Learned Something About Microwaving

[bartony]

I never have been able to derive why TV dinners or any food would have cold spots after microwaving. I would heat two identical ones for the same amount of time, same power, but the second one would invariably come out not as hot and with icy spots, when cooked at the right time and full power.

Well, after the serviceman determined nothing was wrong and told us to experiment with times and power levels, I decided to do just that.

Tonight, I cooked two TV dinners ( Both uhh...channel 4, I think:D )

Well, I decided to add 30 seconds to the times, but lower the power down to 7, make it cook 70% of the time.

By crackey, I cooked those little pups, and I've never seen such even cooking, and the meals staying hot until the last bite, in my life! I feel like I really did something!:D

So, henceforth, I will be cooking, or if we're heating up something already cooked, on a little longer time with less power. It allows the heat to distribute more evenly, and stay hot longer. I probably get the "Dohh!" award for not knowing to do this anyway.

[christian73]

I never have been able to derive why TV dinners or any food would have cold spots after microwaving. I would heat two identical ones for the same amount of time, same power, but the second one would invariably come out not as hot and with icy spots, when cooked at the right time and full power.

Well, after the serviceman determined nothing was wrong and told us to experiment with times and power levels, I decided to do just that.

Tonight, I cooked two TV dinners ( Both uhh...channel 4, I think:D )

Well, I decided to add 30 seconds to the times, but lower the power down to 7, make it cook 70% of the time.

By crackey, I cooked those little pups, and I've never seen such even cooking, and the meals staying hot until the last bite, in my life! I feel like I really did something!:D

So, henceforth, I will be cooking, or if we're heating up something already cooked, on a little longer time with less power. It allows the heat to distribute more evenly, and stay hot longer. I probably get the "Dohh!" award for not knowing to do this anyway.



Does your microwave rotate the food as it's cooking?

[aReformedPatriot]

Awesome. See we all have a specific purpose in life.

[Katieboo]

You can also make sure popcorn has popped all the way by putting a bowl over the bag.

[~InHisHands~]

Not all of us are proficient with microwaves. I'm sure there are handy little books out on the market somewhere with tips for this kind of thing.

[arunma]

A microwave oven operates by using microwave radiation to oscillate the covalent bonds of water molecules. When the microwave oven is operating, the microwaves inside the chamber establish a standing wave pattern (you can duplicate this yourself by clamping a rope at one end, and then oscillating the other end at just the right speed so as to establish one single wave that doesn't travel up and down the rope). All waves have nodes, which are points at which the wave amplitude is zero. Because the microwaves in the chamber are standing waves, the nodes are always at the same position. Any food located at the nodes will not be cooked by the microwaves, and will only receive heat from the food around these areas, which is being cooked. You can even find out where the nodes in your microwave are by cooking a tray of marshmellows, and taking note of which ones are not cooked.

Well, just in case anyone is interested... :sorry:

[aReformedPatriot]

A microwave oven operates by using microwave radiation to oscillate the covalent bonds of water molecules. When the microwave oven is operating, the microwaves inside the chamber establish a standing wave pattern (you can duplicate this yourself by clamping a rope at one end, and then oscillating the other end at just the right speed so as to establish one single wave that doesn't travel up and down the rope). All waves have nodes, which are points at which the wave amplitude is zero. Because the microwaves in the chamber are standing waves, the nodes are always at the same position. Any food located at the nodes will not be cooked by the microwaves, and will only receive heat from the food around these areas, which is being cooked. You can even find out where the nodes in your microwave are by cooking a tray of marshmellows, and taking note of which ones are not cooked.

Well, just in case anyone is interested... :sorry:

:| Arunma, buddy, you scare me sometimes. Besides, you'll never attract a woman if you know more about the kitchen appliances than she does! :P

[christian73]

:| Arunma, buddy, you scare me sometimes. Besides, you'll never attract a woman if you know more about the kitchen appliances than she does! :P


:D LOL!

[bartony]

Hello, fellow microwavers!

I've learned a lot here today also! Arunma has it all together about this stuff. That makes it more understandable why the food would cook better to let it coast a few seconds--let the heat penetrate further.

Oh, before I forget, the turntable does turn, Christian73.

Talkin' later-

[rainbowpromise]

:| Arunma, buddy, you scare me sometimes. Besides, you'll never attract a woman if you know more about the kitchen appliances than she does! :P
Actually I have two daughters that would be just fine with such knowledge. :D
Too bad one is a couple years to old and the other won't have anything to do with moving to the US. ;)

[rainbowpromise]

I defrost the dinner first according to the weight of the package, then set the microwave for the desired time.

[bartony]

I'll be switched! I need to try that too, rainbowpromise! I tried my new formula again tonight, but this time, mine (2nd one cooked) was a tad cool in places. Maybe "defragging" that pup like you do would improve the vittles quality and heating.:D

[RED that's ME]

It's a good thing to also know the dangers of microwaving. :)
I watched a documentary of how people heated water/coffee in the microwave and pulled it out and upon immediately putting in a spoon to stir caused it to explode over them and the kitchen. This isn't something that happens often but people should be aware of. :)

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/erupted.html

[Katakalupto]

:| Arunma, buddy, you scare me sometimes. Besides, you'll never attract a woman if you know more about the kitchen appliances than she does! :P


Actually if I wasn't already married.........;)

[HumbleMan]

It's so nice to have a thread that doesn't involve theological or political undertones. Thank you, Bartony.

As for the microwave, about the only time I use it is to heat up a hot dog or leftovers for the kids. And that's about the extent of my time in the kitchen. My wife banned me from using the stove a few years ago.

[JPPT1974]

I also learned that I think you should
At least try to clean the inside of the microwave
One or two times a month
To make sure it not just ain't dirty but
Also that it doesn't smell like you know what!

[arunma]

What do you know? I got two pseudo-offers for marriage based on my scientific skill. Not bad for a thread on microwave ovens!

[mont974x4]

What do you know? I got two pseudo-offers for marriage based on my scientific skill. Not bad for a thread on microwave ovens!

You da man!!!