Since it was invented in 1945, the microwave oven has been an indispensable equipment in the household. Perfect for cooking, reheating leftover food, or boiling a cup of water, the microwave oven has also several uncommon uses that will save you time and money.
The team behind Household Hacker has created a video that shows 10 simple yet awesome tricks you can do with your microwave oven. From creating a heating pad to sterilising a chopping board, the microwave oven can definitely make our lives easier.
Discover 10 simple tricks you can do with your microwave oven:
The Disadvantages of Using Microwave Oven
Microwave ovens work by converting electricity into electromagnetic field to cook your food. Unlike traditional methods of cooking food, microwave ovens are relatively fast in heating up food. Still, its use has several disadvantages.
Here are some disadvantages listed by Livestrong:
1. Dehydration – Food with lower water content like eggs, meat, and cheese may be dehydrated when cooked in the microwave. These food have the tendency to toughen when placed inside the microwave so you need to cook it under lower power settings.
2. Uneven Cooking- Since the microwave only penetrates to a depth of 1 to 1.5 inches, there is a tendency for food to be unevenly cooked. Of course, uneven cooking will result to undercooked areas as well as hot spots. If the microwave fails to kill bacteria in the unheated area of the food, one can get food borne illnesses.
3. Browning – If you want to achieve a brown and crisp food, you may not be able to get it using the microwave. This is because the air inside the microwave oven remains at room temperature. The hot air in conventional ovens is actually responsible for causing food surfaces to become brown.
4. Health Hazards- Although the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service claimed that cooking food using the microwave oven is safe, several studies have shown the equipment’s hazard to our health. According to a study conducted by clinical nutritionist George J. Georgiou, Ph.D., cooking using the microwave may cause cancer and damage to the immune system. It is recommended to use glass or glass-ceramics to prevent the release of chemicals during microwave cooking.