Meat in the microwave
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Frozen meat is not easy to defrost in the microwave. when its thin edges are already beginning to bake, the thick middle is still icy. And this applies only to those ovens where there is a rotating stand. But if it is not there, the heat will distribute even more unevenly, and this leads to the development of bacteria in the meat. The best way to move meat from the freezer to the refrigerator is the most efficient way to defrost it.
Microwave on the countertop in the kitchen
You don’t often see it on a bar table or counter, but still, such a setup can be quite convenient. If you need a quick meal or just a cup of coffee, it’s always handy and the parking lot is right there. Microwave in such a place is unlikely to disturb anyone.
Why turn on an empty microwave
Of course, nobody turns on the oven with an empty compartment on purpose.
As a rule, this happens by accident or on the first day after purchase. to check the performance.
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However, not always even the presence of food in the chamber can protect the oven from negative consequences. It’s all about the amount of food to be heated.
A sandwich, a pie, a slice of sausage, a slice of tomato All of these things gradually take the appliance out of operation. In this case, the work of microwave oven is equal to the work with an empty chamber, since most of the waves are not absorbed.
IMPORTANT: The minimum weight of food to be heated or cooked must not be less than 200 grams.
To avoid breakage, it is enough to use the following tips.
- A glass of water left in the chamber will prevent the consequences of accidental activation. If you have to reheat a small amount of food, in addition to a plate of food, you need to put a container of water in the chamber.
- A small amount of water will also prevent food from drying out and splashing.
Just one cup of water will keep your appliance safe for years to come. While neglecting this rule can lead to irreversible consequences.
What to pay attention to
Note that each model of microwave oven has ventilation holes in different parts of the oven: at the bottom, top or side. When installing, remember that ventilation must not be closed, the air must freely circulate in the openings.
Otherwise, the microwave can simply burn from overheating. Free distance to another appliance must be at least 20-30 cm for the top cover, for the back. 10 cm, for the side clearance must be at least 5-10 cm.
How to properly install Regardless of the chosen location, you need to follow the rules, strictly prescribed in almost every manual: Keep a distance of 60-150 cm from the floor. this is the ideal height for comfortable use. Lower placement may cause burns, higher placement may spill hot soup, etc.
For air circulation is very important to leave free space, at least 10-20 cm. It is forbidden to install the microwave oven near heaters, kitchen hobs or ovens. Pay attention that the microwave should be placed away from the TV, computer and other appliances.
It is very important to leave a free space of at least 10-20 cm for air circulation. UHFs must not be installed near heaters, range hoods or ovens. Keep the microwave away from the TV, computer, and other appliances.
Where to put the microwave in a small kitchen
The best places to place the microwave oven: a bracket or a hanging shelf under the upper cabinets of the set, under the countertop, above the stove. It can also be built into the wall unit. It is recommended to buy a compact microwave model that will not take up much space.
Such proximity of electrical appliances is possible, although undesirable, subject to certain conditions. So, you need to pay attention to:
- The degree of heating of the microwave oven body. The TV stand may heat up and melt if it comes in contact with a hot lid. At the same time there is a possibility of damaging the microchips;
- Opening the door. vapors from the chamber where the food was cooked and heated can fall directly on the screen, and there is a high probability of damaging the matrix of the screen;
- Vibrations. If the bottom device is not securely fastened, then when you open and close the door, there may be vibrations that can cause damage to the TV and even its fall;
- Presence of ventilation holes on the lid and sides of the microwave. Usually manufacturers recommend that there should be a free space around the appliance for the ventilation system to function. Because if the vents are blocked during operation, the oven can overheat and malfunction. Hot air comes out of these holes, so there should not be any obstacles between the wall and the oven;
- TV model. Older models with an electron-beam tube are heavy and quite bulky; in modern plasma models, the weight is affected by the size of the diagonal.
What you can’t put on the refrigerator?
The results of specific studies on the effects of the mutual influence of different equipment on each other when working in close proximity do not find areas for broad coverage. Masters of service centers do not call this proximity a direct cause of equipment failure.
At the same time, many manufacturers forbid the installation of any objects on the units they produce. However, the small size of kitchens often forces owners at their own risk to find compromises to reconcile prohibitions with specific conditions. You should take for granted possible future problems with the appliance.
The objective reality should be taken into account:
- Placing heavy objects on the refrigerator’s surface will cause it to warp, complicate heat dissipation, and reduce the unit’s efficiency, which relies heavily on good compressor ventilation, leading to more frequent motor starts.
- The influence of the appliances on each other will increase energy consumption.
- When locating other electrical equipment on the refrigerator, consider their electromagnetic emission ranges. The electric fields of objects in close proximity to one another are superimposed. A microwave oven generates a strong electric field. In addition, when installing it, it is important to maintain a distance of at least 10 cm between the side walls of the oven and other objects and at least 15-20 cm between the back wall and the refrigerator.
- Heat generated by a refrigerator can adversely affect other objects.
- There is a slight vibration when you start the compressor and this may harm other equipment such as a television. Watching TV shows with a vibrating image is bad for your eyesight.
- Placing a pot of fresh flowers that need to be watered on the refrigerator may cause water to leak from the tray and cause the appliances to malfunction.
- Cages with animals or birds should not be placed on the refrigerator. Opening the door will cause air movement, with which canary feathers or chinchilla hair will get into the food. Spilled urine or water from an overturned drinker can not only spoil food, but also disable the equipment.
What you can and cannot put in the microwave
The design of a microwave oven is such that only under certain conditions can it safely heat food. And the first such condition is to use the right cookware. So, first of all, you can not put in the microwave cookware made of metal. even an enameled one.
The fact is that metal simply does not allow the microwaves to penetrate the food and heat it, so it makes no sense to use metal dishes. Besides, using metallic dishes may result in spark discharges, which is dangerous for the microwave oven and the people around it.
One exception to this rule are dishes made of thin aluminium that are marked as suitable for microwave use. Just make sure that the container does not touch the inner wall of the microwave oven and that it has a low edge.
Do not put dishes made of crystal in the microwave oven. This is due to the fact that in its composition crystal contains lead, silver and some other metals, and also has an uneven thickness of the walls, so that under the influence of microwaves crystal glassware heats unevenly and too quickly, leading to cracks or total destruction of glassware.
Cookware with different patterns should not be put in the microwave. If the patterns are painted with paint that contains metal particles, the cookware will spark and crack, it may ruin or damage the microwave. If the patterns are applied to cookware with film, then such film can release harmful substances when heated, which will get into the heated food. You can no longer eat these foods.
What utensils still need to give up when using the microwave?? Alas, dishes made of thin glass, melamine are not suitable for microwave use either. Disposable dishes made of waxed paper as well as dishes made of standard (non heat resistant) plastic. In all of these cases, using this type of cookware can be harmful. to the cookware, to the microwave, or to your health.
If we talk about approved dishes for microwave ovens. It is primarily dishes made of thick heat-resistant glass. It is considered ideal for microwave use, and this is the cookware that microwave oven manufacturers recommend most often. dishes made of faora are also suitable for microwave use, but only if they are free of any patterns. Ceramics and earthenware will also work, but it is important that such dishes are fully glazed and have no chips or cracks.
Choosing the right cookware for the microwave oven helps to avoid damage to the appliance and the cookware itself. But it is also important to choose the right products and items that will be exposed to heat. There are a few more tips for this.
