Frequently asked questions about microwaves
Yes, microwaves are safe. Essentially, microwaves don’t make foods radioactive. They just heat them! It has never been proven that microwaves cause any harm through the foods we cook with them and therefore you shouldn’t worry every time you want to heat up that pot of soup or those leftover baked beans, as long as you follow the instructions of use that came with your microwave
Microwaves are non-ionising radiation, so they do not have the same risks as x-rays or other types of ionising radiation.
American military engineer Percy Spencer, working in his lab testing magnetrons at defence contractor Raytheon, noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. Spencer realized that food could perhaps be cooked using radar waves and designed a box that isolated the electromagnetic waves and heated the food that was put in there. The American appliance company Tappan Group, later acquired by Electrolux in 1979, licensed the patent from Raytheon and introduced the first microwave for the home in 1955.
Yes, microwaves kill bacteria by heating water molecules in them, causing proteins and DNA to denature and cells to rupture. However, for effective sterilisation of food or other items, the entire mass must reach a sufficient temperature for a long enough period, which can be potentially challenging due to uneven heating. To ensure bacteria are killed, you should stir or rotate food, ensure it reaches 74°C, and use a food thermometer.
A combi microwave is a microwave, with a standard turntable, with additional cooking functions, and the ability to combine both heat and microwave function to reduce cooking time.