Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Set up the microwave
• Method 2 of 4: Reheat food in the microwave
• Method 3 of 4: Prepare food in the microwave
• Method 4 of 4: Maintaining the microwave
• Tips
• Warnings

A microwave oven can be very useful for reheating leftovers or cooking food quickly. But you may not be sure how to use a microwave oven properly and safely. Or maybe you want to refresh what exactly you can heat up and prepare with this appliance. Make sure you have set the microwave oven so that it is safe and easy to use. You can heat food in a microwave for a quick meal or snack. You can also prepare certain types of food, such as frozen dishes, vegetables, fish and popcorn, in a microwave. You must maintain the microwave oven by cleaning it regularly so that the appliance continues to function properly.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Set up the microwave

1. Place the microwave oven on a flat and dry surface. A clean worktop in your kitchen or a sturdy wooden table are suitable for a microwave. Do not place the microwave oven near an electric or gas cooker.
   • Make sure that the microwave vents are clear.
2. Check that the roller ring and glass tray are secure in the microwave. Most microwave ovens have a plastic roller ring and a round glass bowl. The roller ring and glass tray should fit in the microwave. The glass bowl should spin easily and smoothly on the roller ring.
3. Plug the microwave oven's cable into the wall socket. Provide the correct amperage in Amps for safety.
   • Know that a microwave oven from one country in another country may not function or be damaged. In the United States, Canada, and Japan, electrical outlets are usually 110V 60Hz. In Europe, Asia and the rest of the world, the sockets are usually 220 V 60 Hz.
   • Select an outlet that is not already in use by another electronic device.
4. View the functions of the microwave oven. Check the numbers from 1-9 on the front of the microwave oven. You can use these numbers to set the desired cooking time or heating time. There should also be a start button at the front with which you can switch on the microwave. Most microwave ovens also have a clock that you can set on the basis of the manual that came with the microwave oven.
   • Depending on the model, the microwave may have settings to reheat, defrost and cook food. These settings will automatically heat your food based on your choice: reheat, defrost or cook.

Method 2 of 4: Reheat food in the microwave

1. Reheat leftovers that are 1 to 4 days old. Leftovers from 5 days or older should not be reheated or eaten, as they have likely gone bad or contain too many bacteria to be safely consumed.
2. Place food in a circle on a ceramic plate or in a glass bowl. Stacking food in the center of a plate or bowl will heat up the food on the edge of the plate faster than the food in the center. Avoid this by placing the food in a circle on the edge of the plate or bowl. This will heat the food evenly.
   • Always warm food in the microwave in ceramic or glass containers. Plastic containers can melt and contaminate your food. Metal containers can catch fire in a microwave oven.
   • Avoid using ceramic or glass containers that have gold or metal parts as these will cause sparks in the microwave.
3. Cover the food with a thick plastic lid. To prevent food from getting all over the microwave, cover it before reheating. Use a thick, dome-like lid designed for microwave use. You can buy plastic microwave lids online.
   • The plastic lid will also keep the steam in during heating, so that the food will dry out less in the microwave.
   • You can also put kitchen paper or wax paper over the food. Don't leave the paper towel on the food for more than a minute, otherwise you risk burning it.
4. Reheat the food a little at a time. It can be difficult to determine how long to reheat cooked food in a microwave. Start by heating the food for a minute. Then take it out of the microwave and feel if it is warm enough for you. Stir in, see if steam comes out and taste to see if it's hot enough.
   • If the food is not hot enough, you can reheat it for half a minute to a minute. Continue to heat the food at 30 second intervals until it is warm enough.
   • Heating up your food a little at a time will ensure that it doesn't overheat and that the flavor isn't lost.
5. Reheat certain foods individually so they don't get soggy or dry. Depending on what exactly you are reheating, you may have to separate leftovers and reheat different foods separately. First, heat dense foods, such as meat, as they take longer to heat up. Then add less dense foods such as pasta or vegetables to the plate and warm it up as well.
   • For example, if you are reheating a burger, place the bottom on a plate and heat it up in the microwave. Then add the top of the bun. If you heat the burger with the bun you will make it soggy.
6. Do not reheat pizza, casseroles or meat in the microwave. Certain cooked foods are not very suitable for the microwave because they become soggy or dry. Instead of heating a leftover pizza in the microwave, you can heat it up on some baking paper in the regular oven. Warm up casseroles in the oven by pouring a little water over them and then covering with foil until steaming hot.
   • Avoid reheating meat such as beef, chicken or pork in the microwave as this will make it very dry and rubbery. Instead, reheat meat in a skillet on the stove.

Method 3 of 4: Prepare food in the microwave

1. Defrost microwave dishes and frozen foods in the microwave. Follow the label instructions for microwave dishes for the correct cooking time. Your microwave may have a defrost button that you can use to defrost frozen food. You can also try using the following ratio: 6 minutes for every pound of food.
   • Always place frozen foods in ceramic or glass containers before thawing them in the microwave.
   • Make sure to stir the food once it is cooked. This is to confirm that there are no more frozen and cold parts. If it does, reheat the food in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute so that it is cooked through.
2. Steam vegetables in the microwave. Place uncooked vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower on a ceramic plate or glass bowl. You can add a little bit of water to the vegetables to generate more steam. Cover the vegetables with a microwave oven lid. Then cook the vegetables in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Stir and cook at 1 minute intervals until the vegetables are sufficiently steamed.
   • For more flavor, you can add black pepper, salt and other spices to steamed vegetables once they are cooked.
3. Boil fish. Season uncooked fish with salt, pepper and a little lemon juice. Then place it on a ceramic plate and wrap it in microwave-resistant plastic. Cook in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until it turns white on the edges and the color lightens. Watch the fish carefully while cooking so you don't overcook it.
   • The cooking time for the fish depends on the size, shape and thickness of the fillet.
4. Make popcorn in the microwave. Read the label instructions for the correct cooking time for popcorn. You will need to open the flaps of the bag and place it upright in the microwave. Then boil the popcorn until you hear it pop and it's steaming hot.
   • Some microwave ovens have a button specifically for cooking popcorn.
5. Do not cook soup or sauces in the microwave. Soups and sauces are prone to overheating and can explode when cooked in the microwave. Instead, prepare them on the stove to avoid an explosion in your microwave.

Method 4 of 4: Maintaining the microwave

1. Clean the microwave oven once a week. Use a damp cloth to clean the inside of the microwave oven. Remove food residues in the microwave using a natural cleaning agent such as sodium bicarbonate and water. You can also combine water with a mild detergent to clean the microwave.
   • Make it a habit to clean your microwave oven once a week to keep it clean and functioning properly.
2. Remove cooking odors with water and lemon. After a while, your microwave oven can start to smell, especially if you don't clean it regularly. Remove odors by mixing 250-500 ml of water and the juice of one lemon in a glass bowl. Then place the bowl in the microwave and heat it for 4-5 minutes.
   • Once the water has finished boiling, use oven gloves to remove it from the microwave. You can then take a clean cloth and wipe the inside of the microwave oven one last time.
3. If problems occur or if it no longer works properly, bring the microwave in for repair. If you find that your microwave is no longer heating food properly or if it takes a long time to cook food, you should bring it in. You can also contact the manufacturer about the repair, especially if you still have a warranty card for the device.
   • Never use a microwave oven that sparks or gives off a burning smell. Unplug the power cord and bring it in for repair to ensure the unit is safe to use.

Tips

• Use the buttons on the microwave well. The label on the inside of the microwave is full of details about all the menus in your microwave.

Warnings

• Do not use a microwave oven with the door open, as prolonged exposure to the radiation can cause burns.
• Never use a microwave with nothing inside, as this will damage the microwave.
• Do not heat dry foods or oils as they can catch fire in the microwave.
• "Be especially careful when using hot water in the microwave." Water can be very hot because the temperature of water can be much higher than boiling point, even if it is not boiling. You should "never" reheat water that has already been heated in the microwave and you should "always" wait a minute or so for the water to cool down a bit.