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 Microwave Cooking - Microwave cooking advice and microwave recipes for all food types. Microwave history information, dangers and benefits of microwave cooking. Information on selected microwave technologies companies.
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Advice concerning the dangers of microwaving liquids, plastics (further information on plasticizers), aluminium foil, defrosting food, reheating food, cooking guidelines, advice on how long to cook food and manipulating food.
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Dangers of Microwaving
Heating Liquids in the Microwave
Liquids that have been heated in the microwave can suddenly erupt. This is due to layers heated to higher temperatures being trapped under the surface.
To avoid this happening to any liquid stir the liquid thoroughly before heating in the microwave and stir at least twice during the heating time. Stir the liquid again at the end.
Always use a suitable sized container, at least one third larger than the volume of liquid to be heated. If in doubt, use conventional methods, kettle, etc.
Never use a juice glass or anything similar in the microwave! - Only microwave safe cups with handles
Microwaving Plastics
Microwave ovens regularly provoke fears about unwanted chemicals migrating from plastic cookware or food packages.
Modern plastics are under scrutiny, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate and 'plasticizers' -chemicals that make plastics pliable and soft. In the microwave, some chemicals
may migrate into food, especially fatty food cooked at high temperatures.
Only plastic containers or packaging labelled 'Microwave Safe' should be used in microwave ovens.
Plastic wrap should not come into direct contact with food when microwaving, because chemical components can, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 'migrate' from plastics into food at microwaving temperatures. However, according to the FDA there is no evidence to date that such contaminants pose a serious threat to human health.
Not all plastic is alike, and not all name-brand plastic products are microwave-safe. Cook only in containers labelled for use in the microwave. Use polyethylene plastic containers, as they do not contain plasticizers and leave a gap between food and plastic wraps. If you use paper towels, choose the plain white kind, not coloured or recycled fibres containing dyes or chemicals.
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Plasticizers - Information on plasticizers, the dangers of dioxins in plastic wrap and DEHA a previously banned softening agent.
 Aluminium and Microwaves - How to use aluminium foil safely, the benefits of increased conductivity of aluminium and best practice.
Microwave Defrosting - Short, concise advice on how to best defrost food using a microwave oven.
Reheating food - Short, concise advice on reheating food in the microwave.
Microwave Cooking Guidelines - Microwave cooking guidelines on; partially microwaving food, paying carefull attention to cooking guidelines, food covering and what to use.
How to cook food - Advice on how long to cook foods and how this applies to instructions given on packages. Time-to-Boil wattage test to determine if your microwave oven is high-power or low-power.
Minipulating Food - Advice on manipulating food, when food should be pricked and which containers and wraps should be used for microwaving.
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