The Microwave Oven

This is a picture of the first microwave oven. Its creation was a result of the research of Dr. Percy Spencer, an Engineer with the Raytheon Corporation in 1946. The invention of the microwave is actually an interesting story. You can read about it here.

Microwave Safety Tips

1. Don't put metal objects or containers into a microwave oven. It can cause dangerous sparks. This includes aluminum foil, forks, knives, spoons, pans, plates, or bowls or that have any kind of metal-like trim on them.

2. You must have food or liquid in your microwave before you press start or cook. NEVER run your microwave oven when it is empty. There has to be something inside for the microwaves to be directed to or the magnetron tube can be damaged.

3. Don't place whole eggs in your microwave. They can explode and damage your microwave. If you choose to do this, at least know the risk and refer to your owner's manual to see if it voids the manufacturer's warranty. You can find instructions to microwaving whole eggs here.

4. Don't put baby bottles with caps on them in a microwave. Pressure builds inside and they will explode. They can completely destroy your microwave oven. The same goes for any tightly closed container. There needs to be some kind of ventilation or escape.

5. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER put a pet or a baby or any living creature in a microwave!!!!

Always wipe out your microwave after use and keep it clean.

Check out this little cleaning instructional video

How to Lemon Clean Microwave

Not many people use their microwaves for cooking. They use them mostly just for heating food and corn popping.

Here are some suggestions for cooking that maybe you already know but forget to do.

Baking Potatoes (sweet potatoes come out well too)

Cooking ears of corn (unshucked). The shucks and silks are easy to remove after the corn is cooked.

Cooking raw vegetables (best done in a glass dish with lid)

This is a great microwave cooking website. Good Nuke

I found this recipe at Better Recipes

Microwave Fudge

Ingredients 

* 3/4 cup butter or margarine
* 3 cups of sugar
* 1 (5 oz.) can evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
* 1 (11 oz.) package of flavored chips (chocolate, peanut butter, white chocolate)
* 1 (7 oz.) jar of marshmallow creme
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Method

1. Melt butter/margarine in 4-quart microwaveable bowl on high for 1 minute. 2. Add sugar and milk. Mix well. 3. Microwave for five minutes or until mixture starts to boil, stirring after three minutes, scraping down the sides. 4. Microwave an additional 5-1/2 minutes on high, stirring after three minutes. 5. Add chips, stir until melted. 6. Add marshmallow creme and vanilla. 7. Stir in nuts, if desired. 8. Pour into greased 13X9 inch pan. 9. Cool, then cut into squares.