Why This Microwave Button Should Get Used More Often

The microwave may be one of the greatest inventions, at least in the kitchen. It ensures you can make quick and easy meals without being a world-class chef. With so many new models on the market, it’s important to know that you’re getting the full potential out of these machines.

All sorts of features and functions are offered. Here’s one that I hadn’t been fully taking advantage of: the power-level button.

Some people call it the popcorn button. After all, it’s the button that you use to ensure you don’t burn your popcorn. It’s so much more than that.

Why use the power-level button? There’s no need to blast everything you cook at full power. Some foods are delicate, and they’ll burn and change texture if they’re cooked at full power. Sure, you’d still eat it, but don’t you deserve better than that?

Think of it as a dimmer switch.

You may only need 50% power so that the food is cooked a bit more gently.

If you’ve cooked pizza at 100% before, you know it’s a soggy, gooey mess. Cooking it on 50% or “5,” depending on the microwave, may be a bit better.

When you cook leftovers or fish, a lower power is better, too.

I play around with the power-level button all the time now. 10-30% is great when I’m melting things, and 40-60% is great for reheating foods and soups. 70-100% is only used if I’m boiling water or cooking something from frozen.