This article presents a 12-minute method to make a perfect baked potato using a microwave and air fryer, offering a faster alternative to traditional oven baking, ideal for holiday cooking.
Bubbles form when water reaches its boiling point and a bubble's formation depends on overcoming surface tension; microwave heating often suppresses bubble formation, leading to superheating, which can cause water to explosively boil when disturbed.
Dietitian Harini Bala warns against reheating spinach, tea, and rice in the microwave due to potential health risks. Spinach can form cancer-linked nitrosamines when reheated, while reheating tea can degrade its antioxidants and activate dormant bacteria. Rice should only be reheated if stored in an airtight container within two hours of cooking to prevent Bacillus cereus bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.
Research shows that certain types of plastic containers release high levels of microscopic plastic particles, known as microplastics, when heated in a microwave oven. These plastic nanoparticles are being found in various substances, including table salt, tap water, and fish, highlighting the widespread presence of microplastics in our environment.
An anonymous Reddit user shared a photo of an alleged sign posted in a hospital behavioral health unit that claims employees need to pay $2 for every microwave use or $30 for unlimited monthly microwave use, according to her friend who reportedly saw the sign in-person. The Reddit post has received over 36,700 upvotes and generated over 1,600 comments. While some commenters saw the humor in the pay-per-microwave sign, others believe it’s likely a joke or a way to deter messy coworkers.
A recent study shows that extracting water from the Moon might be as easy as using a microwave oven. The team found that using a special microwave oven of just 250 Watts, they could extract about 55% to 67% of the water within about half an hour from simulated lunar materials. This method would be practical enough to extract plenty of water from the polar regions and would be easy to build and maintain on the Moon.
The Steambox is a self-heating lunchbox that uses steam to warm up food, powered by a rechargeable battery. It is slow and expensive, costing $279, and not meant to cook raw meats, chicken, or fish. It is portable, but heavy and inflexible, making it uncomfortable to carry in a backpack. Cheaper and more packable ways to get warm meals while outside are available, such as a classic Thermos or insulated lunchbox. The Steambox is competent at heating up food, but there are much better options indoors, such as a microwave or toaster oven.