Tips to Make Sure Your Microwave Food Isn't Contaminated with Bacteria

Cooking raw food in a microwave is probably not the best choice for a variety of reason, but one of the most important has to do with how microwave ovens deal with dangerous microbes and bacteria that are pretty easily done away in conventional ovens and stovetops. The benefit of cooking in a microwave comes with eating food that has more of its benefits such as vitamins and minerals intact than frying the same food, but there is a price that must be paid to receive that benefit. Microwave ovens are designed in such a way that food tends to cook unevenly. That is why very often your burrito is crunchy in some places and chewing in others. This uneven cooking method allows for the potential of bacteria surviving the process and making its way into your mouth. And that is never a good thing. Here are some guidelines you need to carefully take note of when cooking in a microwave oven.

Even if your microwave is the kind that automatically rotates the plate, don't let that fool you. Stop midway through and rearrange what you are cooking by stirring or flipping food around with a fork. This increases the possibility that your food will get cooked evenly throughout with no raw or semi-raw pockets that bacteria can survive in. Also be sure to check the internal temperature of all meats and poultry before accepting that your food is fully cooked. Some microwaves come with a thermometer attachment, but you can always pick up one for a very cheap price. Most of these meat thermometers will tell you what your target temperature is, so make sure to stick it in several places to make sure all parts of your meat has reached that level.