Microwave Safety Matching Activity

Use potholders when removing containers from microwave because..

• microwaves cannot go through metal.

• energy in a microwave oven can be uneven

• heat in the food can make the container hot

Use glass, ceramic, or plastic instead of metal in a microwave because...

• microwaves cannot go through metal.

• microwaves bounce off the sides of the oven

• the microwave oven has no heating element.

Rearrange foods while they are cooking because...

• the microwave oven has no heating element.

• energy in a microwave oven can be uneven.

• microwaves penetrate only 3/4 “ to 1 1/2”,. from the outside toward the center.

Arrange foods with the thickest parts toward the sides of the microwave oven because. . .

• food continues to cook after the microwave is off.

• microwaves bounce off the sides of the oven.

• when there is more food there is less energy for each item to absorb.

Plastic wrap, paper towels, and wax paper may be used in a microwave oven because...

• steam can build up causing foods to explode

• when there is more food there is less energy for each item to absorb.

• the microwave oven has no heating element.

Allow standing time for food to finish cooking because...

• food continues to cook after the microwave is off.

• the microwave oven turns on and off, allowing time for the heat level to equalize.

• when there is more food there is less energy for each item to absorb.

Larger amounts of food need a longer time to cook because...

• many foods cook so fast, they do not have time to brown.

• a few foods cook as fast or longer time on a conventional stove.

• when there is more food there is less energy for each item to absorb.

Pierce foods with a skin before cooking in the microwave because...

• steam can build up causing foods to explode.

• many foods cook so fast, they do not have time to brown.

• the microwave oven has no heating element.

Use less than 100 percent power when defrosting or heating a large quantity of food because. . .

• microwaves bounce off the sides of the oven.

• energy in a microwave oven can be uneven.

• The microwave oven turns on and off, allowing time for the heat level to equalize.

Sauces, herbs, and toppings are used to make foods look better from microwave cooking because...

• a few foods cook as fast or longer time on a conventional stove.

• many foods cook so fast, they do not have time to brown.

• energy in a microwave oven can be uneven.