Microwave timings

bouicca21

Not sure where this belongs but plenty of cooks on this board so here goes ...

Does anyone know how to calculate/adjust microwave cooking times?


For example I have a packet of fresh peas that says it needs to be microwaved for 2 minutes. I only want to use half the packet. Is the cooking time the same (as it would be if I steamed or boiled them) or do I reduce it and if so for how much?

VfM4meplse

Some of it is guesswork, which can be assisted by knowing a) the wattage of your microwave, and b) the wattage referred to in the cooking instructions. Theoretically you could calculate the total energy required to cook the item and then divide by the wattage of your machine to get the number of seconds you would need to cook it for. A bit of division and multiplication are all that is required.

This is a scientist's, rather than a cook's answer!

PasturesNew

Every microwave oven is a different strength. Every brand's bag of peas is different (size, variety). Every bowl is a different shape/size.

2 minutes for half a bag wouldn't be "wrong" in any case. Why not try a couple after 1½ minutes... or just do it for 2 and think "that won't hurt".

It's peas..... can't go wrong really.

[Deleted User]

Hi,


put the stuff in for a minute, remove, stir and try a pea, if not happy, zap them for another 30 seconds, repeat as necessary.

bouicca21

Try then taste is just what've been doing - just wondered if there was a 'proper' way of calculating cooking time.

VfM4meplse

bouicca21 wrote: »

Try then taste is just what've been doing - just wondered if there was a 'proper' way of calculating cooking time.

It is this:

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Theoretically you could calculate the total energy required to cook the item and then divide by the wattage of your machine to get the number of seconds you would need to cook it for.

Worked example as follows:


Instructions: cook for one minute at 1000W. This is equivalent to a total dose of radiation of 60000Ws.

Your microwave only cooks at a darstadly low 600W. This means that you would need to cook the same item for (60000Ws/600w=100s) 1 minute 40 seconds.

Linda32

I cook frozen peas and sweetcorn in the microwave. Put an amount for two in flat bowl. A little cold water, 2 minutes zap, stir with finger, then another 2 minutes and they are done.