How to Use a Microwave: The Comprehensive Guide

A microwave can be a great way to warm up leftovers and cook food quickly, but there are a few key rules to follow when using one. If you’re looking for a refresher on how to use a microwave, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll go over how to set up and use a microwave for the first time, and we’ll go over the basics of heating food in this appliance. We’ll also go over how to defrost food in the microwave and provide some tips for microwave maintenance. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Microwave Oven: How-To Guide

Check the owner’s manual for set-up instructions.
Plug the microwave into a grounded wall outlet.
Set up the glass turntable.
Place food in a microwave-safe dish and put it in the microwave.
Select the settings and the amount of time you want to cook your food for.
Push the “Start” button and wait for your food to cook.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Use a Microwave for the First Time

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Microwaves may have different installation instructions, so it’s important to read the owner’s manual to make sure you set yours up correctly. Reading the owner’s manual will also help you get familiar with your microwave’s unique features and settings.
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Place the microwave on a flat, dry surface. A clean counter in your kitchen or a solid, wooden table are good locations for your microwave. Do not put the microwave near a gas or electric range, such as your stove.
- Make sure the microwave’s air vents on one side are not being blocked.
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Plug the microwave into a 20-amp grounded wall outlet. Make sure the outlet is rated for 20 A, which will ensure it is safe to use to power the microwave. Plug the microwave's power cord directly into a grounded outlet.^{[1]
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- Pick an outlet that is not already being used by another appliance or electronic device.
- Don’t use an adapter or an extension cord when plugging in your microwave. Using extension cords with cooking appliances creates a fire hazard.^{[2]
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- Note that a microwave from one country may not work or become damaged in another country. In the Americas and Japan, the outlets are usually rated for 110 V 60 Hz. In Europe, Asia, and the rest of the world, the outlets are usually rated for 220 V 50 Hz.
Most microwaves will come with a plastic roller ring and a round glass tray (also called the turntable). Put them into the microwave according to the directions in your owner's manual, and make sure the glass tray spins around on the roller ring easily and smoothly.^{[3]
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Put food in a microwave-safe dish and place it in the microwave. Check the dish for the microwave-safe symbol, which includes several squiggly lines. Sometimes, the symbol will also include an image of a microwave or the word “micro” at the bottom.^{[4]
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- There are a few things you should never put in your microwave. These include:
  - Aluminum foil
  - Metal or stainless steel dishware or silverware
  - Styrofoam
  - Single-use plastics and takeout containers^{[5]
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Choose the setting, power level, and cooking time for your food. You should see buttons numbered 1-9 on the front of the microwave—use these numbers to enter in your desired cooking time. You should also see buttons for different cooking methods, such as defrosting or reheating, as well as buttons with pre-set cooking times for specific foods like popcorn. If you see a specific button for the type of food you're cooking, you can press it instead of entering the cooking time manually.
- Depending on what you’re cooking, you may also need to adjust the microwave’s power level using the designated button.
- Most foods won’t require you to adjust the power level, but there are a few instances when it’s a good idea to do this. For example:
  - When reheating foods that can’t be stirred (lasagna, potatoes, etc), lower the power to 50% to make sure it cooks through evenly.
  - When softening butter or melting chocolate, lower the power to 50% to make sure you don’t overheat them.
  - When heating liquid foods like soups or sauces, lower the power to 50% to prevent splattering.^{[6]
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  - When defrosting food, lower the power to anywhere between 20% to 50%, depending on the instructions on the package of the item you’re defrosting.^{[7]
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Start the microwave and let your food cook. Press the “start” button, and wait for the microwave to finish cooking your food. When it’s done, it will shut off automatically, and many models will also play a short alarm sound to alert you that your food is ready.
- Be careful when removing your food from the microwave—it will be hot! Use protective oven mitts, or wait a few minutes for it to cool down.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Defrost Food in the Microwave

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Use the “defrost button.” Many microwave ovens have a designated “Defrost” button that you can use to thaw frozen foods. The defrost setting usually sets your microwave to 30% power so that the food will gently thaw but not cook. Just make sure to remove the frozen food from its package and place it in a microwave-safe dish before putting it in the microwave.^{[8]
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- This speeds up and simplifies the cooking process since you’ll only need to wait a few minutes for the food to defrost in the microwave rather than waiting several hours for it to defrost on the counter or in the fridge.
- Once the food is fully defrosted, move on to the next step of the cooking process. For example, if you defrosted frozen vegetables to use in a stir fry, add the defrosted vegetables to your pan and start cooking them.
You should see a button on your microwave that allows you to adjust its power settings. Depending on the food you’re thawing, you may need to lower the power level to anywhere from 20%-50%, then enter the specific amount of cooking time. Be sure to check the package of your frozen foods; they’ll likely have instructions for what power level to use and how long to defrost the food for.^{[9]
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Reheat Food in the Microwave

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Leftovers that are 5 days or older should not be reheated or eaten, as they likely have gone bad and may contain bacteria that can get you sick.^{[10]
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Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Piling food in the middle of a plate or bowl will cause the food on the edge of the plate to heat up faster than the food towards the center of the plate. Avoid this by pushing the food into a ring around the edge of the plate or bowl. This will allow the food to heat up evenly.^{[11]
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US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health

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Cover the food with a microwave-safe cover or plastic wrap. Prevent liquids or saucy foods from splattering onto the interior of the microwave by covering it before you warm it up. You can use a thick, domed cover made of durable plastic that is designed for use in the microwave, or microwave-safe plastic cling wrap.^{[12]
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- A plastic cover will also help to keep steam in as you warm up the food, making it less likely to dry out while cooking.
- You can also use a paper towel over the food in a pinch.
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When reheating foods, warm them in short intervals. It can be tricky to know how long to warm up cooked food in the microwave, so it’s important to start slowly to avoid overcooking it or drying it out. Start by heating the food for one minute, then take it out of the microwave and check it to see if it is warm enough for you. Stir the food, look for steam, and taste it to see if it is warm enough.^{[13]
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- If the food is not warm enough for you, put it in for another 30 seconds to one minute. Continue heating the food in intervals of 30 seconds to one minute until it is warm enough.
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Heat certain foods separately so they do not become soggy or dry. Depending on what you are reheating, you may need to deconstruct your leftovers and warm up different foods separately. Heat dense items first, such as meats, as they take longer to warm up. Then, add less dense items like cooked pasta or vegetables to the plate and warm them up.^{[14]
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- For example, if you are reheating a burger, put the patty on a plate and heat it in the microwave separately, then add it to the bun. Microwaving a burger with the bun will make it soggy.

Section 4 of 5:

Cooking Different Types of Food in the Microwave

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Check the instructions on the label of microwave dinners to find the proper cooking time for these meals. Make sure you stir the food around once it has cooked to confirm there are no frozen or cold spots. If there are, put the food back in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until it cooks through.
Check the instructions on the label to find the correct cooking time for the popcorn. Place the bag in the microwave and set it to cook for the proper amount of time. Some microwaves also have a specific button labeled “Popcorn,” which you can use instead of entering the cooking time yourself.
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Steaming vegetables Put uncooked vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a splash of water or a small amount of butter to help steam the veggies and cover the bowl with a microwave cover or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Cook the vegetables for 2-3 minutes, then remove them and give them a stir. Put them back in the microwave and continue to cook them in 1-minute intervals until they are steamed through.^{[15]
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- Add black pepper, salt, and any other spices you enjoy to the steamed vegetables for more flavor once they are cooked.
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Cooking fish Season uncooked fish with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. Then, place it on a ceramic plate and cover it with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Cook the fish for 1-2 minutes in the microwave until it turns white at the edges and lighter in color. Watch the fish closely as it cooks to ensure you do not overcook it.^{[16]
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- The cooking time for the fish will depend on the size, shape, and thickness of the filet.
You can make several egg dishes in the microwave, including poached eggs, scrambled eggs, omelets, and even mini quiches. To make scrambled eggs in the microwave, start by greasing a microwave-safe bowl. Add an egg and a small splash of milk to the bowl and whisk until combined. Microwave for 45 seconds, then remove and give it a stir. Put the eggs back in the microwave and cook for another 45 seconds or until done to your liking.^{[17]
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Section 5 of 5:

How to Maintain Your Microwave

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Clean the microwave once a week. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the inside of the microwave well. If there are any stuck-on bits of food in the interior of your microwave, try removing them with some water and a bit of dish soap.^{[18]
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- Try to get in the habit of cleaning the microwave once a week so it stays clean and works well.
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Remove cooking odors with water and lemon. After a while, your microwave can start to smell, especially if it is not cleaned regularly. Remove odors by putting 1 to 1.5 cups (240 to 350 ml) water and the juice and peels of one lemon in a glass bowl. Then, place the bowl in the microwave and warm it up for 4-5 minutes.^{[19]
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- Once the microwave has finished, use oven mitts to carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. Take a clean cloth and give the inside of the microwave a final wipe down.
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Take your microwave in for repairs if it develops issues or stops working. If you notice your microwave is not heating up food properly or it takes a very long time to cook food, bring it to a repair shop or contact an expert repair person. You can also contact the manufacturer of the microwave for repairs, especially if you have a warranty for the appliance.
- Do not use a microwave that sparks or creates a burnt smell. Unplug it and take it in for repairs so you can be sure it is safe to use.

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What dishes should I get for the microwave oven?

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Always check that the dishes are microwave-safe. This should be labeled on the packaging. Get a few containers of different sizes to hold different types, sizes and amounts of food. Also consider getting microwave-safe mugs, plates and bowls for reheating foods and drinks in.

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What does it mean to let the food stand after microwaving?

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Standing after cooking, or standing time, refers to the time required to allow the heat to be evenly distributed through the food and finish cooking outside of the microwave oven. Once standing time is over, the dish should have warmed through sufficiently and be cooled down enough to eat safely. For standing, the dish must be placed onto a solid area like a cutting board, countertop or stovetop so it keeps the heat in it; avoid using anything with holes, like cooling racks, to avoid losing the heat.

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Why do I have to stir the food halfway through being microwaved?

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Many recipes will require you to stir the food one or more times during cooking to ensure even cooking throughout the entire food. Otherwise, there is a risk of the food being cooked unevenly, with some hot spots and some cold spots.

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Tips

Use the buttons on the microwave to your advantage. The inside label of the microwave oven gives you details on each of the microwave's menus.

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Warnings

Do not heat dry foods or oils, as they can catch fire in the microwave.

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Do not run the microwave with nothing inside of it, as it will damage the microwave.

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Do not use a microwave that runs with the door open, as extended exposure can cause microwave burns.

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Be extremely careful when handling hot water in the microwave. Water can superheat; that is, the temperature of the water can be much higher than the boiling point, but the water does not boil. Never reheat water that was already heated in the microwave, and always wait a minute or so for the water to cool down slightly.^{[20]
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