Here is a Step by Step Guide on How to Use Microwave Oven to Bake Cake
Any modern kitchen will be incomplete without a microwave oven. Most people use their microwave ovens to bake and cook and they have significantly simplified both tasks for us. Since traditional baking methods are somewhat time consuming and people don’t have much of that nowadays, they depend on a microwave oven when they need to bake some goodies.
A microwave oven is also a very helpful kitchen appliance for bachelors and people who living far away from home because they can use it to prepare a simple meal very quickly. The current models of microwave ovens have an auto cook setting which is a good feature for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time learning to bake. Most families who do a lot of light baking opt to use a microwave oven for this instead of an OTG.
Like every other appliance out there, you must first understand the basics of using a microwave oven before you can proceed to start shopping for one that will perfectly fulfill all your needs.
How to Use Microwave Oven for Baking
We know that most people wonder whether a microwave oven can be used to bake, and the answer is yes. However, there are some limits that come with doing so that are going to be discussed at length in this review.
What is a Microwave Oven?
Technically, a microwave is an electromagnetic wavelength while a microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that operates by utilizing the microwave (that is electromagnetic wavelength). However, microwave in common language refers to the short form of a microwave oven. The microwave oven utilizes electromagnetic wavelength for the vibration of water cells found in food which in turn heats the food unlike what occurs in a convectional oven.
What is a Convection Oven?
A convectional oven is basically an electric oven that uses a heating coil on either the top or bottom or both sided (this mainly depends on its size) so as to heat food. Convectional ovens are mainly used for baking. You can learn more about convectional ovens for baking so that you can get more insight into how they operate.
How a Microwave Oven Works
Microwave ovens contain a glass tray that is circular in shape in the heating chamber which rotates as it functions. The radiation of the microwave then goes to the tray or its contents causing the baking or cooking to occur. The rotating tray ensures that the food you’re cooking is done evenly from every side.
Preheating a Microwave Oven
Preheating is a setting that is normally utilized when a microwave oven is being used for baking. This is because baking requires constant temperature to be spread throughout the chamber. So, instead of proceeding to bake in a cold oven, you’ll have to preheat it so that you can reach the required temperature because a cold oven can ruin the final outcome of your baked goods. This is the same as heating up a tawa before you begin making chapati.
The latest models of microwave ovens are designed with automated functions for preheating. All you’re required to do is set the right temperature according to your recipe and it will begin preheating. However, if your microwave oven doesn’t have this feature, you can simply set the temperature needed according to the recipe and start it ahead for at least 2 minutes and then your microwave oven is ready for baking.
Types of Microwave Ovens
There are 3 different kinds of microwave ovens that can be found in the market namely, Grill Microwave Ovens, Solo Microwave Ovens and Convection Microwave Ovens. Below is detailed information on each of the microwave ovens.
In addition, there are several sizes of microwave ovens that can be found in the market ranging from 17L to 32L but as of late, LG has been manufacturing 42 solo microwave ovens.
1. Solo Microwave Ovens
Solo microwave ovens can:
Reheat
This enables you to have precooked meals at all times which is either in your refrigerator or has simply gone cold and you want to heat again. This basically the main function of a solo microwave oven.
Defrost
When food is stored in the freezer for long periods, it becomes covered in ice. Defrosting is the process of removing all the ice from food. This can be done be done either by placing the food under running water, defrosting it in the typical room temperature, applying the defrosting techniques that is suggested by the refrigerator or defrosting by using a microwave oven. The quickest method of defrosting is by using a microwave oven. There are microwave ovens that defrost using the time method or the weight method.
Cook
If you don’t intend to use your appliance to grill or bake, then a solo microwave oven will be the best microwave oven to suit your needs. They can be used to prepare salads especially the ones that have corn and broccoli, make Maggi amongst other things.
2. Grill Microwave Ovens
Grill microwave ovens can do all the things that a solo microwave oven can but it also includes a grilling function. A grill microwave oven comes with a tube which is heated up so that food can be cooked.
3. Convection Microwave Oven
A convection microwave oven is designed with built in fans which help on circulating air within the chamber. The movement of air enables temperature to be spread uniformly within the oven. This is what enables a convection oven to roast, grill, defrost, cook and reheat. Not to forget that a convection oven can also be used for baking.
Microwave Ovens vs. OTG
You need to know the purpose before settling for a specific appliance. Once you know how you’re going to be using it, the decision-making process become easier. If you don’t intend to use your oven for baking, then forget about an OTG. On the other hand, if the main purpose for buying an oven is baking, there’s no better choice than a convection oven. If you’re operating on a tight budget, then a convection oven specifically an OTG will be cheaper compared to a microwave oven in terms of baking.
The other thing to consider is its usability. If you want an appliance that affords you the multipurpose utility that is found in a microwave oven such as an auto cook and reheating menu, then don’t pick a convection oven. Thing carefully about how you’re going to be using the oven and go for what suits you perfectly. Don’t forget about size because if you don’t want to have to cook the same meal twice if you have a larger family.
Which Are the Best Microwave Oven Brands
There are numerous brands of microwave ovens found in the market today that perform reasonably well. However, IFB hugely dominates followed by Morphy Richards, LG, Samsung, Godrej, Bajaj, Whirlpool and Panasonic and many more.
Is a Microwave Oven Safe Healthwise?
There have been several discussions concerning this topic and there are people who claim that a microwave oven is harmful while there are others who say that it’s not. You may have come across videos going around social media where heated water using a microwave oven spoils the saplings.
This basically means that the science behind the microwave is and electromagnetic wavelength which is shorter than that of a radio wave but longer than that of infrared radiation. Neither the radio nor the infrared is known to be harmful to human beings meaning anything in between them can be harmful to us.
A microwave oven utilizes the microwave so as it can vibrate the water molecules present in food. The vibration in turn produces heat which in turn cooks your food. In our opinion, if microwave ovens are used accordingly, they are completely safe. Avoid using plastic made from low-grade materials when cooking because the fumes produced will contaminate the food. Use ceramic or glass instead because they happen to be safe options.
Advantages of Using Microwave Ovens for Baking
In terms of saving electricity, microwave ovens are very efficient kitchen appliances, they consume less energy by almost 75% while performing the same tasks as a convectional oven. Advanced microwave ovens are designed with humidity sensors which will automatically adjust the required time for cooking which in turn saves energy.
The feature found on microwave ovens include auto cook menus, multistage cooking, child lock as well as defrosting. Convection ovens don’t have an advantage when it comes to the price points, mobility and weight.
Disadvantages of Using Microwave Ovens for Baking
The only microwave oven that can be used for baking is a convectional microwave. Neither a microwave grill nor a microwave solo can be used to bake.
The glass tray that rotates in the inside chamber limits what size of baking tin or baking tray that one can use inside their microwave oven.
The other disadvantage found when using a microwave oven to bake is that it is limited to single leveled baking. A microwave oven can only be used to bake at the base while in an OTG one can bake using multiple levels.
Which Microwave Oven Should You Buy?
The main purpose of this article is to help people make the right decision when shopping for a microwave oven.
We hope by now you can purchase the best microwave oven for kitchen without difficulty. Considering all the pointers we’ve given you as well as the detailed information on the different types of microwave ovens available in the market, select the one that will suit your needs perfectly.
