Hello everyone
I'm toying with the idea of buying a microwave.
What do I need to look out for and what do I not need?
Can I use my normal porcelain dishes or do I need to buy special ones?
Who has one and how satisfied are you with it?
Is it worth it?
Thank you very much for reading :-)
We just heat up food and milk in the microwave - that's it. Every now and then a ready meal, so different watt levels are an advantage.
An extra cover isn't a bad idea, then the food doesn't dry out so much and if it splashes, the whole microwave isn't immediately dirty.
If you normally pre-cook on the hob/oven and only want to heat your food, a simple version (see wattage levels above) is sufficient and also reasonably priced.
The more there is on it (grill / hot air, what do I know...), the bigger and more expensive it is and if you are otherwise a satisfied stove cook, the thing would certainly just stand around.
Regarding the choice of crockery for the microwave:
Special microwave dishes are usually made of heat-resistant and food-safe plastics. Some of them can withstand temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius and have no effect on the taste or smell of food. Such bowls can often also be used for freezing or with a lid for transporting soups and the like. However, if you simply want to heat something in the microwave, you can usually use existing dishes - provided they meet a few requirements.
Microwave moves water molecules
Which dishes are suitable and which are not depends on how the microwave works. A microwave does not heat food by converting electrical energy into thermal energy like an oven, for example. Instead, it generates electromagnetic waves that cause water molecules inside to move at breakneck speed. The friction between the molecules generates heatand cracks in the dishes are a problem
Of course, a microwave does not distinguish between food and crockery. Anything that contains even a little moisture heats up quickly. This applies to porcelain with small cracks through which water has penetrated, as well as to stoneware or ceramics with coarse-pored surfaces. If such dishes are placed in the microwave, larger cracks can form or parts can flake off. Older plates and bowls with the usual signs of use are particularly affected. However, there are also ceramic pots with a special coating that are expressly suitable for the microwave. They can be recognized by a corresponding imprint on the underside.Do not randomly put plastic dishes in the microwave
Glass containers are generally not a problem. Only if it is left in the microwave for too long can the glass crack due to the high temperature. If you want to be on the safe side, use glass tableware that is specially labeled as heat-resistant for the microwave. You should also look out for a label if you use plastic containers for reheating. These have a corresponding symbol or label, do not deform even at high temperatures and do not affect the taste or smell of the food when reheated.
Avoid metal
Stainless steel pots, aluminum bowls and all other metal containers are taboo. On the one hand, they shield the microwave radiation so that the food does not heat up or heats up more slowly. Secondly, flashes of light or voltage arcs can occur in the microwave, which can damage the dishes and the microwave. For this reason, even porcelain dishes with a gold edge or other metal decor are unsuitable for the microwave.
Thank you very much for your answer. Now I'm a little wiser, but still unsure. I'll have to think about it carefully again.
Best wishes and have a nice day
alphabetta
No problem.
What do you want a microwave for? If you've been fine without one up to now, I'd think again. It just really takes up space in the kitchen.
P.S. What else we do in the microwave: Microwaving popcorn by the ton for the kids and constantly warming up the cherry pit pillow. :-)
Hello alphabetta
My mother uses the microwave mostly for popcorn (which is very tasty) and to heat water for a cup of tea. She uses her normal mugs. Maybe better not to use heirlooms ;-)
My LAG dragged in a microwave, which is now taking up space in the kitchen. He got it as a present from a colleague and we don't have any operating instructions for the ancient thing. I only use it to heat up food.
What does NOT work at all is gratinating something properly. The thing doesn't get a nice crust. But maybe the newer models are more advanced in that respect? I still miss the gas stove from my last home. There's nothing better for cooking and baking than gas.
Greetings moz
So far I've managed well without it over the years. Now I have various health problems and my doctor said I should get one of these. I had a look online at Migros and found that there are lots of different models.
I don't have too much space in the kitchen, so I would have to store something else.
I used to make popcorn in a normal pan and it wasn't bad.
Yes, I really appreciate the gas hob and I love cooking with it. The oven is electric, which isn't bad either.
Thanks for the answer.
