Microwaves are one of the easiest and most efficient appliances to use in the kitchen. They can make your food ready to eat in a matter of minutes. Whether you are heating up last night’s rajma or making some quick popcorn, microwaves are all about convenience. But if you are using this appliance for the first time, you might be surprised to know that its misuse can affect the taste, texture and even the nutritional value of your food, let alone the microwave itself. This appliance may look simple, but its misuse can add to your daily cleaning chores. So, what mistakes should you avoid while using a microwave? If you are wondering the same, read on to know what you should not do with this kitchen appliance.
Also read: Microwave Maintenance Made Easy: 5 Tips to Keep Your Microwave Clean
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Here are 5 simple microwave mistakes you didn’t know you were making:
1. Not covering your food in a hurry
Microwaves are great for quick cooking, but they can give your food some unexpected textures. If you’re not covering microwave-friendly containers properly, expect dry and sad food. Plus, it can make the inside of your microwave dirty with food splatters! A microwave-safe lid or glass plate can act as a barrier, keeping the moisture in your food in. If you’re using this appliance to cook food, it also helps with even cooking. So, don’t skip this step. Just remember to leave some space for the steam to escape!
2. Use plastic containers because who wants dirty dishes?
Please remember that not all plates and bowls are microwave-friendly! If you are going to get a takeout plastic container, check if it says “microwave-safe”. Some plastics can melt when heated with food and can also release harmful chemicals. Metal utensils should also not be placed in the microwave. This can cause sparks and explosions. And we are pretty sure you don’t want that when reheating your tea or curry. When using the microwave, make sure to use glass, ceramic or microwave-friendly utensils to avoid kitchen accidents.
3. Microwaving everything at full power
Not everything needs to be heated to perfection. A common mistake is to use the default high power for everything. While this helps to make your leftovers warm and moist, certain foods like butter, chocolate and eggs don’t need that much heat. Use a lower power setting for such foods or even when you’re defrosting meat. The best thing about microwaves is that they cook and heat food quickly but unevenly. So, lowering the heat intensity can ensure that your food cooks or heats evenly.
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4. Don’t skip the “stir between meals” part
If you’ve ever heated up a plate full of food and found that half of it is piping hot and the other half is completely cold, you know what we mean. Microwaves heat unevenly, so it’s important to stir your food occasionally to ensure it’s heated evenly. Always stir soups, curries or anything with multiple layers. If your microwave doesn’t have a rotating plate, make sure to rotate the dish by hand so that no part gets cold.
5. Do not let the food get cold
The “beep-beep” sound may seem like the end of cooking, but your food is still in the process of heating up. As mentioned above, microwaves heat food unevenly, so the resting time allows the heat to distribute evenly. This can help you avoid those random cold bites or overly hot parts of the food. Simply let your dish rest for a few minutes to finish and settle. Plus, it can help you reduce the risk of burning your tongue while eating.
Also read: 5 Foods You Should Stop Heating in a Microwave Oven Now!