The principle of operation of the microwave oven and how to choose the right device

Household appliances make life easier, makes it possible to do familiar household chores better and much faster. There are many types of household appliances. Among them, microwave ovens occupy an important place.

A microwave oven is a useful device that allows you to reduce the time for cooking, and is also able to perform tasks that ordinary stoves cannot handle: food warmingdefrosting foods. Let's look at what this device is, how it works and what to look for when choosing.

How the microwave works and how it works

The operation of such a furnace is based on the conversion of magnetic microwave fields. This field is converted to thermal energy. The principle of operation of a microwave oven is significantly different from stoves, in which heating occurs due to heating of the contact surface or the surrounding space in the chamber (if we are talking about an oven). In contrast, in a microwave oven, heating occurs due to microwaves. They penetrate the chamber and act on water molecules (which are contained in any product). As you know from the school chemistry course, the water molecule is a dipole. It has different charges at the ends: hydrogen is positive, and oxygen is negative. Under the influence of waves, dipoles begin to randomly move, rub against each other, which contributes to the release of heat. Due to this, food is heated. In this case, heating is very fast.

A microwave device without fail (regardless of brand and model of equipment, its characteristics) includes a magnetron and a waveguide - a channel with metal walls, which serves as a reflector of magnetic radiation. In addition to the magnetron, any furnace has a fuse, a high-voltage capacitor and a diode, a transformer, an electric motor (needed to rotate the plate) and other nodes. About what specific elements a specific model of technology contains, an electrical circuit diagram will tell.

Magnetron is a special unit that generates short-wave radiation with a frequency of 2.45 GHz. In modern microwave ovens, the magnetron power can reach 1 kW. Since the magnetron is very hot during operation, a fan is provided in the furnace design. This unit simultaneously performs 2 functions: it removes heat from the magnetron and ensures effective air circulation in the chamber.

How to choose the right microwave for home

Before choosing a microwave, determine the location. All household appliances are divided into 2 types: freestanding and built-in. As a rule, microwave ovens are installed on the kitchen cutting table, but sometimes the equipment can be built into the countertop. If you are an admirer of minimalism, the second option will do. In the event that you prefer stationary equipment, decide on the color and design. Agree, it is not very convenient when even the most functional and productive model does not fit into the interior at all.

However, many manufacturers produce the same model in different colors.The universal color is white. This is the shade that many microwave ovens on the market have. Of course, the assortment is not limited to this. Do you like contrasts? Take a closer look at microwave ovens in black, red or brown, and even in yellow, orange or green colors of the case. Along with them, devices are produced in more restrained colors: gray, silver, beige. When choosing, consider the design and color scheme of the surrounding space. And, of course, when choosing a microwave oven, pay attention not only to the design, but also to the technical specifications.

Chamber volume and dimensions

The size and volume of microwaves may vary. As a rule, the standard option that is most often found on the market is as follows:

• height - within 30–35 cm;
• depth from 40 to 45 cm;
• width about half a meter.

Dimensions may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific model, but most often are within the limits indicated above.

As for the volume, here the choice should be based on how often you will cook and for how many people. If you intend to cook in a microwave oven in small volumes or do you plan to use the equipment only for heating or making hot sandwiches, it’s enough small microwave with a volume of 13-19 liters. For a large family, a 23 liter oven is suitable. And if you intend to not only heat food, but also use the device as an alternative to a stove (i.e., cook first courses, cook cereals, bake meat, make homemade baking, etc.) - take a look at the microwave oven, 38 liters.

Inner surface material

The microwave oven chamber may have a steel, enameled or bioceramic surface. The latter is the development of LG. Such a coating is also called antibacterial, it is absolutely smooth. Its advantages are high strength, ease of cleaning and maintenance, resistance to scratches, lower power consumption (due to the fact that such a surface retains more heat, which means that the efficiency is higher). It is believed that when cooking in a microwave oven with a bioceramic coating, more vitamins and other useful substances are stored than if you use a microwave with a different type of coating. Of the minuses, we note a too high price.

The main advantage of a stainless steel coating is its ability to withstand high temperatures. This coating is very strong and durable, resistant to mechanical damage, moreover, it can be cleaned with abrasive agents. But enameled coating, despite its cheapness, is considered the most short-lived. Due to active use, such an enamel can be damaged after a few months. Of course, subject to all operating rules and care recommendations, enameled coating can last a long time.

Power

Cooking speed and electricity consumption depend on the power of the waves. Microwaves with power from 450 to 1650 W are presented on the modern market. But do not think that the more the better. Too much power may not withstand the wiring of the apartment, especially when it comes to old houses. To this end, too powerful consumers should not be switched on at the same time: for example, a microwave, iron and vacuum cleaner along with an electric water heater. It is not always necessary to use maximum power for cooking. It can and should be regulated. So, a large power (about 900 W) is suitable for quick heating and cooking, a power of 550–700 W provides slow heating (provided by the recipes for some dishes), and a power of 150–300 W is suitable for defrosting.

Normal, grilled or convection: which is better?

There is no definite answer to this question.If you need a microwave oven only for heating, and you will carry out all the basic cooking operations using an oven and stove, there is no need to pay extra for the convection function and for the grill. If you like culinary experiments, you intend to often cook in a microwave oven - it is better to choose a model with advanced features.

If you want to bake pies, casseroles and other pastries in the microwave technology, take a look at the ovens with convection function. This function ensures uniform heating and distribution of air over the entire surface of the chamber. It works like this: a heater installed in the chamber produces heating, heated air is evenly dispersed throughout the chamber by a fan. In this case, the temperature in the microwave can be 200 degrees or higher.

Recently, the most popular solution among housewives: microwave ovens with convection and grill. They can cook in 5 different ways:

• Microwave radiation;
• convection;
• microwave convection at the same time;
• microwaves and grill;
• convection and grill.

Such a microwave oven opens up scope for creativity and the creation of new culinary masterpieces. However, there are many ready-made recipes that manufacturers share, completing their models with a separate recipe book.

Type of control

Microwave control can be touch, mechanical or push-button. The simplest models use mechanical control: two round knobs, one of which is a power regulator, the other sets the time for food processing (timer). Of course, ease of management and low cost is a plus, but such models do not set the per-second, but per-minute impact. The difference in a few minutes is significant.

Push-button microwaves are a more modern option. As a rule, they are equipped with a display on which time is displayed. Such models have the ability to program this or that mode. In the most “advanced” models, many modes are predefined: for example, “defrosting”, “grilled chicken”, “french fries”, “stewing meat” and others. The number of programmed recipes in different models may vary.

Touch control - in fact, the same button, with the only difference being that the buttons themselves are not visible - the panel is smooth. In addition to convenience and modern design, a positive aspect of using touch models is the ease of cleaning. On the other hand, touch-controlled furnaces are sold at a much higher price, and their elements often burn out due to differences in the network.

Additional functions

In some models, additional microwave modes can be implemented:

• Steam supply - promotes faster cooking, prevents overdrying of cooked foods.
• Ventilation of the working chamber - allows you to remove unpleasant odors from the furnace.
• Electronic scales - weigh products loaded into the microwave oven, which is very useful for some housewives.
• The double radiation function increases the productivity of the furnace and contributes to a more uniform heating.
• Crisp plate - allows you to fry food in the same way as in a pan.

An overview of the best microwave models from leading manufacturers

Everyone knows microwaves with a grill, which allow you to get dishes with a delicious golden crust. But LG went further by developing a line of Black Solar Dom furnaces using a halogen heater. The heater emits light, which in its characteristics is close to solar radiation. Due to the successful tandem of microwaves and light, dishes are prepared much faster: in just 300 seconds, such an oven can warm up to a temperature of 320 ° C! All this allows you to cook dishes in seconds.

Everyone knows that it’s forbidden to cook eggs in the microwave.But what if you really want to? Use the Wavedom MC-8483NL model proposed by the same South Korean manufacturer. In the configuration for this model there is a special plate with a dome. Due to the special dome, the waves do not penetrate under the shell. Of course, scrambled eggs are not the only dish that can be cooked in this oven. To help owners of household appliances, manufacturers have created a special program “Russian cook”, which includes 16 dishes of Russian cuisine.

And lovers of pizza and homemade pancakes should take a closer look at Daewoo products. To warm up frozen pizza or make homemade baked goods, the designers provided a special compartment below. And in these microwave ovens you can cook 2 dishes at the same time, which will save time. Another feature - the rotary table rotates both around its axis and in the horizontal plane, which ensures more uniform heating. In models with the 3D Power system, the product uses not 2, but three heating elements. They are located above, below and in the side.

Fans of Russian cuisine often opt for a Sharp microwave oven. In it you can bake pancakes, cook and fry potatoes, chicken legs. To do this, there are 2 grills: top - quartz, bottom - infrared. The number of programs depends on the specific model, in some devices there may be as many as 27.

Samsung ovens with the “favorite recipe” function are also very interesting. This program will appeal to those who cook food according to a unique recipe. Even if the cooking recipe provides for a repeated change in power, you can make the necessary settings in advance and do other things without distractions and without controlling the process, which is very convenient.

Hyundai microwave ovens open up equally great opportunities for cooks. Here you can meet all the modern functions: the ability to use both the grill and microwave modes, the advanced defrost function, etc.

How to use and care for the microwave

Microwave oven utensils have special requirements. It should not have gold rims - this paint contains metal, which, in turn, is a conductor, because of which the furnace will spark. For the same reason, do not use metal utensils. For cooking, glass, porcelain, ceramic dishes are suitable. Moreover, for grilling and convection it must also be refractory.

Care of the microwave oven consists in periodic cleaning of the external and internal surfaces. After each cooking, wipe the camera with a soft, damp cloth, and then with a dry cloth. A spinning plate is washed in warm water. Before putting it back in place, it must be thoroughly wiped with a dry cloth. Do not turn on a dirty stove. This may cause the mica plate to burn.

Remember that you can not wash the microwave with all substances. Use only those designed for microwave or, in extreme cases, dishwashing liquid. The oven can only be cleaned when the network is disconnected. Do not use brushes. If you need to remove dried up residues, proceed as follows: put a cup of water in the center of the work table and heat it at a low power for 10-15 minutes. You can add a little citric acid to the water. This will help get rid of unpleasant odors in the chamber.