MICROWAVE OVEN What are the types of dishes that can be cooked in microwave? Rice items – pulao, biryani (all types) Mutton – curry, fry, masala, kheema Chicken – tikka, stew curry, fry, tandoori Fish & other sea food – curry, steak, tandoori. All types of vegetables and dals. Sweets – halwa, burfi, kheer, payasam. Snacks – patties, omelets, uppma, poha, pizza & rolls. Continental – lamb stew, mushroom soup, pudding custard etc. Cakes. What is the time taken to cook on a microwave?   Microwave cooking is much faster than conventional cooking. For 4 servings i.e. (250-300 gms) see the table below. Type Time taken to cook Rice 15 - 20 mts. Vegetables 7 - 15 mts. Dal Items 25 - 35 mts. Continental 3 - 25 mts. ( depending on the dish ) Sweets 15 - 30 mts. Chicken / Mutton dishes 15 - 35 mts. Fish Items 7 - 15 mts. What type of dishes can be used in a Microwave oven? One can use Ceramic, Chinaware, Porcelain, Borosilicate, Glass, Thermoplastic wares and Aluminum foils. These dishes should not have any metal trimmings or decoration. The above consumptions are at maximum Microwave power levels, the electricity consumption decreases correspondingly with lower power levels. Like any other appliance, it is necessary to safeguard your appliances against wide voltage fluctuations. Use stabilizer of 1.5 KV and above. In case of Microwaves this will also ensure perfect cooking time. If one has a gas stove at home, why should he/she go for a microwave oven? Microwave cooking is much faster than conventional cooking. On an average it’s 2 to 3 times faster. Microwave cooking enhances the flavour of food because it cooks quickly with little or no water and thus preserves the natural colour of vegetables and fruits as well as the nutrients. Unlike cooking on a gas stove, food does not burn or spill over. There is no smoke and unpleasant odour, thus keeping the kitchen clean and tidy. How is microwave reheating different? Left over food can be reheated quickly without losing its original flavour or taste, thus maintaining its freshness. Food that was cold and tasteless can also be made hot and tasty in minutes. What is not possible in a microwave oven? It’s not possible to make chapattis or tandoori rotis in a microwave oven. A microwave oven cannot be used to make soft or boiled eggs. Deep frying necessary for making puris, vadas, pakodas and jalebis is also not possible. Myth Buster Chart Myth Reality Microwave is good only for reheating. Apart from cooking all types of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items a microwave oven is also extremely useful for defrosting, boiling, baking, reheating etc. Food does not taste as delicious as compared to food cooked conventionally On the contrary, food is cooked in its own juices and as a result it is full of natural aroma, colour and texture. Indian food cannot be cooked in a microwave. Microwave can be used to try out various regular to intricate Indian recipes starting from sambhar, idilis, rice, biryani, kheer, burfi, kababs etc. Microwave ovens emits radiation which is harmful to health / causes cancer. Microwave ovens are non-ionising appliances, they do not change the physical and chemical properties of food, and they only heat the same. Microwaves when exposed to the food get completely absorbed, this helps in heating / cooking the food. The heat is generated by causing friction between the microwaves and the food molecules. The microwaves get completely converted into heat and there is nothing left behind in the food. Microwaves are just another form of energy and are totally safe. The running cost of a Microwave oven is expensive If microwave ovens were used on a daily basis, the monthly cost would be more or less equal to the usage of cooking gas. On the other hand, if microwave oven is used regularly cooking gas consumption becomes less. Besides microwave cooking requires very little oil and spices compared to conventional cooking. Microwave ovens is not safe It is the safest of all cooking appliances as there is no risk of fire and shock. The in built door lock switch ensures that the oven switches OFF automatically in case the door is opened accidentally during operation. Microwave ovens are very complicated to use. A microwave oven is very easy to operate with some practice. It is so simple that even children and elderly can easily use it.   OTHER FAQs Dryer   |   Washing Machine    |   Dish Washer Top