One of my favourite things I have learned during my time with Tupperware is the vast range of things you can do with a microwave! I had no idea it could be used for more than reheating cold coffee, defrosting frozen stuff and warming up leftovers. Lo and behold, you can cook actual meals in your microwave! For me, this was a huge game changer...almost anything you can do on your stovetop or in your oven, you can do in your microwave for a fraction of the energy cost and time. Go figure!
So in the interest of sharing some of this awesome knowledge with my readers, fans and customers, I've decided to run a series with my best tips and tricks on microwaving. Posts will be on Mondays and I'm going to aim for a few tips and a recipe or two to help you get the most out of your microwave whether you're using Tupperware products or not. I think it's a great tool, we all spend a significant chunk of money investing in them and really...let's take advantage of this powerful kitchen investment to save time, money and energy costs!
Here's a quick link to a quick piece on how microwave ovens work. (HINT: it has to do with the water molecules in your food flipping around and creating heat!) I like that's it's scientific but basic enough that the average person can pick up the details!
The Foundation: Wattage Basics
Increasingly in North American the average wattage of a microwave is 1000-1200 Watts. It is important to understand your microwave wattage and what that means for cooking and preparing foods in your microwave. Here's a quick look at how those wattages translate into temperatures when using high power (Power Level = 10):
So the idea here is that more power is not necessarily better. 1200 watts is great to 'zap' your coffee in the morning, but not so great for cooking rice (boiled over, dry & crunchy) or, goodness forbid, meats (rubbery & dry), in your microwave oven. Use some common sense: if you wouldn't cook it at 625 degF in your conventional oven, don't cook it on high power in your microwave oven either.
To find your microwave’s wattage, look on the inside of the door, on the back, or in ‘an under the hood fan’ model, underneath. The word you need to look for is ‘Output’ or ‘Watts’
For each 100 watts your microwave is over 800 W, decrease either the cooking TIME or POWER LEVEL by 10%. ( i.e. If you have a 1000 watt microwave, that is 200 watts over 800. Therefore, adjust your POWER to Level 7 or 8 to create a 350 degF cooking temperature.
Remember: Every microwave oven is a little bit different. Your 1200 W oven will not heat/cook exactly the same as my 1200 W oven. You'll need to play with your microwave and your recipes to get the precise timing and power levels down. Once you do this though, it's as simple as "set it and forget it"...start the oven, wait for the 'ding' and your meal is ready!
- 800 watts = ~350 degF
- 1000 watts = ~500 degF
- 1100 watts = ~575 degF (equivalent of Self Clean)
- 1200 watts = ~625 degF (blow torch hot!!)
So the idea here is that more power is not necessarily better. 1200 watts is great to 'zap' your coffee in the morning, but not so great for cooking rice (boiled over, dry & crunchy) or, goodness forbid, meats (rubbery & dry), in your microwave oven. Use some common sense: if you wouldn't cook it at 625 degF in your conventional oven, don't cook it on high power in your microwave oven either.
To find your microwave’s wattage, look on the inside of the door, on the back, or in ‘an under the hood fan’ model, underneath. The word you need to look for is ‘Output’ or ‘Watts’
For each 100 watts your microwave is over 800 W, decrease either the cooking TIME or POWER LEVEL by 10%. ( i.e. If you have a 1000 watt microwave, that is 200 watts over 800. Therefore, adjust your POWER to Level 7 or 8 to create a 350 degF cooking temperature.
Remember: Every microwave oven is a little bit different. Your 1200 W oven will not heat/cook exactly the same as my 1200 W oven. You'll need to play with your microwave and your recipes to get the precise timing and power levels down. Once you do this though, it's as simple as "set it and forget it"...start the oven, wait for the 'ding' and your meal is ready!
Did you learn something new? Share in the comments!
Recipe: Angel Food Cake in 4 Minutes
Here's a fun recipe to demonstrate the cooking times required in a 1200W microwave oven. Cake in 4 Minutes!!
Here's a link to the visuals so you can follow along and then use the recipe below for reference!
Angel Food Cake Recipe
Here's a link to the visuals so you can follow along and then use the recipe below for reference!
Angel Food Cake Recipe
- Mix 1 ¼ C of Angel Food Cake mix with 2/3 C water in Mix ‘n Pour Plus Pitcher (or other mixing bowl.)
- Pour into 3L TupperWave Casserole with Cone (or other microwaveable bundt-style pan)
- Let stand 3 minutes.
- Microwave on high for 3min 45sec (1200W)
This is where you may want to play with the timing! Your microwave may take more or less time.
Do not overcook, should be sticky on top - Invert on Snack Cup until cool. (or Measuring Cup, etc. You want to raise it up so the steam lets out the bottom.)
NOTE: Do not skip this step or the cake will fall and be all smushy. Still tastes good though if the kids can't wait...don't ask how I know this :-P - Serve with homemade whipped cream and fresh berry puree (Quick Chef Pro System comes in handy here!)
Did you try the recipe? How did it go? Share in the comments!
