Microwaves are everywhere these days, right? But have you ever stopped to wonder if there’s a downside to using them? The main risks of microwaves come from uneven heating, which can leave parts of your food undercooked and unsafe, and the chance of burns or exposure to radiation if you use a damaged or faulty…
Ever wondered if it’s actually safe to leave your oven running overnight? Maybe you’re slow cooking, or braising something that needs hours. Ovens are built for long jobs, so that’s reassuring. It’s generally safe to leave an oven on overnight if you use it properly and keep the temperature low. Still, you’ve got to make…
Ever catch yourself hovering near the microwave and wonder if that’s actually safe? Maybe you’ve heard folks say microwave radiation could leak out and hurt you. Honestly, as long as your microwave isn’t damaged and is working the way it should, standing in front of it is safe. You’re not getting zapped by dangerous radiation….
Ever wondered if using a microwave oven is actually good or bad for your health? Well, microwave ovens are safe to use and won’t harm your body as long as you use them properly. They rely on non-ionizing radiation, which isn’t the scary kind—unlike the ionizing radiation that some folks worry about. When it comes…
When you’re hungry and need to heat up food, you might find yourself wondering—what’s the real difference between a microwave and an oven? Sure, both get your food hot, but they go about it in totally different ways. A microwave blasts electromagnetic waves into your food, heating it from the inside out. An oven, on…
Using a microwave instead of an oven really depends on what you’re making. You can use a microwave for some baking or quick reheating, but it just can’t stand in for an oven when it comes to most baking, roasting, or grilling. Microwaves heat food fast with radio waves. Ovens use hot air, which cooks…
You might think the microwave can handle just about anything, but that’s not really true. Some things can actually be dangerous or ruin your food if you heat them up this way. The three things you should never put in the microwave are metal objects, certain plastics, and paper bags. Metal—like aluminum foil or stainless…
If you’re wondering how long it’s safe to use your microwave oven, well, it depends a lot on how you take care of it and what kind of shape it’s in. Most microwaves are built to last anywhere from 3 to 10 years, though some keep chugging along longer if you treat them right. Using…
When you heat tomato sauce in the microwave, you might notice it suddenly popping and splattering. That’s because steam builds up inside the thick sauce, and when the pressure from the steam bursts through its dense surface, the sauce explodes. Tomato sauce is thick and holds a lot of water. As the microwave heats it…
So, you’re staring at your kitchen and thinking, “Can I just put my microwave right on top of my oven?” Honestly, you can—as long as you leave enough space for ventilation and make sure the oven’s heat doesn’t mess with the microwave’s performance. Don’t block the microwave’s vents. It needs airflow to work right. Also,…