1. Microwaves

2. 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!

3. Diagram of a Microwave

4. 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. motion frictionheating

5. 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.

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

7. Microwave-able Containers Paper Plastic Glass Microwaveable Dishes

8. Non-Microwave-able Containers Metal Dishes with gold or silver on it.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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 –Round containers will cook more evenly than square containers.

12. Microwave Safety To prevent burning yourself from microwave cooking, remember: –Foods can create hot containers –Items can explode (eggs, potatoes). Pierce them with a fork. –Lifting the cover or plastic from the food can cause a burn. –Hot steam escaping can cause a burn

13. What foods should not be microwaved?