or animals belong in the microwave - no matter what may be circulating here on the Internet.