Warming up and defrosting in the microwave: Tips for quick cooking
Fancy delicious food but don't want to wait? Head for the microwave! This fast kitchen appliance is the ideal tool for quick recipes. What is important when warming up and defrosting in the microwave? Here are the ultimate kitchen hacks.
Defrosting or heating up in the microwave: The most important functions
You can use any microwave to defrost or heat up, but some make it particularly easy for you. Thanks to various functions, they can sometimes even replace the oven, grill or pizza oven!
Defrost functionThe defrost function lowers the appliance's power and releases it only at intervals. This allows you, for example, to safely defrost minced meat in the microwave.
Baking function, fan oven, grillCombination appliances have additional heating elements that equip your microwave with a baking function, convection heat or even a grill.
Standard functionBei einer Standardfunktion kannst du selbst einstellen, mit welcher Wattzahl das Gerät arbeiten soll. Beim Auftauen und Aufwärmen gilt „low and slow“ .
5 golden rules for reheating in the microwave
- Leave the center of the plate empty. Microwaves heat from the outside in, so a ring shape ensures more even and faster heating.
- Add a splash of water to rice or pasta. This prevents them from drying out during heating.
- Metal is a no-go. Only use microwave-safe dishes – such as glass.
- Stir occasionally. You should stir sauces or soups briefly to help distribute the heat better.
- Let it stand after reheating. If you let the food rest in the microwave for a short while after heating, the temperature will even out and it will heat through perfectly.
Defrosting in the microwave
Defrosting in the microwave is a quick and easy alternative to long waiting times. However, to ensure the taste and texture are just right, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Opt for a very low power setting of 180 to 240 watts. The food must not cook. If your microwave does not have a defrost programme, turn the power down manually. After defrosting in the microwave, let the food rest for about 10 minutes. This allows it to defrost completely. Here too, only use microwave-safe dishes.
Defrosting times
Defrosting times depend primarily on the nature of the food. As a general rule, the higher the water content and the thicker the food, the longer the defrosting time. At a power level of 200 watts, the following guidelines apply:
Food | Weight/Quantity | Defrosting time |
|---|---|---|
Bread and rolls | 300 to 1,000 g | 2 to 15 minutes |
Fruit and vegetables | 250 to 500 g | 4 to 12 minutes |
Poultry | 500 to 1,500 g | 10 to 30 minutes |
Fish | 300 to 500 g | 5 to 10 minutes |
Meat and cold cuts | 500 to 1,000 g | 10 to 25 minutes |
5 golden rules for defrosting in the microwave
- Wrap bread rolls or bread in a damp cloth. This keeps them soft and fluffy inside.
- Turn thick foods halfway through and stir soups regularly.
- Place meat or poultry on an upside-down plate, which you then place normally on another plate. This "pedestal" allows excess water to drain away.
- Prepare meat or fish immediately after defrosting. Otherwise, bacteria will multiply.
- Portion the food before defrosting. This allows it to heat up faster and more evenly.
What should not go in the microwave?
Whether heating, defrosting or cooking – some foods have no place in the microwave. These include:
- Raw fish or raw meat (for cooking)
- Moist foods with skin or shells such as eggs, tomatoes, grapes, etc.
- Fats or oils
- High-proof alcohol
- Plain water
When it comes to materials for your cookware, metal, paper, many plastics and melamine are off-limits. Opt for heat-resistant glass, glazed stoneware or tableware that is explicitly suitable for microwave use!
