Microwave cooking times

[tzhu07]

Let's say the instructions say "4-6 minutes". What do you set the timer to? I set it to 5 minutes. I always take the middle ground.

Yes, this thread is happening.

 

[maxsix]

I save time & trouble by eating only cold food

 

[Fzang]

I usually heat it on the pan or use it as a base for a new dish. In fact, I don't even have a microwave oven anymore.

 

[Vashed]

I just put it in until it looks good.

 

[maflynn]

Let's say the instructions say "4-6 minutes". What do you set the timer to? I set it to 5 minutes.

It depends, most cooking directions assume a microwave of 1,000 watts, but some of the newish microwaves are more powerful. I have such a microwave, so if the directions call for 3 minutes, stir and cook for a minute. I do it for 2 minutes, stir and then add a minute

 

[Blujelly]

I'd normally aim for the higher number, then check it over in the last minute to make my judgment

 

[Jessica Lares]

I'm with maflynn here. We have one of those microwaves where if you follow the directions exactly, especially with stuff like popcorn, it'll burn it. So a lot of times it's even less than directed, or ignoring the fact that it says not to use the presets.

In general though, I start at the bottom, because just 30 seconds to a minute extra makes all the difference.

Have to have something to talk about while we wait for the keynote tomorrow.

 

[heehee]

When my food explodes.

 

[Gregg2]

Let's say the instructions say "4-6 minutes". What do you set the timer to? I set it to 5 minutes. I always take the middle ground.

In this case, I would do 4 minutes, 56 seconds.

 

[C DM]

It depends, most cooking directions assume a microwave of 1,000 watts, but some of the newish microwaves are more powerful. I have such a microwave, so if the directions call for 3 minutes, stir and cook for a minute. I do it for 2 minutes, stir and then add a minute

That's how I go about it as well: the times are based on certain wattage (usually 1000, as mentioned, although sometimes more or less) and then I extrapolate what would apply based on the wattage of the microwave that I have. If mine is more powerful I'd go closer to the lower number from the range that is suggested (or somewhat less if a single number is suggested), and vice versa if mine is less powerful.

 

[SactoGuy18]

It depends, most cooking directions assume a microwave of 1,000 watts, but some of the newish microwaves are more powerful. I have such a microwave, so if the directions call for 3 minutes, stir and cook for a minute. I do it for 2 minutes, stir and then add a minute

I have an older Daewoo-branded microwave rated at only 800 watts of power and I usually have to add about a minute or so to the cooking time for many microwavable foods.