A Brief History of the Microwave Oven

Like many of today's great inventions, the microwave oven was a by-product of another technology. It was during a radar-related research project around 1946 that Dr. Percy Spencer, a self-taught engineer with the Raytheon Corporation, noticed something very unusual. He was testing a new vacuum tube called a magnetron, when he discovered that the candy bar in his pocket had melted. This intrigued Dr. Spencer, so he tried another experiment. This time he placed some popcorn kernels near the tube and, perhaps standing a little farther away, he watched with an inventive sparkle in his eye as the popcorn sputtered, cracked and popped all over his lab.

The next morning, Scientist Spencer decided to put the magnetron tube near an egg. Spencer was joined by a curious colleague, and they both watched as the egg began to tremor and quake. The rapid temperature rise within the egg was causing tremendous internal pressure. Evidently the curious colleague moved in for a closer look just as the egg exploded and splattered hot yolk all over his amazed face. The face of Spencer lit up with a logical scientific conclusion: the melted candy bar, the popcorn, and now the exploding egg, were all attributable to exposure to low-density microwave energy. Thus, if an egg can be cooked that quickly, why not other foods? Experimentation began...

Dr. Spencer fashioned a metal box with an opening into which he fed microwave power. The energy entering the box was unable to escape, thereby creating a higher density electromagnetic field. When food was placed in the box and microwave energy fed in, the temperature of the food rose very rapidly. Dr. Spencer had invented what was to revolutionize cooking, and form the basis of a multimillion dollar industry, the microwave oven.

Nearly 6 Feet Tall, Weighing 750 Pounds

Engineers went to work on Spencer's hot new idea, developing and refining it for practical use. By late 1946, the Raytheon Company had filed a patent proposing that microwaves be used to cook food. An oven that heated food using microwave energy was then placed in a Boston restaurant for testing. At last, in 1947, the first commercial microwave oven hit the market. These primitive units where gigantic and enormously expensive, standing 5 1/2 feet tall, weighing over 750 pounds, and costing about $5000 each. The magnetron tube had to be water-cooled, so plumbing installations were also required

Initial Reactions Were Unfavorable

Not surprisingly, many were highly reluctant about these first units, and so they found only limited acceptance. Initial sales were disappointing...but not for long. Further improvements and refinements soon produced a more reliable and lightweight oven that was not only less expensive, but, with the development of a new air-cooled magnetron, there was no longer any need for a plumber.

The microwave oven had reached a new level of acceptance, particularly with regard to certain industrial applications. By having a microwave oven available, restaurants and vending companies could now keep products refrigerator-fresh up to the point of service, then heat to order. The result? Fresher food, less waste, and money saved.

New and Unusual Applications

As the food industry began to recognize the potential and versatility of the microwave oven, its usefulness was put to new tests. Industries began using microwaves to dry potato chips and roast coffee beans and peanuts. Meats could be defrosted, precooked and tempered. Even the shucking of oysters was made easier by microwaves. Other industries found the diverse applications of microwave heating quite advantageous. In time, microwaves were being used to dry cork, ceramics, paper, leather, tobacco, textiles, pencils, flowers, wet books and match heads. The microwave oven had become a necessity in the commercial market and the possibilities seemed endless

The First "Radarange

In 1947, Raytheon demonstrated the world's first microwave oven and called it a "Radarange," the winning name in an employee contest. Housed in refrigerator-sized cabinets, the first microwave ovens cost between $2,000 and $3,000. Sometime between 1952-55, Tappan introduced the first home model priced at $1295. In 1965 Raytheon acquired Amana Refrigeration. Two years later, the first countertop, domestic oven was introduced. It was a 100-volt microwave oven, which cost just under $500 and was smaller, safer and more reliable than previous models

By 1975 Sales of Microwave Ovens Exceeded that of Gas ranges

Technological advances and further developments led to a microwave oven that was polished and priced for the consumer kitchen. However, there were many myths and fears surrounding these mysterious new electronic "radar ranges." By the seventies, more and more people were finding the benefits of microwave cooking to outweigh the possible risks, and none of them were dying of radiation poisoning, going blind, sterile, or becoming impotent (at least not from using microwave ovens). As fears faded, a swelling wave of acceptance began filtering into the kitchens of America and other countries. Myths were melting away, and doubt was turning into demand

By 1975, sales of microwave ovens would, for the first time, exceed that of gas ranges. The following year, a reported 17% of all homes in Japan were doing their cooking by microwaves, compared with 4% of the homes in the United States the same year. Before long, though, microwave ovens were adorning the kitchens in over nine million homes, or about 14%, of all the homes in the United States. In 1976, the microwave oven became a more commonly owned kitchen appliance than the dishwasher, reaching nearly 60%, or about 52 million U.S. households. America's cooking habits were being drastically changed by the time and energy-saving convenience of the microwave oven. Once considered a luxury, the microwave oven had developed into a practical necessity for a fast-paced world.

Improve your TV Experience

There is nothing better than being able to sit back and watch TV in your own home. But a television is much more than a box that displays images. It can transport you to other worlds while connecting you with stories from around the world. Here are some great ways to improve your overall experience so that you get full value from your TV. So whether your thing is TV, movies, or karaoke, make sure to get the accessories you need to enjoy yourself more.

We Love TV!

  Enjoy TV the most

Television has gone through several interesting incarnations over the decades. Obviously when it first came out people clamoured to buy these newfangled devices that offer a form of entertainment that was never seen before. These days, televisions are a stalwart of American entertainment and it's unlikely that you could walk into any common household and not find a television set somewhere. In fact, most people have several television sets in their own home and sometimes it's easy to take them for granted. But remember that television offers you an extraordinary opportunity to engage with visual media and there are many ways to improve your experience as well. Most people don't think all that much about their TV viewing pleasure, but here are some ways that you can enhance

Comfortable furniture - imagine watching your favorite television show for two hours at a time sitting on a stool. Obviously no one has that type of setup in their living room, but you might be surprised at how often people neglect comfort. There's nothing better than being able to relax on a nice big comfy couch while watching your favorite television and movie shows. You can even get seats that simulate the theater experience if you want to set up a home theater that rivals anything you could find at the local mall.

Big screen TV - there's nothing like being able to watch your favorite sports on a big screen TV. Even if you're thing is soap operas or comedies, they always come out better when you see the images big and clear right in front of you. These days you can also opt for high-def options that will really have you right in the middle of the action. The best news is that big screen TVs are cheaper than ever and you don't have to break your bank account to get one into your home these days. Look around for deals because they are certainly out there.

Sound and stereo - sound can add another layer of enjoyment to your television viewing experience especially if you have a good stereo system. You can surround yourself with all of the sounds that accompany your favorite movies and really make them transport you to another realm. Better yet, invest in wireless headphones for TV and you have your own private surround sound at a relatively affordable price

One of the most interesting developments with television these days is that it is replacing the movies for many people. Rather than going out into a public movie theater where you are faced with high prices and a rude people, there are many things you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. What could be better than being able to watch your favorite television and movies without having to deal with high prices and total strangers? You can enjoy time with your family.

Another interesting trend seems to be with the quality of television shows which are dramatically increasing. When was the last time you saw a really good movie in the theater? It seems these days Hollywood is obsessed with creating blockbusters rather than quality movies that were once featured in local cinemas. Sometimes you have to look towards television to find developed storylines that run through popular series rather than in anything the big-screen can offer. That's great for fans of television who enjoy networks like HBO, and there are wonderful shows that will rival even the best movies in terms of story line and character development. There is good news and bad news related to this since a lot of people are lamenting the loss of the ultimate movie experience that they once grew up with. On the other hand, the way television is developing today offers a new form of entertainment that might be responsible for even more developed stories.

Whatever the future holds, it's going to be interesting to see how we interact with our home entertainment rooms these days. Technology is blending with social media and it probably won't be too far off when we incorporate the Internet into the television experience as well. In fact, it's already started to happen and thanks to services like Netflix you can stream television and movies rather comfortably using the latest technology. This is also had a tremendous impact on regular cable companies and they will have to adjust to current trends as well. By the time the dust settles it's impossible to tell where everyone will end up, but it is clear that the common consumer is going to win in the end. There's so much quality to enjoy out there and if you take the time to improve your ultimate home entertainment set up, then you will take full advantage of this fact.

How to Calibrate Your TV

Whether you've just bought a new HDTV to furnish your living room with or you just want to improve your current TV viewing experience, calibration should be the first step you take. An incorrectly calibrated television will have a poor picture quality, resulting in a sub-par viewing experience. One option would be to hire a professional to calibrate for you, but that is a pricey investment. Instead, you can learn how to calibrate your TV quickly and effectively in a few simple steps.

Reset the television to factory settings.

 Factory settings are the settings for the TV when it has been purchased new. These settings are not the ones you want permanently as they are designed for the in-store setting with lots of bright, ambient light. However, you should reset to the factory settings so that you can use it as a foundation when calibrating the display for your own environment.

Disable any sort of dynamic display changing.

Some televisions are equipped with an ambient sensor which is used to automatically adjust the television color based on the environment. Unfortunately, dynamic modes tend to result in bright and garish pictures, so it's usually best to avoid using them.

Adjust the brightness levels.

The brightness setting isn't actually a control for brightness, but rather the level of blackness. Raising brightness is really just reducing the blackness. Adjust the brightness levels until your eyes feel comfortable watching the screen.

Adjust the contrast levels.

The contrast setting isn't actually a control for contrast, but rather the brightness of the white. Adjust the contrast levels until you can distinguish between dark blacks, light blacks, dark whites, and light whites.

Adjust the sharpness levels.

The sharpness setting adds information to the picture so that it looks more crisp. If your television is high definition, then you most likely do not need sharpness and can reduce it. If your television is not high definition, sharpness can help to improve picture quality.

Leave the Tint setting alone

Most televisions have their tint setting calibrated correctly straight out of the factory, so the factory setting for tint is likely the most optimal already.

• If your television has a feature that allows saving calibration profiles, then calibrate your television twice: once for day time and once for night time. Unless your television is in a room without windows, the brightness of the sunlight will affect your viewing experience. During the day, the television should use brighter settings. During the night, use darker setting
• If your television has a feature that allows saving calibration profiles, then calibrate your television for each input device. For example, the picture from your DVD player will differ from the picture out of your cable box so you should have different calibration settings for each. For optimal viewing, you may wish to calibrate your television for each source of picture.

• Calibrate your television at least once per year. Over time, the quality of your television lights and colors degrade, thus requiring a re-calibration on an annual basis.

Energy Savings Tips

The Domestic Sector accounts for 30% of total energy consumption in the country. There is a tremendous scope to conserve energy by adopting simple measures. This information is a guide, which offers easy, practical solutions for saving energy in Home Appliances. Please, take a few moments to read the valuable tips that will save energy & money and ultimately help conserve our natural resources. It would be useful to know which gadget consumes how much electricity. Economic use of home appliances can help in reducing electricity bills. The following table shows the energy consumption of various appliances normally used at home: Appliances Rating (Watts) Operating Hrs/Day Units/ Month Incandescent Bulbs 40 6 7 60 6 11 Fluorescent Tube light 40 10 12 Night Lamp 15 10 4.5 Mosquito Repellent 5 10 1.5 Fans 60 15 27 Air Coolers 175 8 42 Air Conditioners 1500 6 270 Refrigerator 225 15 101 Mixer/Blender/ 450 1 13.5 Toaster 800 0.5 12 Hot Plate 1500 0.5 22.5 Oven 1000 1 30 Electric Kettle 1500 1 45 Electric Iron 1500 1 45 Water heater-Instant Type (1-2 Ltr capacity) 3000 1 90 Water heater-Storage type (10-20 Ltr capacity) 2000 1 60 Immersion rod 1000 1 30 Vacuum Cleaner 700 0.5 11 Washing Machine 300 1 9 Water pump 750 1 22.5 TV 100 10 30 Audio system 50 2 3 By following these simple tips one can save energy to a large extent.

Lighting Turn off the lights when not in use Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight De-dust lighting fixtures to maintain illumination Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it Compact fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting Use electronic chokes in place of conventional copper chokes Fans Replace conventional regulators with electronic regulators for ceiling fans Install exhaust fans at a higher elevation than ceiling fans Electric iron Select iron boxes with automatic temperature cutoff Use appropriate regulator position for ironing Do not put more water on clothes while ironing Do not iron wet clothes Kitchen Appliances Mixers ·         Avoid dry grinding in your food processors ( mixers and grinders) as it takes longer time than liquid grinding Microwaves ovens ·         Consumes 50 % less energy than conventional electric / gas stoves ·         Do not bake large food items ·         Unless you're baking breads or pastries, you may not even need to preheat ·         Don't open the oven door too often to check food condition as each opening leads to a temperature drop of 25°C Electric stove ·         Turn off electric stoves several minutes before the specified cooking time ·         Use flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the cooking coil Gas stove ·         When cooking on a gas burner, use moderate flame settings to conserve LPG ·         Remember that a blue flame means your gas stove is operating efficiently ·         Yellowish flame is an indicator that the burner needs cleaning ·         Use pressure cookers as much as possible ·         Use lids to cover the pans while cooking ·         Bring items taken out of refrigerators (like vegetables, milk etc) to room temperature before placing on the gas stove for heating Use Solar Water Heater – a good replacement for a electric water heater Electronic Devices Do not switch on the power when TV and Audio Systems are not in use i.e. idle operation leads to an energy loss of 10 watts/device Computers Turn off your home office equipment when not in use. A computer that runs 24 hours a day, for instance, uses - more power than an energy-efficient refrigerator. If your computer must be left on, turn off the monitor; this device alone uses more than half the system's energy. Setting computers, monitors, and copiers to use sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by approximately 40%. Battery chargers, such as those for laptops, cell phones and digital cameras, draw power whenever they are plugged in and are very inefficient. Pull the plug and save. Screen savers save computer screens, not energy. Start-ups and shutdowns do not use any extra energy, nor are they hard on your computer components. In fact, shutting computers down when you are finished using them actually reduces system wear - and saves energy Refrigerator Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running. Leave enough space between your refrigerator and the walls so that air can easily circulate around the refrigerator Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder. Do not open the doors of the refrigerators frequently Don't leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape. Use smaller cabinets for storing frequently used items Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge Washing machines Always wash only with full loads Use optimal quantity of water Use timer facility to save energy Use the correct amount of detergent Use hot water only for very dirty clothes Always use cold water in the rinse cycle Prefer natural drying over electric dryers Air Conditioners Prefer air conditioners having automatic temperature cut off Keep regulators at “low cool” position Operate the ceiling fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively throughout the room and operate the air conditioner at higher temperature Seal the doors and windows properly Leave enough space between your air conditioner and the walls to allow better air circulation A roof garden can reduce the load on Air Conditioner Use windows with sun films/curtains Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower will be energy consumption. Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling. Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary. Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun

ONIDA the pioneer of Television in India wishes all the viewer happy World Television Day

World Television Day will be observed on November 21 (Monday) across the globe including India highlighting the importance of television media in promoting awareness about important issues and events.

Different public and private institutions will observe the day through arranging discussion programmes and interactive sessions regarding development of electronic media in India.

World TV Day is marked every year to revive the endeavours of governments, organizations and individuals toward advancement of electronic media.

Electronic media has become a major source of information as well as entertainment for the public as they get pictorial footage of different happenings through this mode of communication.

The United Nations (UN) acknowledges that television can be used to educate many people about the world, its issues and real stories that happen on the planet.

Television is one of the most influential forms of media for communication and information dissemination. It is used to broadcast freedom of expressions and to increase cultural diversity.

The UN realized that television played a major role in presenting global issues affecting people and this needed to be addressed.

On December 17, 1996, the UN General Assembly proclaimed November 21 as World Television Day to commemorate the date on which the first World Television Forum was held earlier that year.

Some tips for washing machine users

1. Don't put more number of clothes than the specified number in your user manual. If you put more clothes, it may not wash the clothes properly as there will be no space for rotation and spin.

2. Nowadays seperate powders for washing machine from all the popular brands like RIN,Ariel,Surf etc are available.Use it instead of normal washing powders.

3. Never put silk sarees or delicate clothes in washing machine.Instead wash it by hand or give it for laundry.

4. Don't put the colour clothes and white clothes together in the washing machine unless you are very sure that the colour wont come out from the clothes.

5. Clean the dust collector bag in the washing machine frequently.

6. If your washing machine has got the option for cleaning the tub, do it atleast once in a month.

7. While putting shirts, handwash the shirt's collar before putting it to washing machine as most of the machines are not removing these kind of stains whatever detergent we use.

8. Keep the warranty card and customer care number of your washing machine always in hand in case of any problem. Normally washing machines come with 2 years warranty.

9. Don't put woolen clothes like socks in the washing machine as the threads may came out. 

10. Don't use washing machine for just 2 or 3 clothes. Instead you can wash that by hand.

Air Conditioner buying tips

Air Conditioner – an inexpensive luxury :
Now it has become easy to purchase Air Conditioner, a ‘luxurious’ item, for a common man due to several reasons like:

• Lowered price of equipment due to technical advancement
• AC s are made energy efficient, lighter in weight with no or less noisy
• Installation of Air Conditioner is no longer a tedious job
• Maintenance cost of Air Conditioner is much lower now
• A comparative study of brands, prices and efficiency can be done online easily

Types of Air Conditioner:
Air Conditioners are available in many models like Window AC, Split AC, Cassette AC and floor standing AC. There price vary with their type, size, ability to provide comfort and features. Usually Window AC or Split AC is in use in India. The type of AC to be chosen also depends on the place of its installation.Size of Air Conditioner: Split Air Conditioners: Split air conditioners are also available in various sizes like 0.75ton, 1ton, 1.5ton 2ton etc. The size of AC should be according to the size of room where AC is to be installed. It is suitable to install a 1ton AC in the room of size 12ftx12ft or so. A smaller room will need the smaller AC and the bigger one will need accordingly a bigger AC.

Offers more flexibility on where to locate the outside component than wall models

• Can cool open-plan areas well
• Very quiet operation
• Attractive and aesthetic designs
• Good air distribution for ACs of same size

Wall or window model Air Conditioners: Wall or window models can be installed in a window or an external wall.

• Can cool single rooms well
• Smaller units can be plugged into existing power points
• Single Unit
• Require lesser upfront cost as installation is simple

Power efficiency of the Air Conditioner:
In today’s expensive power situations, electrical equipment should be power efficient. It is declared by the manufacturing companies by displaying its energy efficiency rating provided by BEE. Though an equipment having 5/5 (5 star) rating is the most efficient one but AC is rarely found in this rating. Air Conditioners with 4star or 3star rating are considered to best.
Cooling Capacity:
The cooling capacity defines the price of air conditioners. Most air conditioners are rated in BTU per hour (British thermal unit) or by tonnage. One ton is equal to 12,000 BTU per hour. The cooling capacity that you need would depend on factors.
Average ambient temperature:
Higher the average temperature of the outside air in the area where your house is located, the more will be the cooling capacity required.
Size of the room:
The cooling capacity required is proportional to the area of the room you wish to cool.
Number of people present:
The cooling capacity of an air conditioner also depends on the number of people present in the room. The more the people present, the higher will be the capacity required.
Exposure:
Direct exposure of any of the walls of your room to sunlight would lead to higher requirement in cooling capacity.
Proximity of your room to kitchen:
If the room is nearer to the kitchen the cooling capacity required would be higher.
The tonnage of the AC can be selected based on the chart below: 

Rooms Size (Sq ft)	Tonnage Capacity
Up to 90 sq ft	0.8 Ton
Up to 120 sq ft	1.0 Ton
Up to 180 sq ft	1.5 Ton
Up to 220 sq ft	2.0 Ton

Types of Compressors

The compressor is the air conditioner's most important component and is often called the heart of the refrigeration system. It helps in the cooling process, by circulating the refrigerant through all the refrigeration parts. There are three types of compressors - reciprocating, rotary and scroll either of which can be used in split ACs.

1. Reciprocating compressor: It compresses the air by sliding the piston over the cylinder. Air conditioners fitted with a reciprocating compressor are generally less expensive and not as efficient or silent as the ones fitted with a rotary compressor. These are good for high duty cycles e.g. with higher capacity cooling ACs which need to be run for longer times.
2. Rotary compressor: This is a superior type of a compressor over the conventional reciprocating type. It compresses air by centrifugal action of high-speed impeller in a confined space. This method reduces the loss in pressure of the refrigerator gas. Rotary compressors are more compact, operate quietly, built for continuous operation and typically see less maintenance. The down side is the initial costs are higher. For less than 3 ton these are good options as they don't need high duty cycle and have better energy ratings. Rotary technology, though dominant in the Asian market for close to three decades due to its low cost, is new to India.
3. Scroll compressor: Scroll compressors have a wide operating voltage, economical running and low sound and vibration as compared to reciprocating and rotary compressors. Scroll compressors are generally available in ACs with cooling capacity above 2.5 tonnes. Rotary and Scroll compressors are not repairable once the failure occurs out of warranty period. Reciprocating compressors are reparable - mostly by respective compressor manufacturers in India.

AC Installation: 

• Make sure that you install the unit in an area that provides good ventilation. The air conditioner must not be blocked by any obstacle affecting the air flow near the air inlet and air outlet.
• Make sure that you install the unit in an area which can endure the weight and vibration of the unit.
• Make sure that you install the unit away from heat or vapor.
• Make sure that you install the unit in an area where the cold air can evenly spread in a room.
• Make sure that you install the unit in an area which provides easy drainage for condensed water.
• Make sure that you install the unit in an area not exposed to rain or direct sunlight. (Install a separate sunblind if exposed to direct sunlight.)

Do not install the unit in an area subjected to noise or vibration amplification which may affect your neighbour.

Microwave Cooking Tips

Planning to cook in Microwave, here are some of the tips, which can make your microwave cooking experience much better.

Even cooking

o    For cut vegetables make sure pieces are of equal size for equal cooking.

o    If you are cooking an assortment of vegetables, arrange large or tougher vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli etc.) toward the outside of the plate and small or tender ones (peas, mushrooms, capsicum etc.) in the center so they finish cooking at the same time.

o    Never pile food one on top of the other. In a microwave food always cooks evenly when spaced apart.

o    Turning is necessary to ensure even distribution of microwaves through the food. Especially food such as large potatoes and cauliflower need to be turned over during cooking. 

o    Round dishes give more even cooking results than squares or rectangles.

o    Ring shaped dishes are infact the best for cooking foods which cannot be stirred during microwave cooking. Improvise a ring shaped bowl by placing a small round bowl in the center of a large round dish. 

o    An omelet is best cooked at 50% (medium). If cooked at 100% (high) the edges may be done before the center and become leathery by the time the whole omelet is done.

            Standing time

• Food continues to cook when removed from the microwave cooker, by the heat generated within it. So always take into account standing time. Large or dense vegetables and fruit need standing time rather than more microwave time.
• If the food has been cooked with a cover leave it covered for the standing time. If it was cooked uncovered add a loose covering of foil to retain the heat.

Covering

• A cover holds in the steam to tenderize the food, keep it moist and shorten cooking time. 
• A tight cover is ideal for foods that have little or no added water, like when steaming vegetables. Use a dish with a tight lid or cover with cling film. 
• For foods cooked in liquid, or which create a great deal of juice, make a gap in the cling film cover by rolling back one edge. This allows excess moisture to escape. Or use special microwave lids, which have slits in them.
• Cover the dish with tissue paper while preparing "temper" or frying seeds like cumin, mustard etc. The tissue paper retains the seeds while allowing the moisture to escape.
• While reheating patties, kachori or mathri, place absorbent kitchen paper underneath to prevent them from turning soggy. Absorbent paper stops fat splattering and absorbs excess moisture.
• Not all cling films are micro-safe. If you are going to use cling film in the microwave be sure that it is marked as micro-safe.

Dos & Don'ts 

• Use a fork to pierce or prick whole vegetables, like potatoes and squash, which are cooked in their skins to allow excess steam to escape. If this is not done steam will build up inside, causing the skin to burst.
• Avoid using alcohol in puddings, which have to be microcooked, since it may catch fire.
• Season vegetables with salt after cooking them in microwave. Salting before hand could leave brown spots.
• You cannot fry in the microwave, as cooking fat in large quantities is dangerous. 
• When cooking rice in the microwave don't add all the water at one go, as it will boil over. 
• Milk based foods tend to boil over so use a larger and deeper container.
• Keep half a glass of water next to the dish while cooking too small a quantity of food.
• Increase microwave time in the same ratio as the amount of food to be cooked.
• Always start off with the shortest cooking time listed in the recipe, this way vegetables will not be overcooked. You can always cook it for some more time if required.

Micro benefits

• Melting chocolate in a microwave is so simple-it does away with the need for a double boiler. Microwave it at 50% (medium) for 2 ½ minutes.
• Warming oranges for 1-2 minutes produces more juice when squeezed.
• Microwave is very useful for steaming green leafy vegetables like spinach. 
• Clarify butter by heating cream (approx. 250 gm) on Micro 60 for 16 minutes.
• Increase shelf life of Sooji, Dalia, Idli rawa and other nuts and pulses by microwaving them on Micro high for 2-3 minutes (approx. 500 gm) This helps remove the moisture from these food items thus increasing their shelf life, especially in damp weather conditions.
• It is much easier to make sauces for Continental food in the Microwave, doing away with the endless stirring. Remember to cook the sauces on medium or medium low.
• To effortlessly remove a coconut from its shell, heat it on Micro high for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Blanch almonds by microwaving them with water for 3 minutes.
• 'Boil' potatoes in a jiffy. Microwave them in a polythene bag. For 4 potatoes microwave for 5 minutes. 
• Sterilize jars for storing homemade jams and pickles.
• 'Cook' your dishcloth in the microwave oven for 60 seconds to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms.

To use a conventional recipe in a microwave keep in mind the following points-
For curries, stews, etc.

• Use less water as there is less evaporation in the microwave.
• Start with 2/3rd of the water given in the conventional recipe, than add more if required.
• Cook on Micro High for about 5 minutes to bring to a boil and then simmer on lower power.
  For steaming
• Remember to cover
  Baking
• Don't cover
• Remember there will be no browning, so to get a better look try using cocoa in the recipe.
• Don't beat too much otherwise the cake will collapse in the microwave. 
• Infact a cake in the microwave rises higher than in a conventional oven.
• Add an extra 2 tbsp (approx.) of milk as the batter should be thinner than the ordinary batter. It should be of a pouring consistency. 
• Use powdered sugar otherwise the sugar will burn.
• Use round dishes.
• Fill dishes only half.
• Cakes require standing time.
• Microwave cakes taste best if eaten after a few hours.