precautions while using microwaves

Dont dry or disinfect clothing or other articles in the microwave because of the risk of fire. Only certain microwave ovens are designed to sterilize items (for example baby

Use only microwave safe utensils. Hot food melts some plastics, such as margarine tubs, causing migration of package constituents. Its a good idea to use glass for fatty foods, which get particularly hot, though not all glass and ceramics are microwave safe.

Heres a quick test for glass: Microwave the empty container for one minute. Its unsafe for the microwave if its warm; its OK for reheating if its lukewarm; and its OK for actual cooking if its cool.it is important to realize that food cooked in a microwave oven does not become radioactive. Nor does any microwave energy remain in the cavity or the food after the microwave oven is switched off. In this respect, microwaves act just like light; when the light bulb is turned off, no light remains.

Properly used, a microwave oven is extremely safe. Under authority of the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act, FDAs Center for Devices and Radiological Health ensures that microwave ovens made after 1971 meet a radiation safety standard requiring: two independent interlock systems to stop microwave production the moment the latch is released or the door is opened. A monitoring system stops the oven if either or both of the interlocks fail.

To be sure radiation levels from a microwave oven remain as low as possible, consumers can take these steps. Domestic microwave ovens operate at a frequency of 2450 MHz with a power usually ranging from 500 to 1100 watts. Microwaves are produced by an electronic tube called a magnetron. Once the oven is switched on, the microwaves are dispersed in the oven cavity and reflected by a stirrer fan so the microwaves are propagated in all directions.

Dont use an oven if an object is caught in the door or if the door doesnt close firmly or is otherwise damaged. If you have an older model oven with a soft mesh door gasket. Check for deterioration which would require servicing.Unlike conventional ovens, microwaves are absorbed only in the food and not in the surrounding oven cavity. Only dishes and containers specifically designed for microwave cooking should be used.

If you suspect excessive microwave leakage, contact the manufacturer, a reputable servicing firm, the local state health department. The FDA has found the inexpensive home microwave testing devices that are available to be generally inaccurate.

Dont operate an empty oven if the introduction manual warns against this. In some ovens the magnetron tube can be damaged by unabsorbed energy. the microwaves are dispersed in the oven cavity and reflected by a stirrer fan so the microwaves are propagated in all directions. They are reflected by the metal sides of the oven cavity and absorbed by the food. Uniformity of heating in the food is usually assisted by having the food on a rotating turntable in the oven. Water molecules vibrate when they absorb microwave energy, and the friction between the molecules results in heating which cooks the food.

If there are signs of rusting inside the oven, have the oven repaired.Microwave energy does not penetrate well in thicker pieces of food, and may produce uneven cooking. This can lead to a health risk if parts of the food are not heated sufficiently to kill potentially dangerous micro organisms. Because of the potential for uneven distribution of cooking, food heated in a microwave oven should rest for several minutes after cooking is completed to allow the heat to distribute throughout the food.

Clean the door and oven cavity the outer edge. too. with water and mild detergent. Do not use abrasives such as scouring pads. Certain materials, such as plastics not suitable for microwave oven, may melt or burst into flames if overheated. Microwaves do not directly heat food containers which are designed for microwave cooking. These materials usually get warm only from being in contact with the hot food.