How does a microwave cook?
Essentially microwaves steam foods. The waves pass through china, glass and paper without affecting them; they work by causing the water molecules in food to vibrate and produce heat. Do microwaves cook food from the inside out? No. The waves cook the outside first, and then heat is conducted to the interior. The interior can get much hotter than the outside layer if there is a lot of water in the middle. It pays to be cautious when taking a first bite of microwaved food. Why do gold-rimmed plates cause a spark? Microwaves are an electromagnetic field, which is why you shouldn’t cook in metal containers. Very thin metals such as the wire in a twist-tie, a gold rim or a bit of foil can’t absorb the current and are especially likely to heat up and spark. Some metals, like the rim of a frozen juice can, won’t spark. Some metals are okay in combination microwave/convection ovens. How can you tell if a dish is microwave-safe? Put the empty dish in the microwave along with a cup of water in
