11. Microwave Cooking
In ordinary cooking, heat is applied to the outside
of food and it gradually penetrates to the inside.
In microwave cooking, the heat is generated within
the food.
In a microwave oven, microwaves penetrate the food
and are converted into heat within the food.
Thus, the whole food heats up very quickly.
Microwaves can only penetrate food to a depth of 3–
5 cm; thus, small pieces of food are cooked very
quickly.
Larger pieces of food are cooked more slowly,
however, because where the microwaves cannot
penetrate, the food is heated by conduction.
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15. Advantage & Disadvantage
The great advantage of microwave cooking is its speed.
For example, a fish fillet is cooked in only 30 s, a chop in 1
min, a chicken in 2 min, and a baked potato in 4 min.
Microwave ovens also have some disadvantages.
For instance, cooking times must be carefully controlled.
In addition, food does not turn brown or develop crispness
in a microwave.
Crispy bacon or conventional-looking brown crusty chops
need to be finished off under the broiler.