2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Healthy Living A-ZHealthy Living A-Z

Microwave MagicMicrowave Magic

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Today you will learnToday you will learn

• How microwave ovens workHow microwave ovens work• AdvantagesAdvantages• Arranging the foodArranging the food• Temperature correlationTemperature correlation• Cooking containersCooking containers• Good food safety practicesGood food safety practices

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

How microwave ovens How microwave ovens workwork

• Electromagnetic wavesElectromagnetic waves• Alternates in positive & Alternates in positive &

negative directionsnegative directions• Water molecules move & vibrateWater molecules move & vibrate• Friction causes heatFriction causes heat• Heat moves inward causing food Heat moves inward causing food

to cookto cook

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Advantages of Advantages of microwave cookingmicrowave cooking

• Uses 75% less Uses 75% less energyenergy

• Does not create Does not create heatheat

• Easy to installEasy to install• Saves timeSaves time• Retains nutrients, Retains nutrients,

color & freshnesscolor & freshness• Easy to cleanEasy to clean

2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Arrangement of foodArrangement of foodstandardstandard

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Arrangement of foodArrangement of food circularcircular

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Arrangement of foodArrangement of foodsimilar sizessimilar sizes

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Temperature Temperature CorrelationsCorrelations

• 10%10% 150-200 150-200ooF or lowest F or lowest • 20%20% 200-225 200-225ooFF• 30-40%30-40% 225-300 225-300ooF or med-lowF or med-low• 50-60%50-60% 300-350 300-350ooF or mediumF or medium• 70%70% 350-375 350-375ooF or med-highF or med-high• 80%80% 375-425 375-425ooFF• 90-100% 425-50090-100% 425-500ooF or highF or high

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Containers & CoversContainers & Covers

• Containers—glass, glass Containers—glass, glass ceramic, paper, dishwasher ceramic, paper, dishwasher safe plastic, stoneware, potterysafe plastic, stoneware, pottery

• Coverings—glass, plastic wrap, Coverings—glass, plastic wrap, wax paper, paper towelwax paper, paper towel

• Label should read—”Microwave Label should read—”Microwave Oven Safe” or “Suitable for Oven Safe” or “Suitable for Microwave”Microwave”

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Safe Food PracticesSafe Food Practices

• Wash handsWash hands• Use clean utensilsUse clean utensils• Use pot holders—container may Use pot holders—container may

be hotbe hot• When removing cover—lift awayWhen removing cover—lift away• Rest on heat protected surface Rest on heat protected surface

after cookingafter cooking

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Microwave Cooking Microwave Cooking TipsTips

• SeasoningSeasoning• ReheatingReheating

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Microwave Cooking Microwave Cooking TipsTips• Cooking Cooking

temperaturestemperatures• Quantity of Quantity of

waterwater• Pouch cookingPouch cooking

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Today you have learnedToday you have learned

• How microwave ovens workHow microwave ovens work• AdvantagesAdvantages• Arranging the foodArranging the food• Temperature correlationTemperature correlation• Cooking containersCooking containers• Good food safety practicesGood food safety practices

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2009 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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