Research has shown that more than 96 percent of American households have a microwave in today’s day and age. In fact, this is one of the appliances without which your kitchen feels incomplete.
Today, with the busy and stressful lifestyles we lead, cooking nutritious meals can be a somewhat time-consuming task. Anything that helps save our time here is a savior. And this is why we all love microwaves. Microwave cooking ensures that the time taken to cook is reduced by almost half the time. This article sheds light on everything you need to know about microwave cooking.
During the process of cooking, microwave ovens use short energy waves. These waves that are absorbed by the food, further making the water molecules in the food vibrate at a speed of 2,450 million times per second. This intense vibration creates thermal energy, also known as, ‘friction heat.’ It is this friction heat that causes food to heat up and thus cook faster rapidly.
In spite of the high safety standards microwaves adopt, many people still have their doubts about how safe microwave cooking is. A lot of people also believe that microwave cooking kills the nutrients in the food. So does a microwave do that? Let’s find out.
Vitamin C is a nutrient that breaks down extremely fast, especially when subject to time and temperature. Therefore, whether it is a microwave oven or a conventional one, nutrients like vitamin c are bound to break down anyway. However, owing to its shorter cooking time, microwave ovens very often do a better job at preserving the vitamin C content in your food as compared to other time-consuming cooking methods. This is the same case with some other vegetables like broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, etc.
One of the methods that ensure most nutrients stay intact in your food is the method of quick cooking. And that is exactly what a microwave does – takes the shortest possible time to cook. Also, using as little liquid as possible while cooking ensures that the nutrients in your food stay intact. While cooking vegetables in a microwave oven, using a small amount of water ensures that your vegetables get steamed from inside out. This retains the vitamin and mineral content in them. While this is one of the benefits of microwave cooking, let us look at a few other benefits too.
Time Saving
Due to its rapid heating, cooking in a microwave oven is much faster than most other conventional methods like an electric range or gas, thus saving you a reasonable amount of time. This also means a lesser amount of energy is consumed in the process.
Less Smoke
Unlike gas cooking, microwave ovens do not emit any smoke or steam while cooking. This ensures that your kitchen remains smoke-free and cool.
Safer
Since microwaves do not make use of fire to cook, it tends to be a lot more reliable than gas cooking.
Hygienic
Maintaining the hygiene levels of a microwave are pretty easy. All you need to do is to wipe any stains caused by food that has splattered during cooking, with a damp cloth. Also, microwaves that come with stainless steel interiors do not allow the smell of food to linger in them.
Other special features
Apart from cooking, microwave ovens serve many different purposes like defrosting food, heating up a plate of food, etc. Selecting a microwave with a convection feature also allows you to bake in it.
Therefore, unlike most myths, microwave cooking isn’t unsafe at all, unless of course, you use plastic to cook your food in it.
Ever wondered what you would do without your cell phone? Or how you will reach work on time without your car or the public transport? Well, almost everything you see around you and every piece of machinery which has played a major role in making your life simpler and easier is the outcome of progress in the field of technology.
With changing times and varying demands, some of these technological innovations that were earlier considered a luxury, have now become a necessity. This is applicable to the air conditioners as well. Air conditioners were once considered to be a luxury, but the fact that the weather has started getting warmer and warmer each year, air conditioners have become quite necessary. Even schools and workplaces have acknowledged the fact that they cannot function without air conditioners since smoldering heat can leave everyone distressed.
There are various things to be considered when one sets out to buy an air conditioner. For instance, you have to determine how much should be the air conditioner’s capacity, the price, the air quality, the type of air conditioner, and lastly, the after-purchase services offered by the company. After coming to a conclusion about which air conditioner will meet your demands, you need to figure out where to buy it from.
Air conditioners can be bought from stores or even online. Online shopping has become a rage since all you have to do is select the item you wish to purchase and add it to the cart, pay for it online, and it will be delivered to your doorstep within the given date.
Here are some amazing online stores where you can order your air conditioners from.
Wall ovens are one the great cooking appliances that every individual should have in their kitchen. From cooking meats to baking cakes, you can carry out most functions with wall ovens very effortlessly.
Wall ovens are a great alternative to standard all-in-one ranges of ovens, especially if you have the budget and the kitchen space that can accommodate the same. These types of oven are placed high on the wall and do not occupy too much of space on the surface of the kitchen floor. Unlike with other ovens, you do not have to bend over during cooking. Movement of heavy food items is much more convenient with wall ovens.
A wall oven is a big investment and you should make certain considerations when choosing one. There are many factors that will determine the final purchase and here are a few:
Cost or price-range: It comes as no surprise, wall ovens do come at an exorbitant price. You can not expect to find a very cheap option as the appliance is a heavy commodity. Wall ovens are available in a range that is anywhere between $500 to $4000 depending on the brand and the features that it packs. The models that are available in the below $1000 bracket are entry-level single wall ovens that do not come with extra features. The cost of the appliance will determine the kind of quality and features it packs.
Fuel: Wall ovens are either powered by gas or electricity. However, it is the electric wall ovens that have taken over the gas-fuel variants. While gas ovens are still popular among cooking-enthusiasts, they are much more expensive and come at a higher maintenance cost. Electric wall ovens come in a broader range and more function controls.
Size: Wall ovens are available in different inch sizes. The size you decide upon should abide by the kitchen space or slot that you have available. Usually, wall ovens are available in standard sizes that range from 24-inches, 27-inches and 3–inches. However, the size does vary from brand to brand, and it is advisable to stay loyal to a brand if you are considering a change in the model a few years down the line.
Controls: Today, most wall ovens in the market come with controls that let one set the time and carry out cooking functions with much ease. The settings that come with this appliance vary from model to model. Electronic displays are the most common control panels, and they make user-experience extremely great. Wall ovens with a good control panel will cost a price above $1000.
Convection: Convection is a system that uses an internal fan which efficiently circulates the hot air through the oven compartment. The circulation of hot air in the oven compartment is believed to allow better cooking due to evenly distributed heat. This also consumes less time for cooking. Wall ovens with convection do cost a higher amount, and you have to decide if you wish to spend the additional premium. In case of high-end models, they are fitted with ‘true convection,’ this is an additional heating element that surrounds the fan.
Cleaning-system: Wall ovens are left with a lot of after-cooking mess that has to be cleaned regularly to avoid damage to the appliance. There are self-cleaning wall ovens that allow for the bottom to be cleaned. You can also consider manual-clean wall ovens if they suit your liking.
Considering the above factors very carefully will help you make the right choice. After all, a wall oven will stay with you at least for a few years.