How to use the microwave. How to use the microwave How to use the microwave

Important! There are microwave ovens that combine the functions of a grill with convection.

The volume of the internal working space of the microwave

By volume, microwave ovens can be conditionally divided into groups:

- up to 20 liters. Suitable for small families, and if you are not going to cook large dishes in it, such as baked fish or turkey;

- from 20 to 28 liters. The most common volumes, thanks to which you can put a couple of small plates with food on heating at the same time, and cook medium-sized dishes. Such microwave ovens are suitable for families from 2 to 4 people;

- from 28 liters (up to 42 liters). These microwaves can cook most of a wide variety of dishes, as well as simultaneously heat from 2 to 4 plates of food. In fact, a microwave oven with this volume is best bought for families of 4 or more.

Grill type

— Tenovy grill. Outwardly it resembles a black metal tube with a heating element inside, located in the upper part of the working chamber. Many microwave ovens are equipped with a so-called "movable" heating element (TEN-ohm), which can be moved and installed vertically or tilted (at an angle), providing heating not from above, but from the side.

The movable heating element grill is especially convenient in operation and provides additional opportunities for cooking in the grill mode (for example, in some models, you can fry chicken in an upright position). In addition, the inner chamber of a microwave oven with a movable heating element grill is easier and more convenient to clean (just like the grill itself).

In some models, in addition to the upper grill heating element, there is also a lower grill.

— Quartz grill. Located at the top of the microwave oven, it is a tubular quartz element behind a metal grill.

The advantages of a quartz grill:

- Unlike the heating element grill, the quartz grill does not take up space in the working chamber.
- The power of a quartz grill is usually less than a grill with heating elements, microwave ovens with a quartz grill use less electricity.
- Stoves with a quartz grill roast more gently and evenly, however, a grill with heating elements can provide more intensive work (more "aggressive" heating).
- It is believed that a quartz grill is easier to keep clean (it is hidden in the upper part of the chamber behind a grate and is more difficult to get dirty). Note, however, that over time, splashes of grease, etc. can still get on it, and it will no longer be possible to simply wash it, like a heating element grill. There is nothing particularly wrong with this (splashes of fat and other dirt will simply burn out from the surface of the quartz grill).

Ceramic grill. Combined with the traditional and quartz grill, the ceramic grill (heating element) allows you to cook even faster and also to find the optimal cooking conditions for any food. Using a ceramic grill also allows you to retain more moisture in the food, and heat and cook food outside and inside more evenly due to the deep penetration of far infrared radiation.

Internal coating type

The inside of the microwave oven chamber can have a different coating, which you also need to pay attention to when choosing a oven.

The walls are painted to look like enamel. This is the cheapest coverage. It does not withstand high temperatures and long cooking modes.

Durable enamel. It is easy to keep clean, it makes the walls smooth, depriving porosity. This is an inexpensive cover.

Special coating (antibacterial - LG, bioceramic - Moulinex) is a special compound that is sintered at a high temperature, due to which the camera coating is an absolutely smooth surface.

The special coating has undeniable advantages:

Very durable;
perfectly smooth;
it is difficult to scratch it;
has a high resistance to carbon deposits;
keeps better nutrients and;
retains more heat in the furnace, since the thermal conductivity of the chamber is 2-4 times less than that of a stainless steel chamber, therefore it consumes less energy;
everything can be easily washed from such a surface.

The disadvantages include the fragility of the coating and its high cost.

Stainless steel - a durable, beautiful coating that can withstand any temperatures (this is especially important when working with grills and convection). However, it is harder to care for it, keep it clean, maintain its gloss. Stainless steel can be cleaned with abrasive products.

Microwave controls

There are three types of controls: mechanical, push-button, touch.

— Mechanical - the simplest type of control by means of pens, without an electronic scoreboard. Two knobs set the radiation power and start the timer. Mechanical control is the simplest, most reliable, less likely to breakdown, cheaper. But the mechanics do not provide the necessary accuracy of setting the time, and a difference of a few seconds can ruin the dish.

— Push-button - the time on the electronic dial is set by means of buttons. Less reliable than mechanical, but more reliable than touch. Provides the ability to program. Has beautiful appearance.

— Sensory - push-button, but the buttons are clearly not visible, there are no protruding parts. Has a beautiful appearance, you can program the cooking process. Since there are no protruding buttons, no dirt builds up. But it is not very convenient to press these buttons, with strong surges in the network, sensor elements sometimes burn, more expensive ones. Touch-controlled microwaves make up about 60-70% of all microwave ovens sold.

Microwave power

When choosing a microwave oven, you should pay attention not only to the volume of the chamber and the degree of equipment, but also to the power of the device. The power of a microwave oven largely depends on which heat source is used. If the oven is equipped with only a microwave emitter, then its power can be equal to 500-1100 W. When the grill is in operation, the rated power will be 850-1500 W. If the device is also equipped with a convector, then its power will be 1350-2000 W.

Each oven has several modes of operation of the microwave emitter. In the simplest and most inexpensive microwave ovens there are only 4 levels, in the most difficult - 10. But most often microwave ovens are equipped with emitters capable of operating in 5 modes.

The most powerful is the so-called "full mode" (HIGH). When operating in this mode, the power of the emitter is maximum (100%). In this mode, you can prepare various sauces, drinks, bake vegetables and fruits.

A MEDIUM / HIGH level assumes that the emitter power is 70-75% of the available power. In this mode, you can cook poultry, reheat the first and second courses.
The “MEDIUM” level (50% of the maximum possible power) is optimal for cooking fish, roasting meat, cooking various soups.

The MEDIUM / LOW level, when the power is only 25% of the maximum, is good for defrosting food, preparing hot snacks, reheating food.
Finally, the “minimum” power level (10%) can be used to reheat “delicate” foods (asparagus, tomatoes, strawberries, etc.) or to keep a cooked meal hot.

Additional functions and accessories of microwave ovens

One of the additional functions of the microwave oven is the ability to supply steam, which helps to prevent overdrying of some foods during cooking. Thanks to this function, food is cooked two to three times faster while maintaining its natural consistency.

The possibility of ventilating the working chamber can be called a trifle, but very pleasant. The smell of fish or meat with spices is removed in a matter of minutes, and shortly after cooking a hot dish, you can put puffs or pies to bake.

The multi-level plate rack allows you to heat several dishes at the same time.

With two grill grates, you can cook twice as much food in one “session”.

Some ovens are equipped with the function "Auto-weight", that is, they are equipped with built-in electronic scales. In such models, there is no need to indicate the weight of the products placed in the working chamber - the microwave will determine it itself.

"Plate of Krusty", otherwise called "Crisp", allows you to fry food on it like in a pan. It is made of special metal and heats up to 200 ° C.

The function “Dual radiation” declared by the manufacturer means that the radiation source is bifurcated. This separation contributes to a more uniform heating of the products and increases the efficiency of the oven.
Sometimes microwave ovens are equipped with an interactive mode, with which even a child can cook. The leading question is highlighted on the display, and you only need to answer it for the next one to appear. Some models voice duplicate messages displayed on the electronic board.

Electronic cookbook - this function will greatly facilitate your wallet during the purchase and life after the smart microwave oven is delivered home. Even a child can cook with the help of a collection of recipes, you just need to understand how to use it. However, in our computer age, children are much better friends with electronics than adults.

In modern microwave ovens there is an interactive mode, when recommendations for the hostess are displayed on the display.

Security

Safety from radiation, damage electric shock, from mechanical and thermal injuries is confirmed by certification according to international standards. Despite the criminal liability of the developers and manufacturers of microwave ovens for your safety, you must strictly follow the rules of installation and use.

You are protected from microwave radiation by a metal casing and structural traps along the perimeter of the door. The magnetron and transformer inside the microwave oven are cooled by a fan to prevent overheating. When the magnetron is turned on, the door is locked so that it cannot be opened. When the door is opened, the temperature of the chamber wall or the stove casing rises, special sensors instantly turn off the magnetron. Experts say that the level of radiation, even in the immediate vicinity of the microwave oven, is several times lower than the permissible level and sharply decreases with distance.

High power consumption is another reason for increased danger. If your home has a third ground conductor, conventional electric shock protection will provide maximum safety.

It is strictly forbidden to use water or gas pipes as a grounding conductor. This can lead to the death of your neighbors or neighbors.

If you are not grounded, try to avoid touching the microwave oven cabinet and water or gas pipes at the same time. Your safety can be increased by installing an RCD (Residual Current Device).

To protect against children, a microwave oven lock is provided. Nevertheless, the possibility of dangerous pranks of children with buttons and control knobs of the oven must be excluded.

Inventory technology in microwave ovens

Very often the desire of consumers to purchase a large-volume microwave oven is faced with the impossibility of placing the desired oven in a small kitchen due to the very impressive dimensions of the oven. In addition to the actual volume of the working chamber, there are also technical elements that ensure the functioning of the microwave oven and, unfortunately, take up a lot of space. Inverter ovens were called upon to solve the problem.

Inverter technology can significantly reduce the volume required to accommodate technical components by replacing the conventional magnetron with more compact components, resulting in a larger usable chamber volume.

The basis for the application of inverter technology for microwave ovens is the principle of direct control of the output power level (in contrast to classical magnetrons, which always operate at maximum power, and power control is achieved by their pulse operation). The advantages of inverters, in addition to being smaller, also include more rational use energy, which speeds up the cooking processes (heating, defrosting) and reduces energy consumption.

Currently, inverter technology is mainly used in Panasonic microwave ovens (in which it was first used), but there is no doubt that inverter technology has a great future.

Microwave oven myths

- Many people hold on to the claim that an iron plate can trigger a high-power microwave explosion. In fact, in the worst case, it will cause damage to the magnetron due to arcing.

- If you keep the microwave oven turned on for a long time at high power, it can destroy all electrical appliances within a radius of several meters with its powerful electromagnetic radiation. In fact, the electromagnetic radiation outside the working chamber is no more than from the back wall of the computer's system unit, although near it it can still interfere with signal reception at a close frequency. Certain oven models can interfere with Wi-Max, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

- Microwave ovens can cause allergies ... to electromagnetic waves.

- That for the first time a microwave oven called "Radiomissor" was allegedly developed by German scientists during the Second World War, it was even allegedly used in the active German army to heat food, but allegedly turned out to be unsafe and was abandoned (Russian sites at This refers to foreign, and foreign - to Russian research, allegedly carried out in the nonexistent Russian cities of Kinsk and Rajasthan).

- Microwaves are radioactive or make food radioactive. This is not true: microwaves are classified as non-ionizing radiation. They do not have any radioactive effect on substances, biological tissues and food.

- Microwaves alter the molecular structure of foods or make foods carcinogenic. This is also wrong. Microwaves work differently from X-rays or ionizing radiation, and they cannot make foods carcinogenic. In contrast, because cooking with microwaves requires very little fat, the finished meal contains less burnt fat with a modified molecular structure during cooking. Therefore, cooking with microwaves is healthier and poses no danger to humans.

- Microwave ovens emit hazardous radiation. This is not true. Although direct exposure to microwaves can cause thermal damage to tissues, there is no risk when using a working microwave oven. The design of the oven provides for strict measures to prevent the emission of radiation outside: there are duplicated devices for blocking the source of microwaves when the oven door is opened, and the door itself prevents microwaves from leaving the cavity. Neither the casing, nor any other part of the oven, nor food placed in the oven accumulates microwave electromagnetic radiation. As soon as the oven is switched off, the emission of microwaves is stopped.

Those who are afraid to even come close to a microwave oven should be aware that microwaves are damped very quickly in the atmosphere. To illustrate, let's give this example: the permissible microwave power of Western standards at a distance of 5 cm from a new, just purchased oven is 5 milliwatts per square centimeter. Already at a distance of half a meter from the microwave, the radiation becomes 100 times weaker.

As a result of such a strong damping, the contribution of microwaves to the general background of the electromagnetic radiation surrounding us is not higher than, say, from, in front of which we are ready to sit for hours without any fear, or a mobile phone, which we so often hold to our temples. Just don't lean your elbow on a working microwave oven or lean your face against the door trying to see what's going on in the cavity. It is enough to move away from the oven at arm's length and you can feel completely safe.

Microwave ovenware

The choice of microwave ovenware must be taken very seriously. The fact is that if this issue is not understood, then it threatens with several troubles:

- you can harm your health;
- you can disable the microwave;
- you can lose the dishes themselves;
- you can spoil the product itself.

Choosing a material

Microwave ovenware can be fireproof or heat-resistant. The first can withstand temperatures of 250-300 ° C, the second only up to 140 ° C. Both types of dishes can be made of glass, porcelain, ceramics, plastic, but the properties of these materials will be different. Refractory materials undergo special hardening, as a result, the resulting containers can be used even on electric and gas burners. Heat-resistant materials are common cutlery glass and ceramics (and some food grade plastics).

Let's dwell on the issue of choosing a material in a little more detail.

— Glass Is one of the most common microwave-safe cookware materials. It is not recommended to use thin-walled dishes in the microwave - although it is stable, such glass can break under the influence of high temperatures. The best choice in this case, bowls, bowls or dishes made of thick frosted or transparent glass will become: you can conveniently place pieces of food in them.

— Porcelain. Porcelain dishes are very convenient for heating food in portions: it is enough to put a plate intended for serving on the table in the microwave - and in a few minutes you will have a hot lunch. If you buy plates without wide rims, of a small diameter, you can put several pieces in the microwave at once, thereby providing the whole family with lunch. Porcelain cups can be used to heat drinks.

— Ceramics, faience. Cookware made of such material is suitable for microwave oven if it is covered with glaze on all sides (when purchasing, be sure to read the marking on the product - it should be indicated that it is acceptable for use in microwave oven). It is necessary to carefully monitor that the top layer of glaze did not crack or fall off - otherwise the dishes will not be able to withstand the high temperature. Ceramic dishes, plates and bowls are not the best choice for the microwave: they are not transparent enough for microwaves and they get very hot. However, you can use such dishes for cooking omelets or meat dishes: on a very hot surface, you can even get a beautiful golden crust, like in a regular frying pan. If you wish, you can use ordinary tableware for cooking, many of its types are safe for microwave ovens.

— Paper - very convenient and safe enough material for use in a microwave oven, provided that the cooking time is not long, and the food does not contain a large amount of fat or moisture (otherwise they will saturate the paper too much). However, avoid colored paper as it can stain your food when exposed to heat. Paper towels can be used to wrap food and place it on baking tins.

— Plastic became widespread enough, but still many people prefer to use plastic containers exclusively for storing and carrying food. Meanwhile, only plastic dishes can be placed in the microwave immediately after taking it out of the refrigerator (in case it is used as a "storage" for food) - it can withstand such changes. Plastic containers for storing food marked "Thermoplast" or "Duroplast" can become excellent solution for office workers who prefer to carry their own food from home and reheat it at work.

The shape of the container also matters... By choosing the right parameters for the dishes, you can adjust the time and quality of cooking. So, in a deep dish, food is cooked longer than in a shallow one. Round form will provide the most even heating of food. Beware of dishes with slanted edges - the food will burn around the perimeter, but the inside will still be completely raw.

Foil it is permissible to use only for wrapping protruding parts of food. If you use too large a piece of foil, arcing may occur.

Important! When choosing utensils for a microwave oven, immediately purchase a lid of a suitable size (of course, also made of a suitable material). Covered food will retain more moisture and cook faster. This way you can use special materials for better cooking - wax paper, paper napkins, transparencies. Typically, recipes (if you use them rather than improvise) tell you how to wrap your food for the best results.

Thus, right choice utensils for a microwave oven will not only get a guaranteed result, but also improve the taste of the dish, as well as reduce the cooking time.

How to care for your microwave oven

- It is necessary to wash the walls of the chamber with special detergents for microwave ovens, abrasive - only stainless steel.

- If the chamber is too dirty, put a glass of water in it and boil for 1 minute. The dirt will become limp and easy to wash off.

- Do not leave the inside of the microwave oven dirty, as if the place where the door touches when closed becomes dirty, the door may not fit tightly, which will leak microwaves outward.

1. If there are frequent voltage drops in your power grid, get a voltage stabilizer or uninterruptible power supply (UPS), because with drops, especially in microwaves with LCD displays and touch controls, it is these components that fail.

2. When buying a microwave, it is better to immediately purchase a microwave care product, because these products are most often sold only in specialized stores, and when caring for a product, it is best to use them.

3. When buying, pay attention to the warranty card. if the store in which you purchased the product does not cooperate with a certain service center of the microwave oven manufacturer, in case of a possible breakdown, they may start to "send" you from one place to another, in search of the truth.

4. When buying, pay attention to the pallet, which is mainly made of glass. Sometimes he can get stabbed, or even with other unpleasant surprises.

5. When buying, always, I repeat - always open and view the appearance of the product. The words of the seller, who in a hurry says that the product has already been checked, and leave everything in it well for others, because often some representatives of the selling company are too lazy to fulfill their duties.

6. Be sure to check the package contents upon purchase. There are times when something is missing.

Video on choosing a microwave oven

Do you want a good mood? Watch a humorous video about the "talking" microwave

Well, it seems like everything. I wish you a pleasant shopping, and may you get the right microwave oven for you!

There is a microwave in almost every kitchen today. Its light weight, small size and functions confirm the usefulness of the device. To properly reheat, defrost and cook food, you need to know how to use the microwave.

Usually, the instructions for microwave ovens indicate a maximum service life of 10 years. But observing all the rules of operation along with recommendations for care, you can extend the operation of the equipment for several more years.

Having bought a microwave, you need to immediately figure out where to put it. This issue is important because proper placement will affect the quality of the work.

General installation rules:

1. It is strictly forbidden to cover the ventilation openings.
2. Do not install it next to a refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine due to vibration during washing, stove.
3. It is also not worth placing near the battery. If this is not possible, make a barrier of thermal insulation materials, protecting the two objects from each other.
4. You need to put the stove on a flat, solid surface, which will avoid distortions and breakdown.
5. When choosing a place for a microwave, consider the location of the outlet. If she is not around, you will have to use an extension cord.

Before using the microwave oven for the first time, place it on a table or other firm, level surface, connect it to the mains and start the selected program. IN different models Microwave ovens do it in different ways - using a button or rotary encoder.

It is forbidden to turn on an empty oven, since microwaves can damage the components of the device, which can no longer be replaced or repaired. In addition, close the door tightly, because without this the device will not start its work.

User's manual

In order for the microwave to work efficiently, you must follow the instructions that come with the kit. In addition, the designations on the front panel of the furnace will help to correctly complete the task.

Before starting to use, pay attention to the dishes in which heating, defrosting or cooking will take place. Do not place metal containers or dishes with shiny edges inside the device.

It is best to use ceramics, high-quality plastic or special utensils for microwaves for this.

Heating

Basically, a microwave oven is used specifically for heating. Step-by-step instruction:

1. Pour the second or first course onto a plate, making sure that the contents fit into the plate. Otherwise, you may spill hot soup on yourself while removing the container, which will result in burns.
2. Check if there is a glass tray inside the appliance. It must lie correctly on a roller support so that no braking or malfunction of the oven occurs during the heating process.
3. Place a container of food in the center of the tray, making sure that the liquid level is not tilted. If it is, then the microwave is crooked or the glass tray is uneven.
4. Be sure to cover a plate of food or a cup of liquid that you are going to heat with a special plastic cap. It will keep the food from splattering and also allow it to warm up more evenly. The presence of a cap is also obligatory because it keeps the parts of the device from sticking fat on them and the formation of scale, prolonging the service life.
5. Close the door tightly so that nothing gets caught between the door and the cabinet.
6. Choose the power for quick heating, most often it is set to maximum.
7. Use the knob or button to set the desired warm-up time.
8. After pressing the "Start" button or setting the required time, the light inside the device will light up and the glass tray will begin to rotate. This means that heating has started.
9. At the end of the program, the microwave will beep.
10. After carefully opening the door, use oven mitts or gloves to remove the container of food. This will prevent your hands from getting burned.

The first and second dishes and liquids in the ovens are heated unevenly. Therefore, before you start eating, stir the contents so that the temperature in the plate becomes the same in all places.

Defrosting

On any microwave oven model this mode is shown with a special symbol, most often it is snowflake with a drop... You can defrost any food - meat, fish, vegetables, fruits. It is only necessary to take into account that the duration of melting of each of them will be different.

The defrosting sequence consists of the following steps:

1. Remove the plastic wrap from the frozen food and place it on a plate.
2. Place inside the appliance in the very center of the glass tray and cover with a plastic cap.
3. Close the door. Make sure it does not stay open, otherwise the oven will not start working.
4. Select the defrost mode.
5. Set the required time for a specific frozen food.
6. After the end of the program, remove the container using gloves or a towel.

If the defrosting time is set incorrectly, the product will still be frozen or will begin to cook, which should never be allowed.

Grill

Not all microwave ovens have this feature. For this, the device must have a special heating element.

For grilling:

1. Place the food on a plate and place the container inside the oven.
2. Select a grill setting.
3. Set the power and cooking time.
4. Turn on the device.
5. A beep will sound when the program ends.
6. Using gloves or potholders, remove the finished dish.

By following the rules for using the microwave oven, you can always get a quality dish with fresh products.

Frequent mistakes

• use for other purposes, for example, dry things;
• reheat or cook food when the glass tray does not spin well - this will definitely lead to burning of the product;
• turn on the device when there is nothing inside it;
• use metal containers or utensils with metal patterns;
• reheat, defrost or cook the dish for longer than indicated in the instructions;
• cover ventilation openings - this can lead to a fire;
• boil raw eggs in it or cook a dish in a large amount of oil;
• use the device without a plastic cap;
• use a faulty device;
• reheat or cook food in tightly closed containers;
• wash the inside of the device with products with abrasive particles.

When starting to use the oven, remember that one small mistake can lead to its breakdown, which is not always easy to fix.

In addition to the basic rules for working in different microwave modes, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Pierce a few places with a fork or knife before cooking or reheating solid food.
2. You should not heat food that weighs less than 50 grams.
3. Warming up children foodmix the contents and make sure the temperature is correct before giving it to the child.
4. Place a container of water inside the appliance before starting grilling.
5. Cover the food plastic coverto keep the inside of the oven clean.
6. Do not leave the device unattended when it is in operation.
7. Always use gloves or oven mitts to pull out the plate of food so as not to burn yourself.
8. Always close the door well.

Use only sponges and soft cloths to clean the oven. They will not scratch the protective coating.

Obligatory care

Correct and careful use of a microwave oven can significantly extend its service life - it can even exceed 20 years.

Remember to clean the inside and outside of the device regularly with mild agents. In this case, do not allow water to get on the parts of the device, and also use metal sponges to wipe off stubborn dirt.

When purchasing a microwave oven at home, do not be lazy to read the instructions for its operation. Improper use will quickly lead to device failure. And repairs in some cases can cost the same amount as buying a new oven.