Microwaving Principles, HOW Microwaves Cook Food

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MICROWAVING PRINCIPLES

Microwave energy has been used in this country to cook and reheat food since early experiments with RADAR in World War ll. Microwaves are present in the atmosphere all the time, both naturally and manmade sources. Manmade sources include radar, radio, television, telecommunication links and car phones.

HOW MICROWAVES COOK FOOD

Oven Cavity	Magnetron	In a microwave oven,	TRANSMISSION
		electricity is converted
		into microwave by the
		MAGNETRON.
Turntable	Waveguide
Turntable

Then they pass through the cooking containers to be absorbed by the water molecules in the food, all foods contain water to a more or lesser extent.

REFLECTION

The microwaves bounce off the metal walls and the metal door screen.

ABSORPTION

Microwave

Water Molecule Absorption

Vibration

The microwaves cause the water molecules to vibrate which causes FRICTION, i.e. HEAT. This heat then cooks the food. Microwaves are also attracted to fat and sugar particles, and foods high in these will cook more quickly. Microwaves can only penetrate to a depth of 1½ - 2 inches(4-5cm) and as heat spreads through the food by conduction, just as in a traditional oven, the food cooks from the outside inwards.

CONVERSION CHARTS

WEIGHT MEASURES

15 g	1/2 oz.
25 g	1 oz.
50 g	2 oz.
100 g	4 oz.
175 g	6 oz.
225 g	8 oz.
450 g	1 lb.

VOLUME MEASURES

30 ml	1 fl.oz.
100 ml	3 fl.oz.
150 ml	5 fl.oz. (1/4 pt)
300 ml	10 fl.oz. (1/2 pt)
600 ml	20 fl.oz. (1pt)

SPOON MEASURES

1.25 ml	1/4 tsp
2.5 ml	1/2 tsp
5 ml	1 tsp
15 ml	1 tbsp

FLUID MEASUREMENTS

1 Cup		= 8 fl.oz	= 240 ml

1	Pint	= 16 fl.oz. (UK 20 fl.oz.)	= 480 ml (UK 560 ml)

1	Quart	= 32 fl.oz. (UK 40 fl.oz.)	= 960 ml (UK 1120 ml)

1	Gallon	= 128 fl.oz. (UK 160 fl.oz.)	= 3840 ml (UK 4500 ml)

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