Thursday, June 30, 2011

New Appliance Or Microwave Replacement Parts




Microwaves are one of the kitchen appliances most commonly used on a daily basis in households. They make busy life a lot easier, from simple heating of a cup of chocolate or coffee to reheating frozen dinner. But just like any other household appliances, microwaves break down. When you have a broken microwave, there are two options for you: either you purchase a new appliance or get microwave replacement parts to have it fixed.





A brand new microwave is a tempting option especially when you have the money. All you have to do is pick the appliance that suits your fancy and wants and you instantly get one. However, when low on cash and the old appliance is still serviceable, getting replacement parts to fix it is the most practical thing to apply. These parts can be acquired easily, so the second option can be easier to some people.





Whether what your old microwave requires is a replacement of the main component to the smallest part of the appliance, it is not a problem purchasing one since these are available in stores.





Some of the main components of a microwave include the cavity, which is that part covered by the appliance's door; the metal plate, which is linked to the aperture and perforated with some holes to allow light to penetrate the cavity and thus reflect the microwave; magnetron tube, which is that part controlling the amount of microwaves that enter, the power safety and heating features of the device; the stirrer fan, that part which can be found behind the appliance; the front panel which is where the buttons can be found; and the control switches, which function to control heat and temperature.





If your concern is where to buy these parts, this is too not a problem since the online world can be easily accessed to find them. All you have to do is check the manufacturer of your specific microwave and search the internet if it has an online store. Normally, manufacturers do have a website where the consumers can visit whether they are looking for guides on how to use the appliances, or for new appliances, and replacement parts for their specific product models.





There are also online website stores that offer aftermarket parts for specific product models, so you can also search for these ones too. But while this is a good option too, checking the manufacturer's website first is often a better move before searching other third party sources supplying generic parts. The reason for this is that the third party supplier might not have some microwave replacement parts you need and which can only be found at the manufacturer's website.





If you can't go to the local stores to purchase replacement parts, online websites are your best option. Aside from the fact that they are available 24 hours a day, they usually have quality replacements parts too. Microwaves are a big, essential appliance that every family and individual benefit from their specific functions, so it is always a good idea to obtain quality microwave replacement parts so you will never regret your buying decisions in the end.


Thursday, June 23, 2011

How To Choose The Right Microwave Oven




A microwave oven is considered as a busy man's best friend. If you rely much on pre-cooked foods just to satisfy your hunger while you save on more time, then a microwave is certainly the appliance that should sit at the center of your kitchen.





With its increasing popularity, the market now offers numerous options for a microwave oven. Different brands with different sizes and functionalities entice every food addict to purchase one and put in almost any kind of food that is available in the kitchen.





If you're one of those who are still on the lookout for the right microwave oven, there are factors that you need to ponder on before you shed out some money for that precious appliance.





Size and Space Matter





When buying a microwave oven, consider its size and the available space that your kitchen has for it. Will it be placed counter top, or built into your kitchen? Go for a counter top one if you want your oven to be portable. On the other hand, a built-in oven is advisable if you can still make room for it in one of your kitchen cabinets. This can save you more kitchen space.





Abide by some measurements so as not to sacrifice your kitchen's atmosphere while you do your cooking. Provide an inch or two around the sides of your oven to allow some air to come in for proper ventilation.





User Friendly Controls





What does it feels like when you have an appliance that has small and unclear buttons for you to operate on? If you're a first time microwave user, this might confuse you all the more and might lead to improper usage. Manual controls are not complicated to follow, but most of the microwaves today now have electronic buttons to simplify heating and cooking methods. Look for electronic controls that can be configured and used easily.





Functionalities vs. Cooking Needs





More and more functionalities are being incorporated to microwave ovens over the years. However, you are not obliged to buy the most functional of them all in order to appreciate the oven's usability.





Weigh your needs against the functionalities present on the oven. If your only purpose of using the microwave is just to defrost or reheat packaged foods, then you can buy an oven that has the basic and minimal functionalities. If you will also use it for cooking and baking, then you have to buy a microwave that has more advanced features.





Some of the advanced enhancements include convection cooking that browns the food while it is being cooked, an automatic sensor that detects when the food being cooked is already done, and a turntable plate that allows the food to constantly revolve inside the oven. This makes sure that all parts of the food are evenly cooked.





Microwaves are already considered a necessity in current times, but before you acquire one, make sure to know all of these factors. It is good to maximize the oven's capabilities by matching it to your needs. Choose wisely in order to save some money!


Thursday, June 16, 2011

Dangers Of Microwaves




Microwaves changed cooking forever since commercial microwave ovens were introduced in an American trade show in 1970. Microwave ovens, through the use of electromagnetic radiation, can cook food so much faster than traditional cooking methods. This is so much more convenient for a fast-paced world, not to mention that it can save you a lot of energy. However, some reputable scientists have conducted studies that points to the premise that microwave ovens have health hazards that many interest groups and government factions have been putting a lid on for so many decades.





What is most alarming is that the studies were so few even though microwave ovens are being used some decades now. If the government and multi-national companies are putting a veil on the truth just so they can make a steady profit out of the microwave business, then they are to be held accountable for the health hazards that people have been subjected to for years.





Some studies have already proven that microwave heating can cause significant molecular changes in our food. Microwaves use electromagnetic radiation that causes molecular friction, and this friction decimates the vitamins and phytonutrients that are naturally contained in food. In fact, there was a study that came into the undeniable conclusion that up to 97% of the nutrients in foods can be destroyed through the process of microwave heating.





In 1991, there was a tragic and well-documented case involving a hip surgery patient, Norma Levitt, who has undergone blood transfusion and has died due to the microwave heating of the blood that was supposed to save her life. Heating blood before a transfusion is a normal routine in hospitals, but not through the use of microwave ovens. This is a testament to the fact that considerable electrochemical changes do occur to substances that are cooked through a microwave oven, more specifically to the food we eat.





It is no secret that obesity is still a big problem particularly in the United States of America, and this can be attributed to the fact that Americans are the staunchest users of microwave ovens. While fixation to fast food is one of the major factors, the widespread use of microwave ovens has added to the detriment of the American population's general health. Current statistics show that 60% of the American population is considered obese.





If this rate is to go down, a major overhaul is necessary as far as eating habits. This is a difficult prospect due to the multi-national industries that directly and indirectly promote the use of microwave ovens, and what's alarming is the fact that this obesity epidemic is continuing to spread all over the world because of the heavy influence of these companies.





You can do yourself a big favor by finally getting rid of that microwave sitting in your kitchen. You might claim that you're in perfect health even through decades of using a microwave oven, but you can never know until you've felt the long-term effects. Save yourself while you still can.


Friday, June 10, 2011

Benefits Of Using Microwaves




In this fast-paced world we're living in, people don't have much time for anything. That's why we often find ways to do tasks more quickly, and more often than not, we find the means through technology. The invention of the microwave oven provided a giant leap as far as cooking is concerned. And now that we're living in an exponential age, the need for microwave ovens has become even more palpable. This explains why 90% of the American population uses microwave ovens in their kitchens.





Microwave ovens provide a lot of benefits. In this article, we're going to discuss them one by one.





Saves Time



The microwave oven cooks food faster than traditional methods of cooking. The electromagnetic waves emitted by the machine have the capacity to go through ceramic, plastic, wood or glass via short waves and can permeate the food within minutes. As an additional perk, you can use an adjustable timer that allows you the luxury to set a time depending on the type of food that is to be cooked. The oven turns off automatically, so you don't need to worry about leaving it unattended.





Retains Nutrients In The Food



It's an established fact that cooking, in any form, can reduce the amount of nutrients in the food due to the chemical changes that take place. Since cooking in microwaves takes less time, more nutrients are preserved. As a matter of fact, food cooked via microwave is a lot healthier because there's no need to use oil during the cooking process. The water in the food is stimulated instead to facilitate the heat transfer in the food.





Easy to Clean



Cleaning microwave ovens is a breeze; I even daresay that it's fun. Just use a sponge soaked with water and light detergent to scrub food particles from the interior of the machine. In case the interior of the machine smells of previous cooked food, just use a container filled with water and pour lemon into it, then let the container boil for a few minutes to produce steam that will dissipate the smell.





Easier Heating of Food



Microwave ovens are easier to use for heating food than your regular oven. Heating leftover food, defrosting meat, and heating soup won't be too much of a hassle since the microwave oven doesn't get hot in the process. I, for one, always cringe at the idea of recovering heated food from a regular oven due to the possibility of getting scabs or burns. Microwave ovens won't give you that problem.





Conserves Energy



You can reduce energy consumption by using a microwave oven as opposed to a conventional oven since cooking takes less time with the former. AS a matter of fact, you can save 50% of energy costs through microwaves. It's also true that microwaves are very eco-friendly, compounded by the fact that it doesn't produce indoor air pollution common when cooking food by traditional means.





These are but a few of the many reasons why a lot more people prefer microwaves. You can do yourself a lot of favor by having one in your kitchen.


Friday, June 3, 2011

Facts And Myths About Microwaves




Whether you own a microwave oven or not, chances are you've thought about the possibility that its use could be harmful to you and the people in your household. You might have heard statements from neighbors and friends saying that microwaved food poses serious health risks, not to mention the ones caused by electromagnetic wave emissions issuing from the device. And then there are others who attest to the fact that these are pure myths or old wives' tales.





It's difficult to come up with a final supposition due to the mixed opinions about the safety of microwaves. In this article, we make an attempt to separate them in order for you to better decide if it's wise to have a microwave oven lying around in your kitchen.





Microwave Food Is Cooked From The Inside Out: Myth





Contrary to popular belief, microwave ovens don't cook food from the inside out. Microwave ovens heat the food starting from the surface. This in turn excites the water molecules, which facilitates the heat transfer inside the food. If you have tried cooking a big chunk of meat using a microwave before, you might have noticed that the full effect of the cooking can reach a depth of about one inch inward.





Boiling Water In A Microwave Causes Explosions: Fact





Boiling water in a microwave can elicit an explosion if left alone for too long. This is because the bubbles are suppressed in the heating process, thereby causing the water to reach past its boiling point. If water is disturbed, it will release the suppressed heat and in turn cause the water to erupt.





To prevent this from happening, boil water at the minimum time. Placing a conductor such as clean wood can also prevent eruptions.





Microwaves Emit Harmful Radiation: Myth (in most instances)





The radiation that comes from microwave ovens is non-ionizing, making it much safer than ionizing radiations being emitted by X-Ray machines, nuclear radioactive decay and ultraviolet light.





The FDA also monitors every microwave that is sent out for production, making sure that the levels of radiation are far below the scale where it can be considered harmful. The federal standard also ensures that each machine has an auto-interlocking device that halts radiation emission every time the door of the microwave is opened. It's also comforting to know that there's a considerable decrease of microwave energy when we move away from the machine. Just to be on the safe side, you can keep a wide berth from the machine when it's operating.





Microwaves Cause Food To Lose Its Nutrients: Fact





Cooking in general can cause food to lose some of its nutrients, so it's wrong to assume that microwaves alone are causing this. In fact, the amount of nutrients that is lost can be reduced significantly when cooked by microwave, since the time of heating is much shorter than regular cooking. And there's also a contention that it might even help preserve the nutrients.





The choice to use microwaves or not is entirely up to you. While we have downplayed its harmful effects, it is also important to consider its possible hazards.