Truth and fiction about whether a microwave is harmful to humans - what scientific studies say. Scientific evidence of harm from microwaves

Is the microwave as scary as it is painted? We understand here and now.

Microwaves have firmly entered our everyday life: how else to quickly defrost a chicken on your own How to warm a bowl of soup? Moreover, urban myths about how badly a microwave oven affects health are actively circulating among the population. Let's ask scientists what microwaves are, how a microwave works, how to behave with it so that it does not get angry and harm?

Microwave: how it works

The layman is logically afraid of what he does not understand. For most, a microwave is a magical contraption that turns cold food into hot in a minute (or a heating plate, but leaving food cold - that's how lucky). Therefore, you should start with a story about mechanism microwave operation.

There is a generator inside the oven. electromagnetic waves ultra high frequency (2450 MHz). It creates radiation that causes water molecules to vibrate. The scale of friction of molecules against each other is microscopic, but heat is radiated as a result of this process. Heating in the microwave occurs not only from the surface of the heated product, but also in its volume, since microwaves penetrate the products to a depth of about 2.5 centimeters.

This is a very simple mechanism - absolutely any object heats up during friction. Your microwave oven is based on this simple mechanism.

Are Microwave Foods Harmful?

We have already found out that the microwave does nothing but heat objects. This heating is no different from what happens during frying or cooking food.

You probably know that heating during boiling and frying destroys vitamins. And here the microwave is even a little more useful than the stove: because of fast speed all vitamins do not have time to collapse and are better preserved. This is especially true for vitamin B12.

Also, after a microwave, water-soluble vitamins - folic acid, B1, B2 are better preserved in food. The fact is that when boiling, boiling water leaches these vitamins from foods, which the microwave is not able to repeat.

Another undoubted advantage of cooking in the microwave is the absence of oil. For the stove, it is not needed, while for frying it is necessary. And you probably know that when melting butter, carcinogens are formed - substances that cause cancer.

So the microwave does not spoil your food at all - on the contrary, the food from it is healthier.

Can I stand next to a working microwave?

Yes! Microwave radiation is easily blocked - even a thin metal plate can do it. Therefore, usually microwave ovens are metal and quite weighty. Microwaves can "leak" only through the door, so in each microwave model it closes very tightly. In addition, each modern model turns off automatically when the door is opened.

You can get a small fraction of the radiation only by tightly hugging a working microwave with both hands. At the same time, you will feel warm - and again, you will not do yourself the slightest harm.

Is there any dangerous radiation in the microwave?

Microwave "radiation" is quite safe, even if this word sounds somehow apocalyptic. The only thing it does is cause the polarized molecules to vibrate, causing them to heat up. And radioactive radiation, which you might confuse it with, leads to decay molecules into atoms. It has nothing to do with what's inside your stove.

Microwave Precautions

1. When heating liquids in the microwave, be careful and careful. They may suddenly boil when you touch them and cause burns.
2. Should not be heated in the microwave cheap plastic containers- when heated, they can release harmful substances. It is better to use glass and ceramic.
3. Check the condition of the oven door. So "radiation" will not leave its borders.

And of course, the experts government agencies Microwaves have been tested many times for safety. Cooking in them is not only safe, but also very convenient. No convincing evidence of the opposite point of view has yet been found - and this is for half a century of the existence of the "controversial" device. So feel free to use it!

Rumors have long been circulating among the people about the harm that microwave ovens cause to human body. Sellers household appliances claim that they are harmless, some claim that only expensive ovens are able to cook oud without negative effects. Where is the truth we decided to tell in today's article.

Due to the lack of information, all electronics, including microwave ovens, managed to acquire dozens of myths about whether a microwave is harmful. Fortunately, scientists have dealt with this issue quite responsibly and we can know the whole truth and scientific evidence about the negative qualities of this device.

Negative impact

Back in the days of the USSR, scientists were forced to give an answer to the emerging question of whether the myth or reality is harmful to the microwave oven. Back in 1976, researchers firmly declared the exceptional harm of such a technique. Authorities Soviet Union they did not even give permission for the sale of such devices in the country.

Since the creation of this technology and to this day, the problem of ignition of devices for unknown reasons does not disappear. Thus, the technique can be dangerous for humans. It is not safe to be near a working device, at the same time, its operation must be observed.

Does it spoil the products

Inside microwave oven All dishes lend themselves to microwave radiation. It has been proven that after such exposure, carcinogens were detected in most products. The nutritional value food is reduced by 55-65%, in simple terms after processing any most healthy vegetable becomes empty.

Food from the microwave can lead to such consequences for a person who consumes it too often:

• Possible metabolic disorders and disorders of the digestive system.
• The work of the immune system is disrupted.
• The risk of oncological neoplasms increases.

Microwave rays affect food so that its structure simply disintegrates. In food, the wrong ones begin to pass chemical processes. The benefit of cooking in a microwave oven is only from its practicality, but in fact it is an exceptional harm to the dishes you have prepared.

For the human body

If you use microwave ovens too often, then think about the fact that your headaches, jumps blood pressure, depression, nervousness and even oncology can arise precisely from this external factor. The damage from a microwave to food is instantaneous, but according to scientists, for such an impact on a person, it will take about 10 years to use the equipment regularly. let's consider possible consequences frequent use of the microwave oven for human health:

1. The rays affect the lens of the eye, thereby causing vision problems. The risk of cataracts increases, of course the microwave is dangerous under such circumstances.
2. Insomnia, depression, nervousness, irritability - the negative effect of the stove on nervous system person.
3. Radiation radiation can damage skin, hair and nails. True or fiction, we cannot say with accuracy, there is no official confirmation of this information. There are only reviews on the forums of ordinary users and doctors.
4. Whether food from the microwave is harmful, we have already told above, but we did not say that such food can provoke gastritis and stomach ulcers.
5. Through excessive exposure to radiation, reproductive problems can occur.
6. Changing the structure of food can provoke the oncology.

Of course, it all depends on the frequency of microwave exposure, think about how often you heat up food and stand next to the microwave. Scientists say that the microwave can be used without harm for up to 10 years. Food from the microwave is not as harmful as useless, the body may not receive enough useful elements.

Some sources report that the harm of microwave ovens is that it is able to change the composition of the blood. People who often use this technique have noticed an underestimated amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Plus, the food microwave devices increases the amount of cholesterol, which threatens the occurrence of cholesterol plaques and blood clots.

Scientific confirmation of the negative impact

Back in 1989, Swiss scientists conducted research on whether a microwave oven is harmful to health, is it a myth or reality. The funds for the experiments were not enough to conduct full-scale studies, they were able to find only one volunteer to study the dangers of heating food in a microwave oven.

The volunteer had to take food in turn: on the 1st day, cooked on conventional stove, 2nd day in microwave oven. Scientists conducted tests at every stage of the life of the test subject. The conclusion shocked scientists: food from the microwave was not only harmful but also dangerous to health. The subject began to change the structure of the blood, which could lead to cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) immediately denied such data. WHO experts declared the harmlessness of microwave rays on the human body and food prepared with their help. Then the speakers stated only about the danger of such radiation for people taking pacemakers, for the same reasons, such people were recommended to refuse cell phones.

American scientists in 1992 conducted separate studies on whether it is harmful to heat food in the microwave. Experts were able to provide scientific evidence of harmfulness. They stated that food from microwave ovens retains microwaves, which naturally fall into digestive system of the body, thus possibly irradiating a person from the inside. No such changes were observed in products prepared in the classical way: scientific evidence proves the words that it is impossible to use a microwave.

How it works

A microwave oven emits electromagnetic energy at microwave frequencies. The length of such waves is from 1 mm to 30 cm. The speed of such waves reaches 300 km / h, similar waves are used for cell phones, television and radio stations, as well as the Internet.

The radiation frequency is 2540 MHz, the waves are able to penetrate food to a depth of 3 cm. Food in the microwave becomes dry very quickly.

Checking your equipment for safety

There are many ways to measure the benefits and harms of a microwave oven. Several of them are not credible, so for more confidence we advise you to do a few experiments, so you can follow the trend. Here are a few ways to test your microwave oven for harm:

1. Wait for the evening, or turn on the microwave in a dark room and put it next to fluorescent lamp. If the lamp starts flashing or shows some signs of “life”, your microwave emits too much radiation. There is little benefit from this - the harm is obvious.
2. The evidence of the fact that microwave waves run away to the collapse, succumbing to your health danger is strong heating device doors.
3. For the next experiment, the microwave must be turned off! take two mobile phone, put one of them in the oven chamber, from the second try to get through to the first phone. If you were able to get through, then your technology does not protect you enough from hazardous radiation, the risk of getting harmful effects increases.
4. Try boiling a regular glass of water in your microwave. Harm will be proven if after 3 minutes the water does not begin to boil. You will prove that most of rays are leaking somewhere, most likely to the gun, exposing you to their harm.

A microwave detector will help prove the leakage of radiation from the microwave to the outside. For correct measurements, place a glass in the chamber cold water and turn on the oven. Use a detector to examine the gaps around the door of the device, as well as Special attention need to attach the corners and ventilation grille. If everything is in order with the equipment, then the indicator will remain green, if there is a leak and potential harm, the indicator will be red.

How to reduce risks

If you are very accustomed to using a microwave oven, or simply circumstances force you to use it regularly, then you should know how to use such equipment without harm. With the following tips, you can reduce the harm to a minimum. There is scientific evidence that the harm to health of a microwave oven is minimal if the dose of radiation received is low.

Scientists say that it is quite safe for a person to be already 2-3 centimeters from the body of the device, the main thing is that the radiation does not exceed 5 milliwatts. It is logical that the farther you are from the device, the less risk of getting harm from the microwave.

Don't play with fire. Opening the chamber door during operation is strictly prohibited. In this way, you release all the waves of radiation into free swimming, including on yourself. Wait 3-5 seconds before opening the appliance door after reheating food.

Manufacturers of household appliances, taking care of the health and safety of their customers, usually give the following recommendations:

1. The device is best used for heating and defrosting food. Cooking in it is not its main function, although it is not prohibited.
2. In the kitchen, the oven is best placed away from your permanent place stay. Place it where you spend little time.
3. It is forbidden to use metal utensils and utensils that contain metals in their paint. In addition to the fact that the equipment may fail, the radiation in the furnace begins a chaotic movement, increasing the risk of being thrown out.
4. It is not recommended to use the technique for people who use pacemakers.
5. Microwaves do not kill bacteria, keep the device chamber hygienically clean.

If you follow these elementary rules, the harm from the microwave oven will be minimal and the body will cope with it.

Komarovsky destroys myths

Dr. Komarovsky in his television program proves a different reality. The doctor's review was criticized by many of his colleagues, but Evgeny Olegovich insists: the harm from the microwave is a myth, not a reality. See the program for more details:

Someone who only uses a microwave to heat food or water doesn't really know how to use it. Read some unusual ways use a microwave that will not only surprise you, but also allow you to get the most out of this device.

1. Making the perfect poached egg

Pour boiling water into a microwave-safe bowl and add a dash of white vinegar. Crack an egg into a bowl and lightly crack the yolk with a toothpick. Cover the bowl with cling film and place it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl, carefully turn the egg over and send it to the oven again, but for 20 seconds. Your perfect poached egg is ready!

2. Soaking lentils and beans

Do you often forget to soak lentils or beans overnight? In such a situation, a microwave oven can come to the rescue. Soak beans or lentils in a bowl of water. Add some soda to it. Make sure the water completely covers the beans. Microwave the bowl for 10 minutes and then leave for another 40. You will get perfectly soaked lentils or beans.

3. Second life for stale bread

Cover the bread with wet kitchen towel and put it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Repeat the process until you get the desired result.

4. Drying chips

If the potato chips have lost their crunch, sprinkle them on a kitchen towel and microwave for 30 seconds. If necessary, repeat the procedure. The towel will absorb the moisture and the crispiness of the chips will be restored.

5. Strengthening the aroma of nuts and spices

To enhance the flavor of nuts, spices or seeds, you can microwave them for 15 seconds. Repeat this procedure until the aroma fills the kitchen. Your nuts will acquire the perfect taste.

6. Sponge disinfection

Do you throw away dirty kitchen sponges after a couple of uses? Do not do this. Instead, place the sponge in a cup with warm water, and vinegar diluted in it or lemon juice. Put it in the microwave for about a minute. This will clean the sponge and sanitize it.

7. Disinfection of the cutting board

Just like kitchen sponges cutting boards can be disinfected in the microwave. Wash the board well and rub it with a slice of lemon on the working side. Put it in the oven for a minute and it will be completely clean. You can use the same procedure to disinfect children's toys.

8. Test preparation

This option is for those people who bake bread at home. The microwave oven can be used to make the yeast dough rise faster. Boil a cup of water and send it along with the dough to the microwave. Leave it there until the yeast does its thing.

9. Cooking potatoes

Potatoes can be cooked fairly quickly in the microwave. First of all, pierce it on all sides using a fork. Then put in a bowl and cook at high voltage for two minutes. Turn the potatoes over and then microwave for another 2 minutes. Your potatoes should be ready.

10. Cooking fish

Fish can be perfectly cooked in the microwave. Put it in a roasting sleeve and add spices and salt. Send it to the oven. Cooking time can be started from 2 minutes, although this will depend on the power of the device itself and the thickness of the fillets. Check carefully to make sure there are no raw pieces left.

11. Bacon Cooking

Wrap the bacon slices in a kitchen towel and microwave for 2-3 minutes. The towel will absorb the moisture and make the bacon crispy.

12. Steamed vegetables

Like fish and potatoes, vegetables can also be microwaved. Pierce with a fork and put in the oven for 3-4 minutes. The use of a microwave oven minimizes the loss useful substances, and it's faster than traditional way cooking.

13. Renewal of honey

If the honey crystallizes inside the jar, use the microwave to soften it. open jar send to the oven for 30-60 seconds. This will thin the honey and bring it back to a good consistency.

14. Garlic peel

Do you think garlic cloves are hard to peel? If yes, then in the microwave it can be done in 10 seconds. Cover it with a towel beforehand, the moisture will be absorbed, and you can easily clean the teeth.

15. Slicing onions

Do your eyes water every time you peel an onion? Place the onion in the microwave for 30 seconds before slicing it. So he will lose his bitterness. So your eyes will not water, even if onion juice gets into them.

16. Squeezing a lemon

Do you have a habit of squeezing every last drop of lemon before throwing it away? If you put it in the microwave for 1 minute, the lemon will become very juicy. You can easily squeeze it out without leaving a drop.

17. Removal of postage stamps

If you collect stamps, then you probably faced the problem of how to separate them from the envelope without damaging them? To do this, moisten the stamp with a few drops of water and send it to the microwave. So you can easily separate it from the envelope.

18. Warming hair oil and other beauty products

In winter, the oil hardens inside the bottle, and it becomes very difficult to get it out. In this case, place the bottle in the oven for 20 seconds. This will melt the butter and it will be easy to pour it out of the bottle. In a similar way, you can melt the wax for depilation. It's lightweight and fast method bring it to the desired temperature.

19. Warming up the components of the treatment

To get an effective compress from hot water, you are probably using a hot running water. To make the compress more effective, you can soak a towel in water and then microwave it for 1 minute. In the blink of an eye, you will have a hot, soothing compress. The same can be done with gels that are used to remove headache. When the gel pack cools down, you need to send it to the microwave.

20. Checking the safety of dishes

The microwave can be used to check which dishes can be sent to it. Fill the bowl that has already been used for the oven with water. Place the bowl of water in the container to be tested (do not pour water into it) and microwave. If after that the container remains cold, it can be used, if it is warm or hot, it cannot be used.

Many people today prefer the microwave oven, not realizing that it can be dangerous. In media sources, you can hear that the microwave, on which the operation of the device is based, is harmful. First of all, the harm of a microwave oven can be assessed by its impact on health. Are there validated studies on this topic? Of course, only their results are often contradictory and point to diametrically opposed things. Let's try to figure out whether it is possible to heat up food in devices of this type, and whether there are any unpleasant consequences from eating such food.

The question of whether a microwave oven is harmful can be answered in different ways, depending on what position a person takes. The fact is that the same phenomena (the effect of microwaves on the body) have an individual effect on each organism. It is enough for one test subject to heat food in the microwave for a week in order for him to have problems with digestion. The second can eat such food for several years, and the question of harm will not be so acute.

This lack of clear separation raises the age-old question: is it possible to use a microwave? Is the food cooked in it harmful to humans? In fairness, it should be noted that food from the microwave, in itself - not the most healthy eating , and the point here is not the effect of ultrashort waves, but the very principle of cooking. Microwave ovens are mainly used for preparing "fast food", which refers to conditionally non-healthy food (for example, popcorn, hot dogs, quick-defrost products).

If neglected proper nutrition, then you can quickly earn problems with the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis, and it will not be at all about the “harmful effect” of the radiation emanating from the microwave oven.

Unhealthy food cooked in a microwave oven can lead to to weight gain, which can also be attributed to a harmful effect, but the point here is in malnutrition, and not in direct and obviously negative impact microwaves It is rather difficult to draw a line where harm begins from the device and a person’s non-compliance with elementary rules of food hygiene.

Some researchers believe that heating food in the microwave is not at all harmful, but another matter. full cycle cooking food in a microwave oven. Of the recent sensational revelations, many may remember the experiment set by one schoolgirl who for seven days watered the plant with water heated in a microwave oven. The result was impressive: the plant died. However, this proves little, because tens of millions of people cook food in these devices every day and do not have any obvious health problems. That is why the question of whether a microwave oven is harmful to health still remains. open.

The negative impact of the microwave

Since no unified classification of impact has yet been formed, we will try to do it on our own. Evidence from multiple sources (including studies known to have been conducted in hospitals, clinics, home and work environments) different load and the degree of involvement), allow us to draw several preliminary conclusions. So , The dangers of a microwave oven for human health are as follows:

1. Brain. Ambiguous studies by Russian and Swiss doctors have shown that microwave radiation causes irreversible changes in the cerebral cortex. The impulses sent by neurons become shorter and undergo depolarization.
2. Digestive system. A microwave-cooked product is incorrectly identified by the gastrointestinal system ( gastrointestinal tract). Simply put, our body is not able to recognize such food, and does not attribute it to food. Such dissonance leads to improper assimilation of food products and the quickest desire of the body to remove it as soon as possible, without extracting useful and nutrients. In other words, even having a hearty dinner with food from the microwave, you can leave the body hungry, because it simply will not know how to act correctly.
3. Hormonal system. Here everything is no better than with the previous paragraph. Firstly, the frequent use of products exposed to microwaves adversely affects the production of male and female hormones. According to scientists, this is due to the fact that the human body has not yet learned how to properly respond to products that are obtained as a result of microwave processing. By consuming such food, a person, thereby, knocks down the settings of his own body, making it difficult for the digestive organs to work, and in some cases even making it impossible.
4. irreversibility. Alas, but all of the above impacts tend to accumulate like a snowball. Doubly unpleasant is the fact that these consequences are irreversible (simply because a method has not been worked out how to counter them).
5. Difficulty in learning vitamins, minerals and other substances useful to the human body. In this case, the microwave is no less hazardous to health. The heating process in the apparatus changes the properties of vitamins and minerals so that the human body simply cannot absorb them properly. The danger also lies in the fact that, once in the body, such “altered” minerals and vitamins are not only not absorbed, but also not excreted, lingering inside, creating deposits in the vessels and joints.
6. This hypothesis is still from the field of theory, but it also has the right to publicity. The fact is that carcinogens (in particular, free radicals) enter the human body after heat treatment of food in the microwave. In particular, if you heat vegetables, then part of the minerals contained in them will turn into into carcinogens.
7. Risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer. The harm of microwaves also lies in the fact that products cooked in them indirectly and directly can contribute to the development of cancer. To support this hypothesis, the researchers cite a prime example: an outbreak of cancer in America, which occurred just at the time of the spread of microwaves.
8. Another disappointing prognosis from long-term use of the device is a multiply increasing risk of developing blood cancer. According to numerous clinical studies, eating from a microwave oven significantly increases the chance of this deadly disease.
9. Impact on immunity. Bad news for our immunity. It's unfortunate, but it's clinically proven that eating processed foods heat treatment in the microwave, affects the functioning of the lymph nodes and lymph glands. Hence the slowdown of the lymph flow throughout the body, and, as a result, the accelerated aging of the whole organism. In addition, blood clotting is significantly reduced, which leads to slow wound healing.
10. Negative impact for concentration and attention(memory, thinking, images). Surprisingly, food from the microwave even negatively affects our way of thinking, which once again confirms the correctness of the saying “we are what we eat.” Swiss scientists managed to conduct an experiment, as a result of which it turned out: experimental, long time those who ate food from the microwave were much worse intellectually. It was more difficult for them to concentrate on work, they could not concentrate their attention for a long time and showed a general decrease in cognitive activity.

As you can understand from the list above, the debate about whether the use of microwaves is good or bad is still going on and has a lot of supporters on both sides. Perhaps the effect of microwaves on health is detrimental, only the degree of this harm is leveled from strong to insignificant.

Myth or reality

There is still no unequivocal answer to the question of whether food from the microwave is harmful. Why, if there is so much evidence of clear harm to the human body, are these devices still quietly on the shelves of all major retail stores of household appliances? After all, no one in their right mind would sell equipment that causes irreparable damage to human health, and in the most extreme case, kills him.

Most likely, everything is not so bad, the truth will be somewhere in between. Indeed, in addition to obvious shortcomings, microwaves have many pluses. These include their speed, versatility and reliability due to the simplicity of their design. The consumer definitely liked this product, and he is not going to refuse it so easily, despite the numerous warnings of various initiative groups.

Is it safe to heat food in the microwave? Or is its effect on the human body somewhat exaggerated? After all, manufacturers of this type of household appliances have everything necessary types certification, which is very difficult to obtain. By the way, technological innovations that in one way or another negatively affect the health of the consumer do not find their way to the mass market, or, once in stores, just as quickly disappear from the shelves if any complaints are received. So it’s hardly worth talking about some kind of intentional harm due to the collusion of manufacturers, many different organizations deal with these issues.

When wondering whether the harm of microwaves is a myth or a reality, one should remain impartial and be aware that any technological device one way or another, it has an effect on the human body.

Just in one case, such an influence may become apparent in the very near future, and in the second case it will not manifest itself in any way for many years and even decades, after which it will be difficult to say what exactly caused and catalyzed such changes.

Most likely, the harm and benefit of a microwave oven will be about the same, varying from one user to another, because individual characteristics nobody canceled the body. Often, the use of a microwave leads to the so-called "food promiscuity", when a person begins to neglect healthy and wholesome food, rich in all the necessary substances. This is precisely the harm, but it is not caused by the device itself.

Of course, if you eat only food from the microwave, you may encounter certain problems, but the same statement applies to any type of household appliances, moderation should be observed everywhere, this will help maintain health for many years.

Conclusion

It should be remembered that, despite the available data on the harm of microwave ovens for human health, there are facts that refute a number of critical remarks. Research teams are conducting tests to dispel the myth that microwaves are only harmful. This is done primarily in order to avoid mass panic and prioritize without unnecessary emotions. Of course, the device is not without design flaws that make its use controversial. This is not an “absolute good”, however, you should not write it off ahead of time, because microwaves have firmly entered our lives and make it more comfortable and convenient.

There is a heated debate about the benefits and harms of microwave ovens. Some believe that the microwave should not be used at all, others argue that the oven can only serve a couple of years, and then it should go on a well-deserved rest, others cannot live without this necessary equipment. Who is really right? How to properly use a microwave oven and how long can it last?

We extend the service life

Let's start with the fact that if you use the microwave in accordance with all the rules, then it can last 5 years or more without harm to the health of its owners. A serviceable oven does not spark, closes tightly, has no foreign odors, and is fairly quiet. If you notice any problems, immediately unplug the microwave and take it in for repair. Breakdowns can lead to health problems.

Important: in order to prolong the service life, it is necessary to properly care for the microwave oven, use only suitable utensils and cook food following the recommendations of the manufacturers.

Let's start with what not to do if you want the microwave to last for many years:

• turn on an empty oven;
• load less than 50 g of products;
• put metal utensils inside;
• cook food for a long time (there is a risk of fire);
• strongly rub the mica plate, which is located on the side wall inside the microwave;
• use the oven in case of visible damage (glass is broken, the door comes off, etc.);
• boil or heat eggs;
• heat food tightly closed banks and containers.

Understand what can't be done. Now it remains to understand what can and should be done.

Choosing dishes for the microwave

It is advisable to use only special dishes for the microwave oven, which has the following inscriptions:

• microware oven safe
• microware oven;
• suitable for microware.

All of them indicate that this dish is guaranteed to be put in the microwave. If you have dishes or containers that you are not sure are safe, do the following test. Pour water into a glass and put it in the oven. Place an empty test dish nearby, and turn on the appliance at full power. If after a minute the “experimental” object does not heat up, you can safely use it.

Important: try to buy only round dishes, as much dirt usually accumulates in the corners. more heat, which can cause the food to burn.

How to care

First of all, the microwave must be kept clean. To do this, you can use a special plastic cap during cooking and heating food - so the walls will remain intact. Also, every day it is necessary to wipe the oven inside and out with a damp cloth without aggressive substances.

If the microwave oven cabinet is too dirty, it can be cleaned in just a few minutes. To do this, pour water with lemon into a large plate and put it inside. Turn on the oven for 3-6 minutes. Once the fat is soaked, it will be very easy to get rid of it. There are a few more.

How to cook

When cooking, keep in mind that the food inside is heated unevenly, and therefore some parts may remain raw. If these are vegetables or fruits, then there will be no particular harm, but if meat or fish is not baked, then bacteria will remain that can be harmful to health. To prevent this from happening, it is advisable to cut them into small pieces (up to 5 sq. cm).

Important: Please note that soft, porous foods heat up faster than hard ones, so they take less time to cook.

If you want to reheat baby food or formula in the microwave, be sure to stir it after you take it out of the oven: some pieces may be hot while others won't reheat at all. True, most pediatricians still advise not to use a microwave oven for children's products.

Juicy fruits and vegetables with thick skins should be pierced with a fork before cooking. It is also worth doing with sausages, if you do not want them to "explode". But the eggs should not be put inside in any form - even without the shell, otherwise you will have to wash the oven ahead of time. As for the rest of the dishes, it is advisable to stir them several times during heating or cooking in order to evenly distribute the heat.

That's all the "tricks" associated with the operation of the microwave oven. Compliance with all these recommendations will help you extend its life by several years. And remember: you can only use a working microwave!