The science behind quick meals
Microwaves are a staple in almost every kitchen these days, making quick work of heating meals. But have you ever wondered how microwaves work and why they’re so good at heating your food? Basically, a microwave oven heats food using electromagnetic waves and usually features a control panel to set the time and power, a turntable to make sure everything heats evenly and a door with a safety lock. At the heart of it all is the magnetron, which converts electricity into microwaves. So, to understand how this kitchen essential works its magic, let’s break down the science behind it.
Understanding how microwaves work for efficient and safe cooking
Before we go on to explain how a microwave oven works, let’s first get to know what microwaves actually are. Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic wave that sits between radio waves and infrared light. The discovery of microwaves goes back to the 1940s when physicist Percy Spencer was working with radar technology. He realised that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted because of the microwaves from the radar equipment, which sparked the idea for the microwave oven.
How microwaves work
Now that you understand what microwaves are, let’s look at how they cook food. The secret lies in how microwaves interact with water molecules, which are polar meaning they have a positive end and a negative end. When exposed to microwaves, these polar molecules start to vibrate rapidly. This vibration creates friction, which generates heat. This heat is then distributed evenly throughout the food, allowing it to cook faster than with traditional methods.
But, how does it all come together? As previously mentioned, the microwave oven has a magnetron, a vacuum tube that turns electrical energy into microwave energy. These microwaves are then spread around the cooking chamber, often with the help of a fan that makes sure they hit every part of your food. As the microwaves penetrate the food, they’re absorbed by water, fat, and sugar molecules, causing them to vibrate and heat up. This heat then spreads through the food, cooking it from the inside out. That’s why foods with higher water content, such as vegetables and fish, cook faster than drier foods like meat.
To ensure even cooking, rotate food items halfway through the cooking time. Furthermore, use microwave-safe containers made of glass, ceramic, or microwave-safe plastic and avoid metal containers as they can cause sparks.
If you’re looking for good microwave ovens that can ensure quick, easy and tasty meals on a budget, consider checking out and bringing home LG microwaves. We hope this helps!
