How does a microwave work??? Microwaves How does a microwave work???

History of Microwaves In 1945, Dr. Perry Spencer, a scientist, was working in a lab when he felt some heat on his hand. The heat was coming from microwaves. These were being emitted from a nearby vacuum tube. Dr. Spencer was curious and place a chocolate bar near the tube. Within seconds, the chocolate melted. That sticky mess was the beginning of a brilliant idea – the microwave!

Diagram of a Microwave Handbook p. 13

How Does a Microwave Work? The microwave oven generates electromagnetic waves (called microwaves) which makes water move. This motion leads to friction, and friction leads to heating. friction heating motion

How Does a Microwave Work? This heat starts on the outside of the food and moves in. The denser the food the longer it will take to cook. Water will heat faster than a burrito, because a burrito is more dense than water.

Microwaves Microwaves are attracted to foods that are high in: sugar fat water

Microwave-able Containers Paper Plastic Glass Microwaveable Dishes Handbook p. 6

Non-Microwave-able Containers Metal Dishes with gold or silver on it. If you’re unsure, check the label on the dishware.

Acceptable coverings for microwave dishes: Paper towel – to absorb moisture, spatters, and spills. Wax paper – holds in some of the moisture Plastic wrap – hold in moisture

Techniques for Microwaving Stirring: To pull heated part of the food to the center Turning over: To microwave all sides Rotating: Makes cooking even Pricking: To keep foods from exploding Standing Time: To allow foods to complete its cooking by placing on the counter.

Cooking Time These will increase the cooking time and standing time: The volume of the food Example: Small potatoes versus large potatoes The quantity or number of food

Microwave Safety To prevent burning yourself from microwave cooking, remember: Foods can create hot containers…Use Pot Holders Items with an unbroken outer “skin” can explode. Pierce them with a fork. Items with an unbroken outer “skin” potatoes, hot dogs, apples, sausages, chicken livers, etc. Lifting the cover or plastic from the food can cause a burn. Hot steam escaping can cause a burn

Cooking Controls Time Features Convenience Features 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time Cook Amount of cooking time Starts Immediately (1,2,3,4) Starts Immediately (1 or 2) Food Type 1-4 Time Defrost Amount of defrost time Popcorn Beverage Reheat Power Level Add 30 Sec Power Level 1-10 Starts Immediately Cook Food Type (1-6) Express Cook Starts Immediately Handbook p. 14-15 1 2 3 Auto Defrost Food type & Weight 4 5 6 Kitchen Timer

Cooking Controls Microwave for any time up to 99 minutes. Time Cook Time Defrost Microwave for any time up to 99 minutes. Press time cook Enter cooking time Change power level if needed Press start Defrost for a selected length of time. Press Time Defrost Enter defrosting time Press start Handbook p. 20

Cooking Controls Power Level Press Time Cook OR Time Defrost Enter cooking or defrosting time Press Power Level Select Desired power level 1-10 Press start Each power level gives you microwave energy a certain % of the time. Power level 7 = 70% Power level 10 = 100% Lower settings cook more evenly & need less stirring or rotating. Higher settings cook faster

What things should not be microwaved? Handbook p.4

Potato Lab How to cook a potato in the microwave How to make Cheese Sauce on the stove top

Microwave Potato Lab  Baked Potatoes- ½ potato per person. You will share with a person in your group! Prick a well-scrubbed potato several times with fork tines. Microwave on HIGH for 6 to 8 minutes, using 100 percent power. Turn the potato over and rearrange. Cook for additional 6 to 8 minutes until done. Wrap in foil. Let stand 5 to 8 minutes to finish cooking.   Broccoli  Wash, cut and chop broccoli into bite-size pieces. Put in a glass pie plate with saran wrap. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Cover with saran wrap. Cook on HIGH for 3-5 minutes or until tender crisp and done. Place in a small bowl. Let stand, keep covered, for 5 minutes. Drain any excess water and mix with the cheese sauce.

Microwave Potato Lab Cheese Sauce 2 tbs. butter 2 tbs. plus 1 tsp. flour Dash pepper 1 ¼ cup milk 1 ¼ cup grated cheese In a pot, melt butter Gradually, stir in flour and pepper. Mix with a wisk Continue until the mixture is smooth. Add milk all at once. Stir until combined. Cook, uncovered, on HIGH for 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened and bubbly; stirring until the sauce starts to thicken. Stir every 30 seconds. Add 1 ¼ cup grated cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. Then pour over the cooked broccoli and serve on top of the potato.  

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