Microwave Tools

Microwave Tools and Accessories

Microwave cooking may not be the most historically traditional way to throw together a meal - indeed, microwave ovens have been perceived as helpful tools for reheating leftovers that have been stored in the fridge or warming water for tea and hot chocolate. Microwaves aren't usually the tool of choice when cooking individual ingredients for a delicious dinner. Times are changing however, and more and more recipes use the microwave for other methods and techniques of cooking, like frying bacon and cooking rice and pasta. It only makes sense to add a few kitchen gadgets to your arsenal that help you cook food in the microwave rather than in a conventional oven. When it's time to eat, the microwave can do more than just reheat! We're here to tell you all the essentials you need to know about microwave ovens and how to cook with them.

Here's the Science About This Appliance

Using a microwave is easy enough, but understanding how it works can make your mind swirl - it's time to clear the confusion. Simply put, microwave cooking is accomplished by a device within microwave ovens called a magnetron. The magnetron generates electromagnetic waves (microwaves!) that bounce off the metal inside the microwave oven before hitting the sugar, fat, and water molecules inside your food to be absorbed. Once your food starts absorbing these waves, the water, fat, and sugar molecules begin to vibrate, creating friction between them which therefore produces heat, cooking your food items (or at least warming them). The various power levels of the microwave simply control the amount of time that the magnetron is active, with low power levels translating to a shorter span of magnetron activity, while microwaving on high power means that the magnetron is on longer, reducing required microwaving time.

Experts Conclude That It's Good for your Food!

Did you know that microwaving foods like fresh vegetables, sweet potatoes, baked potatoes (also known as jacket potatoes) and fish can actually help with nutrient retention? Compared to other cooking methods like oven cooking, steaming or sauteing, microwave cooking can keep your nutrient dense foods full of the vitamins they'd otherwise lose. This is possible because less water (and usually no oil or butter!) is needed to cook food in a microwave, than through other cooking techniques. The nutritional value in your produce often comes from the water contained within fruits and vegetables. Cooking these foods in a frying pan or conventional oven often releases much of the water, along with all of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, food cooked in the microwave can retain even delicate nutrients like Vitamin C, that are notorious for breaking down under heat. Microwaving also helps preserve nutrients by reducing necessary cooking time, giving less opportunity for them to escape. Microwave recipes are the way to go!

How do you Clean a Microwave Machine?

Microwave cooking provides a number of benefits - not only do microwave recipes save time and energy, they also help food maintain nutritional value as we have seen. However, there are disadvantages of cooking with a microwave too. One of the biggest downsides to using a microwave for cooking things is the cleaning required. Microwave cooking can lead to splatters, spills, and splashes of ingredients, all over the inside of the microwave. As the molecules in the food heat and pick up speed, sometimes they can't contain their excitement - they'll jump and leap all over the appliance, creating a monster mess inside that no one looks forward to cleaning! Luckily, getting a microwave clean is simpler than you think it is. The easiest way to keep a microwave oven clean is to take care of spills and stains that occur with each use so that they don't become dried onto the interior of the appliance. Using a soft, damp cloth or a wet paper towel often can take care of typical pops and splatters that happen after cooking eggs, melting some cheese on your soup, or making a mug cake for dessert. For tougher stains, a quick concoction of baking soda (6 tablespoons), lemon juice (1/2 cup) and water (1 cup), microwaved until boiling will soften foreign matter on the inside of your microwave, making it easier to clean and service. Cleaning your microwave isn't as complicated as you might think!

Let's Take a Closer Look at Some Things That Will Help You Cook

Ready to learn about some fun microwave oven gadgets? We have so much to share!

Cooking meat in a microwave is often considered a no-no... meat doesn't often fully cook in a microwave oven and can develop hot spots that become overcooked, while the thickest part of the meat remains raw. Progressive's Microwave Bacon Grills are here to switch up the standard! Since bacon is a thin meat, it doesn't require as much cooking time (or standing time!) as steaks and sausages. Cooking bacon in the oven or with a frying pan can really be a pain (sometimes literally when the grease burns you!) Did you know that bacon cooked in the microwave tastes just as delicious? Instead of breaking out an extra frying pan when your recipe instructions tell you to, swap it out for a microwave oven bacon grill that will do the job - faster. For small microwaves and just a few pieces of bacon, the Small Microwave Bacon Grill will do... or if you're a meat lover, grab the standard-sized version Microwave Bacon Grill for making up to 6 pieces of bacon at once!

You'll Be Dreaming About Steaming...

Just like cooking bacon can drain you, so can preparing produce - like steaming vegetables, for instance. Some of the recipes for your favorite healthy meals call for steaming produce before adding it to finish cooking with the rest of your ingredients. Instead of making hot dogs or a frozen pizza for a quick dinner, these steaming gadgets will make eating healthy just as simple. When you don't feel like breaking out your largest stock pot and steamer insert, just pop your vegetables or fish into a microwave steamer instead!

The Microwave Fish and Veggie Steamer will make preparing full meals quick and easy. With enough space for picky eaters to keep several foods separate from each other, you'll probably have leftovers to eat later too since it can cook up to 1 quart of food at once. An adjustable steam control vent in the lid, along with the bottom tray that can be filled with water, allows this container to truly steam fish, vegetables, and even dumplings and seafood if you dare. Don't need to cook as much food at a time? The mini version of the Microwave Steamer will do instead - similarly designed, the round dish will easily accommodate up to 2 cups of vegetables. Top them with cheese or your favorite dipping sauce and you have a delicious side to go along with your other food, like rice or pasta and a protein!

In Case You're in the Mood for Some Other Foods...

Bacon and vegetables aren't the only foods that can be cooked in the microwave. Cooking foods like eggs and pasta can take a long time on the stove... so use a microwave instead! The 4-in-1 Microwave Egg Cooker can assist with cooking eggs any way your heart (or stomach, rather) desires. Make egg cups in the microwave by cracking them into the divots in the device and add your favorite mix-ins, like cheese, vegetables, mushrooms, or meats. Or, remove the insert of the egg cooker and crack your eggs into the main compartment instead to make tasty breakfast sandwiches. If you like your eggs poached or in omelet form, the Egg Cooker is here to help make your taste buds happy and put an end to your stomach's growls.

The Microwave Rice and Pasta Cooker Set will turn your recipes into meals in no time. While traditional rice cookers are easy, they're not always fast - this microwave tool makes cooking carbs a piece of cake. Just like the fish and veggie steamers, this microwave cooker set has a steaming insert that allows water and heat to flow through the cooker to truly steam food. Made to hold 8 cups of cooked rice or pasta, it's perfect for last-minute hosting or carb connoisseurs - you'll have more than enough to go around!

You've Just Discovered Some Awesome Microwave Covers!

Tired of using paper plates to cover your food in the microwave? While a single layer of paper towel, plastic wrap, or wax paper will do, it's time to ditch wasting single-use items to protect your microwave from internal wear and tear. Make the switch to Progressive's Collapsible Microwave Food Cover. Constructed of BPA free silicone and plastic, this dish cover fits most microwave safe plates and bowls, up to 10 inches in diameter - the standard size for dishes of all kinds. This reusable microwave cover can stay in your microwave oven, even when it's not in use, but can also be collapsed to approximately one-third of its expanded height to store easily in cupboards, cabinets, or kitchen drawers. Simply flip the cover over the top of your dish, microwave it, and enjoy your hot food without dreading the mess to clean up afterward. The cover is made with steam vents that allow pressure to escape during and after the microwave process, making it safer to remove your dishes after microwaving and reducing necessary standing time. The vents also allow the microwave food cover to double as a strainer for washing fruits and vegetables or draining pasta and cooked meat. The cherry on top of this food cover's features? It's dishwasher safe - so when it's a mess from taking the brunt of your sauce splatters and popping meat grease, all it needs is a quick rinse... and then a trip through the dishwasher will take care of the rest!

In case the Collapsible Microwave Food Cover isn't exactly what you had in mind, the Compact Microwave Multi Mat by Progressive will do the trick instead. This piece of food safe silicone will come in handy not only for covering dishes, but also as a hot pad and trivet, splatter guard, pot holder, jar opener, and utensil rest. Similarly to the Collapsible Microwave Cover, the Microwave Multi Mat functions like a piece of plastic wrap to insulate and protect meals from exploding as they heat. All of its other uses make this microwave gadget perhaps one of the most savvy purchases you can make - no longer must you search for items that serve one purpose, this Microwave Multi Mat is at your service.

Be Brave and Try the Microwave

While cooking with a microwave might make you feel like you're cheating, your meals can turn out just as delicious and even more nutritious, while providing speed and accuracy that conventional cooking appliances can't offer. From carbs to carrots and ditalini to desserts, the you'll soon be raving about microwaving! Check out our entire collection of microwave gadgets, tools, and accessories here.