Fireless cooking has become a dietary trend in urban areas, and the invention of the microwave oven has brought convenience to many. Office workers now love to bring lunch boxes, which only need to be placed in a microwave oven to heat up, and soon the box becomes fragrant. However, many people worry that eating too much microwave food can cause cancer and therefore avoid it. Is this really the case?
First, understand the principle of microwave cooking
How does a microwave oven cook food? As its name implies, a microwave oven heats food through microwaves. A microwave oven can emit ultra-short electromagnetic waves at 2450 megahertz, causing the water molecules in the food to resonate and vibrate, thus heating the food. The advantage of microwave cooking is that it can quickly thaw or heat food, saving time and being convenient, while also retaining the nutrients in the food. Is microwave cooking really safe?
Since microwaves are a type of radiation, many people worry that these foods will be affected by radiation, and eating them will increase the chance of getting cancer. In fact, this is just a misunderstanding of microwave cooking.
There are many types of radiation, such as thermal energy, radio waves, X-rays, infrared rays, nuclear radiation, etc. Microwaves belong to thermal energy rays, which transfer heat to the food, causing the food to heat up, and the food itself will not be affected in any way. Although microwaves can cause harm to the human body, such as burns, it is not the same as being infected with radiation. Therefore, using a microwave oven to heat food will not make it contain carcinogens.
Are there any microwaves left in the food cooked in the microwave? Microwaves do not remain in the food at all. Because microwaves are ultra-high-frequency radio waves, their properties are basically the same as the radio waves used in radio and television systems, except that the frequency used in microwave ovens is higher than that of radios and televisions. Just as we cannot receive a TV signal when the TV station stops broadcasting, once the microwave heating is over, the magnetron stops emitting microwaves, and there will be no microwaves in the food. So, don't worry about eating microwave-cooked food being harmful to your health.
1. Do not use ordinary plastic containers:
Use special microwave-safe containers to hold food when heating in the microwave. First, hot food will deform the plastic container. Second, ordinary plastic can release toxic substances, contaminating the food and harming human health. 2. Do not use metal containers:
Because containers such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and enamel placed in the oven will produce electric sparks and reflect microwaves when heated, which will damage the oven and fail to cook the food. 3. Do not use sealed containers:
When heating liquids, use a wide-mouthed container. Because the heat generated by the food in a sealed container is not easy to dissipate, the pressure inside the container will be too high, which can easily cause explosions. Even when cooking shelled food, you should first pierce the shell with a needle or chopsticks to avoid bursting and splashing after heating, which can dirty the oven walls or cause injuries. 4. Do not heat for too long:
If food is placed in a microwave oven to thaw or heat and is forgotten to be taken out, if the time exceeds 2 hours, it should be discarded to avoid food poisoning. 5. Do not reheat semi-cooked meat in the microwave:
Because bacteria can still grow in semi-cooked food, and when heated in the microwave again for a short time, it is impossible to kill all the bacteria. Frozen meat must first be thawed in the microwave and then heated until fully cooked. 6. Do not refreeze meat that has been thawed in the microwave:
Because after meat is thawed in the microwave, the outer layer is actually heated to a low temperature, at which bacteria can grow. Although refreezing can stop their growth, it cannot kill the live bacteria. Meat that has been thawed in the microwave must be heated until fully cooked if it is to be frozen again. 7. Do not fry food:
Because high-temperature oil can splatter and cause a fire. If a fire accidentally starts in the oven, do not open the door. Instead, turn off the power first and wait for the fire to go out before opening the door to cool down.
8. Do not place the microwave in the bedroom:
At the same time, pay attention not to cover the heat dissipation window on the microwave oven. 9. Do not work in front of the microwave oven for a long time:
After turning on the microwave, people should stay away from it or be at least 1 meter away. The following points should also be noted in the use and maintenance of the microwave oven:
[1] The microwave oven should be placed in a well-ventilated place, and there should be no magnetic materials nearby to avoid interfering with the uniform state of the magnetic field in the oven cavity, which will reduce work efficiency. It should also be kept at a certain distance from televisions and radios, otherwise it will affect the viewing and listening effects.
[2] Do not turn on the power when there is no food in the oven. Do not run the microwave oven empty, otherwise it will damage the magnetron. To prevent accidental no-load operation, you can place a glass of water in the oven cavity.
[3] Metal tableware, bamboo products, plastic, lacquerware and other heat-resistant containers, as well as glass products with uneven surfaces, should not be used in the microwave oven. Ceramic bowls and plates cannot be inlaid with gold or silver borders. Food containers must be placed on a special microwave plate, not directly in the oven cavity.
[4] The heating time of the microwave oven depends on the material and amount, and is also related to the freshness and water content of the food. Since the heating time for various foods is different, when you are not sure about the required heating time, it is better to use a shorter time. After heating, you can add more heating time depending on the doneness of the food. Otherwise, if the time is too long, the food will become hard and lose its aroma, color, and flavor. Adjust the timer and power (temperature) knobs according to the type of food and cooking requirements. You can read the instruction manual for details.
[5] Shelled eggs and food in sealed packaging cannot be cooked directly to avoid explosions.
[6] Be sure to close the oven door tightly to ensure that the interlock switch and safety switch are closed. After turning off the microwave oven, it is not advisable to take out the food immediately, because there is still residual heat in the oven, and the food can continue to cook. It is better to take it out after 1 minute.
[7] The inside of the oven should be kept clean frequently. After disconnecting the power, wipe it with a damp cloth and a neutral detergent. Do not rinse it, and do not let water flow into the electrical parts of the oven.
[8] Regularly check the edges and locks of the oven door. If there is any damage or poor closure, stop using it to prevent microwave leakage. Do not get your face too close to the microwave observation window to prevent eye damage from microwave radiation. It is also not advisable to be exposed to microwave radiation for a long time to prevent symptoms such as dizziness, dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, and hair loss, which can damage the human body.