May 22, 2001 04:22 AM
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Microwave ovens can be found in virtually every home these days, ranging in size from compact (700 watts or less) to full-size (1100 watts). You can purchase, on the counter styles, built-ins and over the range styles Microwaves can also be bought with a combination convection oven as well. The later three are usually purchased by home owners where the compact/counter top are more commonly used by renters, offices, seniors and students.
They say the larger the family the bigger the microwave, the larger the wattage the faster the cooking time as well. Added features seems to be more important to most, than the wattage or cooking time. Such features as rotating tray, defrost features, digital clock, pre-set cooking times and digital touch-pads (as opposed to dial control which does not allow for accurate cooking time).
Microwaves have helped considerably in shortening cooking time, with less food waste in that small amounts can be re-heated easily rather than thrown out and enabling someone to re-heat their plate when a meal gets cold, say when the phone rings. After school snacks are a snap with the aid of a microwave. Meat can be pre-cooked before barbequing on a grill to ensure the meat is cooked long enough and when baking, chocolate or butter can be melted efficiently, when a recipe calls for it.
I recall when microwaves first come on the market people went microwave crazy and wanted to prepare everything in them. Some things just aren't meant or aren't successful when cooked in this fashion, for example, meat will never have a crisp texture such as chicken or tea will never be brewed properly and a pie crust will come out soggy rather that flaky when reheated. Some have cooked a cake in a microwave, something that in my opinion is best left for a conventional oven short of using a combination microwave/convention oven.
There is also a danger in boiling water in the microwave as it can explode, causing severe burns. It has to do with superheating the water past the boiling point and while it may blow up only 1 in every 100 times, you run that risk. But at the same time a microwave is a god-sent when bottle feeding an infant in the middle of the night or when heating a small jar of baby food for a crying, impatient baby.
Also many elderly have meals delivered from a service such as ''Meals on Wheels'' and these meals can be frozen then thawed and heated in the microwave with little effort for these seniors.
Using proper cookware and dishes are a must when cooking in a microwave. While it's not necessary to purchase specialty and expensive containers, some cautions and no-no's are to be considered, such as plates with gold trim should not be used. Aluminum foil and tin plates can not go in the microwave and such plastics as margarine containers are not wise choices. Also while many dish-sets are microwave-safe, there are some that will break or crack when heated in the microwave.
I have seen people use the timer on the microwave without having anything in it. It has been said this is harmful to the microwave, itself and should be avoided. There has long since been the controversy about harmful cancer causing effects of using a microwave too much. Balance is needed in your everyday use of this convenient appliance. Why not use it as a handy kitchen aide rather than a major appliance, leaving the regular cooking for the stove and oven.
They say modern technology has made us lazier, while this maybe true it's still a well known fact microwaves are indeed a handy saver of both energy and time. Just ask the working mom with a family to cook for.
When purchasing a microwave keep in mind your family size, the space it will be taking up, the warranty and which features would best suit what you will be using it for. Many can be bought at an affordable price and last for many years.
