In a microwave oven, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “microwaves are produced inside the oven by an electron tube called a magnetron. The microwaves are reflected within the metal interior of the oven where they are absorbed by food. Microwaves cause water molecules in food to vibrate, producing heat that cooks the food. The microwave energy is changed to heat as it is absorbed by food, and does not make food ‘radioactive’ or ‘contaminated.’” So, in that regard, you can safely cook in a microwave. But there are other concerns regarding the safety of microwave cooking.

Dense foods, like chicken breasts, shouldn’t be cooked in a microwave oven because the microwaves don’t penetrate to the center of the meat, leaving it undercooked and inedible. The FDA says that microwave ovens kill germs and bacteria the way a conventional oven would, so it’s safe to cook less dense cuts of meat like bacon or slices of lunch meat.

The FDA also says that it’s all right to use plastic for cooking in a microwave oven. Many frozen entrees already come in microwavable plastic containers. You should use caution when using plastic containers to reheat or cook foods in a microwave because some plastics will melt from the heat generated by the food as it cooks. Make sure that any new plastic containers that you buy specifically state that they are microwave safe. If they don’t, err on the side of caution and don’t use them for microwave cooking.

If you’re worried about radiation, the FDA has standards in place to protect you, such as a requirement that manufacturers include two independent interlock systems that cease to produce microwaves the moment the latch is released and the microwave door is opened. Although the FDA’s standards also protect against the amount of microwaves that can escape an oven, you would be wise to stand, at least, 20 inches away from a microwave oven while it’s in use. Not much is known about the effects of low levels of microwave radiation on humans.

Some people only use microwave ovens to reheat leftovers or pop a bag of popcorn. Others will cook meat, vegetables, pasta or rice without giving it a second thought. According to the FDA, as long as you follow the safety precautions outlined in the owner’s manual of your microwave, you can safely and efficiently cook almost anything you want.

Incoming search terms:

• microwave oven water molecules in vibrations
• Safely cook food in a microwave
• food in microwave
• how does a magnetron produce microwaves in a microwave oven
• images of water molecule in microwave in food
• microwave oven safety features
• microwaves are produced
• molecules in microwave ovens
• the microwaves cause water particles in the food to vibrate