March 5, 2002
I have a question about microwave cooking. Are most of your recipes for those microwaves with rotating platforms or the standard one position? Also my microwave only works on full power. How do I adjust the time for recipes that says half or 1/4 or 1/3, etc.?
Thank you,
Duane
Hi Duane,
I can easily answer the first part of your question. Rotating platforms assist in cooking food more evenly in the microwave. That is why, when you do not have a rotating platform, recipes suggest you turn the plate ¼ or ½ turn in the middle of the cooking process.
The second part of your question is more difficult to answer. I don’t know of a way you can simulate 30% or 50% power in a microwave. What happens when you cook something, and set it on 50% power, is that the oven knows to only generate the microwaves 50% of the cooking time. If you cook something for one minute at 100% power, than the microwaves are generated for the entire minute. If you cook something for one minute at 50% power, the cooking time is the same, but the microwave is actually only generating power for half of the one minute. Lower power levels slow down the cooking process.
You have two choices: Only cook recipes that call for 100% power, or purchase a microwave that has at least three power settings. My mother wrote an article on what to look for when purchasing a microwave, located at How to Buy A Microwave. The good news is that you can find such a microwave for less than $100 with FREE shipping. I list available microwaves at the ABT Electronics page.
March 11, 2002
Thanks for the reply. It did help. Take care.
Duane