More than 90% of French households have a microwave oven. It is simply impossible to imagine our home without this device. After all, it’s great for reheating leftovers from the night before or for defrosting frozen foods. But not all foods are microwave safe. Some foods even become unhealthy and others explode because of electromagnetic waves. In this article, you will find out which foods are better to prepare the other way.
7 foods that should not be reheated in the microwave
1. Water
Heating water in the microwave seems to be the easiest and fastest method. However, a large number of annual burn accidents are caused by burns from microwave heated water. This is because water tends to overheat in the microwave in a very short time and therefore often begins to boil. It is also possible that the glass will break, which is why you should use a kettle instead.
2. Carrots
Carrots that have been washed and peeled are no problem in the microwave. But carrots that are heated with their skins on can present a real danger as they can contain metallic dirt residue from the ground, which could cause sparks, or even electric arcing, in the microwave.
3. Tomato sauce
There is a lot of liquid in the tomato sauce. The more water a food contains, the faster it heats up in the microwave. The water molecules in the sauce then exert pressure so that bubbles form which eventually burst and leave spattering that is difficult to clean in the microwave.
4. Hard-boiled eggs
There is a real danger of explosion with hard-boiled eggs. Because there too, the electromagnetic waves of the microwave ensure the movement of the water molecules contained in the eggs. This results in a strong pressure that the egg cannot take any longer and it ends up exploding.
5. Processed meat
Salt, preservatives, chemicals: everyone knows that processed meat is not the healthiest food. But it all becomes even more unhealthy if you heat sausages and the like in the microwave. This is because, compared to other types of preparation, microwaves increase the cholesterol level in the meat and then in the body, which can lead to serious heart problems. You can heat your meat more gently on the grill or in the pan.
6. Raw chicken
Chicken is often associated with salmonella, especially if the meat is not well cooked. It is not possible to cook the chicken evenly in the microwave. It can be cooked outside while it is still cold inside. The bacteria can then spread in no time. It is therefore preferable to cook your chicken in a pan, on the grill or in the oven.
7. Peppers
Hot peppers contain a lot of capsaicin, which is very flammable. In addition, due to their high water content, peppers heat up in the microwave in a very short time and begin to smoke. This smoke can cause skin irritation.
The microwave is both practical and time-saving. However, for the foods listed above, you must use a different preparation method for your health and safety.
Cover images: © flickr / Palila © flickr / Joe Loong