Simple microwave oven
The operation of a microwave oven is based on the effect of exposure to microwave electromagnetic radiation on the water contained in food. High-frequency vibrations heat up the water in the products placed in the working chamber of the device. The food is heating up.
In the furnace body are located:
- protective screens – protecting the user from leakage of microwave radiation;
- magnetron – generating superhigh-frequency waves;
- control and management system.
It is safe to use the correct tool. They pass four levels of quality assurance and radiation leakage testing. The devices are provided with safety certificates.
Functions of simple microwave ovens
defrosting
The defrost mode is present in all simple microwave ovens. When using the automatic mode, the processing of products takes place under the control of the program embedded in the device.
The use of manual mode requires an independent setting of the radiation power and the duration of the process.
The normal defrost power is about 150 – 300 watts. The accelerated process requires 400-500 watts of power.
warm up
The main function of a simple microwave oven is to heat up cooked food. When using the automatic mode, it is necessary to select the volume of the heated product and its type. All other calculations will be done automatically.
Manual mode, as in the case of defrost, requires personal settings. The heating of dishes occurs at a power in the range of 550 – 700 watts. The mode up to 700 W is suitable for cooking foods that require relatively low cooking temperatures.
cooking
Cooking in a simple microwave oven, in order of action, is similar to warming up. If the owner uses the automatic mode, then the dish and weight are indicated.
If manual mode is used, then independent control of the oven power and cooking time is required. Rapid cooking and processing of products requiring high temperature conditions occurs at a radiation power of 800-900 W.
How a simple microwave oven works
The size
When choosing, pay attention to the dimensions. It should leave enough free space for other kitchen appliances.
The device is built into the kitchen furniture or placed on the kitchen table. A large device is conveniently placed on a special shelf.
For a family of 2-3 people, a volume of up to 20 liters is sufficient. Appliances equipped with a working chamber with a volume of more than 20 liters and additional functions are not simple, they are complex in their device and do not find application in an ordinary kitchen.
Color and shape
Different models have different designs. When choosing a simple microwave oven, combine its appearance and design with the design of kitchen furniture and colors.
Internal coating
The quality and material of the coating determines the ease of cleaning and service life.
Heat resistant enamel – cheap, hygienic, easy to clean, has an attractive appearance. But, it is easily damaged during cleaning and under prolonged temperature loads. Suitable for devices that work on heating, defrosting, or cooking small portions of food.
Stainless steel – durable, it resists thermal loads well. This coating is resistant to impacts during cleaning, but does not have grease-repellent properties.
ceramic or bioceramic It is a coating with low thermal conductivity. Thanks to this property, defrosting and cooking of products occur quickly. This coating saves energy.
Ceramic – easy to clean. It retains an attractive appearance for a long time, but is fragile. Do not use abrasive products when cleaning this coating. Overheating of the ceramic coating can lead to the formation of microcracks. These damages will shorten the life of the microwave oven.
With proper use, the ceramic coating retains its properties for a long time. This increases the period of trouble-free operation of the furnace.
Control
Various models use mechanical or electronic control. Simple microwave ovens do not require a complex control system and are mainly equipped with mechanical control.
Mechanical control – made in the form of rotary switches. They regulate the power supply and exposure time. This type of control is reliable, it rarely breaks, but it is inconvenient to clean.
Electronic control – performed in the form of push-button or touch switches. Touch switches are easy to clean and have an attractive appearance. Troubleshooting the electronic control device requires contacting the service center.
Electronic control precisely controls cooking and makes it possible: to use pre-programmed operating modes, to cook dishes according to the programs laid down in memory.
Additional functions
When choosing a simple oven, pay attention to additional features and evaluate their need. If the device is used for simple tasks, they are redundant.
- Grill – Designed for frying food. A heating element grill uses a heating coil enclosed in a metal or quartz tube for frying, it can be movable – it evenly heats the products, and is fixed on top.
- bread maker – this function allows you to cook simple pastries. The function of a bread machine is inferior in quality to specialized equipment.
- Double boiler – cooking for a couple. This feature complicates the design and increases the cost.
- Steam cleaning – steam cleaning reduces the time and effort spent on cleaning.
- Odor removal – the device independently eliminates the odors gathered in the working chamber. The function is necessary for sequential heating or cooking several dishes.
Please note that additional features increase the price. If you only need to heat up food, or rarely cook small portions of food, you need minimal functionality with manual control and a small volume of the working chamber.
Installation
Please read the user manual carefully. The instructions contain information necessary for safe use. Devices that use electricity for their work are installed on a flat, stable surface.
Make sure:
- the door of the working chamber opens freely, without encountering interference;
- access to the ventilation holes is open – this will avoid overheating, extend the service life;
- the electrical network of the kitchen allows you to connect a high-power appliance to it;
- open access to the power wires and the outlet to which the device will be connected – this increases the safety of its use;
- The device is installed so that moisture does not get on the case, power wires and the point of connection to the mains.
Please note that excess moisture may cause a short circuit, resulting in damage to the unit or injury.
To clean the microwave oven, use specialized products. When caring for the device, unplug it from the outlet. Before reheating or preparing food, make sure that the utensils you are using are suitable for use in a microwave oven.
Faults
The device turns on but does not heat up. This error occurs for several reasons. The simplest option is that the high-voltage fuse has blown due to the breakdown of one of the two door latches. Repair requires replacing the latch and fuse, but the usual one will not work, since the high-voltage one in microwave ovens has a tension spring to quickly break the circuit.
No backlight when opening the door and while the machine is in operation. This malfunction requires replacement of the backlight source, or the relay that supplies power to it (fails in rare cases).
Does not turn on. Check the mains voltage and the serviceability of the outlet to which the machine is connected. Check if the power wire is good. Check the fuses of the microwave oven. Perhaps due to a power surge, the thermal fuse has blown – it is located under the insulating tape on the transformer located on the control board. Replace fuses if necessary.
The device is buzzing, there was a smell of burning. In this case, a check of the electronic components is required. If you do not have repair skills, contact the service center. The hum is usually associated with a malfunction of the magnetron or transformer (in this case, the transformer has not yet failed).
The appearance of sparks inside the working chamber. This fault is caused by damage to the insulating layer. Damage is caused by: dirt, improper care of the appliance, use of dishes that are not intended for this type of appliance. The mica plate needs to be replaced. Using a device with such a malfunction provokes damage to the magnetron.
Enamel destruction. This damage is caused by improper care or defects in the coating itself. Continued use of the device will damage the electronic components.
Control doesn’t work. The breakdown is corrected by replacing the block of buttons or sensors. If a simple mechanically controlled device is used, contact contamination is possible, which is corrected by cleaning and degreasing.
The dish rack has stopped rotating. Rotating motor defective. An engine replacement is required.
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