Most people would be lost without their microwave, but they might not be using it to its full potential. If you’re skipping most of the buttons, you may be missing out on features that could make your microwave even more useful. To sort out the button conundrum, you’re about to get the keys to the kingdom. Below you will find all the information you need to know about those confusing buttons and how they can help you to cook your food exactly as it should be.
POTATO: This button is designed to cook one or more RAW potatoes. Most microwaves ask you to enter the number of potatoes you’re cooking. The average cooking time per potato is 4-7 minutes depending on size. Make sure you pierce the skin first so the potato doesn’t burst.
POPCORN: The popcorn button will run a preset amount of time, based on a standard 3.2-ounce bag of microwave popcorn. The average time is 2-4 minutes, but don’t rely on the button alone. Listen for pops slowing to about 2 seconds apart and stop then, even if there’s time remaining.
PIZZA: This button is mean for reheating a slice or two of pizza, but it’s often too strong. Just so you know, reheating pizza in the microwave won’t restore a crispy crust. If you have a bit more time, you can pop it in the oven for a better result. The average time in the microwave per slice is 45-90 seconds at 50% to 70% power.
FROZEN MEALS: This button assumes you’re heating a traditional 10- to 12-ounce frozen entree. Don’t microwave the meal in the plastic container, as it will release microplastics into your food. Instead, transfer the food to a microwavable dish or plate with a lid and microwave for 4-6 minutes.
BEVERAGE: This present button is meant to warm a cup of liquid, but you have to be careful. The microwave doesn’t know how big your mug is or how full it is. Depending on your microwave and how cold your cup is, it will likely take somewhere between 20 and 60 seconds to reheat.
SOUP: Similar to the BEVERAGE button, the SOUP button is meant to warm liquid. It will likely heat for longer, since a bowl of soup is bigger than a mug of tea. Make sure you stir the soup halfway through the time to ensure even cooking. Also make sure the bowl is covered to prevent pops and splatters. The average time is 1-2 minutes.
DEFROST: This button uses low power to thaw frozen food gradually. You’ll typically need to enter the weight or volume of food, but don’t guess. If you don’t know, estimate the weight and enter half of that. Make sure you pause often to flip the food or separate pieces as they thaw. Typically, it’s 1-2 minutes per half pound of food. Beware……most chefs steer clear of the defrost button.
REHEAT: This is a setting for leftovers. Make sure you cover the food with a vented glass lid for the best texture. The time is 1-3 minutes.
FROZEN VEGETABLE: This button assumes you’re putting a bag of frozen vegetables in the microwave to cook. You may be asked to enter the size of the bag. Again, take the extra step to put the food in a microwave safe dish. The time is generally 2-4 minutes per cup, but start with less and then check on it.
FRESH VEGETABLE: This button is reserved for fresh vegetables, but it’s impossible to for the microwave to know what you’re cooking or how big the pieces are. Cover with a vented glass lid and under-cook slightly. They’ll keep steaming after. The typical time is 2-5 minutes per cup.
