How a Microwave Works
To get the most from your Panasonic Combi it is helpful to understand how the oven works as a Microwave. Once connected to an outlet, the electricity flows along the flex and is converted into microwave energy by the MAGNETRON. Microwaves are ultra high frequency waves, and belong to the same category as radio and television waves. These are directed into the cavity through the WAVE GUIDE.
When they reach the cavity, the microwaves will behave in one of three ways:
1.Reflection
They will REFLECT off metal. The inner walls of your oven are made of stainless steel, so that the microwave energy can bounce evenly around the cavity.
Of course, the microwaves will also reflect off metal cooking containers and accessories, such as saucepans and platters. For this reason, NEVER use the Wire Rack Shelf on Microwave only.
2.Transmission
The microwaves will TRANSMIT through paper, plastic, glass and china and, therefore, it is containers made of these substances that are used in microwave cookery.
3.Absorption
The microwave energy is ABSORBED by the food. The energy penetrates the outside area of the food causing the molecules to vibrate over 2,450,000,000 times a second. This vibration causes the water molecules to rub against each other producing frictional heat which cooks this outer part of the food; the heat is then couducted through the food to cook the centre. Food, therefore, cooks from the outside, inwards.
Standing Time
The heat that builds up on the outside of the food is still being conducted to the centre, even after the microwave oven has switched off. This period is know as the “Standing Time”. The time it takes for the food to finish cooking will vary depending on its shape, size and type. For example, a jacket potato will need to stand for at least
If the food is put back in the Microwave and heated again before the standing time has elapsed, the food can very quickly become overcooked.
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