| Some people swear by the microwave and some | | | | with your own recipes. |
| people will stick their nose up in the air at the | | | | One of the biggest disadvantages of the |
| thought of using one for anything at all. Whether | | | | microwave oven is the lack of browning. Some |
| you are zapping stuff every single day or only | | | | foods just look better with a good, brown color |
| occasionally use yours, the microwave oven is | | | | to them and a crispy coating. There are special |
| recognized as one of the most vital and | | | | pans and dishes that will allow for browning; |
| indispensable pieces of kitchen equipment these | | | | however, how well they work will depend on the |
| days in every kitchen from basic utility | | | | foods that you are cooking, the size and power |
| apartments to upscale restaurants and everything | | | | of the microwave oven and the dishes that you |
| in between. | | | | are trying to use. |
| Time Saving | | | | Food Safety |
| When you ask anyone about their microwave | | | | Food safety should always be one of the biggest |
| oven and why they use it, the most common | | | | factors that you look at whenever you cook |
| answer will be that it saves them time. However, | | | | anything. The microwave cooks food to high |
| there are advantages and disadvantages to every | | | | temperatures which can lead people to be |
| aspect of the microwave including the time | | | | convinced that they are thoroughly cooked while |
| savings | | | | small hot pockets or cold spots can remain. It is |
| - It is easy to overestimate the cooking ability of | | | | also important to avoid superheating, which leaves |
| the microwave oven. | | | | liquids hotter than boiling and very unstable. |
| - While some foods will cook very quickly, it is | | | | The Right Cookware and Accessories |
| important to know that doing so can make the | | | | There are several types of pans and dishes that |
| food dry and tasteless. | | | | can be used in the microwave safely; however, |
| - If you cook foods that are frozen too quickly, | | | | many people try to cut corners and save money |
| there is a chance that frozen areas could remain, | | | | by not using them. Reusing plastic ware that is |
| allowing bacteria to continue to grow. | | | | not listed for microwave use can be dangerous |
| Taste and Appearance | | | | because it can melt, release dangerous chemicals |
| While it is certainly possible to cook virtually | | | | and can even catch on fire during the heating |
| anything in the microwave oven, the basic models | | | | cooking process. |
| will leave some foods looking less than fabulous. | | | | In addition, you can use certain types of plastic |
| Some foods that are packaged to be cooked in | | | | wrap and plastic bags in the microwave; however, |
| the microwave will come out looking and tasting | | | | there are some types that are too thin to be |
| better than other foods might. There are | | | | used in the microwave at all. Never put anything in |
| packages that allow for steaming, crisping and | | | | the microwave without a vent to allow steam to |
| even melting of cheeses and there are new bags | | | | escape. |
| that allow you to recreate the steaming features | | | | |