Microwave oven
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Microwave Oven Household Safety Guide
For almost a decade now, the microwave oven has been a very efficient addition to almost every kitchen. It has offered a lot of convenience that we cannot expect from traditional oven and gas range burners. The first and most unique of these benefits is the ability to cook food in almost no time. Reheating leftover food for example, will take us around 15-30 minutes when using the traditional stove. With the microwave oven, however, it will only take less than 5 minutes. Cooking time is usually reduced by more than half because of this relatively new technology.
We should note, however, that the improper use of this marvelous discovery may pose a threat to us and to our loved ones. We should therefore, be careful about using this equipment in order to ensure that we are getting the best results without getting involved in any dangers. Here are some safety tips that we can follow while using a microwave oven.
Read Instructions Carefully
As with any other tools or equipment, the microwave oven comes with an instructions manual. Since each different brand, model, or type, has different features or control buttons, we need to be familiar with all the buttons and what it does if we wish to avoid any accidents.
We should also use cookware that is recommended for microwave use. Metals and anything with aluminum foil since this will interfere with the radiation and may cause explosion. Most dinnerware nowadays has a warning if it is microwave-safe or not.
We should also familiarize ourselves with the recommended cooking time for each food type. This will not only save us from explosions due to overheating. It will also help us save more money and energy by cooking food within the shortest possible time.
Watch Out for Superheated Liquids
Heating food and liquid in the microwave oven can sometimes be dangerous. There are some instances where the liquid does not look hot even if the actual temperature is already above its boiling point. If we do not see the liquid boiling even for just a little period of time, we tend to believe that it is not yet hot. We can either get it right away and get burned in the process, or heat it some more, which can lead to explosion and major burn.
When heating liquid substances put a little amount of sugar or salt as this will reduce the risk of superheating. Also make sure that you use your microwave oven for heating liquids only when it’s absolutely necessary, and never try to heat liquids until you see it boil, because the chances of explosion are higher under these circumstances.
Other Hazards worth Noting
Others also believe that using the microwave oven can cause bacteria and food-borne diseases to easily proliferate. Although there is no scientific study to back this up, it is still for our best interest to avoid this as much as possible. We can do this by making sure that are foods are sealed properly during storage and during heating. We also need to make sure that we clean our microwave oven regularly to avoid any build up of bacteria in the cooking area.
The microwave oven is a very helpful equipment, but it does have its risks and dangers. In order to maximize its potential, we should be aware of the risks involved in using one and we can avoid those dangers in the future.
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