Recently came across a talk on Chemistry in the Kitchen organized by @KilterClub where @KitchenChemProf talks about the science behind microwaves. A small on Microwaves …

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@KitchenChemProf talks about how Microwaves excite polar water molecules making them buzz around and heat things around. Wanted to build on to some of his points ...

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A lot of people do not understand the capabilities of a Microwave. It is actually just a source of heat. And it heats only water. Since almost all foods contain traces of water, it is mostly used for reheating cooked food. It cannot cook. Why? Read on...

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An important aspect about cooking often ignored is something called the Maillard reaction. This happens at a temperature around ~140 Celsius where the proteins and sugars present in your food are transformed by heat.

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This reaction is responsible for creating the most amount of color, flavor and aroma molecules in our food. It also often gives our food a great golden-brown, crispy texture.

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I didn’t know this simple fact while pitching @EatwithNymble to Bajaj appliances a couple of years ago. They kept me asking how is what you’re building different from a microwave. And I kept saying - a Microwave cannot make your food brown.

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So yes, since micro-waves cannot heat oil(non-polar), the Maillard reaction mostly never happens inside the Microwave. All that you can get is reheated, usually soggy food.

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So if you want to use your Microwave for more than reheating, I recently wrote a post ( https://link.medium.com/8HIcTnaMuab  )talking about some more creative uses. Do give it a read - it’s fun!

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Microwave manufacturers have been trying to get around this uncomfortable fact by combining these machines with more features. They’ll put heating elements, circulating fans to make Microwave Ovens, OTG (Oven Toast Grill), Convective Radiation Ovens etc.

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But remember these are just different heat sources. They heat, not cook. You still have to do all the hard work.

That's all!

Thanks to the super creative @MurthyAnusha for encouraging me to write this thread after listening to me rant all day about Microwaves at work!

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