Microwave Magic

 Another key appliance in any kitchen is the microwave. Yes it can help in reheating but it's also a great addition for cooking sides and melting ingredients. it's amazing what this kitchen must have can do.

Most people think that the microwave was in vented in the Seventies however it's been around for a century.It was in 1920 that substances including food could be heated by vacuum tube radio transmitters.At the 1933 Chicago's World's Fair food was being heated between two metal plates attached to a ten Kilowatt sixty mega hertz shortwave transmitter, Another attempt came during the Second World War when the cavity megatron was invented. This produced electromagnetic waves for radar installations.It was in 1945 when Percy Spencer accidentally discovered the power of the modern microwave. He was employed by Raytheon, the multinational aerospace and defense conglomerate who created the radar used in the war. Mr. Spencer had a chocolate bar in his pocket  melted from the microwaves from an active radio set. His second food cooked? Popcorn , of course, then he tried eggs. Raytheon built the first microwave in 1952 but it cost $5000, the price of a luxury home at the time. The seventies and eighties saw the birth of the microwave in the home as Old Tappan and GE made them more affordable to home owners. Soon every house had one as they could cook and reheat in a matter of minutes.

What's the best microwave for your kitchen? The first thing to do is consider the amount of counter space that it will take up and the depth of its cooking space. Keep in mind the smaller the machine the smaller the amount of food you'll be cooking. Of course a family of four or five will want a larger one where as one or two people will just need a smaller microwave. Price is also a factor. For one just for reheating ,then think the lower price range of between fifty and sixty dollars. However it you plan on making it part of your daily cooking spend a little more. A good long wearing one would be anywhere from $150 to $200. A mid range one that you can both cook and reheat in will cost you $100 . Which brands are the best? Magic Chef who used to produce ovens offers a small one that is sturdy and will last years.Panasonic and GE are also very good and reputable brands, The first has cyclonic heat that allows for fast all over cooking sort of like an air fryer, The second cooks with halogenic heat  which cooks food up to sixty percent faster than a regular microwave.

Microwaves have become a vital kitchen must have.  Pick one that suits your needs. It will be perfect for whatever you have in mind- whether cooking fresh or reheating.