HOW TO USE

 HOW TO USE MICROWAVE

A microwave can be a great way to warm up leftovers and cook food quickly. However, you may not be sure how to use a microwave properly and safely, or may want a refresher on what you can warm up and cook in this appliance. Make sure you set up the microwave so it is safe and easy to use.

Setting up the microwave

1. Place the microwave on a flat, dry surface.

 A clean counter in your kitchen or a solid, wooden table would be good for the microwave. Do not put the microwave near a gas or electric range, such as your stove.

• Make sure the microwave’s air vents on one side are not being blocked

2. Check that the roller ring and glass tray are secure in the microwave. 

Most microwaves will come with a plastic roller ring and a round glass tray. The roller ring and the glass tray should fit inside the microwave.

3. Plug the microwave into a grounded wall outlet. 

Make sure the outlet is rated for 20 A. This will ensure it is safe to use to power the microwave.

4. Look at the features on the microwave. 

Check for numbers on the front of the microwave from 1-9. You can use these numbers to enter in your desired cooking or heating time. There should also be a Start button on the front that you can use to start the microwave.

Warming up food

1. Reheat leftovers that are 1 to 4 days old.  Leftovers that are 5 days or older should not be reheated or eaten, as they likely have gone bad or contain too much bacteria to be eaten safely.

2. Arrange food in a ring on a ceramic plate or in a glass bowl. 

Piling the food in the middle of a plate or bowl will cause the food on the edge of the plate to heat up faster than the food towards the center of the plate. Avoid this by pushing the food into a ring on the edge of the plate or bowl. This will allow the food to heat up evenly.

• Always warm up food in the microwave in ceramic or glass containers. Plastic containers can melt and contaminate your food. Metal containers can spark in the microwave and are a fire hazard.

3. Warm the food a little at a time. 

It can be tricky to know how long to warm up cooked food in the microwave. Start by heating the food for one minute. Then, take it out of the microwave and check it to see if it is warm enough for you. Stir the food, look for steam coming from the food, and taste it to see if it is warm enough.

• If the food is not warm enough for you, put it in for another 30 seconds to one minute. Continue heating the food up in intervals of 30 seconds to one minute until it is warm enough.
• Heating up the food a little at a time will ensure you do not overheat the food or ruin its flavor.

4. Clean the microwave once a week. 

Use a damp cloth to wipe down the inside of the microwave well. Remove bits of food in the microwave by using a natural cleaner like baking soda and water. You can also combine water and mild dish soap to clean the microwave.^[11]

• Get in the habit of cleaning the microwave once a week so it stays clean and works well.