Microwaves are a must and essential part of every modern kitchen. This device makes life much easier, allows you to quickly reheat food and even cook some dishes. All users know the general rules of operation, for example, that you cannot put gilded dishes in the microwave, but in fact, this is far from all that you should know about this miracle oven. The device turned out to be multifunctional. There are several interesting facts regarding the history of the creation and methods of using the microwave, which will be of interest to absolutely everyone.
The accidental invention of microwave ovens
The fact that the idea of making a microwave oven appeared completely unplanned, one might say spontaneously, is not even disputed. But there are two options for what influenced the creation of the device. The author of the idea is Percy Spencer, an American engineer, Raytheon, a radar specialist.
Microwave oven creator Percy Spencer.
It is interesting! According to one of the versions, while he was in the immediate vicinity of the magnetron, the chocolate bar in his pocket melted. The assumption is controversial, unlikely, since a bar from a magnetron is not able to change its state without a negative effect of the device on the person himself.
The second version is much more plausible. It consists in the following: Spencer conducted targeted tests of the magnetron in the field of heating ready-made meals. Whatever it was, but it was this person who researched what microwaves are capable of, after which he patented the final product - a microwave.
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The huge dimensions of the first microwave oven
The very first microwave oven was as tall as a person, namely up to 170 centimeters. Her weight was over three hundred kilograms. This model of the Radarange brand appeared in 1947. Given such parameters, the idea that the device will be used at home did not even occur to anyone.
First microwave oven.
Expensive first model
Indeed, this invention at the dawn of its existence was worth five thousand dollars.
The first copies cost fabulous money.
According to experts, in the middle of the last century, the dollar was more expensive than today, approximately nine times. A more compact version, specially designed for use in homes and apartments, was released in the early sixties. The price of this model is much less - five hundred dollars.
Microwaves were also produced in the Soviet Union
Unfortunately, the production of equipment was not put on stream and did not become mass production.
Microwave production in the USSR.
And the cost of models from the USSR was not inferior to Western ones. The price of such a device was 350 rubles and was inconceivably high for the majority of the population. In the early years of the 80s, several factories began to produce microwave ovens simultaneously. Among them is the famous ZIL. According to some historical data, for the first time about the production of household microwave ovens in the Soviet Union they started talking in 1978.
Microwaves are completely safe for humans
Microwaves have only one effect on food - heating. They are only radiation (electromagnetic) of very high frequency.
Microwave ovens are absolutely safe.
Dipole molecules under its influence begin to rotate at an accelerated rate, attracting other molecules to the process. Thus, their temperature rises and heating occurs.
Smart microwave ovens can cook food on the machine
Most modern, mainly inverter, models have several cooking programs.
Smart microwave ovens.
The user enters the name of the product and its weight, and the device automatically calculates the time it takes to defrost or cook it. There are also models with sophisticated algorithms. The microwave oven determines the operating mode - microwaves with convection, grill, steam, and so on.
Inverter microwaves are better than non-inverter microwaves
Often sellers and marketers attribute the value of an inverter device to the fact that food is healthier and healthier.
Inverter microwave oven.
In fact, this is not the case. Its advantage is that the inverter converts DC to AC and in reverse order, controls the power during cooking. At first, its indicators are maximum, and then they gradually decrease to a minimum. Consequently, the food is heated evenly and there is no overdrying effect. A plus is a large furnace chamber. Moreover, its weight is much less, which is due to the absence of a transformer. These parameters are important if the microwave will be used not only for defrosting and heating food, but also for cooking. It should be noted that the defrosting process is also more productive and even.
Espresso can be prepared in the microwave
To prepare espresso in a microwave oven, you need a special geyser coffee maker.
Geyser coffee maker.
There are several models, including the miniature German Piamo and the Italian Mamy. They work on the same principle as the standard geyser options. The difference lies in the materials used to make the device - they are suitable for use in a microwave oven.
Disinfection of dishwashing sponges in the microwave
No matter how thoroughly the sponges are washed, they are a breeding ground for bacteria, in particular pathogens.
Treatment of dishwashing sponges.
When the sponge is placed in an ordinary microwave and the power is turned on at least 700-800 W, the process of protein denaturation occurs, due to which the death of microorganisms occurs. Exactly the same process is observed when heat treatment of certain food products is carried out.
Microwave as an oven alternative
Any modern appliance with or without a grill and convection can be thought of as a small oven.
Microwave as a replacement for the oven.
Convection can be used with or without microwaves, but together with heating elements. There are models, the design of which is very similar to the device of the oven - the door in them opens in the same way.
Microwave instead of a double boiler
You don't have to buy a full-fledged steamer if you have a microwave in your home.
Microwave oven as an alternative to a double boiler.
There are special plastic steamer containers for the microwave oven on sale and are cheaper than a stand-alone design. There are also such microwave ovens, for example, the Whirlpool brand, where a double boiler is included.
The microwave can be used as a water bath
For those who love to cook exquisite, unusual desserts according to special recipes, a water bath is a common thing. A microwave oven can replace it.
Dessert in the microwave in 5 minutes.
The process is much faster, and less utensils are required. On the Internet, on various culinary sites and forums, you can see recipes for muffins and muffins baked right in cups in the microwave.
Cooking poached eggs in the microwave
Everyone knows that eggs in their original form (in shell) should never be cooked in this device.
Real jam.
Percy Spencer identified this moment at the stage of his research. But without the shell, in water, in poached pots (special forms), they are perfect. Some people manage to do this in a simple bowl or bowl where there is water. You only need to cook one egg at a time.
In the microwave, stale bread turns into fresh
A loaf of bread is sprinkled with plain water and placed in a miracle oven for one minute at medium power. You can also resurrect a frozen loaf of toast in the same way.
The freshest bread.
You can make a cloud of soap for babies in a microwave oven in seconds
The bottom of the oven should be covered with paper that is used for baking. Soap is put there (the most common) and the microwave is turned on at full power. Heating time is less than a minute. The soap will become a beautiful cloud. It can be cut into pieces, dyed, bathed or shaped into small pieces. You can even make snow from it.
Bright soapy cloud.