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Microwave

Kitchen equipment · Microwave oven

Microwave

A countertop appliance that heats food quickly by making the water inside it vibrate with microwaves.

Useful to have · Electric · 3 recipes

Photo: Mrbeastmodeallday, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

What it is

A metal box with a turntable and door screen, powered by a magnetron that sends microwaves through food. They excite water molecules, heating food from within a few centimetres of the surface. It does not brown or crisp food unless it has a separate grill or convection function.

What it’s for: Fast reheating, defrosting and simple cooking of moist foods.

How to use it

  1. Use a microwave-safe dish and loosely cover it to hold steam and stop splatters.
  2. Set power and time; start with short bursts.
  3. Stir or turn food halfway so it heats evenly.
  4. Let it stand a minute to even out hot spots, then check it is piping hot throughout.

Good to know

Tasks
reheating leftovers, defrosting, steaming vegetables, melting butter and chocolate, cooking jacket potatoes, softening tortillas
Cooking methods
Microwaved, Steamed
Materials
steel cavity, glass turntable
Care and cleaning
Wipe spills promptly; microwave a bowl of water with lemon for a few minutes to loosen grime. Keep the door seal clean.
Limitations
No browning or crisping, uneven heating, and pastry and bread go soggy or tough.

Safety

  • No metal, foil or metallic-rimmed plates unless the maker allows it.
  • Water can superheat and erupt; stir before and after heating.
  • Eggs in shells and sealed containers can burst.
  • Reheat leftovers until steaming hot all the way through.

If you don’t have one

Equipment guide

How it works: A magnetron produces microwaves at about 2.45 GHz that make water molecules in food rotate back and forth, generating heat by friction. Microwaves penetrate only a few centimetres, so the centre of thick food heats by conduction from the outer layers; uneven heating and cold spots are normal, which is why stirring and standing time matter. Food does not brown because the surface stays moist and near 100 °C.

MaterialGoodWatch out
Enamel or painted steel interiorCheap and common.Chips can rust.
Stainless steel interiorDurable, easy to clean.Shows marks.
Solo microwave
Reheating and defrosting.
Grill microwave
Adds a grill element for browning.
Combination microwave
Adds convection oven heating.
Inverter microwave
Delivers lower power continuously rather than cycling on and off, for more even defrosting.

Buying guidance

Starting out: A 20–25 litre solo microwave with about 800 W output.

Keen cook: A combination model can replace a small second oven.

  • Output power: about 700–1,200 W (recipes are usually written for 800–1,000 W)
  • Capacity: 20–32 litres
  • Turntable diameter fits your plates
  • Inverter control for even defrosting

No brands or prices — check current reviews before buying.

Techniques:Steaming

Related tools

Recipes that use it