# How to Use a Microwave

By KASUAL KARTEL JEANS

Topic: Home & DIY

[Open the interactive Jig](https://ask.jig.com/j/nanWlYPIkCnq)

## Guide

### 1. Meet the microwave

A microwave oven heats food with invisible waves called microwaves\. They make the tiny bits of water in food jiggle, and all that jiggling makes heat\. Let's learn to use one safely, step by step\.

Drag the kitchen to look around\. Always ask a grown\-up before using the microwave\.

### 2. Pick a safe dish

Use a bowl made of glass, ceramic or plastic marked microwave\-safe\. Never put metal, foil or dishes with metal trim inside, because metal can make sparks\.

Takeout tubs and thin plastic bags can melt, so leave those out too\.

### 3. Cover it loosely

Put a microwave\-safe cover on top, but don't seal it tight\. A small gap lets steam escape, so the food heats evenly and nothing bursts\.

Poke a few holes in foods with skins, like potatoes, so steam can get out\.

### 4. Open, place, close

Open the door and set the bowl in the middle of the glass plate\. Check that the plate can spin freely, then close the door until it clicks\.

The microwave cannot run while the door is open\. Safety switches in the door make sure of that\.

### 5. Set the time, press Start

Type the time on the keypad: 1, 0, 0 means one minute\. Then press Start\. The light comes on, the plate turns and the microwave hums while it works\.

The plate turns so every part of the food passes through the waves\. The countdown here is sped up\.

### 6. Stop and stir

Halfway through, open the door and the microwave stops at once\. Stir so the hot and cold parts mix, then close the door and press Start again\.

Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon, never a metal one inside the oven\.

### 7. Beep\! Let it stand

When it beeps, the food needs a little more time\. Let it stand for a few minutes: the heat keeps spreading inward and warms up the cold spots\.

Food\-safety experts suggest about 3 minutes of standing time\.

### 8. Take it out carefully

The bowl and the steam can be very hot\. Use oven mitts, and lift the far side of the cover first so the steam floats away from your face\.

Kids: ask a grown\-up to help lift hot food out\.

### 9. Stir, check and enjoy

Stir once more and check that the food is hot all the way through\. Wipe up any spills and close the door\. Enjoy your meal\!

Leftovers should be steaming hot in the middle: 74 °C \(165 °F\)\.