The microwave was invented and the appliance made its way to our kitchen easily. And then out rolled plenty of microwave myths and facts. By now there is a tonne of these circulating through your social media. Giving birth to the seed of doubt regarding the safety and well-being of your near and dear ones. Some have gone as far as to avoid using this handy device. This is why now we are going to debunk all the microwave myths and facts flowing around. This will help you in making up your mind about what you need to do and want.
Related: Best Microwave Oven in UAE
Microwave Myths
1. Microwaves Reduce the Nutritional Value of Food
For some reason, the news that zapping your food in a microwave reduces/destroys the nutrition from the item. But as a matter of fact, microwaving your food is no different than cooking your food on a gas stove. Since any type of heating of food items causes it to lose nutrients such as vitamin C, omega fatty acids, and even antioxidants.
In fact, some studies prove that microwaving food lessens the loss of nutritional value of the food. Since it uses lesser water as compared to boiling and baking. Furthermore, if you want to reduce this loss all the more you can try and reduce the cooking time for any cooking method.
2. Microwave Radiations Causes Cancer
It is believed that microwave is a device that causes cancers. Since radiation is also released from nuclear-powered goods and many other things. Therefore, the statement that microwaves nuke our foods. But this point needs to be taken into consideration that there are various types of radiation.
The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) research proved that the radiation emitted from a microwave is much lower on the cancer-causing spectrum. As for the radiation of X-rays, and gamma rays are higher up. And the device uses none of these. It uses radiofrequency (RF) radiation which is a very low energy. Furthermore, the appliance has a system that ensures that no energy is leaked out. Which can cause you any harm, the most it would do is cause you to get a few burns. This is why for your safety you need to keep your microwave in top shape. So you don’t have any leaks and burns as well.
3. The Device Cooks Food Inside Out
You will have come across many facts that the food cooked in a microwave first cooks the middle and then makes its way to its outer layers. But this is a misconception. Since even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that the microwaved food heats the outer layers first. With the heating of the outer molecules from which the heat is transferred to the inner parts of the food. Therefore manufacturers advise against putting huge chunks of food into the device. And this way you have raw centers.
4. Microwaves Aren’t Cost-Effective
Microwaves aren’t cost-effective but also aren’t energy effective, is a myth. In fact, this appliance uses lesser electric power than your conventional electric/gas ovens. It’s not just effective in terms that it cooks food items much faster. But this would depend on the type and consistency of the food being cooked. Besides this, purchasing a microwave is a one-time thing and as compared to purchasing gas or fuel frequently. With a short burst of energy, a microwave cooks faster therefore not affecting your electricity bill too much as well.
5. Any Non-Metal Dish is Suitable
False, short answer, you can use metal but not plastic. Countering statement, Not all plastics are bad and not all metals are good. We mean to say that, you can use smooth metals that do not touch the edges of the microwave. But in this case, also not all microwaves are agreeable with all metals. Therefore causes the microwave to short circuit. Hence to stay on the safe side it is best for you to avoid using any metals in your microwave.
As for plastic, it’s a big no as it can break down and have chemicals mixed into your food. You can opt for microwave-safe containers. But these too can’t be used for an extended period of time. Therefore your best alternative is ceramic dishes and glass.
6. Don’t be Next to Working Microwave
Yet another debatable myth. Because as said earlier that microwaves have radiations but it is a very mild radiofrequency. Which is present around us whether the microwave is on or off. As the frequency is the same as the frequency as of your WiFi, mobile phones, remotes, airplanes, radios, satellite, and cable TV uses and many other devices as well. So the microwave is no more harmful to be around than any other thing.
Microwave Facts
1. You Can’t Microwave All Food Items.
This is true although you can microwave most of it. That is what makes the device as good as it is. Yet there are a few limitations to the same. Like it isn’t advisable to heat up breast milk, grapes, green leafy vegetables nor chili pepper. These ingredients except for the milk are microwaveable if mixed with other ingredients but not on their own. Besides that, any other food which has little to no water properties need to be out and away from being microwaved. Moreover, if you have any doubt if an item is microwaveable you can always look it up before going ahead with the cooking.
2. Yes to Water, No to Oil
If you wish to steam any food item you can do it with the help of water. Since water molecules heat up quite well in a microwave. Only keep in mind it heats up without the boiling bubbles. This is the way how heat is released in boiling. Since there are no bubbles the heat stays inside the water therefore heating it faster and more effective as compared to a gas stove. Besides this, a microwave can’t work as great with oil. Since you might know that the molecules of oil are opposite to that of water. Therefore it doesn’t create heat that well. And even if it does heating oil even a little bit extra can cause a fire. Therefore, it is advisable to not put too much oil in the microwave.
3. A Microwave Heats your Food Unevenly.
As previously mentioned, the food cooks from the inside out. While doing so sometimes you tend to have a few cold spots. Which, if you are working with raw foods like meat, can be dangerous. This can serve as a way that bacteria along with other infectious microbes can enter your body. This is why the best you can do is let your food cool down naturally. Moreover if possible you can try and increase the cooking time as well.
4. WHO Approved
The World Health Organisation (WHO) approved of microwaves if used in accordance with the manufactures’ instructions. Since even they agree that a microwave is safe and is a convenient cooking appliance. Even so, proper precautions need to be taken in terms of leakage and food handling of the device.
For this, you need to ensure that your microwave is cleaned regularly and that it turns on only when the door is shut and switched on. This ensures that there is little to no leakage. And for this they have set up recommended international standards; therefore you are safe. Furthermore, WHO approves that food cooked or heated in a microwave doesn’t turn radioactive and there is no energy left behind after the device is switched off.
Cook Easy With Your Microwave
With all this said and done. You now know the myths and facts of a microwave. From now on if anyone gives you the ‘Microwave is Bad’ talk make sure you show them these microwave myths and facts. Go and delete and shut out any social media post or write-up which tries to prove you otherwise. So now you can peacefully buy and use a microwave for your home. For easy and convenient cooking get your own best microwave oven in UAE.
