If you’ve ignored the power settings and simply went straight for a number instead—say, you punch in “one minute”—your machine has probably defaulted to nuking at the highest power level. This will be the quickest way to heat your food, but not necessarily the best setting for all types.
“You could certainly cook a filet of salmon at full power [and] you’ll get a filet of fully cooked fish in about two to three minutes, but it might turn out a little dryer than you’d like,” Chen explains. Or you could pop it in for four to six minutes at power-level four for a better, more tender texture.
In general, lower power settings allow food to heat more evenly, thereby reducing the risk of hot spots or cold centers and producing an all-around better final product. Sure, you’ll probably need to nuke your food for a little longer to get there, but it’s not a huge loss because microwave cooking is still faster than other methods, Chen says.
Um, how do I get to my power settings?
Despite seeming straightforward, microwaves aren’t standardized, so finding your machine’s power settings in the first place can be confusing, Chen says. “We have nearly 40 microwaves in our test kitchen, and it seems like each one has its own way to change the power levels,” she adds.
Taking a look at your user manual is the most foolproof way to find out how your microwave ticks, but all is not lost even if your manual is. “Start by looking for a ‘Power Level’ or ‘Cook Power’ button on the microwave’s front panel,” Chen explains. If pressing this button brings up a PL or 100% symbol on your screen, you can usually make adjustments from there. “Some microwaves allow you to hit the button repeatedly to lower the level, while others require you to enter a specific number using the keypad.”
If that doesn’t work, try entering your cook time first, because some models force you to do this before enabling power level changes. Let’s say that worked and you’ve successfully selected a new power setting and are ready to start cooking—but you’re still not quite sure if you did everything just right. In that case, listen to your microwave after pressing start. “You’ll know you’re cooking at a lower power level by the sound: A constant hum means full power, while a change in tone indicates the microwave is cycling on and off,” Chen says.
Here’s which microwave power settings you should use and when.
The good news is there are some basic rules to follow for the most common types of ingredients or meals that you’d heat in a microwave, according to both Yeung and Chen.
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