Mythbuster

Click on + to reveal and then - to hide.

• How do microwaves heat food?

  Microwave energy is absorbed by many materials. Food contains moisture and the energy causes the moisture molecules to agitate at over two thousand million times per second. This creates heat and the food is cooked, thawed or reheated.

• What happens to other materials?

  Microwave energy is reflected by metal and other metallic materials. It passes through materials which do not contain moisture such as glass, china, paper and plastics.

• How is the energy kept inside the cooker?

  The cooker is a sealed metal box. As the energy cannot penetrate metal and escape it is absorbed by the food. The door is made of metal and often has a reinforced viewing glass insert with a perforated metal screen which ensures that the microwave remain contained in the cooking cavity. Ventilation grilles are shielded so the energy cannot escape.

Brought to you in association with the MTA