10 Easy Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Microwave

Best Buy Coupons 20% OFF Entire Purchase:  Enter this Best Buy 20% OFF Coupon Code  during checkout to get 20% 50%  Promo Code Off  for activity trackers & pedometers. Check Best Buy 20% OFF Promo Code now!

We all know that a good microwave oven is quick and easy to use, but not many people know how to use it to its full potential. The following 10 tips will help you get the most from your microwave and make great tasting meals practically every time.

1. Food should be arranged evenly sized pieces. They should be arranged in a circle. If the pieces are different sizes it is best to place the thicker pieces on the outside with the smaller pieces on the inside.
2. If you are cooking foods that have a skin e.g. baked potatoes. Make sure you pierce the skin, as this will prevent potatoes from exploding, due to a build up of steam underneath the skin. Eggs should never be cooked in their shells, as the resulting expansion may cause serious injuries.
3. The container you use to cook in the microwave oven should be a bit larger then the dish you would choose for a conventional oven. The container should be labeled as suitable for microwave use.
4. Try to find cooking container that are round or oval as this shape helps the food to heat up evenly.
5. When recipes or package instructions give a broad recommended cooking range, start to check if the food is cooked at the lower end. For example if the range is 2-3 minutes then start checking at 2 minutes.
6. When using microwaves that don’t have turntables, at regular intervals stop the microwave and rotate the food. This prevents “hot spots” forming, and will ensure even cooking.
7. If you have defrosted or partially cooked foods in the microwave it is essential for safety to continue to cook the food either in an oven stove or grill. Keeping partially cooked foods in storage can lead to food poisoning bacteria to start developing.
8. Covering the food with lids or plastic wrap whilst being cooked in the microwave, can help to retain moisture and cook more evenly. Always leave a small gap between the food and lid for the steam to escape.
9. Once your food has finished cooking, make sure that you remove the container lid or plastic wrap away from you as the steam is very hot and there is a risk you could burn yourself.
10. If you enjoy salt on your favorite dishes, apply after cooking,. This is because salt can cause foods to dry during the microwave process.